Supwell's 2026 Mid Season Running Shoe Awards
Here we are giving our thoughts on the Supwell team's favorite performance running shoes so far in 2026. See what awards we gave out for the Adidas Hyperboost Edge, ASICS Superblast 3, Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, Saucony Triumph 24, Hoka Skyward X 2, Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Utra, Dynafish Xiaonian, Puma Deviate Nitro 4, and more.
The year is only halfway done but the competition is already heating up. From surprise breakout shoes to standout long run picks, wild colorways, and a few disappointments along the way, the Supwell team narrowed down the models that have defined 2026 so far. Do you think these winners will still be standing at the end of the year? Only time (and a lot more miles) will tell.
Shoe of the Year: ASICS Superblast 3
The Superblast 3 is the most iconic shoe of 2026 so far, exemplifying the current state of the performance market and the rise of the super trainer. The Superblast 3 triumphs in perfectly integrating a tall stack of soft compressive race foam into a stable, tank-like package. Is it a daily trainer? Is it max cushion? Is it a long run shoe? It’s hard to say. But what is for certain is that it’s Shoe of the Year.
Other Notable Nominees: Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, Dynafish Xiaonian, Adidas Hyperboost Edge
ASICS Superblast 3
Newcomer of the Year: Dynafish Xioanian
The Dynafish Xiaonian has been the disruptive shoe of 2026 so far, rapidly gaining adoption in the enthusiast community and beating legacy trainers in terms of speed assistance and bounce. Embraced by hobby joggers for its exceptional weight-to-stack ratio and its combination of Megablast & EVO SL characteristics, the Xiaonian is the clear choice for newcomer of the year.
Dynafish Xiaonian
Other Notable Nominees: Li-NIng Red Hare 9 Ultra, Adidas Hyperboost Edge
Most Fun Ride: Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra
The Red Hare 9 Ultra features a Super Boom Capsule middle layer, which provides a one-of-a-kind ride experience. The capsule is a pressure-wrapped foam insert that traps energy when it’s compressed, delivering explosive energy return with each stride.
Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra
.png)
Other Notable Nominees: Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite, Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
Most Improved: Saucony Triumph 24
The Triumph is officially back. After the Triumph 22 and 23 were widely panned for their lackluster, brick-like midsoles, Saucony cooked up a brand-new ATPU foam, IncrediLux, that delivers the perfect blend of comfort and bounce for daily miles.
Saucony Triumph 24
Other Notable Nominees: ASICS Superblast 3, New Balance 1080v15
Most Disappointing: Kirun Kipstorm Lab
When we visited Decathlon’s HQ in France earlier this year, Kiprun told us we were too slow to run in the Kipstorm LAB, painting it as a dangerously fast shoe. But when we bought it ourselves (for $350, mind you) we were disappointed with the ride and performance. Lacking the fast, fun ride Kiprun promised in their marketing, the LAB unfortunately pales in comparison to the Fast-R 3 and Metaspeed Ray.
Kiprun Kipstorm Lab
Other Notable Nominees: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3, Diadora Gara Carbon 3, New Balance 860v15
Best Design: R.A.D Synth
The Synth exemplifies R.A.D.’s detail-oriented & highly creative approach to shoe design. Perfectly aligning form and function, the Synth’s design centers on an 80s-themed, minimal look that mirrors the shoe’s traditional, retro-inspired ride experience.
R.A.D Synth
.png)
Other Notable Nominees: Adidas Evo SL EXO, Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra, New Balance Ellipse
Best Traditional Daily Trainer: Saucony Triumph 24
In a world where many runners are pulling for super trainers for their daily miles, it’s getting harder and harder to distinguish what constitutes a “daily trainer.” But if we look to the traditional characteristics of top daily trainers - comfort, reliability, versatility, durability - the Triumph 24 outshines the rest of the market.
Saucony Triumph 24
Other Notable Nominees: Salomon Aero Glide 4, Saucony Endorphin Azura, Kiprun Kipride Max
Long Run MVP: Adidas Hyperboost Edge
The Hyperboost Edge wins our Long Run MVP award for its versatile, multi-purpose performance over long distances. Whether you’re simply aiming for time on feet or are looking to hit reps of marathon pace within a long run, the Hyperboost Edge has the comfort, protection, and bounce to see you through.
Adidas Hyperboost Edge
Other Notable Nominees: Hoka Skyward X 2, ASICS Superblast 3, Mizuno Neo Vista 3
Best Race Shoe: Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Since its release in January, the Cielo X1 3.0 has consistently been our top race shoe recommendation for the vast majority of runners. With a tall, protective underfoot reel in the midfoot, a bouncy, goldilocks PEBA foam, and an aggressive rocker that delivers serious speed assistance, this is not only Hoka’s best Cielo yet, but the most complete marathon racer package to release so far in 2026.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Other Notable Nominees: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4, Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite, Saucony Endorphin Elite 3
Best Max Cushion Shoe: Hoka Skyward X 2
The max cushion category has always stood for pure, elevated recovery, and the Skyward X2 has best delivered on that promise so far in 2026. Featuring a smoother, more controlled midsole and lighter construction compared to the OG, the Skyward X2 is our current top pick for stacking mileage in comfort.
Hoka Skyward X 2
Other Notable Nominees: ASICS Superblast 3, Saucony Paramount Max, Puma MagMax 2
Best Speed Trainer: Puma Deviate Nitro 4
Although enthusiasts are increasingly using carbon-plated racers and $200+ super trainers for their workouts, the Deviate NITRO 4 reminds us that there’s still plenty of value in a traditional speed trainer. This shoe blends a peppy, old-school, lower to the ground feel with just the right amount of comfort, making it excellent for workouts and daily mileage alike.
Puma Deviate Nitro 4
.png)
Other Notable Nominees: Dynafish Xiaonian, Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo
Best Colorway: Unicorn Vomit on the Puma Fast-R 3
From Rory Linkletter’s 2:06 in Boston to Yowana’s 2:29 at the Bayshore Marathon, the mismatched Unicorn Vomit Fast-R 3 has been synonymous with ripping PRs in 2026.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
The Supwell team debated every pick live on The Mileage Podcast for the full reasoning, hot takes, and arguments behind these awards, catch the episode on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Supwell App
For great deals on gently used or brand new running shoes, sign up for the Supwell app. You can also download it directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You'll get DAILY motivation, the most supportive hobby jogger community, best buy, sell and trade shoe marketplace and exclusive Hobby Jogger gear discounts, including access to the Running Warehouse code that will get you 20% off of clearance shoes.
Join the buy, sell, trade marketplace.
Find your next running shoe
Answer a few questions to find the best shoe based on your preferences and goals
