A look at the latest shoe styles from top brands for early 2026.
Brooks – Adrenaline GTS 25 – £145.00
What is one of the most popular stability running shoes on the market gets a makeover for 2026 and it’s top to bottom.
Adrenaline has improved the upper and feel, as well as the all-important cushioning and support. The upper is a new double jacquard mesh construction that creates a soft, sock-like feel around the foot, while the supportive GuideRails are now molded in one piece as part of the midsole cushioning. And that cushioning is bumped up by 3mm in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel, which, while it might not sound like much, transforms the feel of the shoe, giving it a smoother and super plush feel. The overall feel transforms the cushioning and makes the shoe softer while maintaining great support.
ASICS – Gel Nimbus 28 – £180.00
The long-time loading king returns with 28th Version of Gel Nimbus. Now lighter than the previous version, it sees updates to the upper with an improved, engineered knit construction for a soft, stretchy fit that hugs the foot.
The cushioning comes from a 42mm deep FF Blast+ foam midsole, so it soaks up every step and provides a super-smooth yet energetic ride perfect for everyday miles at any speed.
The shoe feels even more premium in every way, from fit to feel to running performance, making it a versatile option as a neutral cushioned training shoe.
Adidas – Adizero Evo SL – £130.00
With a full-length Litestrike Pro foam midsole taken from the brand’s high-end road racing shoes, the Evo SL is a lightweight model without carbon rods or plates. This, of course, helps keep the shoe much more affordable while maintaining a lively and responsive feel.
The upper is simple and tailored, echoing the model’s fast-paced style ethos and could be one of the best non-carbon racing shoes on the market right now.
Diadora – Cell 2 – £150.00
Perfect for everyday mileage, the Cellula 2 features a deeper ANIMA midsole foam that increases cushioning, feels more responsive and proves to be incredibly stable for such a highly ranked model.
This is truly an amazing model that soaks up the kilometers with super lush ride. The upper is also well made and wraps the foot beautifully for a great fit and an all-around high-performance running experience.
It’s time to give the brand a try as this model makes its way to 2026.
New Balance – 1080v15 – £170.00
There is a change of direction here with 15th version of the brand’s premium neutral cushioned model. It comes with Fresh Foam X cushioning and the new INFINION foam. The CM-EVA-based midsole is replaced with a nitrogen-infused TPU-based material, and we get the same deep pile, just with a much more responsive and almost bouncy feel.
To me, it makes the shoe much more competitive in the premium and responsive everyday trainer category and energizes the model, giving it a more versatile feel.
The upper stays soft and cushioned around the foot, complementing the overall luxurious feel and making this a great upgrade.
Puma – MagMax Nitro 2 – £170.00
Maximizing cushioning and revising the nitrogen-infused midsole, Puma’s second-generation max-cushioned model returns with improved feel and a more responsive drive.
One of the most cushioned models on the market, the MagMax 2 manages to feel light and balanced on the foot, making much of it disappear on the foot with a smooth gait.
Lighter than the previous model and with an improved mesh upper similar to the stretch shoe, the shoe is refined from top to bottom, rounded off by a superb Puma Grip outsole. The shoe is a great everyday trainer that just soaks up the miles, and if it’s anything like its predecessor, it should be very durable too.
Other – FWD VIA 2 – £155.00
With an all-new midsole and updated upper, the new FWD Via2 offers maximum cushioning and a lighter, more efficient ride.
The Altra EGO P35 midsole is lighter, softer and more responsive than the previous model. It retains the 4mm heel drop, but certainly feels livelier to the touch and more willing to pick up the pace.
Although the shoe is a neutral model, it has taller sidewalls on its midsole that cup the heel and help give it a stable feel.
The shoe has the familiar Altra ‘toe shape’ last so there is plenty of room in the toe box for the feet to spread naturally and will also be great for those with wider feet.
Overall, it’s a big improvement over the previous model and feels soft, welcoming and pleasant to run.
