DICK'S SPORTING GOODS ISLEADING THE PACKFOR PEAK RUNNING SEASON

At long last, the weather is beginning to break. At least from our vantage, we’ve been ready to put a nail in one of the harshest winters in recent memory for months, all the more reason to cherish the fact that the skies are opening up once again. What the warmer months mean for you is, of course, a matter of personal preference. But we can guarantee you’ll be crossing paths with the sport of running in one way or another: be it the fully kitted run clubs charging past you on the street, or you counting yourself among their ranks in the weeks to come.

Whether you’re just getting your legs underneath you in the discipline or you’ve already put hundreds of miles behind you, there’s no better way to greet run-friendly forecasts than with a new pair to match. Luckily, DICK’S Sporting Goods has a treasure trove of options at their (and your) disposal. As we all start charting the routes ahead, we’ve combed through their roster and returned with our favorites for every shape and size, from industry leaders like Nike, HOKA, and On. Scroll ahead to find out what we’ve selected and why they’re worthy of cracking your rotation. Or, if you prefer a solo adventure, peruse the full DICK’S Sporting Goods catalog HERE.

Our readers likely know the story by now: in large part, Nike was born on the track, so staying on the cutting edge has always been a mission for the Swoosh. The Nike Pegasus Premium is perhaps the best modern representation of that, combining a sculpted Zoom Air unit with ZoomX and ReactX foam for a next-gen ride. Daily use and recovery runs are the Pegasus Premium’s strongest suit, but that tech package means it isn’t lacking in speed by a long shot. The fact that it even draws eyes as a lifestyle shoe is just icing on the cake, like this sporty “Lapis/Total Orange” colorway.

Nike’s efforts aren’t restricted to just the “Premium” or “Plus” cuts, either. The Vomero family’s claim to fame is “maximum cushioning,” and the Vomero 18 makes good on that without breaking the bank. That same combo of ZoomX and ReactX ensures a breezy experience whether you’re adjusting to the road or cranking out PRs. Our pick for the clear winner when it comes to the Vomero 18 is this blue/red gradient edition, one you’ll only be able to grab at Dick’s Sporting Goods. In this colorway available only at DICK’s, the shoe blends together everything that makes it a winner, with some trendy faux-aging, grounded black trim, and flares of red and blue to stay sport-first.

Simarily, the Pegasus 42 may not have the towering profile of its sibling, but is every bit as focused on delivering a responsive ride. A “Volt Tint/Sapphire” connects to the Swoosh’s past running achievements while adding some seasonal pop in the midsole.

While the above choices from Nike apply to anyone whose eye they catch, the Swoosh has consistently pushed out options specifically for the ladies. That’s no different with the three silhouettes on tap, bridging their pack-leading hardware into ultra-stylish colorways.

The Vomero 18 tacks a delicate gradient onto a reliable white base, spreading light blue and light pink from heel to toe for some season-ready flair. The Pegasus Premium delivers its own split look for the more daring runners; neutral backing means this is still made for everyday use, but a heavy dose of pink in the bottom half of the uppers through the sole unit means you’ll make an impression in the process.

Not to be left out, the Nike Vomero 18 might just have the most unabashed embrace of the group, another colorway you’ll only have a chance at with Dick’s Sporting Goods. This women’s exclusive edition brings a more delicate touch to its men’s counterpart, with baby blue and light pink ombre that course through an otherwise restrained neutral profile.

Somewhat ironically, the usual “big brands” have picked up the pace because new faces have been so hot on their tail. On very much fits the bill, taking the industry by storm with its CloudTec platform, where cut-outs in the sole unit combine for explosiveness and impact protection.

In the brand’s current roster, the all-new Cloudmonster 3 is the one-size-fits-all option, leveraging its triple-layered accordion cushioning to take on any distance you deploy it with. For a bit more specificity in either direction, it’s the Cloudrunner 3 and Cloudsurfer Max that answer the call. The former might be better suited for the casual runner, engineered for shorter distances and plusher foam, while the latter is On’s “max cushioning” option, unafraid of longer treks.

That story of the new faces in running can’t be told without HOKA, champion of everyday wear and earnest trailblazer in bringing towering stack heights and dreamy cushioning to the foreground. Look no further than the Clifton line for proof, the product family that helped rocket HOKA to its current seat at the table. Straightforward performance is the beating heart of the Clifton 10, its latest edition, tacking a roomier toe box and thicker foam onto the already heralded formula of the 9.

That flagship series isn’t the end of what HOKA has to offer. The Mach 7 is your choice for daily runs, its medium-soft cushioning threading the needle between marathon bounce and recovery run softness. For those who need a bit more stability out of their runners, we’d reach for the Arahi 8, equally fit for non-running applications with sensible “Alabaster/Birch” and “Starlight/Midnight Blue” colorways.