Four Upcoming Running Shoes on Our Radar: Gel-Nimbus 27, Adizero Adios Pro 4, Evo SL and a Mizuno Mystery

Introduction

Four soon-to-release running shoes, four very different pitches: a trusted max-cushion staple, a lightweight superShoe sequel, a versatile super trainer, and an unbranded enigma from Mizuno. Here is what we know so far about each one, and whether they are worth a place on your watch list.

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27: Careful Iteration for Max-Cushion Fans

The Gel-Nimbus 27 is set to appear in January 2025, priced around €200. This time it gets a slightly taller midsole, moving from roughly 42mm to 44mm in the heel, which puts it firmly in max-cushion territory. Of course, not every 44mm heel stack feels the same, since foam character matters as much as height. The Nimbus has always been about impact protection rather than bounce, and that remains the pitch here.

The pure gel section stays in the rear of the shoe, and ASICS keeps a winning combination of ASICS grip rubber and high-abrasion rubber placed strategically in the heel. Aesthetically it carries on the previous line, and the launch colourways look striking. A small switch-up in the upper should please longtime fans. This is a more careful iteration than a major redesign, which will be just fine for the many club runners who keep this shoe in their rotation.

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4: Lighter, Simpler, Still a SuperShoe

The Adios Pro 4 could launch earlier than expected, possibly in December, with a silver metallic colourway hinting at models already stocked and ready. It features energy rods, full-length Lightstrike Pro in the midsole, and a new, apparently simplified upper. The most debated change is a distinct lack of Continental rubber on the outsole, now reduced to a small section in the forefoot in favour of a new lighter traction rubber.

Some runners have reported discomfort from the new upper, but interest in this shoe is enormous, and the changes all seem aimed at lowering weight to make the shoe nimbler. Our only hope is that this is not change for change’s sake. Either way, it is a shoe we will pick up when it releases.

Adidas Adizero Evo SL: A Super Trainer in Waiting

The Evo SL originally had a planned drop in mid-December in the UK that then vanished from the Adidas website, so a proper wide release may still be coming. It is expected to carry a price tag of around £130, weigh roughly 230g in a sample size, and offer 37mm of heel stack, which could make it a great super trainer.

There is a good amount of Continental outsole here for grip in winter months, though the shoe is not ideal for harsh UK winter conditions. Competition is real: the Zoomfly 6 from Nike costs about £20 more and brings more stack, a carbon plate and a superb outsole. And with the Adizero SL 2 already available for well under £100, the Evo SL has to earn its spot. Still, given how many runners want impressions on this one, it is a shoe we will grab for review.

Mizuno Mystery Shoe 01: Intriguing Spec, Big Question Marks

Mizuno has listed this shoe on its website with no explanation, just a pre-sale dated for mid-December. The spec is genuinely interesting: Energy Next foam with claimed high energy return, unisex sizing, a 40mm heel stack with about 34mm in the forefoot for a 6mm drop, and no mention of a plate. That suggests a super trainer feel, perhaps Mizuno’s answer to the Evo SL, at a comparable price of around $150.

The outsole design looks borrowed from the world of games, with tentacle-like, bio-inspired geometry. But it is fair to ask whether Mizuno already covers this ground with the Neo Vista. With a confusing name, a silent launch strategy and limited availability through specialist road running shops, this one is a wait-and-see until more information surfaces.

Overall Buying Advice

If you are a max-cushion loyalist, the Gel-Nimbus 27 is a safe, familiar upgrade coming in January. Racers chasing a lighter superShoe should watch the Adios Pro 4’s December window. The Evo SL could be the versatile daily option, provided the price and competition do not hold it back. The Mizuno mystery shoe is one to follow only if the final details win you over.

Conclusion

Three of these four shoes earned a place on our to-review list on the strength of fan demand and promising specs, while the Mizuno mystery shoe stays off the list for now. As release dates firm up, we will bring hands-on impressions to help you decide which of these deserves a spot in your rotation.