I’ve prepared a Denny-style grand slam of running gear this week. We have two race-day trail running super shoes, two daily trainers for road runners, and two hiking shoes that will go the distance. Still hungry for more? of course you are.
That’s why you’ll also get some extra great accessories to keep you on the move. These include new tech like Baseus open-ear headphones and Garmin’s first screen-free smart band, as well as tees, anoraks, and even the option to make your own running belt (including sweet designs).
Get all that in this week’s special edition rising gear.
Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak
Merrell has come a long way since its heyday as a hiking boot brand. If you don’t know, Trail Runners have become the go-to choice for many outdoor hikers (myself included). And while Merrell has already released several popular trail running shoes, the brand has spent the last 5 years on a mission to “build the fastest trail racing shoes on the market.”
result is race day MTL SpeedARC Peak. Merrell claims it took 154 prototypes and 13,000 miles of testing to create this expensive super shoe ($290). It sports a three-layer SpeedARC midsole, made up of a top layer of PEBA-based racing foam, FloatPro cushioning technology underneath, and a lightweight carbon fiber FlexPlate between them. The shoe also features a Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole and lightweight Metrix upper.
The MTL SpeedARC Peak launches as part of Merrell’s 45th Anniversary collection, and comes in bright colors inspired by the 80s – Merrell’s founding decade.
For another race-day trail running super shoe, we have the ASICS Metafuji Trail 2. Trail runner Tom Evans wore a prototype of these during his first title win at the 2025 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), and now it’s coming to shelves near you.
Metafuji Trail 2 It has a 5mm heel drop and combines FF Leap cushioning with FF Blast Plus cushioning for what ASICS calls “explosive energy return at toe-off.” It features a full-length, trail-specific carbon plate, streamlined ankle collar and integrated lace pocket. Another expensive super shoe made for elite runners, this one costs $280. The shoe will be available on August 1st, but you can place your order now on the ASICS website.
Hoka Clifton Pro
Don’t worry, Road Runners: we’ve got some great releases for you too.
HOKA has been steadily gaining traction over the years on both the road and the trail. This summer, the brand launched its Pro line, the first release of which is the Clifton Pro. An upgraded remake of HOKA’s popular trainer, the new Clifton features a ProGlide+ midsole, a more aggressive rocker profile and “precision-tuned geometry,” the brand said.
At $165, the Clifton Pro costs $10 more than the Clifton 11 and is available for both men And women. However, the Pro is not a replacement: “It is an extension that will give competitive runners a more dynamic, speed-oriented tool,” HOKA said in a release.
january signal
There’s a new kid on the January block. This emerging shoe brand for road runners, founded by Wei-An Chang, aims to challenge the status quo of modern footwear. That is, that superior cushioning requires excessive stack height and bulk. This would certainly go against the ethos of thick-stack brands like HOKA.
With their first release, Ssignal, Jan’s founder, said they designed “the first shoe in the industry to feature a single-piece dual-density midsole.” It is plush at the heel and strong towards the front of the foot. Powered by the brand’s proprietary supercritical, aerospace-grade TPEE foam, powered by Kinexion, the Ssignal provides “soft landing, fast rebound and long-lasting performance,” the brand said in a release.
They also look quite attractive if you ask me. You can preorder a pair of these signal Now for $195. They come out in August.
Nortiv 8 hiking shoes
You don’t have to empty your wallet to get a pair of shoes that will take you where you need to go. Nortiv 8, a US-based brand owned by a Chinese parent company, sells affordable hiking sneakers and hiking shoes that offer many of the same features as pricier brands. Nortiv 8 receives “Hiking Shoe Product of the Year” award 2026 Outdoor Innovation AwardsAlong with other winners from well-known brands like Marmot, Big Agnes and Rab.
Its latest collection, DualStride Armadillo FieldlightThis includes a pair of ankle-height “hiking sneakers” and a taller pair of more traditional hiking boots. Both options are available for men and women. The models are designed to accommodate wide feet and are waterproof. Both styles also feature what Nortive 8 calls “4-in-1 Rebound Technology,” which consists of two layers of a DualStride dual-density EVA midsole, an EVA Strobel insole, and a Supercritical Foam insole.
The best part is that this collection is on sale right now on Amazon. The sneakers cost just $63, while the shoes are an even cheaper $60.
danner radical 451
With 94 years of history, Portland, Oregon-based brand Danner knows a thing or two about solid shoes. Its latest release, radical 451Combines a classic silhouette with full-grain leather, waterproof protection, Danner Basalt outsole and enlarged lugs for added traction.
Danner calls it a “crossover boot” that will keep your feet comfortable during any “outdoor application, from weekend walks to long days in the field.” The Radical 451 also features an abrasion-resistant, PU-coated toe and heel for durability in thick brush and rough terrain. Additionally, the Terra Force Trail platform offers lightweight cushioning with an open TPU arch, so those needing arch support may find these extras helpful.
This boot is also “recraftable,” meaning Danner’s team will remodel and refurbish the boots through the brand. restructuring program. Their price is $200.
Garmin CIRQA Smart Band
Screen fatigue is very real these days — but that doesn’t mean athletes want to stop tracking their health and performance. That’s why more brands are looking into screen-less wearables after Whoop proved the credibility of the concept.
So it’s not too surprising that Garmin has now released a screen-free smart band of its own. garmin’s CIRQA Smart Band Tracks fitness and wellness – and doesn’t even require a subscription to use. With up to 10 days of battery life, the band offers round-the-clock health monitoring and tracking for 80+ activities.
It works with the Garmin Connect app, where users can view health metrics, sleep information, activities, and training data collected by the wearable’s sensors. The CIRQA Smart Band is available for $200, with an optional arm band accessory available for $60.
Baseus Clip-On Earbuds
Earbuds have become almost as ubiquitous among runners as high-stack shoes. But playing music while sharing the road with vehicles is risky. That’s why earbuds designed to leave room for outside noise have become more popular. And while the bone-conduction earbuds work well, I’m already very curious about Basius Bowie MC2 Open-Ear Earbuds I started testing this week.
The clip design suits me better than other bone-conduction headphones I’ve tried, while also making it easier to hear when a car is driving behind me. With the case, they offer 55 hours of battery life. They also sport IP67 water and dust resistance. The best part is that they’re currently on sale at Amazon for just $50.
Make your own running belt
SPIBelt, a small brand based in Austin, Texas, makes some great running belts with lots of design options and even more colors. (I am partial to starry night sky-Themed belt.)
For the brand’s 20th anniversary, the SPIbelt has just launched SPIbelt by youA new program that lets you create your own SPIBelt. You can “create something that’s uniquely yours” by mixing and matching the colors of pockets, belts and zippers, the brand said. They are all handmade in Austin, Texas.
Red Racetec Tea
Colorado-based Ride Research makes some of the best running apparel, and their latest in the TrailTech system offers the brand’s “lightest and most packable additions yet”: the RaceTech Tee and UL Shell Anorak.
The RaceTech Tee ($150) is a featherweight, packable tee made from 63gsm, microdot air fabric. “It is engineered for tough efforts in hot conditions,” Rad said. There’s also the UL Shell Anorak ($350), which Ride calls “the lightest 3-layer fully waterproof shell on the market.” At just 128 grams in size, it packs small.
Both the tee and the anorak officially come out in August, but are Available for Pre-order Now on the Red website.
