Yay or Nay: Four New Running Shoes Worth a Look

Introduction

New running shoe releases keep arriving, and four of them stand out enough to be worth a proper look: the Adidas Pali x Adizero, the Nike Zoom Fly 5, the New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Pacer, and the Salomon Glide Max. None of these is a clear-cut winner or loser on paper. Each solves a different problem, from eco-friendly everyday miles to plated racing and maximal cushioning. Here is what you need to know before deciding which one fits your rotation.

Adidas Pali x Adizero

Adidas has launched an even more affordable Adizero with an eco-friendly angle. The Pali x Adizero uses recycled elements in the upper, made from ocean plastics and recycled polyester, paired with a Lightstrike foam midsole. It sits somewhere near the Adidas x Allbirds collaboration territory, but with a slightly bulkier design, and shares the same outsole rubber elements while dropping the bio-based midsole.

Adidas claims the shoe generates just 60 percent of the emissions of a previous model, though it is not clear which model that refers to. Design-wise it feels very much its own thing and does not resemble past Adizero models closely. At £100 in the UK it looks like a more distance-capable option than the Allbirds collaboration, which some found better suited to shorter everyday runs. The catch: it has been hard to find in stock, so availability is worth checking before you commit.

Nike Zoom Fly 5

Clearer images of the Zoom Fly 5 reveal some interesting choices. The ZoomX in the midsole appears to be made from crushed scrap material, the same approach used on the Next Nature version of the Alphafly. It looks like that ZoomX is contained within a softer carrier foam, a similar concept to a design Nike has used before, only this time with the recycled ZoomX scraps rather than virgin foam.

The full-length carbon plate that first appeared in the Zoom Fly Flyknit appears to be retained, which is good news for anyone who loved the balance of flex and firmness in that shoe. The sidewalls look more built up this time, with a wider forefoot and heel, which should make this a more stable offering than recent versions. The stack of foam is probably not as huge as some expect, and there is hope that the lighter upper keeps overall weight down compared to the Zoom Fly 3 and 4.

New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Pacer

For fans of sharp, low-slung racing shoes, the New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Pacer is an exciting arrival. A sample size comes in at just over 200 grams, which is very promising, and the midsole carries a carbon fiber plate. The upper looks breathable, light, and well contained, and this could work as a 5K weapon or even a capable half marathon shoe.

There is a lower stack here, an estimated 8mm drop, and barely a sliver of rubber in the forefoot, with only a couple of short rubber pieces at the heel. This is very much a pace shoe, with some Rebel v2 vibes, and a genuine rival to the Adidas Takumi Sen 8. It launched in white with vibrant accents plus a blue and apricot variant. The listed price of £160 is eye-watering, though discount codes have brought it down to £128, so it pays to look around.

Salomon Glide Max

The Salomon Glide Max is a big old unit: a maximally cushioned road beast with hallmark Salomon styling, including a lunar rock, black, and turquoise colorway. The heel stack is a claimed 37.4mm, which in most real-world sizes will land well above 40mm once you account for sizing.

What sets it apart from most max-cushion competitors is the 10mm drop, an aggressively steep slope from heel to toe where most rivals stick to a more modest drop. The Energy Surge midsole appears to blend EVA with Salomon’s proprietary foam, promising a similar feel to other energy-return compounds, and outsole grip looks considerable. Salomon has also priced it attractively at £140 in the UK, undercutting some competitors. Compared to the On Cloudmonster, which disappointed on the cushioning front, this one looks genuinely promising.

Which One Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation?

Each shoe serves a clear purpose. The Pali x Adizero is the budget-friendly, eco-minded everyday trainer, assuming you can find stock. The Zoom Fly 5 is for runners who want a full-length carbon plate with hopefully a lighter, more stable build than before. The Fuel Cell SuperComp Pacer targets racers and tempo days, as long as the price does not put you off. The Glide Max is the comfort pick for easy miles, with a rare aggressive drop in the max-cushion category.

Conclusion

There is no single must-buy here, but there is a shoe for nearly every type of runner in this group. Match the shoe to the miles you actually run: recycled everyday cushioning, plated speed, sharp race-day pace, or maximum underfoot comfort. Whichever direction you lean, one of these four new releases probably deserves a spot on your shortlist.