The 5 Best Race Shoes in January 2026 - Supwell Power Rankings
Here we are ranking the top 5 road running races shoes on the market in January 2026. See below which shoes fell off our previous rankings and which 3 new shoes made the list as well as where the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure, Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4, New Balance SC Elite v5, and the Puma Fast-R 3 landed this month.
Welcome to the January 2026 race shoe edition of the Supwell Power Rankings. We launched this series as a way to keep a running list of the best shoes on the market updated each month. Here are our 5 best race shoes right now. *Editor’s note: Our criteria for this list is enjoyment, mileage accumulation on the Supwell team, adoption in the hobby jogger community, US market availability and price/value. Our September 2025 list was: Puma Fast-R 3 on top, ASICS Metaspeed Ray in second, ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo in third, followed by the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3, and Nike Alphafly 3 in the last spot.
1. Puma Fast R-3: The Fastest Race Shoe on the Market
Until a faster shoe releases, nothing will take the Fast-R 3’s #1 spot on our Power Rankings. Puma’s pinnacle racer has become the reference point every other race shoe is now chasing.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
2. ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo: Best All-Around Racer
The Sky Tokyo is a well-rounded race shoe built around proven, well-executed technology rather than flashy concepts. With a dual-foam construction, a balanced geometry and an aggressive plate position, the Sky Tokyo is an amalgamation of the best elements from the top shoes on the market.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
3. Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4: Best Value
Priced at $250, the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is the best deal in the marathon racer segment, offering one of the most accessible, stable, and versatile rides on the market while undercutting its competition. Puma took everything good about the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 and refined it to near perfection. This one’s an early race shoe of the year candidate.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
%201.png)
4. Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure: Best Lightweight Option
The Hyperwarp Pure is our top pick from the new wave of feather-light race shoes, delivering a springy, highly rockered underfoot feel. Despite having a relatively low stack height of 34mm, the shoe’s 4mm drop ensures plenty of soft PEBA foam in the forefoot. It’s a perfect fit for runners who want a stripped-back, lightweight racer that still delivers a lively, propulsive ride. At $200 less than Adidas' lightest weight racer, the Evo Pro 2, it is a no-brainer.
Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure
.png)
5. New Balance SC Elite v5: Most Comfortable Racer
The mighty Alphafly 3 has finally been knocked off our Power Rankings, with the comfortable, versatile SC Elite v5 taking its place. Runners have been loving the SC Elite v5’s soft, bouncy PEBA midsole, which delivers reliable speed assistance while staying comfortable and surprisingly stable over long distances.
New Balance SC Elite v5
Supwell App
For great deals on gently used or brand new running shoes, sign up for the Supwell app. 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
