The year has gotten off to a tremendous start thus far. Both the Adidas Takumi Sen 9 (currently the best tempo shoe) and the Saucony Endorphin Elite (the company’s most cutting-edge running shoe to date) have been released early this year. And when you factor in the Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 and the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro, well, there’s not much left to get excited about, is there? Okay, that’s a lot.
This list of the most anticipated running shoes of 2023 is here to get you psyched for the year ahead (and to offer you a little bit of a crystal ball for where your money will go over the next 11 months). It goes without saying that this is an entirely subjective list and that some things, like Skechers, are more pleasing to the sight than others, but we have faith that you’ll find at least a few items here to your liking. It doesn’t cover everything; for example, we may have some trail shoes (like the Hoka Mach X, Nike Invincible 3, and Saucony Kinvara Pro) hidden away in the back pocket that we’re not ready to recommend just yet.
At least it’s a starting point. And if you stick around until the very end, we’ll give you a sneaker hack that will transform your life.
1. New Balance SC Trainer v2
Even though this is only the second iteration of one of our favorite sneakers of 2022, the update is substantial. The combination of the EnergyArc carbon plate and the FuelCell midsole was the right formula for cruising long kilometers, so we quickly forgot that we didn’t like the weight of the previous year’s model.
Even if the SC Trainer 2 sheds more than an ounce of weight, its unusual position in the market is exacerbated by a loss of 8 mm in stack height. With a lower stack height, we’re curious to see how much the design deviates from last year’s edition, which was greatly appreciated for its large, comfortable bed centered on a carbon plate.
New Balance claims their revised FuelCell midsole formulation is much less dense and much lighter without sacrificing any of the shoe’s durability or responsiveness. We’ll take their word for it given they have been spot-on with the majority of the FuelCell line in the past, but we won’t know for sure until we get it in our hands.
If they can get the same effect while using less weight and a shorter stack, they will be in the running for trainer of the year.
- USE- Long run/recovery
- WEIGHT- 9.8 oz. (278 g) for a US M9, 8.1 oz. (230 g) for a US W7
- STACK- 39 mm heel, 33 mm forefoot (10 mm drop)
- Price- $180
2. Saucony Endorphin Elite
After a record-breaking 2022, Saucony is still dishing out warm treats. Be careful not to burn the top of your lips on them unless you had scars from eating late-night Elio’s as a kid, since they are hot as hell.
In honor of Saucony’s 125th birthday, the company has released a brand new shoe called the Endorphin Elite. To date, it’s the most technologically advanced shoe from the brand. PWRRUN HG cushioning can be found in the midsole, and according to Saucony, it returns 95% of your energy.
In addition to its ultralight top and midfoot mesh webbing, the shoe is equipped with a PWRRUN PB sockliner and a heel-to-toe forked carbon plate. This is all packed into a tiny container weighing in at barely over 7 ounces. The most luxurious Saucony shoe is also the most expensive race day shoe on the market, costing the same as the Nike Alphafly Next 2%. Can it live up to the myth? What will be, will be.
- USE- Race Day
- WEIGHT- 7.4 oz (211 g) for a US M9
- STACK- 40 mm/32 mm (8 mm drop)
- Price- $275
3. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro
We never would have guessed a Mizuno shoe would make the cut only a few short months ago, but here we are with what is perhaps the best race day shoe ever. The Rebellion Pro inverts the tired Mizuno tale, providing what is sure to be one of 2023’s finest works of fiction.
Although it has a real 50+ mm midsole stack, the shoe is nonetheless considered race legal by World Athletics guidelines because to the heel angle. The build and design are completely insane. We’re not sure anyone else has duplicated the degree of comfort and propulsion achieved by combining two layers of Enerzy Lite with a carbon-infused nylon plate in between.
Although it’s not ideal (the toe box is too small, and the shoe wobbles a little), it’s a promising indicator that Mizuno is once again prioritizing running shoe innovation.
Based on a traditional Japanese event in which people write their first calligraphy of the year, the Kakizome PB colorway will debut in March 2023 as a limited edition.
