Release date calendar for running shoes – 2024

2024 started off strong with the Nike Alphafly 3 release.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see a calendar that lists the release dates of upcoming running shoe models for a given year? Say, not just for the calendar year, but for a rolling 18-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 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 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 Hoka Arahi 7 and 6 are based on the same sole, and so are the Altra Lone Peak 8 and 7.

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 released in 2024 will use the same sole for 2025. 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.

Based on what we know, here are the highlight releases for 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.

January to March 2024:

In the first quarter of the year, several popular trainers were released. For example, the Nike Alphafly V3 (released) and the Asics Nimbus 26 (released) made their way to the market, and so did the much anticipated Saucony Endorphin Pro 4, (released) Speed 4 (released), and the New Balance SC Elite V4. (released)

The New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V4 (released) will also be launched in February.

April to June 2024:

These three months are packed with new running shoe launches. Popular versatile trainers like the Asics Kayano 31 (released), Saucony Triumph 22 (released), and Pegasus 41 (released) were launched during this period.

July to September 2024:

The Superblast 2 is a souped-up version of the Novablast 4.

Popular franchise models like the adidas Ultraboost 5 (released), Asics Superblast V2 (released), Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, Nike Pegasus Plus (released), and Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 (released) will also show up around this time.

The much-anticipated update to the Saucony Tempus (released but with upper-only change) is also expected in this quarter.

October to December 2024:

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. The remainder of popular franchise models like the Asics Novablast 5, New Balance 1080 V14, Nike Vomero 18, and Brooks Ghost 17 will also get a quiet release.

The Hoka Clifton 10 and Bondi 9 are also slated for release.

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