Hoka’s big bounce back, speedier Skechers, pace-specific shoes, and more big reveals from The Running Event.
GearJunkie previewed the latest and upcoming models of road running shoes at the annual running conference, The Running Event, in Austin, Texas. I had the opportunity to meet with various brands and get a firsthand look at the shoes set to be released in 2023.
After thorough consideration, these shoes are my top picks for road runners in the coming year.
2023 Road Shoe Trends
Thanks to new midsole foams, one of the biggest trends in running shoes I continue to see is that road (and trail) running shoes are getting lighter while adding more cushioning.
The most widely-used midsole foam in new shoes is PEBA, which is superior to TPU and EVA because it has a lower density (weight) and outstanding damping properties while still having high energy return and flexibility.
A perfect example of less weight and more cushioning is the all-new Hoka Clifton 9, which lost 4 grams while adding 3 mm of stack height. Almost every brand I visited had similar examples.
A more noticeable change is that road shoe bottoms are more exaggerated and flare out more on the sides and behind the heel. This flaring gives the shoe a more significant footprint, inherently creating a more stable platform, which helps offset the unstable nature of super soft foams.
As a shoe reviewer who gets shoes before the general release, embargoes are not new to me. But typically, brands won’t have embargoed shoes on a trade show floor. They tend to keep them guarded and show them to the media only under supervision.
I can tell you that Nike, Saucony, and adidas all have road shoes I’m super excited to talk about — when the embargo lifts.
Best Road Shoes at The Running Event 2023
Altra Torin 7
The biggest story for Altra on the road shoe side of the business is the Torin 7, Altra’s number-one-selling road shoe (pictured above). Brian Becksted, Altra’s co-founder, explained the brand wanted to do two things for the Torin 7: Take the step-in feel to the next level, and upgrade the aesthetics.
The Torin 7 still uses Altra’s softest and lightest midsole, Ego Max, but Altra tweaked the design a little to improve the initial step-in comfort.
Altra Torin 7 Specs:
- Launch date: Summer 2023
- Weight: 9.8 oz. (mens); 8 oz (women)
- Stack height: 30 mm
- Price: $150
Hoka Rocket X2

One of the more exciting road shoes I can discuss is Hoka’s newest — or should I say, updated — super shoe, the Rocket X2.
Since carbon fiber shoes have become mainstream, Hoka has released three road models: Carbon X, Rocket X, and Bondi X.
While I’ve been a huge fan of the Carbon X franchise, in my opinion, all three models fell short of matching the efficiency gains of Nike, ASICS, adidas, and Saucony’s super shoes.
Based on my initial impressions, the Rocket X2 will change that and bring Hoka to the forefront of super shoes. Hoka completely redesigned the Rocket X2, top to bottom, and it resembles nothing of the original.
Hoka Rocket X2 Specs:
- Launch date: Summer 2023
- Weight: 8.3 oz. (men); 6.7 oz. (women)
- Stack height: 36 mm heel 31 mm (men & women)
- Price: $250
Hoka Clifton 9

Hoka Clifton 9 Specs:
- Launch date: Spring 2023
- Weight: 8.6 oz. (men); 7.3 oz. (women)
- Stack height: 32 mm heel 27 mm (men); 29 mm/25 mm (women)
- Price: $145
Skechers GOrun Speed Beast

Skechers GOrun Speed Beast Specs:
- Launch date: Spring 2023
- Weight: 8.4 oz. (men); 6.2 oz. (women)
- Stack height: 40 mm/36 mm (unisex)
- Price: $185
Reebok FloatZig

Reebok FloatZig Specs:
- Launch date: Fall 2023
- Weight: 9.4 oz. (unisex)
- Stack height: 31 mm/25 mm (unisex)
- Price: $130
Brooks Hyperion Max

Brooks Hyperion Max Specs:
- Launch date: Winter 2023
- Weight: 7.8 oz. (men); 6.7 oz. (women)
- Stack height: 36 mm/28 mm (estimated)
- Price: $170
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 Specs:
- Launch date: Winter 2023
- Weight: 11.1 oz. (men); 9.0 oz. (women)
- Stack height: Unknown
- Price: $180
Vimazi
Vimazi Z-Series Specs:
- Launch date: Spring 2023
- Weight: 6.7 oz. (men) / 5.5 oz. (women)
- Stack height: 25 mm
- Price: $175