New Running Shoes 2019 | The Running Event 2018 – Runner’s World

For running gear geeks, Austin, Texas, is the place to be in the final days of November. Each year, the industry descends on the city for The Running Event—part retail workshop where stores can share best practices, and part gear expo where brands can show off the latest in shoe tech and stylish apparel.

At this year’s show, the theme in general was shoe fit and comfort. While previous years have brought us a foam war—with each brand trying to deliver a bouncy, soft midsole—the companies really turned their focus to the shoes’ uppers and how they interact with your foot. We haven’t heard the last about foams, to be sure, but next year’s shoes promise to better wrap your foot with less risk for blisters and hot spots.

Here are 17 of the most exciting shoes launching in 2019.

New Balance Fuel Cell Rebel

Price: $130
Available: July 1, 2019

One of the shoes that got the most attention at the show is the Fuel Cell Rebel (pictured here and at the top of this article). If you know anything about any Fuel Cell models NB has previously built, forget it. The company is keeping the name, but scrapping the nitrogen-infused foam it had used before. Instead, the name will live on in a speed-based series of shoes. The Rebel is rooted in the company’s “miler project,” given the company’s success at the mid-distance with runners like Jenny Simpson. This shoe has a bold fin sticking off the lateral (outer) edge of the shoe, to smooth the landing for runners who make ground contact out on the side of their foot. We were told “this shoe is not for jogging.” No, it looks clearly built for speed. It’ll have a 6mm drop.

Saucony Mad River TR

Price: $110
Available: June 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

I absolutely love the concept of this trail shoe. I’ve often said that a running shoe is just a tool, and we should tweak it as needed to make it work the way we want. By that I mean you shouldn’t be afraid to punch an extra eyelet in the upper to change how you lace the shoe, or even take a knife to the mesh to relieve pressure or irritation. Saucony has taken that concept here and actually suggested where you might customize it.

Do you run a course with lots of stream crossings? Break out the Milwaukee drill and poke holes in the outsole—obviously do so when the shoe is not on your foot. Labels on the rubber even tell you what size drill bit to use. Or maybe you want to wear the shoe in the winter on slippery roads? More markings show you not only where to place the screws but also what size to use. There are also multiple options—ghillies and eyelets—for lacing the shoe up tight.

Altra Vanish-XC

Price: $80
Available: May 2019

Jeff Dengate

This shoe is about as minimal as it gets these days. A fishnet upper straps a thin, 14mm foam and rubber sole to your foot—and that’s about it. But the shoe has a purpose. Initially, it’s intended to give young cross-country runners a tool to build foot strength and run fast in training over grass courses. Its X-shaped tread delivers grip on mild terrain. But it can also be used for much the same purposes for the rest of us. In introducing the shoe to us, Altra cofounder Golden Harper said “stronger feet equals less shoe needed,” and that’s wise advice to heed. If you build foot strength, you can more comfortably run in thinner, lightweight shoes. So, while many of us might use it as a training tool, more advanced runners will take it out for long speed sessions. Altra athlete Zach Bitter wore it in November when he set the 100-mile trail world record, running 12:08:36—that’s 7:17 per mile, by the way. If you’re the type to lace this one up, you’ll also like how you can loop the laces through nearly any hole in the upper to customize the fit to your foot.

Hoka One One Clifton 6

Price: $130
Available: June 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

I’m a fan of the Clifton, and still hold v1 as the pinnacle of the franchise. But the 6 continues the shoe’s legacy, positioning it right in the territory of a Brooks Ghost or Nike Pegasus—a do-it-all trainer that’s going to work for an awful lot of runners. This version has been overhauled under and around the foot. The midsole has been softened just a bit from version 5, and rubber patches on the sole have been repositioned to improve durability. Meanwhile, the upper has been redesigned to add structure. To do so, Hoka is using embroidery through the midfoot—a series of six stitches extend from the eyerow to the midsole down near your heel to provide some lateral support to the engineered mesh upper.

Brooks Cascadia 14

Price: $130
Available: June 1, 2019

Brooks Running

A big overhaul that caught our attention is the Cascadia—a trail titan that typically doesn’t see major changes. But the new version has been reworked top to bottom. Under the foot, a new trail rubber has a wet-grip formulation for more secure footing. Brooks says it took the rebound out of the rubber, so when you hit rocks on the trail, the rubber sticks better, rather than deflecting off it. The company has also retooled the lugs underfoot for more secure footing and changed up the pivots—those triangle wedges of firm foam at the four corners that deliver extra stability on uneven ground. Perhaps the biggest change, however, is the new knit upper. It’s a sleek execution for a shoe that’s typically had a burly construction. The knit material is lightweight but secure thanks to its no-stretch design. To give extra protection, Brooks is using a Cordura mesh just above the midsole, where you’re likely to snag rocks and sticks on technical trail. The changes are reported to bring the shoe down an astonishing 1.2 ounces.

