Happy New Year, everybody! Hopefully, you all had a relaxing holiday season—I know I certainly did. It was so relaxing, in fact, that it’s going to be time to step up my fitness to start the year. The good news is we’ve got some awesome new shoes coming into the store, so there’s no other option than to get out to Stanley Park and review some runners.
Today, we’re going to go over everything that’s coming in January, and we also want to announce that we’re taking things to the next level with running content this year.
Our tennis and pickleball content took off in the last couple of years, especially with our YouTube reviews, and we’re going to invest a lot more time in running shoe reviews, so please feel free to subscribe to be the first to see all shoe reviews.
Now let’s talk about some new shoes!
Hoka Bondi 9
Big changes are coming to one of the industry-leading max-cushioned daily drivers: the Hoka Bondi 9. This is a big update—one look at this new model tells you as much—and it was about time; we hadn’t seen a new one in almost two years.
Right away, it’s obvious that they’ve gone for a slightly more minimalist design. Now, when I say design, I’m really only talking about the look itself, not the actual performance. The best way to describe it is that this shoe looks a little less “Bondi,” and while that almost obnoxious maximalist design did give it a certain allure, it was probably time to tone it down. There are fewer lines contouring the midsole, and the outsole flares outward a little less, so while it will never look sleek, it’s a bit more aesthetically pleasing.
Despite the sleeker design, the Bondi 9 is actually taller than its predecessor. Hoka has brought the stack height up by 2 millimetres, giving it even more cushioning than it has had in the past.
The biggest change, however, is the introduction of a supercritical foam to the midsole. Up until now, Hoka had used more traditional foams in the Bondi, and this will make for a huge boost in performance. This should make the Bondi 9 bouncier and springier than the previous one, so it will still be great as a daily driver but will also perform better when you up the pace.
We’re super excited for the new Bondi 9 and hoping to get a full review out as soon as possible, so stay tuned!
Hoka Bondi 9 Running
women's
Hoka Bondi 9 Running
men's
Asics Novablast 5
Next up, we have the brand-new Asics Novablast 5, which is Asics’ long-distance, cushioned, neutral runner. It replaces another popular shoe in the Novablast 4, and while the updates may not look too visually obvious (certainly not as much as the Bondi’s), there are still quite a few changes to note.
Asics has changed the midsole foam material from Flight Foam Blast Plus Eco to Flight Foam Blast Max, which is a little bit softer and more cushioned without being overly mushy. This increases impact absorption, which is key when ticking through the kilometres.
They’ve also updated the outsole to a softer AHAR LO traction material that is supposed to provide more traction on a wider variety of surfaces. The tread itself is also different, with claims of increased energy return, which should help to liven up the softer midsole cushioning.
Asics has also changed the fit, making the Novablast 5 a little bit wider altogether to create a more solid and stable running experience. Don’t worry; it’s definitely not too wide. In fact, they’ve improved the lacing system with wired lace loops to help cinch down the upper more effectively around the foot.
Asics Gel-Nimbus 27
Asics isn’t resting on its laurels with the Novablast 5—they’re also releasing a brand-new Nimbus 27. They’ve increased the stack height by 2 millimetres compared to the 26, making it 43.5 millimetres in the heel and 35.5 millimetres in the forefoot. Instead of making the cushioning softer, though, they’ve actually stiffened it up to make the overall ride still very plush but a little bit snappier and more responsive. Super plush, high-cushioned runners like this do tend to feel a little gooey, especially when they have such a high stack, so firming it up may be beneficial in the long run. It will never be a race shoe, but it will respond better when you up the tempo.
Asics has also changed the upper material from a knitted weave on the 26 to a mesh material on the 27. This mesh is a bit wider and also more breathable than the knit, which may not sound necessary right now in January but will be much appreciated on those long, warm summer runs.
Brooks Launch 11
Let’s turn away from high-cushioned runners for a second and talk about the brand-new Brooks Launch 11. This is Brooks’ lower-cushioned, lightweight, and responsive running shoe that’s quick and snappy without putting a carbon-plated-sized dent in your wallet.
The major improvement here comes with the introduction of DNA Flash foam to the Launch’s midsole—Brooks’ supercritical foam. This replaces the standard DNA foam on the Launch 10 and provides a much snappier, quicker, and more responsive ride, as we’ve come to expect from these supercritical foams. They’ve lowered the drop from 10 to 8 millimetres, which isn’t huge but still worth noting, and the upper is much more breathable than on the 10, thanks to the engineered “breathability zones” throughout the forefoot.
All these updates are in the name of more speed, which is fantastic, and the Launch should definitely be a go-to option for those of you looking at a quicker trainer that can also compete with the fastest shoes on race day (to a certain extent).
Brooks Glycerin 22
Normal service resumes with yet another high-cushioned runner—and yes, another major update again—with the Brooks Glycerin 22.
Similar to the Launch, Brooks has updated the midsole foam material on the Glycerin 22, swapping out the DNA Loft for their DNA Tuned material. This is the same foam that’s found in the higher-stack Glycerin Max and makes for a significant improvement in terms of softness and bounciness compared to the previous Glycerin 21.
While that cushioning and ride is definitely where you’ll notice the biggest change, Brooks has also improved the Glycerin’s fit by changing the upper’s silhouette to accommodate more foot types and provide more comfort, flexibility, and breathability.
Our prediction is that this is going to be a very popular shoe this year—the Glycerin Max made a huge splash last year, and with similar technology, we don’t see why this should be any different.
New Balance 880 v15
We finish off our coming soon list by quickly touching on the New Balance 880 v15. This shoe isn’t coming out until March, but as has been the theme throughout this article, it’s also getting a significant overhaul.
New Balance has decided to drastically change up the cushioning, which is a brave decision considering this shoe is a safety blanket for so many runners. They’ve increased the stack and lowered the drop—+3 millimetres in the heel and +6 millimetres in the forefoot for a 6-millimetre drop. It will still be firmer than the 1080, but this update will bring it closer than ever to a high-cushioned runner, rather than the neutral, meat-and-potatoes daily trainer it has always represented.
Time will tell as to whether that’s a good decision, but with consumer preference clearly trending toward these higher-stack, higher-cushioned runners, I’m sure New Balance knows what they’re doing.
As you can see, it’s going to be a pretty exciting year for running shoes. We’re going to get as many reviews out as possible, so please keep an eye out for those on our YouTube channel. Happy New Year!