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We spent three full days visiting running shoe brands at The Running Event. The annual trade conference is where new running shoe models are unveiled for the first time to retailers and media.
Here is a sneak peek at 14 of the most compelling shoes we saw at this year’s trade show. (Several other shoes were under a publishing embargo until a future date or complete information was not yet available.)
The Best Running Shoes Coming in 2024
1. Hoka Tecton X 3, $275
- Spec Weight: 10.5 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 5mm (32mm at the heel/27mm at the forefoot)
Built off of the prototypes Jim Walmsley wore on his way to winning the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc last summer, this technical trail runner has been updated with a soft, tightly knit above-the-ankle gaiter collar. In addition to a dramatic rocker shape and a more aggressively lugged outsole, it features a two-layer, highly responsive Pebax midsole with dual carbon propulsion plates that now wrap up the medial and lateral sidewalls for more stability.
2. Salomon S/Lab Spectur, $220
- Spec Weight: 8.2 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 8mm (38.5mm at the heel/30.5mm at the forefoot)
Specifically engineered to be a supershoe for marathoners in the three-to six-hour range, the S/Lab Spectur has a full carbon-fiber propulsion plate and hyper-responsive dual-compound Pebax and EVA midsole that’s geared to be conducive to a heel-striking gait. It’s designed with more support, stability and durability for longer race-day efforts.
3. Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, $220
- Spec Weight: 8.4 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 5mm (34mm at the heel/29mm at the forefoot)
A prototype version of this trail running supershoe was on the feet of British ultrarunner Tom Evans when he won the 2023 Western States 100. Light, agile, and energetic, it includes carbon-fiber energy rods wedged between two layers of extremely lively Lightstrike Pro midsole foam and an extremely rockered shape.
4. Puma Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite, $260
- Spec Weight: 8.4 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 8mm (40mm at the heel/32mm at the forefoot)
A two-part midsole and partially exposed carbon-fiber plate remain key features of the second edition of this shoe, with the plate elongating through the NitroFoam Elite midsole and past the tip of the toes for increased surface contact and greater forward levering action.
5. Brooks Catamount Agil, $180
- Spec Weight: 7.4 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 5mm (28mm at the heel/23mm at the forefoot)
Brooks has been pushing further into the world of trail running over the past few years, both by adding a wider range of trail runners to its team of sponsored athletes and evolving its range of trail running shoes. This new light, nimble, and aggressively lugged short-distance racing model has two parallel propulsion plates embedded in a responsive DNA Flash v2 foam midsole that split under the toes for an agile and dynamic forefoot sensation.
RELATED: 9 Great Trail Running Shoes for Fall Running
6. La Sportiva Prodigio, $155
- Spec Weight: 9.5 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 6mm (34mm at the heel/28mm at the forefoot)
A new versatile trail running shoe engineered for a wide range of terrain, the Prodigio melds mountain toughness with a soft, energetic ride of the nitrogen-infused supercritical XFlow midsole foam. It has a durable and breathable engineered mesh upper aimed at providing comfort and support.
7. Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx, $210
- Spec Weight: 7.7 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 6mm (25mm at the heel, 19mm at the forefoot)
Following up on the acclaimed original version of this model, Merrell added the dynamic Matryx upper to enhance the fit, breathability and stability while keeping the light, fast and low-to-the-ground vibe of the shoe.
8. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite 4, $250
- Spec Weight: 7.1 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 4mm (40mm at the heel, 36mm at the forefoot)
New Balance has overhauled its top-tier long-distance road racing shoe with a thinner, lighter carbon-fiber propulsion plate, a full-length layer of highly responsive Pebax midsole foam and sidewall cutouts that help reduce the weight of the shoe and a new FantomFit upper that help keep a runner’s foot in place.
9. Norda 003 x Haven, $315
- Spec Weight: 9.7 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 6mm (27mm at the heel/21mm at the forefoot)
This collab between Canadian shoe brand Norda and the Haven lifestyle shop is essentially a slip-on version of Norda’s 003 model. Featuring the clean design of a bio-Dyneema upper, it’s engineered to be a durable, supportive approach shoe engineered to transition seamlessly between hiking, scrambling, and running.
10. Altra Experience Wild, $145
- Spec Weight: 10.2 oz
- Drop/Stack: 4mm (32mm at the heel/28mm at the forefoot)
After launching its first shoe without a level, zero-drop platform in September (the AltraFWDExperience had a 4mm heel-toe offset), Altra is launching a trio of shoes with a 4mm drop in 2024, including the Experience Wild trail running shoe. It has the aggressive MaxTrac outsole traction of several other Altra trail running shoes, as well as a more spacious foot-shaped forefoot for ample toe splay.
11. Scarpa Golden Gate 2 ATR, $160
- Spec Weight: 10.2 oz
- Drop/Stack: 4mm (28mm at the heel/24mm at the forefoot)
A versatile road-to-trail shoe, the Golden Gate 2 ATR is a revamped version of the circa-2018 original model. It now has dual-density responsive foam midsole, a microfiber mesh upper with 3D-printed bio-based reinforcements for added structure, a gusseted tongue for a more snug fit, and a Presa sticky rubber outsole.
12. Lowa Fortux Gore-Tex, $195
- Spec Weight: 11.6 oz
- Drop/Stack: 6mm (32mm at the heel/26mm at the forefoot)
After the successful re-launch of its trail running shoes in 2023, Lowa is continuing to evolve its line in 2024 with the all-weather Fortux Gore-Tex shoe. It has a grippy outsole with directional lugs, a durable, jacquard weave upper, one-pull speed laces and a breathable Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane to keep the inclement weather at bay.
13. Reebok Float Zig 1, $130
- Spec Weight: 9.8 oz
- Drop/Stack: 6mm (31mm at the heel/25mm at the forefoot)
Although delayed from an intended launch this fall, Reebok’s re-entry into road running will come to life in the spring with the bouncy and energetic ride of the Zig-shaped Floatride Energy foam midsole of this marquee road running shoe.
14. Nike Alphafly 3, $275
- Spec Weight: 7.7 oz.
- Drop/Stack: 8mm (40mm at the heel/32mm at the forefoot)
Nike revealed its latest and greatest long-distance racing shoe at the trade show, but Kelvin Kiptum proved its efficacy by running to a new men’s marathon world record (2:00:35) wearing a pair in Chicago back in October. The lightest Alphafly to date, it has an updated ZoomX midsole compression ratio for better performance and reduced weight and an enhanced placement of the Air Zoom units in the midsole to return more energy to a runner’s stride.
RELATED: The Nike Alphafly 3 Is Better Designed to Serve All Marathoners