3 Most Anticipated Running Shoes: Adidas and Saucony's Upcoming Releases

Introduction

A handful of upcoming releases have genuinely earned a spot on the watchlist this season. Three in particular stand out: an update to one of the most cushioned and exciting shoes ever tested, a max-cushioned racer from Saucony with a striking design, and a promising new daily trainer in the Adidas Adizero lineup. Here is what we know so far about each, and who each shoe makes sense for.

Adidas Adizero Prime X 2

The original Adizero Prime X earned a very high score and stood out as one of the most cushioned, enjoyable, and exciting running shoes in recent memory. It is a shoe of impeccable design with only a small window for improvement, and the Prime X 2 appears to focus on exactly that: the upper.

The main changes are in the upper, where sections of material have been cut away to trim the weight down. With a stack height around 56mm in a size 11 (roughly 50mm in sample sizing), standing water is not a realistic concern, so the cut-outs should not compromise practicality. A lighter, more nimble version of a shoe that was already ridiculously forgiving, one that could carry you through a run even when your legs felt completely heavy, is a compelling prospect.

Pricing is worth noting: the original sat around the 230 mark and has since been nudged up by about 10 pounds. On colorways, the pale orange, purple, and blue version looks the stronger pick over the yellow midsole option.

Saucony Endorphin Elite

Saucony has been on a strong run lately, and the Endorphin Pro 3 is arguably one of the company’s best shoes so far: smooth, superbly cushioned, and comfortable at practically any pace from easy recovery runs to all-out 5K efforts. The Endorphin Elite aims to push things further.

The design is bold. A ribbon-like section runs from the lateral to the medial sides of the upper, and passes underneath the carbon plate, a bit like the old football-boot trick of wrapping excess lace around the sole. Large portions of the upper have been cut away to save weight, which makes sense with a big foam stack underfoot, and rubber on the outsole is minimized with a new traction pattern not seen in the current Endorphin Pro or Speed. The tongue also features circular cut-outs, echoing the Endorphin Pro 3 but taken further.

Stack height is the big open question. It is hard to believe this one comes in under 40mm, and something closer to 50mm feels more likely given the amount of foam visible. Either way, this max-cushioned offering sits right at the top of the most-wanted list, and it could be a genuine competitor to the Adizero Prime X.

Adidas Adizero SL

The Adizero SL looks set to be a lighter, training-oriented take on the Adios series. The midsole appears to be mainly Lightstrike, but from the midfoot to the forefoot there looks to be Lightstrike Pro in there, visible through cut-outs in the outsole with the slightly more off-white tone that ties into the Adios 7.

More underfoot surface area and width could make this a genuinely stable daily trainer that can still pick up the pace. Padding in the tongue and heel has also been increased, which helps it stand apart from the Adios 7.

Pricing will be interesting to watch, since the shoe does include some Lightstrike Pro, but it seems unlikely to cost more than the Adios 7 and could come in cheaper. Conceptually, this feels like a rebirth of the Boston series, closer in spirit to versions from a few iterations ago rather than the hefty Boston 10 and 11, and potentially able to cover a slightly wider range of paces.

Overall Buying Advice

These three shoes cover different roles, so the right pick depends on what you want from your rotation. If you want maximum cushioning and an unapologetically bold super shoe, the Adizero Prime X 2 is the one to watch, provided the price still fits your budget. If you want a max-cushioned racer with serious pace credentials and are curious how Saucony builds on the excellent Endorphin Pro 3, the Endorphin Elite is the release to track.

If you need a versatile daily trainer rather than a race-day weapon, the Adizero SL is the most practical of the three, especially if it lands below the Adios 7 on price. Waiting for final retail specs and pricing before committing is sensible for all three, since details could still shift before release.

Conclusion

The Adizero Prime X 2 refines an already exceptional shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Elite promises enormous cushioning with a radical design, and the Adizero SL could fill a real gap as a lighter, more versatile daily trainer. Between them, these releases could cover nearly every role in a well-rounded running shoe rotation, and each is well worth keeping an eye on.