Four Running Shoe Releases, Judged: Which Ones Are Worth Your Money

Introduction

Early in the year, running shoe releases tend to slow to a trickle, and this batch of four is a good snapshot of that lull: two updates that barely move the needle, one genuine daily-trainer contender, and one mid-packer still missing key details. Here is how each stacks up, with a straightforward yay or nay verdict for anyone deciding where their money should go.

The Cautious Update: Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2

Spot-the-difference fans will have their work cut out here. The midsole and outsole of the v2 appear untouched compared with the original Invincible Run, and the heel clip, reflective sections near the toe box, lacing eyelets, and toe box look almost exactly the same. If you are only a couple hundred miles into the v1, there is very little reason to pick these up.

The original was a flawed shoe in some ways: it worked well in places, but a few tweaks could have made it a genuinely forgiving distance beast. None of the issues carried over have been fixed. The upper leans on extra padding that does not seem needed, and compared with a more stability-minded alternative in the same cushioning class, the v2 offers a less refined upper without the same midsole support. It feels less like a true sequel and more like a small patch release.

For anyone hoping for meaningful change, this is a nay.

The Daily Workhorse: New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12

New Balance releases a lot of similar shoes, but the 880 v12 is more exciting than the Invincible Run 2, mostly because of its dual-layer midsole. Fresh Foam X appears in the midfoot-to-forefoot section, with a separate foam layer running from heel to midfoot, and the two zones are deliberately sectioned off with different paint work on the midsole. Dual-density midsoles are everywhere right now, so this fits the current design trend rather than breaking it.

The 880 v12 is pitched as a daily offering with a 10 millimeter drop, and refreshingly it comes in a full range of widths, from narrow to normal to wide to extra wide. That width flexibility is a genuine selling point for runners who struggle with fit. This is the kind of shoe people leave by the door because they enjoy wearing it so much, and that alone makes it worth testing. A clear yay.

The Question Mark: Adidas Solar Glide 5

The Solar Glide 5 has attracted a surprising amount of interest. It carries a 10 millimeter drop with a considerable 36 millimeter heel stack and 26 millimeters in the forefoot, and heel stack does grow with shoe size, so larger sizes will land closer to around 40 millimeters at the heel. In typical sample sizes it weighs 335 grams, which suggests it may run slightly lighter than the Ultra Boost 22 in larger sizes.

The upper is an interesting knit with the classic torsion system in the midfoot, creeping up toward the forefoot and heel. There also appears to be an extra layer of foam on top of the Boost midsole, and even the brand’s own product page does not explain what it is. That mystery matters: until there is more clarity on what sits above the Boost, it is hard to commit either way. The carbon, silver metallic, and turbo colorway would be the pick if buying, but this one lands somewhere in the middle pending more information.

The Pricey Cushion Play: New Balance 1080 v12

The 1080 v12 has finally landed, and it weighs 292 grams in typical sample sizes, so it should come in a touch lighter than the 880 v12, likely thanks to the Hyperknit upper. That upper uses different zones of stretch and rigidity to mold around the foot, a bit like a foot sheath, with a woven section along the tongue area and stretch in some places but not others.

Fresh Foam X returns here, which could mean the material has been adjusted since the v11. That version was a little spongy: great for impact protection but not much energy back. Comfort will certainly not be an issue, and the much-disliked heel flare from earlier versions is gone, replaced by a cleaner heel section.

The problem is price. At 145 units it is a pricey shoe, and after the v10 and v11 failed to excite, there is little here suggesting the v12 is meaningfully different. That budget is better spent elsewhere, so this is a nay.

Buying Advice

If you want one shoe from this group, the Fresh Foam X 880 v12 is the standout: a proper daily trainer with a dual-layer midsole and width options that most competitors do not offer. The Solar Glide 5 is worth watching if you like a tall, stable ride, but wait until the unspecified foam layer above the Boost midsole is properly explained. Skip the Invincible Run Flyknit 2 unless you never owned the original, and think carefully before paying top money for the 1080 v12 if you already run in the v10 or v11.

Conclusion

Of these four releases, only one earns an enthusiastic yay, one stays on the fence, and two feel like updates for update’s sake. When a daily workhorse fits well, comes in multiple widths, and does not overcomplicate things, it will usually beat a heavily padded sequel that fixes nothing. Choose the shoe that matches how you actually run, not the one with the newest number on the box.