Saucony Liberty ISO 2

Price: $160
Available: June 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

The Liberty won our Best Debut award in early 2018 thanks to its versatile mix of comfort and support for long runs. But how will its successor fare? Since it’s an off-year update, very little changed under the foot—manufacturers are largely on a two-year cycle for foam and rubber updates. So this shoe still gets the full-length layer of Everun as a midsole, making for a bouncy, cushioned ride. Saucony beefed up the plastic post under the heel and arch a bit. It did so by making it slightly longer and extending a few plastic ribs of the post farther into the midsole, basically firming up that region. It also bolstered support by adding a genuine heel counter inside the shoe to lock the back half of your foot in place. The previous model had a simple plastic strap that wrapped around the heel but didn’t really offer much in the way of structure. Saucony also added a “high tensile polyester fiber” to the heel and midfoot. It’s a thread that winds around the shoe’s upper and is stitched in place to add even more structure and support, much like traditional overlays would have but in a lighter execution.

Reebok Forever Floatride Energy

Price: $100

Jeff Dengate

We’ve really loved the direction of Reebok the last couple years, and the team there has been cranking out some great shoes using a new Floatride midsole foam. But, to reach more runners with a lower price, they’ve come up with a slightly different kind of foam they’re calling Floatride Energy. It’s a lightweight expanded TPE—essentially, small plastic beads are steam molded together. Reebok says it’s 30 percent lighter than traditional EVA and delivers better energy return, but it’s not as soft as the midsole material used in other Floatride shoes like the Run Fast. Add to that a simple full-length rubber outsole that will give good durability and value. I’ve been in the shoe a while now, and it’s currently on the feet of our wear-testers. The early results are exactly as Reebok describes: It’s a lightweight training shoe that feels quick when you want to run fast. It doesn’t have the premium construction and plush build of pricier shoes, but it should be a real bargain for younger runners and those on a budget.

Asics Gel-DS Trainer 24

Price: $120

Jeff Dengate

The DS Trainer has a bold new look. It’s the first Asics shoe to get a knit upper. And our early indications are that this change alone has greatly improved the long-time tempo shoe. I’ve been running in this one as well, and our wear-test team is piling miles on it now, but I find myself reaching for it on quick days more often than I did recent versions. That’s likely also due to the full-length layer of FlyteFoam Lyte. It’s a lighter version of the foam the brand has been rolling out to its cushioned titans like the Nimbus and Kayano. Although it reduces weight, it still offers excellent cushioning power and responsiveness. Asics added a new heel counter into the knit upper so you don’t get any slippage on heel lift. Don’t like the mottled design? No worry. Our test samples came in a slick blacked-out option.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20

Price: $130
Available: November 1, 2019

Brooks Running

You’re forgiven if you looked at this picture and thought you were seeing a Ghost. That’s exactly what Brooks has in mind here with the Adrenaline. It’s the stability brother to the Ghost, with a similar design and fit. The difference between the two going forward is the level of support. The GTS 20 will continue using guide rails for support, just like those found on the GTS 19 that’s hitting stores right now. Those rails are in place of the traditional medial post—a firm wedge of foam under the arch for stability. But, while the shoe still delivers support for those who need it, it doesn’t scream “stability shoe.” The new engineered mesh upper has a sleek design that any runner will be proud to lace up.

Saucony Switchback ISO

Price: $140
Available: February 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

Saucony used to make a Kinvara for the trails, but it was a Kinvara in name only, really, and went extinct. The Switchback, however, is a lot like the Freedom ISO. The shoe came about because runners in northern California were taking that shoe on trails but wanted more traction. Enter the Switchback. It has a 4mm drop and full-length Everun midsole like the Freedom. One notable difference is the Boa closure for a quick, secure lock down. The dial lets you make tiny adjustments in tension—something you can’t do with laces—and won’t stretch or get loose over the duration of your run. The tread isn’t overly aggressive, which is perfect for “western technical” trails—on the East Coast we call them rail trails.

Skechers GOrun 7 Hyper

Price: $120
Available: February 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

Though most brands focused on fit and materials at the show, many were talking about Skechers. Truth. Getting all that attention is Hyper Burst, a new form of EVA that’s created differently. Instead of being blown with chemicals, it’s made when CO2 is heated under pressure and becomes a supercritical fluid. There’s a load of science behind it, but what it means for runners is the foam has a different cellular structure that allows it to be durable and springy, without being heavy. This is another shoe that we’ve been testing here at Runner’s World already. The feeling underfoot is an odd sensation of firm but protective. There’s plenty enough cushioning even when running down steep hills, but it’s light and responsive. The same foam is being used in the GOrun Razor 3. But, the GOrun 7 has a stretchy knit upper mated to the midsole. The outsole has pods on the bottom of the foot—think way back to the original GOrun, the pods are back. These boost the shoe’s cushioning power a bit, as each compresses individually when you load them with weight, making the shoe feel smoother and softer. It’s expected to weigh just 7.8 ounces and have a 4mm drop.

