45 New Trail Running Shoes Preview
Road Trail Run delivered a comprehensive preview of 23 brands and 45 new trail running shoes for 2026 from The Running Event. Key trends include a surge in plated race shoes with almost every major brand introducing carbon or composite plate models for improved speed and efficiency. The preview also highlights lighter, more durable uppers and improved traction for technical terrain.
- The Running Event (TRE) 2025, where the preview took place, was the largest in the event's history since its launch in 2006, with over 5,300 attendees and 357 exhibiting brands. This was the first year the event was held in San Antonio, Texas, which is expected to have generated over $5.7 million in economic impact for the city. - The global trail running shoe market was valued at $7.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $12.4 billion by 2032. This growth is driven by an increasing interest in outdoor fitness and adventure sports. - While carbon-plated "super shoes" have been popular in road running since Nike's Vaporfly 4% in 2017, the technology is now surging in the trail running scene. However, the concept of plates in running shoes is not new; Reebok experimented with a carbon bridge in the midfoot in the 1990s, and Fila secretly used carbon-Kevlar plates in the mid-90s. - Key technological trends for 2026 trail running shoes, beyond carbon plates, include the widespread use of new midsole foams like ATPU and PEBA for improved energy return. Brands are also focusing on optimizing the weight-to-stack height ratio, aiming to provide more cushioning without increasing weight. - A noticeable design trend for 2026 is the inclusion of integrated gaiters or "booties" in many trail shoe models to keep out debris and enhance stability and comfort. - Several new and established brands are making significant pushes into the trail running market in 2026. Nike is relaunching its ACG (All Conditions Gear) brand with a focus on trail running, and brands like Brooks, Arc'Teryx, and Merrell are expanding their trail offerings. - In addition to dedicated trail running shoes, a "gravel" or "door-to-trail" category is solidifying, with brands like Salomon and Craft releasing models designed for versatility across different surfaces. - While maximalist shoes with high stack heights remain popular, there is a subtle trend towards slightly lower stack heights in some 2026 models to provide a better feel for the ground. For example, the Brooks Glycerin Flex will have a 2mm lower stack height than its predecessor.
