The Most Exciting Running Shoe Releases of 2024: Zoomfly 6, Adios Pro 4, Skyward X and Endorphin Elite 2

Introduction

It has been a busy stretch for road running shoes, with new updates landing from Adidas, Hoka and Nike, and more on the way. In this roundup we look at four upcoming releases worth tracking: the Nike Zoomfly 6, the Adidas Adios Pro 4, the Hoka Skyward X and the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.

Some of these are early previews based on leaked images and sample specifications, so details may shift before retail launch. Even so, each shoe points to a clear direction, and together they cover most of what runners actually need: a fast tempo trainer, a proven race day weapon, a cushioned daily workhorse and a next-generation racer.

Nike Zoomfly 6

The Zoomfly 6 is starting to look much closer to the current Vaporfly 3 and Alphafly 3 in terms of upper and midsole shape, including that same rear midsole flare seen on the Alphafly 3. The midsole pairs ZoomX foam with an SR2 combination, plus a carbon plate for a bit of rigidity.

The big headline: this time the Zoomfly 6 appears to use a continuous piece of ZoomX underfoot, rather than the crushed-up foam construction of the Zoomfly 5. The midsole is carved out somewhat, as on the Vaporfly 3, there seems to be slightly less rubber on the outsole for weight relief, and those cutouts appear on the sidewalls too. The hope is for a slightly softer, more forgiving ride than the previous version, which felt firm and uninspiring at pace. At around 350g in a typical size, the Zoomfly 5 was simply too heavy and too clunky for many runners, which pushed them toward models like the Pegasus instead.

Availability looks like a long wait, with reports pointing to a November 2024 release. One ongoing frustration for some: Nike still has not produced a ZoomX midsole with a nylon plate, a formula competitors have run with successfully since the original Zoomfly blueprint.

Adidas Adios Pro 4

The Adios Pro 4 keeps the Lightstrike Pro midsole material and continues the split midsole design with similar detailing to the last two versions of the shoe. The major change is the upper, which looks more reminiscent of the recent Pro Evo 1 release, a shoe that launched at a price of around £400 with an unusually minimal upper construction.

Everyone will likely welcome one specific change: a more standard lacing setup with conventional eyelets. The small lace loops near the initial eyelets are gone, a detail that frustrated runners on earlier Adidas models. Given how well the current model has performed at recent races, it makes sense that Adidas has not overhauled the formula. In truth there appear to be few changes beyond the improved upper, which was a known weak point.

There is also good value pressure in this segment: the Adios Pro 3 could be found at around £150 on discount, which makes the case for waiting on deals rather than upgrading early. The shoe looked slightly different to the current Adios Pro in leaked images, but the new upper on top of a familiar midsole is the major feature here.

Hoka Skyward X

The Hoka Skyward X might be the most characterful shoe of this group. Hoka has been on strong form with its recent Pebax foam-based shoes, and this one pairs that lovely Pebax-based foam, familiar from the Rocket X2 and Cielo X1, with a frame of supercritical EVA that provides a firmer holder for the softer core.

The sample size specs point to a 46mm heel stack, likely closer to 49 or 50mm in larger sizes, with about 40mm in the forefoot for roughly a 6mm drop, a geometry that works well for many runners. Weight comes in at 9.2 oz in the sample size, so this is one of the weightier options and very much a training, daily-use shoe rather than a pure racer.

The idea is simple: a durable, stable daily trainer with a bit of propulsion, for runners who have enjoyed the Rocket X2 or Cielo X1 and want a companion shoe for general mileage that will not wear down too quickly.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

This one is a very early peek, but Saucony fans have been asking for a second version of the Endorphin Elite and it does appear one is coming. The new version continues that considerable 40mm rocker in the midsole, with leaked images suggesting a slightly more rounded, elongated shape and possibly some curved elements on the sidewalls.

The original Endorphin Elite used a forked plate in the mid-to-forefoot area rather than the standard plate in the Endorphin Pro 4. With the potentially denser foam in this shoe, that forked plate design may provide a bit more movement and flexibility, and could help push the Elite further away from the Pro 4 in feel. Part of the intrigue is that the Endorphin Pro and Elite have similar weights but quite different underfoot character, thanks to the distinct PowerRun PB and PowerRun HG foams.

A release could still be some way off, possibly late in the year, similar to the Zoomfly 6 timeline. In the meantime, additional colorways of the original Endorphin Elite are dropping, including a blue version to join the recent white, red and purple edition.

Overall Buying Advice

With Adidas and Nike releasing shoes that cover similar ground, choosing between models can feel confusing: comparable features, functions and prices across the lineup. The sensible approach is to match the shoe to your actual running.

If you want a fast tempo and race-day shoe with a firmer edge, the Zoomfly 6 is the one to watch. If you want a proven race shoe with a refined upper and are happy to hunt discounts on the outgoing model, the Adios Pro line remains compelling. Daily mileage runners who loved Hoka’s racers should find the Skyward X a natural stablemate, while Saucony loyalists can wait for more concrete details on the Endorphin Elite 2 before committing.

Keep in mind that several of these are early previews, and specifications like stack heights and weights come from sample sizes, so treat them as indicative rather than final.

Conclusion

The Zoomfly 6’s continuous ZoomX midsole, the Adios Pro 4’s cleaner upper, the Skyward X’s cushioned Pebax daily-trainer recipe and the Endorphin Elite 2’s forked-plate rocker all point to a strong generation of road shoes. For many runners, the best value move may be grabbing discounted current-generation models while waiting to see how these updates land in reality.