Hoka One One Rincon

Price: $115
Available: July 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

In the past, I’ve bemoaned how much weight the Clifton gained over its five years, mostly because that first Clifton was so darn light and soft. My displeasure is eased a good bit now. No, the Clifton isn’t going on a diet, as we saw above, but it has a new sibling that is lighter and suitable for race day. In fact, that’s exactly why Hoka built this version. It has the same stack heights as the Clifton—29mm in the heel, 24mm in the forefoot, according to Hoka—and should fit like that everyday trainer. To help the shoe check in at 7.7 ounces, it uses a lightweight reinforced mesh that locks your foot in place.

Under Armour Hovr Infinite

Price: $120
Available: February 1, 2019

Jeff Dengate

Under Armour is still in the high-energy return foam wars with its Hovr platform. And new to the line for 2019 are three shoes—the Infinite, a neutral trainer; the Guardian, a stability model, and the Velociti, a performance trainer or race day model. The most approachable of the three is the Infinite, though, and it’s clearly shooting for shoes like the Asics Gel-Nimbus—a plush model built for high comfort over long miles. The key to the shoe, of course, is the Hovr foam, a squishy material that’s so soft is has to be wrapped in a web to keep it from squeezing out of the shoe and encased in a more durable carrier foam. Women get their own gender-specific fit from this shoe, with the patterning of the upper adjusted to better fit the instep and volume of the toebox. They also get a different sockliner that boosts cushioning in the rear half of the shoe. It’s spec’d to have an 8mm drop and every pair will come with the stride-tracking sensor in the midsole, which sends your run data to the MapMyRun app.

361 Degrees 361-Strata 3

Price: $155

361 Degrees

The Strata continues as 361’s top-of-the-line stability shoe. It delivers not only support for runners who need it but also loads of cushioning and plush comfort. If there’s a comparison to make, it’s the brand’s take on the Kayano. This version has been re-engineered, but still features a full slab of the brand’s Quickfoam directly under your foot. That’s the company’s bouncy, durable foam that really amps comfort and helps the shoe feel just as soft at mile 20 as it did on the first few steps out the door. The all-new upper has a jacquard mesh that really boosts the shoe’s style, and a “Morphit” lacing system—fabric straps loop through the eyelets and tie directly into the laces, pulling across the top and helping the upper wrap up and around your foot for a snug fit.

Enda Iten

Price: $100
Available: Now

Jeff Dengate

You have to be a little bit crazy to launch a running shoe company nowadays. And you have to be out of your mind to do it outside of Asia, where the skilled laborers and manufacturing infrastructure already exist. But, that’s just what Kenya-based Enda has done. Its first model, the Iten, is named after the small town in the Rift Valley that’s loaded with distance-running talent. Cofounder Weldon Kennedy tells us that Enda set up shop in a flip-flop factory, one capable of churning out 200,000 pairs of the summer’s shoes. As expected for a debut shoe from a small company—especially one in a flip-flop factory—the Iten has a compression-molded midsole and really basic construction. It’s a shoe with a rich backstory and full of good will, if not loaded with technical features. As for performance, the Iten is designed to be a low-volume, go-fast shoe. That means it fits snug and is meant for fast running. It’s not something you’ll grab for an easy jog or a long run. That could prove a challenge for the company as it tries to grow, but it’s already eyeing its second shoe, a midweight cushioned model. For now, the only place you can buy the Iten is from Enda directly at endasportswear.com.

Merrell MTL Cirrus

Price: $160
Available: Spring 2019

Jeff Dengate

For a while, Merrell sponsored Joe Gray, currently the top mountain runner in the United States, and world mountain running champ in 2016. Although Gray now runs for Hoka One One, it was with his input previously that Merrell designed this shoe, suitable for running straight uphill. Dubbed the Cirrus, this skyrunner model is meant to deliver grip and protection for running up mountains. The shoe is really stripped of protective features you’d need for running back down, though it does have a rock plate to give you some relief. The sole is made from Vibram Megagrip and has lugs designed to give you great grip on steep terrain, while the upper is a nearly see-through nylon that won’t rip easily.

Diadora Mythos Blueshield 3

Price: $140
Available: Now

Diadora

Diadora is another name you may be unfamiliar with or associate with other sports. But the Italian brand is making a move into the performance running space again. It’s working channels and getting into specialty run shops, so you may see its shoes on the wall of your local running store soon. The shoe leading the charge is the Mythos Blueshield 3. It’s a neutral trainer that uses a gel-like layer in the midsole which has a series of nubs protruding from it to help cushion and stabilize the foot.