Four Racing Shoes Worth Watching: New Balance, Nike, Adidas and Asics

Introduction

A new wave of racing shoes is on the way, and four models stand out for runners who like to keep an eye on what is coming next. The New Balance SC Elite V4, the next Asics Metaspeed Sky, the Nike Alphafly 3 and the Adidas Takumi Sen 10 all bring meaningful changes to shoes that many runners already have strong opinions about. Here is what each one offers and who they might suit.

New Balance SC Elite V4: A Different Approach

The SC Elite V4 looks very different from last year’s edition. The midsole has a more squared-off feel, especially at the back of the shoe, with more exposed carbon plate and what appears to be more hollowed-out foam underfoot, running further into the midfoot. The upper is far more traditional than the lace-loop system used on the V3, which many runners found hard to lock down, with reports of heel slip. New Balance has clearly responded to that feedback.

The outsole changes too, moving to patterned rubber in five sections, which should offer somewhat better traction than the previous version, though it is unlikely to match the exceptional grip of the very first RC Elite. The SC Elite V3 was a shoe few testers found compelling enough to justify the price, so there is quiet hope that the V4 marks a return to form for the FuelCell material. Runners who were put off by the V3’s fit issues may find this the version worth waiting for.

Asics Metaspeed Sky: Bigger Foam on the Way

The next Metaspeed Sky appears to be a prototype with a new version of FF Blast Turbo foam, seemingly labelled with a “plus”. What stands out most is the stack height: compared against the existing Metaspeed models, the extra foam in the heel and forefoot makes this shoe look considerably taller. It is assumed to stay within the 40mm legal stack limit, and a compliance listing suggests some of these prototype shoes could reach the public around March or September 2024.

Asics appears to be going all-in on a large foam midsole stack, and the expectation is that the brand will persist with two topline versions, the Sky and the Edge, likely keeping different drops between them. The current Metaspeed Sky Plus has already delivered some very fast 10K times for many runners, so the next version has a high bar to clear. If you race in the Sky line today, this is one to watch closely.

Nike Alphafly 3: Refining a Known Formula

No list of hyped racing shoes would be complete without the Alphafly 3. The formula remains the one established by the original: soft, high energy-return foam, a carbon plate and oversized air units in the forefoot, which Nike suggests return even more energy than its ZoomX super foam. The previous versions have been used by runners for everything from easy runs to marathons and ultra marathons, and the shoe has reached near-legendary status after being on the feet of Kelvin Kiptum during his record-breaking marathon.

Visually, the Alphafly 3 is a more elegant shoe than the last two spaceship-like efforts. There is less foam jutting out at the back, and the design leans on curves and soft edges rather than angular shapes, suggesting Nike focused on placing foam only where it is needed underfoot. Durability has never been a major weakness in past versions, which matters at this price level. Runners who enjoyed earlier Alphafly versions will want to test this one, though the shoe has not been a standout performer for everyone, and some runners have matched or beaten their times in other plated trainers.

Adidas Takumi Sen 10: A Real Overhaul in the Outsole

The Takumi Sen 10 looks set for a bigger change than the last couple of versions, which is welcome news given how small the step from the 8 to the 9 was. The outsole gets a genuine overhaul: smooth rubber on the lateral sides and the medial heel, with a thicker rubber spread over the forefoot, while the exposed energy rod remains in place. The midsole stack is unlikely to change much, as it is a simple, focused design.

The Sen occupies a specific spot in the Adidas lineup: around 33mm of stack, sitting between the roughly 28mm Adios and the 40mm Adios Pro. With Lightstrike Pro being so forgiving, 33mm is plenty for a half marathon for most runners, though only shorter-footed runners tend to go a full marathon in them. The Sen has always been a quicker shoe for faster-paced running and training, and these are genuinely durable shoes, with plenty of earlier pairs still around at discount. If Adidas gets the price right this time, the Sen 10 could be a real standout. Those discounted Adios Pro 3 pairs sometimes cost less than a new Takumi Sen 9, which is why many runners have chosen the super shoe instead.

Buying Advice

If lockdown and fit were your complaints with the SC Elite V3, the V4’s traditional upper addresses exactly that. If you want maximum foam and race-day pop, the next Metaspeed Sky and the Alphafly 3 are the tall-stack options to watch. If you prefer a lower, faster-feeling shoe for tempo work and half marathons, the Takumi Sen 10 remains the specialist pick, with the caveat that pricing will make or break its value.

Conclusion

Four shoes, four different philosophies: a reworked New Balance with a friendlier fit, a taller Asics prototype with new foam, a refined Nike flagship and an overhauled Adidas speed shoe. None replaces the others outright. The right choice depends on the distances you race and whether you want maximum stack or a snappier, lower ride. Keep an eye on how each one lands, and check prices early, because the previous generation of at least one of these is already heavily discounted.