Nike and Melitta Baumeister Team Up
Nike and Melitta Baumeister are joining forces to push the boundaries of Nike Running by reimagining the Vomero Premium and Pegasus Premium for everyday city living, to showcase varying expressions of sport performance.
Nike and Melitta’s Vomero Premium and Pegasus Premium are inspired by the idea of “Run Like No One Is Watching” bringing a message about rediscovering the joy of movement and moving for yourself, not the approval of others.
Known for her sculptural approach to fashion, Melitta sees sport as inspiration more than identity. Her designs speak to fashion-forward everyday athletes, building off a Nike mantra, “If you have a body, you are an athlete.”
Last October, the Vomero Premium was unveiled at an experiential performance and installation in New York City ahead of NYC Marathon weekend. Nike athlete Sha’Carri Richardson unveiled Melitta’s Pegasus Premium earlier this month.
Melitta gave both silhouettes subtle variations, layered color and evidence of the maker’s touch — creating an expressive study of movement and perception. The shoes are hand-painted, making each pair unique, purposefully designed to embrace imperfection as an ode to moving for oneself, not for applause or perfection. “It’s about running for yourself, not for anyone else,” she says.
“Both the Vomero Premium and Pegasus Premium are iconic franchises that have been staples of the running community for decades,” says Melitta. “Reimagining something so crucial to the everyday runner through the lens of 'Run Like No One Is Watching' allowed me to create a meaningful paradox. The designs are artful and alive.
“Each hand-painted pair of Vomero Premiums is transformed into a one-of-a-kind artifact of human touch where the paint serves as proof, not decoration. On the other hand, the Pegasus Premium embraces the paradox with a bold, neon design that invites runners to move freely even as the shoe seems to watch them back."
Layers of graphics and storytelling reveal details such as Melitta’s eyes and hands, giving the design a personal connection and making it feel intimate and relatable. The result is part artwork, part experiment and fully human.
Melitta’s Vomero Premium is available in Total Orange, featuring two energy-boosting Air Zoom units surrounded by ultrasoft, responsive ZoomX foam and MB branding. The Pegasus Premium, available in Volt, features ZoomX foam, a sculpted Air Zoom unit, ReactX foam and MB branding.
New Product: FP Movement X Merrell
FP Movement is stepping further into the hiking and outdoor community with a new exclusive footwear collaboration with Merrell. The collection reimagines Merrell classics through FP Movement’s playful, women-first lens:
- FP Movement x Merrell Cham Storm Gore-Tex Sneakers (MSRP: $180, in photo): A trail-ready sneaker inspired by the archival Chameleon family, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, FP Movement detailing and toggle laces for easy on/off.
- FP Movement x Merrell Hut Moc 2 Packable Slip-On Sneakers (MSRP: $90): A super-light slip-on with quilted ripstop uppers, embroidered details and a zip-together carabiner, designed for micro-breaks, studio sessions or everyday adventures.
Recover Brands Assumes Management of Headsweats
Recover Brands has officially assumed all managerial and oversight responsibilities for the brand, marketing, sales and leadership of Headsweats. Headsweats was founded in 1998 and continues to provide performance headwear.
While this move represents a new alignment, both Recover Brands and Headsweats will maintain their own brand identities, product offerings and outward communication efforts. Each brand will continue to operate independently, with a focus on greater complementary efforts, products, and operational efficiencies.
By bringing together Recover’s commitment to sustainability and Headsweats’ expertise in performance-driven headwear, this move is focused on better supporting both customer bases and further positioning the two brands as leaders in the athletic apparel and headwear market.
Kizik Debuts First Running Shoe
Available April 17, the Freedom Run (MSRP: $149.95) marks the debut of Kizik’s first running shoe, bringing patented hands-free step-in technology into the performance category. Designed for runners and everyday movers alike, the style merges hands-free convenience with the technical features expected from a modern training sneaker.
The Freedom Run features Kizik’s proprietary Internal Flex Arc hands-free system alongside other key innovative features including:
- New VivaFoam midsole that delivers lightweight, durable cushioning with responsive energy return.
- Rocker sole that supports smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
- Breathable engineered mesh upper that enhances airflow and comfort.
- Full rubber outsole with flex grooves.