- USE- Race Day
- WEIGHT- 7.9 oz. (223 g) for a US M9
- STACK- 39.5 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot (4.5 mm drop)
- Price- $250
4. Adidas Prime X Strung 2
You can also get your hands on the original Prime X Strung down below; it was one of our top picks for best shoes of 2022. However, everything will be different with the upcoming update.
We’ve promised our German masters that we won’t provide any information about the Adidas Prime X Strung 2, despite our desire to do so. However, we will state that we have tried them on, and that the Prime X Strung 2 will do for training what the Vaporfly did for racing. Yes, that’s the whole thing.
- USE- Daily Training/Moon bouncing
- WEIGHT- Unknown
- STACK- Unknown, but at least 47 mm in the heel
- Price- $300
5. Saucony Kinvara Pro
If you ask around, you’ll hear that the Saucony Kinvara is a legendary model. Its lightweight design and straightforward construction made it a popular choice for runners a decade ago. However, its appeal has diminished as lighter shoes with increased cushioning and energy return have become the norm. The Kinvara’s original concept has mostly been rendered irrelevant, while the 2018 model is a slight improvement thanks to its thicker midsole. Here comes the Kinvara Pro.
Saucony aimed to improve upon the Kinvara by using that shoe as inspiration for new model. The objective is to design a shoe that is suitable for both professional and amateur runners in an effort to “democratize innovation.” The Endorphin Pro-inspired teardrop-shaped carbon fiber plate sits atop a full-length PWRRUN foam bed in the midsole, and that’s followed by a layer of PWRRUN PB (sandwiched between the foot and the carbon plate) and a 7 mm PWRRUN+ sockliner on top.
To cut a long tale short, this shoe incorporates three different types of Saucony foam and a carbon fiber plate. It’s insane, but in a nice way. The upper is a bit more robust and constructed than the Endorphin Pro or the Speed, but it still weighs in at a respectable 9 ounces. To say we’re interested in seeing how this shoe compares to others in its class (like the New Balance SC Trainer) would be an understatement.
Does that mean we can finally say goodbye to the Kinvara? In a word, no. But we’ve seen the Kinvara 14, and it looks like a significant improvement over the original Kinvara. Since the Kinvara 13 was released in early 2022, we can only assume that the 14 will arrive by summer.
- USE- Tempo run
- WEIGHT- 9 oz. (255 g) for a US M9
- STACK- 42 mm in heel, 34 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Price- $180
6. Puma Magnify Nitro 2
We didn’t even think to include this in our YouTube compilation, so it may go relatively unnoticed. However, this Puma sneaker has the potential to be the most anticipated sneaker of 2023. After all, this pair of Puma sneakers features the fullest Nitro midsole and the tallest stack possible.
The Pumagrip outsole has exceptional durability and grip for miles and miles, and the internal and external molded heel cups your foot securely. At under $140, this has a chance to quietly become one of the top max cushion sneakers of 2023.
- USE- Daily trainer/long run
- WEIGHT- 9.7 oz. (274 g) for a US M9
- STACK- 40 mm heel, 30 mm forefoot (10 mm drop)
- Price- $150
7. Craft Nordlite Speed
Craft has always been known for producing high-quality clothes, and the company has been working tirelessly to establish a foothold in the rapidly expanding shoe market. Previous footwear (like the CTM Ultra Carbon) may have had trouble gliding through the air, but the 2023 roster is looking strong.
It was tough to pick a favorite pair of sneakers because they all look amazing and meet a wide variety of needs. The full supercritical midsole, carbon plate with a forked toe, and hybrid traction outsole of the Nordlite Speed make it an intriguing option for road and light trail use. Even though a size US M9 weighs 9.5 ounces, Craft insists that the extra weight is worth it because of the shoe’s lifetime and resilience. We like that Craft is focusing on the “mixed-use” aspect of their product. When it comes to your runs, you should be open to any and all kinds of excitement.
Their shoes, like this one that costs $235, are unquestionably more expensive than average.
