New Trail Running Shoes for Spring 2026

Spring 2026 is a notable season for trail footwear. Nine models have launched or are launching in the first half of the year, spanning Hoka's rebuilt flagship, Kilian Jornet's brand going mainstream, race-day super shoes, and a max-cushion option from a European brand making its US debut. Here's what's out there.

Nike ACG Ultrafly 2

The original ACG Ultrafly earned its reputation the hard way: Caleb Olson wore a prototype to win Western States. The version 2 adds a redesigned, split-spine carbon FlyPlate that's less rigid than its predecessor, allowing the forefoot to flex over roots and rocks, while retaining ZoomX foam and the Vibram Litebase outsole. The 4.5mm lugs are versatile enough for hardpack and soft dirt without the energy penalty of aggressive mud knobs.

This is the shoe for runners who want road-shoe energy return without sacrificing grip. If you're racing something long and mountainous this summer, the Ultrafly 2 belongs on your shortlist.

On Cloudsoma

The Cloudsoma launched in April 2026 with On's first genuinely new traction platform in years. Instead of a continuous outsole, independent traction pods flex to match the foot's natural movement as it lands and rolls across uneven ground. The concept addresses a real problem: rigid outsoles don't adapt to variable terrain, which forces the foot to compensate. Early reviews are positive for technical trail feel; longer-term durability data is still accumulating.

Brooks Cascadia Elite

Brooks' first entry into the plated trail super-shoe category uses a carbon-infused Pebax SpeedVault+ horseshoe plate, not a full carbon plate, which actually works in its favor on uneven terrain where rigidity becomes a liability. Sandwiched between layers of DNA GOLD 100% PEBA foam with a ~40mm heel stack and Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole, this is a legitimate race tool. At $275, it's clearly positioned as a race-day-only shoe. Save it for events where the propulsion return justifies the investment.

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2

The Agravic Speed Ultra 2 is a substantive update: softer Lightstrike Pro foam, a redesigned upper with improved ankle collar geometry, and a 13g weight reduction down to 265g (US9). It's also narrower than virtually any other trail super shoe, especially at the midfoot, making it a shoe built for front-of-pack runners with efficient mechanics. Available since December 2025, it's the one on this list you can start training in right now.

Topo Athletic Terraventure 5

Topo's Terraventure line has been quietly building a loyal following among ultra runners who prioritize foot health over flash. The wide toe box allows toes to splay naturally, critical on multi-day efforts where swelling is inevitable, and the low 3mm drop encourages a natural foot strike without the full adaptation demand of zero-drop. The v5 adds a dual mesh upper with reinforced high-abrasion zones and an FKT insole with drainage channels for wet conditions. At $140, it's competitive with anything twice the price for high-mileage training.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max

Kiprun is Decathlon's performance running sub-brand, well established in Europe and now entering the US market for 2026. The Kipsummit Max ($150) is the high-stack trainer in a three-model lineup that also includes an everyday trainer ($130) and a carbon-plated racer ($250). The pricing is aggressive by US standards. For budget-conscious runners willing to be early adopters, the Max is worth evaluating. Just build in extra time to assess fit and durability before committing it to a race.

Hoka Speedgoat 7

The Speedgoat 7 is a significant rebuild rather than an iterative update. Hoka redesigned the midsole geometry from heel to toe, not just the foam compound, which changes how the shoe loads and returns energy across varied terrain. It retains Vibram Megagrip and the wide Speedgoat platform that made earlier versions a default choice for 100-mile training. If you've run Speedgoats before, expect a different ride feel rather than a familiar one.

Hoka Zinal 3

The Zinal 3's most notable change is also its most debated: Hoka dropped Vibram Megagrip in favor of a proprietary outsole compound. For competitive trail runners who trust Vibram's durability data, that's a meaningful trade-off. The outsole is paired with a more aggressive 5mm lug pattern and a new supercritical EVA midsole with better energy return than the Zinal 2. The price dropped to $150, which softens the sting. Worth testing, but log enough training miles to evaluate the outsole before committing it to a race.

NNormal Cadi

Kilian Jornet built NNormal around performance-first design, which made the brand's earlier models narrow, precise, and inaccessible to many runners. The Cadi changes that deliberately. A wider fit, a more forgiving 35/29mm stack, and a $175 price point bring NNormal's X Pure supercritical EVA foam and Vibram Megagrip outsole to runners who weren't the target demographic for the Kjerag. If you've been curious about the brand but found the fit or price limiting, this is the entry point worth trying.

Where to Find Them

The biggest mistake trail runners make is buying a race shoe for training, or a training shoe for racing. Here's a quick reference on availability:

Hoka Speedgoat 7: Available at Hoka.com and Running Warehouse. Hoka Zinal 3: Available at Hoka.com. NNormal Cadi: Available at NNormal.com. Nike ACG Ultrafly 2: Available at Nike.com and Running Warehouse. On Cloudsoma: Available at On.com. Brooks Cascadia Elite: Available on Amazon and Brooks.com. Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2: Available on Amazon and adidas.com. Topo Terraventure 5: Available on Amazon and at REI. Kiprun Kipsummit Max: Available at Running Warehouse and kiprun.com.