This week, the bi-annual Vans Classic Sneaker zum Hineinschlüpfen mit Schachbrettmuster in Braun gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, for the last time after 20 years. (It’s moving to Denver for future shows.) Among stand-up paddleboards, camping gear, outdoor apparel, and cooler companies, we scoured the halls for the best new road and trail running shoes and apparel you’ll see in stores next year. Here are the highlights.
Saxx Pilot Short ($65)
The underwear company—with its ingenious BallPark Pouch brief construction—debuted its new 7” short featuring a lightweight and stretchy, proprietary knit-woven material over a breathable brief (with pouch). It debuts mid-January, 2018. (Last year, we named their Casadei Generation X camouflage-print boots Verde one of the top items of the 2016.) saxxunderwear.com
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Salomon Sports Sonic RA ($130), Sonic RA Max ($130), Sonic RA Pro ($130)
Salomon enters the road running arena with three debut shoes in what it’s calling their “Running Avenue” line: the neutral Sonic RA ($130); the stability (achieved without a medial post) Sonic RA Max ($130); and the fast, light, race-ready Sonic RA Pro ($130). All three shoes will hit the market in spring 2018. salomonrunning.com
Coolcore Natural Performance Tee ($24)
Coolcore puts its moisture-wicking and cooling technology (the yarn is woven together uniquely to dissipate moisture and create a cooling effect without chemicals) in soft, classically styled tees and tanks that look and feel like cotton. They debut October 2017. coolcore.com
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Olukai Ho’opio ($65)
For pre- and postrun footwear, Olukai’s water-resistant, padded and supportive flip flops give feet a rest—and room to breathe. This women’s flip gets new “Hawaiian Ice” colors for spring 2018. olukai.com
La Sportiva Unika ($190), VK ($135), Lichen ($115)
La Sportiva debuts three trail running shoes. The high-cuffed, rock guard-adorned Unika targeted at mountain and ultrarunners; the super-light and flexible VK made specifically for Vertical Kilometer racing; and the Lycan, the everyman’s (and woman’s) trail shoe. They’ll be hitting market spring 2018. sportiva.com
Altra Duo ($130)
Altra strips away upper materials but keeps major cushioning underfoot in its new road shoe, the Duo. It will be at REI in January 2018 and specialty retailers in March. altrarunning.com
Altra Solstice ($89)
Altra brings its zero drop, natural foot shape silhouette to a lower price point in the Solstice. The company is calling it their “gateway shoe.” It will be available in January. altrarunning.com
Great Pairs of Running for Women: Sk8-hi Slim Zip Leather Men S Shoes Zephyr Blue-black Runner’s World Newsletters.
Superfeet Fit Station Custom Insoles ($150)
Superfeet’s Fit Station, a machine that takes multiple scans of each user’s feet, continues to enter more specialty retail shops through the fall and into 2018. The scan creates a custom insole, shipped to the customer two weeks later, but also recommends off-the-shelf running shoes based on the data collected. superfeet.com
Craghoppers Luna Tight ($60) and Coast Long Sleeve ($70)
These moisture-wicking, poly/elastane blend pieces feature the company’s Solar Shield and Insect Shield treatments to block out the sun and, more impressively, bugs—mosquitos, ticks, and more. us.craghoppers.com
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Smartwool PhD Ultralight Sport Jacket ($120-$125) and Vest ($100)
Gender-specific heat and sweat zones feature panels of wicking, super-breathable merino wool on these otherwise water-resistant running jackets. smartwool.com
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 18 ($120)
The company’s popular stability shoe sees major updates to the upper. It features a single-layer engineered mesh, eliminates TPU overlays, and gets structure from a “3D Fit Print.” The Adrenaline GTS 18 is available November 2017. brooksrunning.com
The North Face Flight RKT ($150)
This trail shoe features a breezy one-piece engineered mesh upper and what the company calls a “Fast Foam” midsole for a soft ride underfoot. It debuts mid-January 2018. thenorthface.com
