Performance Sneakers We're Looking Forward to in May 2014

May 2014 shoe releases

1.

May 2014 shoe releases

It’s the time again when look ahead to what’s to come in the performance footwear industry. May 2014 will see a heavy dose of new running footwear entering the market (good news for runners to find a new pair of sneaks just as the weather begins to warm up), along with a series of new soccer cleats that are sure to change the game in more ways than one. Join us as we count down some of the most notable performance sneakers scheduled to release this month.

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2.

Jordan Flight Runner

Jordan Flight Runner

Category: Running
Release date: May 1, 2014

Jordan Brand will officially begin offering its services to the running world this month with the release of its first ever running shoe. The Flight Runner, which features Dynamic Fit support and Zoom cushioning, borrows performance tech from big brother Nike. Every indication we’ve gotten thus far is that this is a pure bred runner. It’s also got the looks to match.

3.

Image via Running Warehouse

Altra Paradigm

Category: Running
Release date: N/A

If cushioning is what you’re after in your running footwear hunt, look no further than the Altra Paradigm. A road version of the Altra Olympus, the Paradigm features a widened heel that caters to a variety of runner types.

4.

Nike Solo Slide

Nike Solo Slide

Category: Recovery
Release date: May 10, 2014

Nike’s Air Clogposite is set to make a comeback in May, except this time it will go by the Solo Slide moniker. Name change aside, the same Foamposite upper in a clog design (hence the name Clogposite). Granted there’s no performance value in it, but we all could use a solid après shoe after a long day in the gym. Just don’t get caught wearing them in public—it could hurt the street cred.

5.

Nike Mercurial Superfly

Nike Mercurial Superfly

Category: Soccer
Release date: Pre-order May 26

Soccer pitches around the globe are about to get a whole lot flashier with the release of the red-hot Mercurial Superfly cleat just a few weeks away. The boot combines sleek mid-top knitted upper with a high-grade carbon fiber plate to provide maximum support and explosiveness. Pro-order for the Mercurial Superfly begins May 26.

6.

Saucony Kinvara 5

Saucony Kinvara 5

Category: Running
Release date: May 1, 2014

The Kinvara 5 made its debut at the Boston Marathon a couple of weeks ago, but the shoe’s official release is scheduled for early May. The latest edition to the ultra-successful Kinvara series is better than ever. It will certainly be a contender for the best running shoe of 2014 title.

7.

Image via Nike

Nike Basketball Elite Series Hero Collection

Category: Basketball
Release date: May 9, 2014

There always seems to be a top-tier footwear pack from Nike Basketball in our monthly roundups, and May is no different. The brand’s top three models—the LeBron 11, Kobe 9, and KD VI—will make an appearance in a special heroes collection inspired by, what else, superheroes. It’s a fitting theme given the intensity of this year’s NBA playoffs, even if Kobe is nowhere to be found (except on Twitter). There’s no question this a must-have for every baller this month. The only question is, which one will you go with?

8.

Nike Free Hyperfeel TR

Nike Free Hyperfeel TR

Category: Training
Release date: May 1, 2014

Nike’s whole natural motion movement comes to life this month, as the Free Hyperfeel TR makes it way to the market. At 6.5 ounces it’s the lightest training shoe put out thus far by the Swoosh. The Hyperfeel TR is designed to act like a second skin for the foot, allowing athletes to train unhindered thanks to a contoured design.

9.

Image via Nike

Nike Magista

Category: Soccer
Release date: May 22, 2014

Nike continues its way of pushing the limits of conventional footwear design this year by (finally) brining Flyknit technology to the soccer field. Much like the Mercurial Superfly, Nike’s Magista cleat features a knitted upper with a mid-cut Dynamic Fit Collar for unmatched agility. Simply put, it has the potential to be a true game changer as far as radical cleat goes. The boot will also be available for customization on NIKEiD.

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RELATED: 50 Game-Changing Performance Sneakers to Watch for in 2014