Best New Running Shoes Out This Month: April

April was a big month for fast shoes.

Published April 29, 2019

Updated August 25, 2022

Each month new running shoes are released. We see everything from brand new sneakers to re-designs and updates and cover the top five each month. Whether you’re gearing up for a training block pre-half or full marathon, or are looking for a pair of sneakers that will help you hit that 5k or 10k PR (personal record or personal best), there’s a new pair for you. Here are the latest speed and stability shoes out now.

Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 3

The Fli-Lyte 3 walks the line between being a running shoe and a fitness trainer. These neutral shoes are not for someone who needs a lot of stability, but rather for someone who wants a flexible feel and relatively little support. If you liked the feel of the Fli-Lyte 2, the updated version might surprise you with its new lighter weight upper thanks to an engineered mesh. The weight stays the same from version 2 due to the 5mm anti-microbial Ortholite footbed which cushions your entire foot. The 23mm heel height is also the same.

Buy Now: $100

Hoka One One Gaviota 2

For runners who are looking for a stable upper that’ll hold their feet in place and prevent pronation or supination (when your arch flattens out or gets super high — neither of which is great for running), the Hoka One One Gaviota 2 is ideal. At 10.60-ounces, it’s not so heavy that you’ll feel like you’re pounding the pavement with each step, yet still sturdy enough to keep your feet in one place. True to the Hoka One One brand, you’ll find plush cushioning underfoot in addition to a rocker technology that helps guide your stride.

Buy Now: $150

Under Armour Velociti

The UA Hovr Velociti 2 is a speed shoe. As a part of the connected line, the sneaker connects to the MapMyRun app and automatically logs all your miles — meaning you can go for a run without a watch or a phone. A lightweight upper features stretchy mesh that’s supportive yet breathable. At just 9-ounces, the speedy Velociti allows for an explosive take-off, whether you’re starting a mile or finishing up five. It comes in three colors.

Buy Now: $120

New Balance Fresh Foam More

The Fresh Foam More is what it sounds like — more cushion. At 10.3 ounces, it’s not a heavy sneaker, but it combines a low offset (meaning your heel isn’t much higher than your toes) with a lot of Fresh Foam cushioning (New Balance’s proprietary foam). The 4mm drop is relatively low for a sneaker this high and the lower the drop, the easier it is for your feet to move more naturally.

Buy Now: $160

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%

This top-secret shoe is the next iteration of the very popular racing sneaker, the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly 4% that Nike created as part of the attempt to break the two-hour barrier that still exists in the marathon (that’s 26.2 miles). The NEXT% has a smaller offset (the height difference between the cushion under your toes and heel) — it dropped from 11mm to 8mm to help the runner feel more stable. In addition to those changes, Nike bulked up the traction to make it more grippy and changed the upper from Flyknit to a new fiber called Vaporweave. Inspired by sailcloth fabric, Vaporweave doesn’t absorb water and is very light, so during races where there is heavy rainfall like the 2018 Boston Marathon, the shoes won’t weigh you down. The sneakers launch on April 24th.

Buy Now: $250