4 Running Shoes to Watch in 2023: Brooks, Nike, Puma and Saucony

Introduction

Every year a handful of unreleased shoes generate more conversation than the models actually sitting on shelves. This year is no different. Four upcoming models stand out for very different reasons: a lightweight speed trainer from Brooks, a long-awaited trail shoe from Nike, a second iteration of an underrated Puma carbon racer, and one of the boldest-looking Saucony designs in years.

Details on all four are still limited, so treat this as an informed early look rather than a final verdict. Here is what we know so far, and who each shoe might make sense for.

Brooks Hyperion Max

Brooks built a real reputation with the Hyperion Tempo, a responsive, light and nimble trainer with a distinctive blue midsole made from a nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH foam. The Hyperion Max carries that same midsole material under a new upper designed to wrap the foot comfortably.

This is not a max-cushion shoe. It looks more like a lower-weight training machine, closer in spirit to the Hyperion Elite or the lower-profile Tempo. The claimed specs point the same way: an 8 mm drop, a stack height somewhere between traditional racing shoes and the tall super shoes, and a claimed weight below 210 grams (7.4 oz) in a US 8.5 sample size. The midsole is plateless and EVA based, though the nitrogen-infused formulation is the interesting part. The rubber outsole application also looks promising.

If you loved the firm-but-propulsive feel of the Hyperion Tempo, this is the one to watch. It is set to release in Spring 2023.

Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail

The Nike ZoomX Ultrafly Trail has been one of the most frequently leaked shoes of the past year, appearing repeatedly on social media without ever getting an official release. That delay could point to production and fulfillment issues, or to design changes after early testing. Possibly both.

When it does land, the shoe looks compelling. It uses a Vaporweave-style upper with a minimal tongue and a protective mesh layer over the ZoomX foam, plus a forked plate inside a 36 mm stack in sample sizes (likely over 40 mm in larger sizes). The claimed weight of 288 grams does seem high given the minimal upper, so the outsole rubber and coating are presumably doing some heavy lifting.

The big question is grip. Traction on past Nike trail shoes has been inconsistent, and recent models were slippery on smooth and wet surfaces. A fresh rubber compound would go a long way. One encouraging sign: the ZoomX foam appears to be virgin material rather than crushed scrap.

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2

The original Deviate Nitro Elite was an underrated carbon racer, and this second iteration doubles down on what made it good. The 2023 update brings more of the Puma Nitro Elite foam formula, a new upper mesh material, and a more traditional silhouette that shares its upper design language with the everyday Deviate Nitro 2.

The headline change is on the outsole. There appears to be a thicker application of Puma Grip, one of the best outside compounds in running footwear right now. That alone could make this one of the more versatile racing shoes of the year, especially for runners who race on mixed surfaces: tarmac one minute, concrete the next, then mossy or muddy patches and grass in between.

The shoe appears to be listed on Puma’s European sites, so an official release does not seem far off, particularly given how many other second-generation Puma models are already out.

Saucony Endorphin Elite

The Saucony Endorphin Elite is possibly the most striking-looking running shoe in a long time. It pairs a heavily weight-relieved, sandal-like upper with a midfoot strap section and a clog-like sculpted midsole. It is bold, and it will divide opinion.

Early information suggests a new version of Saucony’s PWRRUN PB foam, possibly a non-plate formulation, which would be notable. The stated numbers are an 8 mm drop and a 40 mm heel stack, which will run taller in larger sizes. The claimed weight of 204 grams (7.2 oz) is impressive for a shoe with that much foam, though the sample size is unclear.

With a stack taller than the Endorphin Pro 3, the shoe will need a lockdown-focused upper to keep the foot planted on the midsole, and it is likely to come in a bit heavier than the Pro 3 as a result. If it lands under the weight of comparable maximalist racers, it could be a genuine contender.

Buying Advice

Because none of these shoes is fully released yet, patience is the sensible play. If you want a lightweight, plateless speed trainer and liked the Hyperion Tempo, the Brooks is the safest early bet. Trail runners who trust Nike’s foam but have been burned by its traction should wait for grip feedback before committing. Racers on mixed surfaces should shortlist the Puma for its outsole alone, and fans of maximal stack racing should watch the Saucony closely once real weights and ride reports land.

Conclusion

Four very different shoes, four very different bets: proven foam in a lighter package from Brooks, elite trail cushioning with an open traction question from Nike, versatile race-day grip from Puma, and a radically designed maximal racer from Saucony. Which of them lives up to the hype will be one of the more interesting stories of the 2023 running season.