Release date calendar for running shoes – 2022

Wouldn’t it be nice to see a calendar that lists the release dates of popular running shoe models for a given year? Say, not just for the calendar year, but for a rolling 12-month period?

There are so many models spread across nearly a dozen shoe brands, so it can get confusing to keep track of launch months – even for us shoe-reviewing folks.

Except that such a calendar doesn’t exist. At least, not for running shoes. This page is a baby step towards changing that; this article will help our readers keep track of what’s next, and budget accordingly.

So why would anyone need a shoe release calendar? Sure, it’s good to know when the new models are arriving, but does the information result in tangible benefits, if at all?

Knowing the release date in advance makes the best use of your running shoe money. Here’s why this data helps make an informed purchase decision:

The previous model will go on markdown sales and can be bought for less money

Let’s say a popular shoe model gets its annual refresh every January. To clear inventory, brands and retailers will put on the previous model on clearance sale when the release of the updated model becomes imminent.

Knowing the release date of the upcoming model could mean the difference between paying full price and saving money on discount sales. Most of the time, the old and new models overlap each other in the market, and that’s when the best deals are had.

The upcoming model could be an improved version that’s worth waiting for

Running shoes are seldom perfect, so many runners skip buying the current version and prefer to wait for the updated model. The New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V2 is a good example. While it is an excellent shoe, its durability issues are well known.

Thus, it makes sense to wait for an updated version of the Fuelcell Rebel that should resolve most, if not all, of its durability concerns.

The new model could be just an ‘upper-only’ update with no changes

Many brands re-use the midsole and outsole for several years, with two years being a common practice. For example, the adidas Ultraboost 21 and 22 are based on the same sole, and so are the Nike Pegasus 37 and 38.

If the ‘new’ model is just going to re-use the same midsole, then why spend more money on the new shoe – unless there is something wrong with the existing product?

After reviewing running shoes for over a decade, we have a fair idea of the design refresh cycle. For example, Nike, adidas, and Saucony tend to recycle their midsole designs for two years.

In other words, a running shoe that is released in 2022 will use the same sole for 2023. On the other hand, Asics and Brooks are now doing annual top-to-bottom refreshes for their main models.

Solereview doesn’t have a personal relationship with brands or retailers, so the information here is not official but our best guess. This is our first attempt, so the calendar will grow longer and more accurate with time.

Based on what we know, here are the highlight releases of the next 12 months. Just keep in mind that it takes at least a month for a shoe (after the release date) to be widely distributed across different retail channels.

Except for the Nike Streakfly and Reebok Floatride Energy X, this calendar also does not contain brand-new intros for 2022 with no prior history.

January to March 2022:

January is the first month of the year, so it’s fitting that most shoes released in this month begin with the A – the first letter of the alphabet. To be specific, we have the Asics Nimbus 24, Asics Nimbus Lite 3, Altra Lone Peak 6, and the adidas Ultraboost 22 hitting the market.

The Saucony Peregrine 12 follows in February, and then the New Balance 1080 V12 in March.

April to June 2022:

These three months are packed with new running shoe releases. Popular neutral trainers like the Nike React Infinity 3, Nike Invincible Run 3, Asics Cumulus 24, and the Pegasus 39 will show up, and so will the Nike Wildhorse 8.

(Update, May 9th: The Asics Cumulus 24, Mizuno Inspire 18, Nike Pegasus 39 and React Infinity Run Flyknit 3 have been released.)

July to September 2022:

There are important product launches between Summer and early Fall. The much-awaited updates to the Saucony Endorphin Pro and Speed will take place during this period.

Other noteworthy products like the Nike Vomero 17, Brooks Ghost 15, Saucony Triumph, and New Balance Fuelcell Rebel 3 will also show up around this time.

October to December 2022:

Things get quieter in the last quarter. This is when most winterized packs show up – cue the Asics AWL, adidas Cold.RDY, Nike Shield, and Saucony Vizipro/Runshield models.

Though the adidas Ultraboost 23 will probably launch in the 2nd week of December, it’ll be January 2023 before they become widely available.

*The asterisk on the change summary denotes that it is our best guess and final product is not confirmed yet.