Must-Have Running Shoes of 2024: Five Releases Worth Watching

Introduction

Running shoe technology keeps moving fast, and this year’s slate of releases covers a lot of ground: carbon-plated racers, reworked trail icons, and daily trainers switching to livelier foams. Here are five models worth putting on your radar, with the key specs and updates that matter before you hand over your money.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

New Balance has rebuilt the SuperComp Elite v4 from the ground up. It launches around February at $250 (roughly £230 in the UK), so it sits firmly in premium racer territory. Weight is 223g (7.85 oz) in a US 8.5, with a 4mm drop and a stack height of 40mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot.

The big changes are underneath: a new PEBA midsole with angular geometry, a near-transparent lightweight breathable upper built with bonded technology to cut weight, and overlays around the midfoot, lace eyelets, and heel for support. The EnergyArc technology carries over, paired with a slightly redesigned outsole.

If you plan to race on the road this year, this is one of the most interesting new super shoes to look at closely.

Hoka Speedgoat 6

Hoka has a busy year ahead, and the Speedgoat 6 is the headline update to one of its most popular trail shoes. The new, more resilient lightweight midsole foam drops the overall weight by 14g, bringing it to 278g.

The reworked woven textile upper is highly breathable and includes a built-in chassis with a dual-gusseted tongue, which should keep you hugged and secure through the midfoot on technical trails. The outsole keeps the familiar 5mm lug depth in a multidirectional pattern, with the same grippy rubber Hoka is known for.

The catch is timing: the Speedgoat 6 is due later in the year, around July, at roughly $155. If you love the current Speedgoat, this update looks like an easy recommendation.

Brooks Hyperion Elite 4

Brooks positions the Hyperion Elite 4 as its marathon day racing shoe, and the 2024 update makes it more interesting than ever. The nitrogen-infused DNA Flash v2 midsole is designed to shave weight and add responsiveness underfoot, and the stripped-back, highly breathable upper is claimed to improve midfoot lockdown for a comfortable no-shoe feel.

Weight is a genuinely light 192g (6.7 oz) in a women’s sample size around a UK 6. It launches in February at $250, or around £200 in the UK.

Saucony Xodus Ultra 3

The Xodus Ultra line has a strong track record, and the third version brings meaningful updates. Saucony keeps the dual-compound midsole that worked so well before: PWRRUN foam around the outside for stability, with an internal core of PWRRUN PB for cushioning and energy return. Stack height grows to 36mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot, keeping the same 6mm offset.

The platform is wider and the sidewalls taller, so you sit slightly deeper in the midsole for a more stable ride on technical ground. That comes with a subtle weight increase of about 14g. The outsole now uses a 4mm lug depth, down from 4.5mm, which Saucony says improves rubber durability and wet-weather traction. It arrives around April at about £150 ($160).

If you want a max-cushion trail shoe that still feels planted on rough ground, the Xodus Ultra 3 deserves a close look.

Saucony Triumph 22

The Triumph 22 makes a significant change: Saucony is moving away from PWRRUN Plus and upgrading this daily trainer to the lighter, more responsive PWRRUN PB foam, the same family used in the Endorphin Speed and Endorphin Pro. The difference here is a slightly more durable blend, so it should hold up to heavy training miles.

Specs include a 37mm heel and 27mm forefoot stack for a 10mm drop, and a weight of 286g (10.1 oz) in a US 9. It should release around May.

For runners who want a daily trainer with a livelier, performance-oriented feel, the Triumph 22 could be one of the quiet winners of the year.

Buying Advice

Each of these shoes targets a different job. If you race on the road, the SuperComp Elite v4 and Hyperion Elite 4 are the performance picks, with New Balance offering more midsole geometry and Brooks going lighter. On the trail, the Speedgoat 6 and Xodus Ultra 3 cover two ends of the spectrum: lighter and nimbler versus maximum cushion and stability. The Triumph 22 is the one to consider if you want a single versatile trainer that feels faster than a typical daily shoe.

Keep launch windows in mind too: February brings the New Balance and Brooks racers, April the Xodus Ultra 3, May the Triumph 22, and July the Speedgoat 6.

Conclusion

It looks like a strong year for running shoes across both road and trail. Matching the shoe to your terrain and training goals matters more than any single spec, so use these updates as a shortlist and wait for full testing where you can.