New Running Shoes for Autumn 2026: The Launches Worth Knowing About

The new running shoes for autumn 2026 worth knowing about are the Nike Alphafly 4, the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 6, the ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH and the On Cloudsurfer 3. Two are carbon-plated marathon racers, one is a fast-day trainer, and two are soft, cushioned shoes for easy miles, which is where most members should start looking.

We checked each launch on the brand's own website and only give a UK price where the brand's UK site showed one when we looked. Edge is not affiliated with any of these brands, and nobody paid to be included. Prices, colours and stock change quickly at launch time, so treat everything here as accurate at the time of writing.

Which running shoes launched in autumn 2026?

Here is the quick version. The plate column matters more than it looks, because it tells you whether a shoe is built mainly for racing or for everyday training.

Prices and features change, so check each brand for current details. Accurate at the time of writing.

What changed in the Nike Alphafly 4?

The Alphafly is Nike's marathon racing shoe, and the fourth version is an update rather than a reinvention. Nike says it returns 10 per cent more energy than its predecessor and is 5 per cent lighter in a men's UK size 7.5. The main changes it lists are:

• A new ZoomX LT foam above and below the plate, which Nike says is lighter than its standard ZoomX foam.
• A carbon-fibre Flyplate that keeps the curved, rocking shape of earlier versions.
• Updated twin Air Zoom units under the forefoot.
• A new seamless Atomknit upper.

Nike ran a limited early release on Nike.com on 17 September, with wider availability from 29 October at Nike.com and selected retailers. At the time of writing, Nike's UK site lists it at £254.99, which is below the full price it shows for the Alphafly 3.

Who it suits: marathon runners who have done the training and want a dedicated race-day shoe. Nike pitches it at everyone from elites to everyday runners chasing a personal best, but it is still a specialist tool, not a shoe for your Tuesday easy run.

What is new in the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 5?

adidas calls the Adios Pro 5 its best choice for race day. The headline change is a technology adidas calls ENERGYRIM, which several reports describe as a carbon-infused frame that replaces the EnergyRods used in earlier Adios Pro models. The shoe also uses adidas's Lightstrike Pro foam and a Continental rubber outsole for grip, and adidas says it comes in an even lighter package than before.

Reports put the global launch in late September 2026. At the time of writing, adidas's UK site lists it at £220.

Who it suits: half marathon and marathon racers who want a super shoe and like a firmer, more stable feel than the very tallest racers. As with any race shoe, wear it on a couple of long runs with faster sections before race day.

Is the Saucony Endorphin Speed 6 a trainer or a racer?

Both, by design. Saucony positions the Endorphin Speed as the shoe that bridges daily training and race day, built for quick sessions and racing. The Speed 6 brings:

• A new PWRRUN PBX midsole, which Saucony describes as a beaded, Peba-based superfoam.
• 2mm more foam underfoot than the Speed 5.
• A redesigned nylon plate, plus Saucony's updated SpeedRoll rocker shape.

Saucony announced it on 14 September and says it went on sale from 15 October 2026 at Saucony.com and selected retailers. When we checked, it was not yet listed on Saucony's UK site, so UK timing and price may follow later.

Who it suits: runners who do one or two faster sessions a week and want one lively shoe for those days and for parkruns or 10Ks. A nylon plate is generally more forgiving than carbon, which is why this kind of shoe works for training as well as racing.

Who is the ASICS GEL-SLOWCUSH for?

The GEL-SLOWCUSH is the opposite of a race shoe. ASICS says it is designed for a smooth, mellow ride on everyday miles, especially recovery days. It pairs FF LUXE PLUS foam, which ASICS says is bouncier than its FF LUXE foam, with PureGEL PLUS in the heel, which it says is around 20 per cent lighter than its standard PureGEL. Reviewers report a very tall stack, with around 48mm of foam under the heel.

Reports say it went on sale on 1 October 2026, and at the time of writing ASICS's UK site lists it at £185.

Who it suits: anyone who loves a soft, cushioned feel for slow runs, long easy runs and the day after a hard session. Very tall shoes can feel less steady on tight corners or uneven paths for some runners, so try a pair on and jog in the shop if you can.

What makes the On Cloudsurfer 3 different?

The Cloudsurfer 3 introduces Surreal, a superfoam On says it formulated and engineered in-house. On says the new foam, paired with its CloudTec Phase geometry, feels softer, lighter and more responsive than the Helion foam in the previous version. It is a cushioned road shoe for everyday running rather than speed work.

The rollout is unusual. On says the Cloudsurfer 3 pre-launched exclusively at specialist running retailers on 1 October 2026, with its own online store and a wide-fit version following in early 2027. On's UK site did not show a price when we checked, so ask your local running shop.

Who it suits: runners who want a soft, comfortable daily trainer and like the idea of getting fitted in a specialist shop.

Do beginners need a carbon-plated running shoe?

No. Most beginners do not need a carbon-plated shoe, and plenty of experienced runners only wear one on race day. Super shoes are built to feel their best at faster race paces, they cost far more than a daily trainer, and many runners find the soft racing foams wear out sooner. The research behind them has mostly looked at quicker runners, so the benefit at a gentle jogging pace is less clear.

If you are new to running, a comfortable, cushioned daily trainer will do far more for you. Our guide to the best running shoes for beginners covers what to look for, and if you are curious about how plates actually work, read carbon-plate super shoes, explained.

How do you choose between these new shoes?

Start with how you actually train, not with what is newest:

• You run two or three times a week at a comfortable pace: a cushioned daily trainer such as the Cloudsurfer 3 or GEL-SLOWCUSH, or last season's version of a shoe you already like.
• You do a weekly tempo or interval session: a fast-day trainer such as the Endorphin Speed 6 can sit alongside your everyday pair.
• You have a marathon or half marathon booked and the training done: a race shoe such as the Alphafly 4 or Adios Pro 5 is worth trying, but test it on long runs first.
• You are on a budget: when a new version lands, the previous model is often reduced, and the differences are usually small.

Not sure whether you need new shoes at all? Our guide on when to replace your running shoes walks through the signs.

How should new shoes fit into your training?

Whatever you buy, ease into it. Wear new shoes for a few short, easy runs before a long run, and never race in a pair you have not trained in. If you are buying a race shoe for an autumn or spring marathon, aim to have a few runs in it a few weeks before the day, including some at goal pace. Many runners also like to rotate two pairs, a cushioned one for easy days and a lighter one for faster sessions.

Shoes are only part of the picture. Consistent running, a bit of strength work and enough easy miles will make a bigger difference to your times than any foam. That is how an Edge plan works: running, strength, HIIT and mobility in one personalised plan, with a real coach you can message about anything, including which sessions to test new shoes in.

This article is general guidance, not medical advice. If you are new to exercise, returning from injury, or managing a health condition, speak to your GP before starting, and see a physio for any niggle that does not settle.