- USE- Daily training on road and light trail
- WEIGHT- 9.5 oz. (272 g) for a USM9
- STACK- 31 mm heel, 23 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Price- $235
8. Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next %3
Yes, that’s right; it’s the Vaporfly. The game-changing sneaker is back for a third iteration, and when we tried them on at December’s The Running Event, we could feel the sharp heel counter and new midsole structure that give this shoe a fresh feel.
We’ve put in some miles in them since then, and they live up to the Vaporfly’s storied reputation. The improvements outweigh the minor drawbacks (most notably more ZoomX and less rubber in the forefoot). The lightweight upper is the greatest one so far. For a US size 10.5 it weighs an incredible 7.4 ounces, making it one of the lightest carbon-plated race day shoes available. Obviously, the sneaker is invisible when worn, making it a lethal weapon on race day.
- USE- Race Day
- WEIGHT- 7.2 oz. (204 g) for a US M10.5, 5.3 oz (150 g) for a US W7.5
- STACK- 40 mm heel, 32 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Price- $275
9. Asics Gel-Nimbus 25
The Gel-Nimbus 25 was designed with your comfort in mind. The stretchy tongue, the thick Flytefoam Blast+ midsole, and the padded ankle collar are only the beginning. There is no longer any question that this is a max-cushion sneaker.
Weight-wise, it’s the same as last year, but improvements have been made by adding extra cushioning to the forefoot and a piece of Ahar+ rubber to the heel outsole. Of course, Asics has tucked the Gel technology away like an obstinate stepchild, but it’s still there in the guise of PureGel, a shock-absorbing segment in the shoe’s heel.
Though we share your surprise at seeing “Nimbus” on a list of the most thrilling shoes, those of us who have worn them for more than 50 kilometers can attest to the fact that they are worthy of their inclusion.
- USE- Daily trainer/long run
- WEIGHT- 10.2 oz. (289 g) for a US M9 / 8 oz. (227 g) for a US W7.5
- STACK- 41 mm heel, 33.5 mm forefoot (8 mm drop)
- Price- $160
10. Skechers Maxroad 6
The Maxroad, one of Robbe’s most cherished footwear designs of 2021, is back and better than ever. The new Hyper Burst Ice midsole and massive 41 mm heel height are attempts to recreate v5’s smooth ride while also enhancing the shoe’s durability and quality of construction.
One of the things we loved most about the v5 was how well it balanced light weight with high levels of comfort and performance. It had an almost ideal proportion of the three qualities. The carbon-infused forefoot plate remains, and a thicker application of Goodyear rubber has been added.
Based on what we’ve seen, the updated Maxroad 6 could replace the SC Trainer from last year, while the GoRun Ride 11 could replace the Maxroad. In fact, Skechers has told them as much in previous conversations. Perhaps the Skechers Ride 11 will be the most anticipated shoe of 2023. Yeah, sure.
Whether or not the general public likes to admit it, Skechers is a legitimate company.
- USE- Daily trainer/long run
- WEIGHT- 10.9 oz. (309 g) for a US M9, 8.5 oz. (241 g) for a USW7
- STACK- 41 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot (6 mm drop)
- Price- $140
11. Hoka Rocket X 2
We’ll just say that it’s about time. Although Hoka was early to market with a carbon shoe, the Carbon Rocket felt like a half-hearted effort and was ultimately disappointing. We also liked the original Rocket X, which featured a carbon plate and EVA midsole, but they were soon left in the dust when competitors introduced more advanced footwear. Almost three years have passed since then.
At long last, Hoka has released a proper racing shoe. The Rocket X 2 has a full-length carbon fiber plate and a Peba midsole with two layers, as worn by athletes like Steph Bruce and Aliphine Tuliamuk. At 8.3 ounces for a size US M10, its weight is about average for racing shoes. Not as light as the Endorphin Elite, but also not as heavy as the Alphafly.
A viable option for Hoka on race day is welcome news. How well will it do compared to similar releases this year? Not sure, but we should know soon.
- USE- Race Day
- WEIGHT- 8.3 oz. (235 g) for a US M10
- STACK- 40 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot (5 mm drop)
- Price- $250
