Every Running Shoe Race Foam of 2026, Explained
Below we are explaining all of the best running shoe race foams in 2026, including the new Nike ZoomX LT found in the Alphafly 4 and Apex, Adidas Lightstrike Pro Evo found in the Evo Pro 3, TYR Hyperlaunch featured in the Valkyrie Elite V2, Saucony Incredirun found in the Endorphin Elite 3, Topo Revfoam found in the Specter Elite, and more.
Not all superfoam is created equal. From familiar favorites like Nike ZoomX and Adidas Lightstrike Pro EVO to some of the newest and most experimental compounds on the market, we’re breaking down the race foams powering today’s super shoes.
Nike ZoomX
Foam Compound: PEBA
ZoomX is Nike’s classic PEBA race foam used as the bottom layer on the Alphafly 4. It is still an excellent compound, but newer foams have surpassed it.
Nike Alphafly Next% 4
Nike ZoomX LT
Foam Compound: PEBA
ZoomX LT is a softer, lighter version of Nike’s ZoomX foam designed for explosive energy return. The new Apex uses 100% ZoomX LT.
Adidas Lightstrike Pro Evo
Foam Compound: TPEE
Lightstrike Pro Evo is Adidas’ pinnacle race foam. Found in the Evo Pro 3, it delivers the lightest, bounciest ride on the market. It offers an ultra-soft, dynamic ride that compresses and springs back.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
Adidas Lightstrike Pro
Foam Compound: PEBA/ATPU dual foam
Adidas has toned down Lightstrike Pro slightly in the Adios Pro 5, tuning it for stability, comfort and versatility across all paces.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5
Hoka Unbranded PEBA
Foam Compound: PEBA
The Cielo X1 3.0 features a robust PEBA foam that gives back what you put into it. It is slightly firmer than other PEBA midsoles, but offers excellent energy return.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
TYR Hyperlaunch
Foam Compound: ATPU
Hyperlaunch is a soft, fast ATPU foam that offers springy energy return when paired with the aggressive geometry of the Valkyrie Elite 2.
TYR Valkyrie Elite V2
On Helion HF (Cloudtec Sphere)
Foam Compound: PEBA
While not the bounciest or most explosive race foam, Helion HF offers smooth comfort and a pleasant bounce in the Cloudboom Strike 2 and a slightly firmer feel in the Lightspray Cloudboom Strike 2.
On Cloudboom Strike 2
On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
New Balance Infinion
Foam Compound: ATPU
A workhorse race foam that feels reliable and “normal” underfoot (in a good way), Infinion is less squishy and uncontrolled vs. its competitors.
New Balance SC Elite v6
Li-Ning Super Boom
Foam Compound: PEBA
The Super Boom capsule found in the Feidian 6 Elite is a pressure-wrapped foam that traps energy when it’s compressed, delivering explosive energy return with each stride.
Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite
Saucony PWRRUN PB
Foam Compound: PEBA
PWRRUN PB is a firm, robust workhorse race foam found in Saucony’s iconic Endorphin Pro series. It is not as dynamic and compressive as other foams in its category.
Saucony Incredirun
Foam Compound: TPEE
Saucony’s pinnacle race foam, Incredirun, features one of the softest, bounciest rides on the market. It is extremely fun, but wild and unstable in the Endorphin Elite 3.
Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
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Topo RevFoam
Foam Compound: ATPU
One of the most pleasant race foams of the year, Topo's RevFoam sits right in the goldilocks zone—not too soft, not too firm.
Topo Specter Elite
Brooks DNA Gold
Foam Compound: PEBA
The DNA Gold foam found in the Hyperion Elite 6 is Brooks’ best race foam yet. While not as fast as others, DNA Gold offers soft comfort and solid bounce for the marathon distance.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
Qiaodan Kung Fu Ultra
Foam Compound: PEBA
The relatively firm, responsive formulation of PEBA found in the Feiying Plaid 3.0 reminds us very much of OG Lightstrike Pro.
Qiaodan Feiying Plaid 3.0
Reebok Hyperfloat
Foam Compound: ATPU
Reebok’s race foam featured in the SpeedShifter is right down the center of the plate: not overtly soft, nor brick-like, and speed assistive without being harsh.
Reebok SpeedShifter
Altra Fast RCE
Foam Compound: PEBA
Altra's Fast RCE foam that debuted in the Vanish Carbon 3 is a dense, heavier PEBA midsole tuned for comfort and stability over pure speed assistance.
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
Salomon optiFOAM+
Foam Compound: PEBA
Salomon's optiFOAM+ is a very soft, flexible PEBA that lacked significant energy return in our testing, delivering a muted, subpar ride in the S/Lab Phantasm 3.
Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3
Runsifly Unbranded PEBA
Foam Compound: PEBA
The PEBA in the Runsifly Flare Elite is a soft, bouncy foam that’s explosive underfoot without feeling too squishy or unstable. It is reminiscent of ZoomX in the OG Vaporfly.
Runsifly Flare Elite
Skechers Hyper Burst Pro
Foam Compound: ATPU
The Hyper Burst Pro foam found in the Skechers Aero Elite is a smooth, versatile ATPU that blends comfort with speed assistance. It is slightly mushy at faster paces.
Skechers Aero Elite
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Diadora Anima PBX
Foam Compound: PEBA
While very comfortable, Diadora’s PEBA isn’t on par with the best race foams on the market. That doesn’t stop Marco Langon from ripping in the Gara Carbon 3, though.
Diadora Gara Carbon 3
Puma Nitrofoam Elite
Foam Compound: ATPU
Nitrofoam Elite is an energetic, not too soft, not too firm ATPU found in the Deviate Elite 4 and Fast-R 3. It offers a dense, substantial feel underfoot.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
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ASICS FF Leap
Foam Compound: ATPU
FF Leap is an airy, ultra-lightweight ATPU foam found in ASICS’ pinnacle racer, the Metaspeed Ray. It offers springy bouncy and an excellent weight-stack ratio.
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
ASICS FF Turbo+
Foam Compound: PEBA
ASICS’ firmer, more stable race foam, FF Turbo+, is featured in their mainstream racers. It is the bottom layer in the Edge Tokyo abd top layer in the Sky Tokyo.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
Mizuno Enerzy XP+
Foam Compound: PEBA
Enerzy XP+ is a soft, comfortable supercritical PEBA used in the Mizuno Hyperwarp series of shoes.
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