Nike has brought back its Moon Shoe, reintroducing one of the brand’s most foundational silhouettes for a new generation. First reemerging through Jacquemus earlier this year (recently with Solange), this marks its return in its purest form — less a retro, more a modern reassertion of Nike’s original design language.
The Moon Shoe bridges performance heritage and style with speed, capturing the same drive that defined its earliest incarnation. It arrives at a moment where low-profile, tactile runners are trending across sport and luxury.
The Moon Shoe stands as the original reference point—bridging early racing DNA with Nike’s iconic waffle outsole, a design the industry has been referencing ever since. Available in soft pearl/black and SNKRS and additional retailers with MSRP of $105.
Kiprun Officially Launches in U.S.
Kiprun, the performance running brand born within European sporting goods retailer Decathlon, officially launched in the United States earlier this month. Built on a mission to democratize high performance running, Kiprun introduces three hero footwear models to the U.S. market: the Kipride Max, Kipstorm Elite and Kipsummit Max. Across the three Kiprun collections, the brand delivers foam technologies, advanced geometries and race-proven design for road and trail runners at competitive price points.
“The U.S. has one of the most vibrant and diverse running communities in the world,” says Julien Vancauwenberge, chief marketing officer at Kiprun. “From road racing to trail running and everything in between, runners here are constantly pushing boundaries.”
Topo Expands Riley Role
Topo Athletic, owned by Designer Brands, has promoted Natalie Riley to SVP and chief financial officer, as well as global sales and operations. In her expanded role, Riley will oversee Topo Athletic’s global financial strategy alongside the company’s worldwide sales and operations functions.
The company said Riley’s elevation from CFO and VP of Operations “reflects Topo’s continued growth trajectory and the critical importance of aligning financial and operational goals with the brand’s global sales objectives.” Riley has been with Topo Athletic since the running brand was founded more than 13 years ago.
Allbirds Being Sold to American Exchange Group
Allbirds has reportedly entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by the American Exchange Group for $39 million. The deal, which could see price adjustments before finalizing, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
Allbirds, founded in 2015 by Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger in San Francisco, CA, reached nearly $300 million in revenue by 2022 on the strength of sustainable materials and word-of-mouth buzz. After going public in 2021, Allbirds aggressively expanded into physical retail while entering adjacent product categories — leggings, jackets and performance running shoes, but mounting losses and numerous restructuring efforts forced it to close nearly all its remaining stores, which peaked at over 60 globally in 2023, in a pivot back to e-commerce.
Janji Announces the First 2026 Janji Grants Recipients
Janji, the Boston-based performance running brand, recently launched Janji Grants, a giveback initiative designed to support grassroots organizations working to make running more inclusive, accessible and community-driven. Since its founding in 2013, Janji has explored ways to use running as a force for good. Janji Grants represents the next evolution of that mission.
Through the program, Janji will award a $10,000 grant each month to organizations that are building community, reducing barriers to participation or providing education and mentorship to welcome new runners into the sport. The inaugural cohort of 2026 grant recipients reflects Janji’s three core pillars: education, community and access. Among the first recipients:
- Tierra Libre Run, an organization advancing BIPOC representation in trail and ultra-distance running through athlete funding, mentorship and community-based programming.
- Runners for Public Lands, which mobilizes runners to protect public lands while expanding equitable access to outdoor spaces through stewardship, advocacy and education initiatives.
- Native Women Run, a community-centered organization uplifting Indigenous women through running, creating space for healing, visibility and cultural connection.
New Product: Speedland x Ortlieb
Speedland and Ortlieb are joining forces to jointly obsess over durability, high-performance products, and how those products interact with nature. Speedland, the trail running shoe brand, and Ortlieb have been manufacturing waterproof bags and packing systems to withstand rain, mud and time.
The sun-yellow Ortlieb Duffle wasn’t chosen for aesthetics alone, it’s also easy to spot in a crowded aid station, and it pairs nicely with Speedland’s latest model, the RX:LDVL.
Altra and Pleasures Unveil Limited-Edition “Satellite” Running Shoe
Altra has teamed up with Los Angeles label Pleasures on a limited-edition collaboration that merges technical running design with underground culture, and a shared instinct to question the status quo. Since 2015, Pleasures has grown from a subcultural underground voice into a globally influential label, known for reinvigorating classic silhouettes with its punk‑infused vision and critically acclaimed collaborations.
