The Standout Running Shoes Spotted at This Year's Running Event

Introduction

This year’s Running Event floor was packed with new trainers and racers, and the biggest takeaway is that brands now have deep, overlapping lineups. That is good news for runners: more competitive options than ever, as long as you know what each shoe is actually for. Here are the highlights from Reebok, Adidas, Altra, Brooks, Craft, Hoka, and Mizuno, organized by what each model is meant to do.

Reebok Float Zig

Reebok is making a serious push back into performance running, and the Float Zig is one of its biggest brand investments. It is a sub-10 oz daily trainer with a stack around 31-32 mm in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot, placing it in that classic low-30s-to-mid-30s range. The beaded foam compound looks and feels very similar to a premium TPU super foam on step-in and push tests, and it pairs with a proper rubber outsole. Early impressions point to a genuinely competitive daily trainer, with a full breakdown to come once it has been tested on foot.

Adidas Adizero SL 2

The Adizero SL 2 is a big departure from the original. The entire midsole now uses Lightstrike Pro instead of just a forefoot puck, which makes this more of a true dual-foam, highly energetic lightweight daily trainer in the mold of the Hoka Mach line. Lightstrike 2.0 brings a softer feel while staying durable and resilient. Expect a launch around late winter or early spring.

Adidas Takumi Sen 10

The Takumi Sen 10 keeps the same fast, minimal ethos as the 9, with the biggest change being the outsole. Additional rubber wraps around the lateral and medial forefoot for more traction in wet or slick conditions, addressing grip complaints from the previous versions. The energy rods have also been upgraded from glass fiber to carbon fiber, making it a more viable short-distance race day option rather than just a workout shoe.

Adidas Supernova Rise

The Supernova Rise is the familiar daily trainer in the lineup, covering easy miles and everyday running duties. It sits alongside the Adizero SL 2, and there is some overlap between the two, but the Rise is positioned as the straightforward, every-run option for runners who want one dependable trainer.

Adidas Supernova Workhorse

The Supernova Workhorse is essentially the Rise amped up: a higher stack, a sturdier and firmer feel, and more cushioning at around 10.3 oz for the men’s version. Despite the extra weight, it still has a faster-finishing character because the midsole really rebounds you. It is aimed at heavier runners or anyone who wants a true recovery-run and easy-miles shoe that can still pick up the pace.

Altra Vanish Carbon 2

The Vanish Carbon 2 gets the biggest overhaul in Altra’s racing lineup. The full-length carbon plate replaces the previous three-quarter design for a snappier ride, the Ego Pro midsole grows by 3 mm to a 36 mm stack, and the foam is 14% softer yet more responsive at the same time. Flex grooves at the toe keep that more flexible, Altra-esque feel compared to other super shoes. It launches in March at $260, and the thicker, more durable outsole is a welcome touch for a marathon racer.

Brooks Hyperion Max 2

The Hyperion Max 2 moves up in stack height and adds a nylon plate, positioning it as a direct competitor to the Boston 12 and Endorphin Speed 4 in the high-mileage fast training category. Runners who loved the original’s low, no-frills feel should not worry: the Hyperion 2 takes over that role as the lower-stacked workout shoe, leaving the Max 2 to fight in the competitive super trainer space.

Craft Pacer

The Craft Pacer, walked through by Craft ultramarathon athlete David Laney, is a very soft, fun, almost slipper-like shoe. It leans into comfort, with a relaxed fit and feel that makes it the more laid-back option in the new Craft releases, priced at $130.

Craft Endurance 2

The Endurance 2 is the snappier counterpart: a lightweight trainer and workout shoe built on bouncy thermoplastic TPE foam with a soft, lightweight upper. It is the more relaxed long-run and daily option versus the Pacer’s comfort focus, though this pairing works out to the Endurance 2 at $160. It is already on the market with an updated upper.

Craft Nordlite Ultra

David Laney’s personal favorite in the Craft lineup is the Nordlite Ultra, which he describes as something like the Subaru Outback of shoes. It combines a supercritical foam midsole, a very lightweight upper, and a door-to-trail gravel outsole that lasts a long time while still giving good traction on gravel roads and even snow. It is a genuinely versatile road-to-gravel option.

Hoka Mach 6

The Mach 6 was among the highlights at the Hoka display, with one correction to earlier info: the midsole uses supercritical EVA rather than a full PEBA compound. Even so, it continues as one of the most anticipated lightweight daily trainers in the Hoka range, and hands-on interest on the floor was high.

Hoka Sky Flow

The Sky Flow is a runnable Bondi, created specifically with running specialty stores in mind. Hoka knows many recreational runners want a performance-oriented shoe, and the Bondi’s tall-stack reputation is not one of speed. The Sky Flow is a max-cushion shoe that is actually comfortable to run in, built for runners logging moderate to high mileage.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2

The Rebellion Flash 2 went through a huge overhaul and now uses a dual-foam midsole with a plastic plate, landing it closer in concept to the Boston 12 but with a slightly softer feel underfoot. It is competitive for high-mileage training with lots of energy return, and it is noticeably light in hand. Alongside it, the Rebellion Pro 2 fills the Endorphin Pro 3 slot as the premium racing option. Both look like very competitive shoes from a brand clearly modernizing its lineup.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2

The Wave Rebellion Pro 2 sits at the top of Mizuno’s new racing push, playing the role of a true marathon racer alongside the Flash 2’s training duties. Mizuno’s stated goal is to introduce changes gradually through 2024-2026 without alienating its core buyers, and the Rebellion Pro 2 is a clear signal of that direction.

Overall Buying Advice

With so many strong options, the key is matching the shoe to the job. For everyday miles, the Reebok Float Zig, Adidas Supernova Rise, and Craft Endurance 2 all fit the bill. For recovery runs and maximum cushion, look at the Supernova Workhorse and Hoka Sky Flow. Fast training is covered by the Hyperion Max 2, Wave Rebellion Flash 2, and Adizero SL 2. Racing short is the Takumi Sen 10’s territory, while the Vanish Carbon 2 and Rebellion Pro 2 handle marathon duty. Craft’s Nordlite Ultra remains the pick if you want one shoe across road and light trail.

Conclusion

The Running Event showed a market full of genuinely competitive shoes at every level, and brands are responding with more specialized lineups than ever. Whether you need a plush recovery trainer, a snappy tempo shoe, or a carbon racer, there is a new option worth a close look this season.