The campaign explores the boundary between physical performance and artistic expression, reframing running as a living, evolving work of art — where motion, paint, sweat and repetition dissolve the line between body and canvas. A fluid silver streak runs throughout, tracing energy in motion and reflecting the impermanence of the moment.
At the center of the collaboration is a limited-edition Altra Experience Flow 3 in “Satellite,” a metallic silver-blue inspired by the tone of satellites in orbit. Across the upper, silver paint accents streak like trails of speed, capturing the moment a runner becomes a fleeting blur.
The Altra x Pleasures capsule was available beginning April 14 in limited quantities through select retailers and online worldwide.
New Balance Launches Gabby Thomas Collection
Gold medalist and Harvard Graduate Gabby Thomas is widely recognized for talents on and off the track and iconic sporty-chic looks and now New Balance continues to celebrate the second fastest woman in history in the 200m dash with the launch of her own Signature Collection next month.
Ellipse Key Features:
- Inspired by signature New Balance design lines, with innovative modern comfort.
- The Ellipse’s software Fresh Foam X midsole provides cushioning while maintaining the shoe’s lightweight feel for the runner looking for everyday mileage.
- Engineered mesh upper that blends stretch and structure for a secure feeling fit with breathability
- Reflective detailing, cushioning tongue and heel tab provide long-lasting comfort for long runs or everyday use. Stretch laces help secure the foot for the customizable fit.
New Balance Partners with HandsFree Labs
New Balance Athletics has formed a licensing agreement with HandsFree Labs (HFL) to launch its own range of hands-free footwear. The licensing agreement allows New Balance to use the technology in shoes for men, women and kids. Select styles are set to launch in 2027, most likely in the first half, according to Kizik and Hands Free Labs CEO Gareth Hosford.
“New Balance has a long history of innovation and craftsmanship, making them an ideal brand to work with as we continue to scale hands-free footwear globally,” says Hosford. “This represents another important milestone in bringing hands-free footwear to more consumers worldwide, and further validates both the accelerating market opportunity for hands-free footwear and the breakout consumer demand for HFL’s patented technologies.”
The first New Balance products featuring HFL’s hands-free technologies are expected to launch in Spring 2027. T
Kane Partners with Pynrs
Run apparel brand Pynrs (pronounced “pioneers”) is teaming up with recovery footwear maker Kane KANE Footwear for the launch of the Kane x Pynrs Revive (MSRP: $90).
A bold, design-forward, the Kane x Pynrs Revive features a metallic silver upper paired with a black, white, silver and laser green swirl outsole, alongside co-branded details including a laser green hangloop with metallic ticking, Pynrs wordmark labeling, “Run The Culture” along the cuff, and a hidden Pynrs road Icon at the heel.
At its core, the Kane x Pynrs Revive is engineered for recovery and everyday wear. Crafted in Brazil using Kane’s proprietary bio-based EVA foam derived from Brazilian sugarcane, delivering lightweight cushioning, energy return and long-lasting comfort. Key features include:
- Exterior perforations and interior channels to allow enhanced airflow.
- Raised footbed nodes help activate blood flow at key pressure points.
- Anatomical last design comfortably secures the heel, arch and instep.
- Built for smooth transferability and energy return from heel to toes.
- Dual-density construction for generous cushioning and active support.
- Oversized channels and siped soles provide flexibility and traction.
Paradis Unveils Terrain Collection on Earth Day
On Earth Day this week, Paradis Sport introduced its Terrain Collection, a seamless underwear line crafted in the brand’s signature ModiQ modal fabric and mineral-dyed in four elemental tones inspired by the landscapes that shape resilience and strength. The launch is supported by the brand’s campaign, Strong by Nature.
The new shades were named by professional trail runner Hillary Allen, whose career has been defined by endurance, recovery, and an intimate relationship with terrain. Named the Terrain Collection, the line reflects environments where strength is formed — under pressure, across distance, and over time.
Rather than drawing inspiration from trend cycles or seasonal palettes, the collection reflects the conditions that shape strength — unstable ground, shifting climates, and the quiet accumulation of miles.
“Strength isn’t one thing,” says Allen. “It’s built on unstable ground. In heat. In fog. In the quiet miles. The terrain shapes you.”
At the core of the collection is ModiQ, Paradis Sport’s seamless modal fabric engineered to move naturally with the body.
- Naturally derived modal
- Breathable and thermoregulating
- Ultra-soft with resilient stretch
- Seamless construction to reduce friction and eliminate weak points
Each color in the Terrain Collection reflects a distinct expression of resilience and strength:
Volcanic Loam — A deep earthen taupe inspired by volcanic soil formed under extreme pressure and transformed into fertile ground. A study in grounded strength.
New Product: Adidas 261 Sport Collection
Adidas Eyewear has launched its 261 Sport Collection in North America, marking the debut of the new Powervizn Lens System. Now integrated into every model in the collection, this system is engineered to enhance performance by delivering clarity, optimized contrast and greater visual control. The technology utilizes High Contrast (HC) tints to sharpen terrain definition, precision mirror coatings to eliminate glare, and dual-sided hydrophobic treatments to repel moisture and sweat during intense activity.
The hero of the launch is the Kentro, a technical full-rim style designed specifically for the demands of daily running and outdoor workouts. Engineered for stability and comfort, the Kentro features a wrap-around silhouette for wide lateral vision and is available with photochromic lenses that adapt seamlessly to changing light conditions.
New Product: Wide Open Socks
Debuting May 1, the new sock line from Wide Open are made of a fine micron Merino wool, creating a smooth, lightweight and comfortable fit that adapts to temperatures year round. Knit to stretch, flex and fit wide feet (up to 4E). Wide Open socks are made in Vermont and are backed by a Lifetime Guarantee.
The new Wide Open SS26 Styles
- Women’s Solid Lightweight Ankle Sock ($19) - four colorways
- Women’s Solid Lightweight Quarter Sock ($21) - two colorways
- Women’s Woodland Wonder Lightweight Micro Crew ($22) - two colorways
- Men’s Solid Lightweight Ankle Sock ($19) - three colorways (in photo)
- Men’s Solid Lightweight Quarter Sock ($21) - three colorways
L’ART and Salomon Return with a New Chapter of Speed and Style
L’ART and Salomon recently returned with their third collaboration, continuing a partnership shaped by a shared obsession with speed. Founded in 2017, L’ART is the lifestyle expression of a creative universe originally born through the cult Parisian garage L’Art de L’Automobile. Blending automotive engineering, design and culture, the brand approaches vehicles, products and experiences as moving works of art. Since first collaborating in 2022, Salomon and L’ART have translated this intersection of craftsmanship and innovation into highly coveted footwear and apparel.
The latest collaboration brings together Salomon’s expertise in technical running footwear and L’ART’s automotive design language, spanning both performance and lifestyle. On the performance side, the S/LAB Phantasm 3 appears as a race-ready road running silhouette engineered for pure speed and aerodynamic efficiency. On the lifestyle side, the ACS PRO L’ART reinterprets one of Salomon’s cult silhouettes through L’ART’s automotive lens, channeling the precision and visual codes of motorsport engineering while maintaining the technical DNA that made the ACS franchise a global favorite across style communities.
Beyond footwear, the collaboration expands into a capsule of apparel and accessories designed to bridge performance and lifestyle, including racing apparel, warm-up kits and technical accessories.
At the center of the launch is a cinematic campaign inspired by Salomon’s 2026 documentary on the development of the S/Lab Phantasm 3, following a team of visionary scientists working inside a special laboratory with one goal: to create the fastest shoe in the world. In their relentless pursuit of speed, they test a series of unexpected subjects inside a wind tunnel, from cars to elite runners and even a goat, pushing experimentation and innovation to the extreme. Inspired by the design and engineering story of the S/Lab Phantasm 3, the film draws a parallel between car racing and footwear innovation. The shoe becomes the ultimate racing machine, while the scientists embody the pit crew behind its development. The aerodynamic flow patterns generated during wind tunnel testing became a key visual language throughout the project, directly inspiring the graphics and color gradients of the design. These experiments ultimately lead to the creation of the S/Lab Phantasm 3 L’ART, a shoe engineered for maximum speed. Around it, the collaboration expands into a broader L’ART & Salomon capsule, extending this racing-inspired universe across footwear and apparel. Throughout the film, the scientists wear the ACS PRO L’ART as their uniform, a subtle nod to the meeting point between performance, engineering and style.
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