We Tested 16 New Balance Running Shoes. These Are the Best

Aside from churning out a few of the best-looking running footwear on the market, New Balance innovates alongside heavy hitters like Nike and Adidas. It hasn’t shied away from implementing the newest tech, like ultra-light foams and carbon plates, whereas sustaining its heritage consolation and reversion vibe.

And what makes New Balance so extensively interesting is the proven fact that it makes nice footwear for each runner. Whether you’re an elite marathoner or somebody who jogs a number of miles per week, the model would not really feel exclusionary or area of interest. Its on a regular basis trainers are versatile and sturdy—and its racers are comfy, accessible, and lightning fast.

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Best Overall New Balance Running Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4

The newest New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4 is my early choose for greatest running shoe of the yr. While earlier variations of this shoe have various in high quality, the v4 nestles completely into the day by day coach class.

While some people need area of interest choices and a number of footwear for various efforts, I’m an enormous fan of versatility and worth. That’s the place the Rebel v4 shines. The shoe is peppy however not at the sacrifice of consolation. It’s nimble however doesn’t forgo stability. It’s quick and light-weight however doesn’t break the bank. I took the Rebel v4 out on a simple 10Ok that ended with some interval pace work. I re-laced them as soon as early on, then they stayed comfortable and felt nice, even late in the effort. When I turned on the jets for some quicker running, the excessive lightness of those footwear was actually noticeable. Late into high depth workouts, I discover issues like power return, smoothness of transition, and weight, and the Rebel v4 carried out as hoped.

One of the shoe’s most direct opponents, the Asics NovaBlast 4, cannot fairly match the pep or the lightness of the Rebel v4, and whereas I additionally love that shoe, I believe this New Balance providing narrowly beats it. And for $140 this shoe presents extra efficiency and extra consolation than opponents. If you are on the lookout for a racing and training combo, the Rebel v4 and Elite v4 pair completely. 

Pros:

• Capable and versatile for a fantastic value.
• One of the lightest and most enjoyable day by day trainers I’ve examined.
• Updated PBA x EVA foam mix balances cushion, sturdiness, and bounce.
• High stack height and sole width creates easy, steady experience.
• Soft and comfy FantomFit higher.
• Durable outsole rubber.

Cons:

• Foot slips out of shoe, regardless of gusseted tongue.
• Not the beefiest heel counter for a day by day coach.

Weight: 7.1 ounces (dimension 9)

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

The New Balance Rebel v4 launches on March 1, 2024.

Best New Balance Running Shoe for Daily Training: Fresh Foam X 1080v13

The Men’s Journal check staff has been loving the newest 1080 for almost a yr. New Balance claims if it solely made a single shoe, this is able to be the one—and it’s not laborious to see why. It packs a ton of versatility and efficiency right into a glossy, light-weight package deal.

The 1080v13 makes use of New Balance’s newest Fresh Foam X, which our staff discovered to be tremendous delicate underfoot. It excels as an on a regular basis coach, so if you happen to can solely purchase one running shoe at a time, the 1080 is a wonderful possibility.

The 1080v13 was certainly one of my go-to footwear for simple miles, restoration runs, and threshold efforts. A member of our check staff mentioned it moved forward of the SC Trainer v2 (talked about beneath) as his favourite New Balance coach. 

Pros:

• Midsole, higher, and lacing all match and really feel nice.
• Lightweight for the quantity of cushion.
• Outsole performs effectively on moist terrain and light-weight trails.
• Looks good

Cons:

• Not fairly as responsive as the earlier model.
• Plushness isn’t for everybody.

Weight: 9.2 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best New Balance Marathon Racing Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Just as thrilling as the competitors to interrupt the marathon data is the race for the greatest tremendous shoe amongst main firms. The staff at New Balance had a superb, accommodating racer in the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3, however they elevated to a brand new degree with v4.

The foam used for these footwear feels softer out of the field than opponents. There’s a significant squish in the Elite v4, and the bounce again is great. Speeding up was easy, however going sluggish feels good too. While different super-shoes minimize weight at the expense of utility and luxury, the higher on this New Balance FC SC Elite v4 is de facto comfy—though barely hotter than opponents. I additionally love the match, as the shoe did not take lengthy to break-in.

The solely situation I skilled with these footwear is that the tongue and laces loosened up over the course of my run. I retied them 3 times over a 10 mile run. Obviously that may be a problem in a race, however I plan to make this my racing shoe this yr anyway. I used to be capable of hold them comfortable utilizing a decent surgeon’s knot at the high (looping your preliminary single knot an additional time or two), and if you happen to had sufficient laces, a runner’s loop would probably work too.

Pros:

• More comfy and approachable out of the field than different elite racing footwear
• Incredible power return.
• Stable and cheesy for a high-stack racing shoe.

Cons:

• Laces and tongue loosen whereas running, resulting in some heel slippage. 
• Soft outsole doesn’t appear very sturdy.
• Upper is a bit hotter than opponents.

Weight: 8.4 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 4 mm

More New Balance Running Shoes We Love

Best Long-Distance New Balance Running Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2

The SuperComp Trainer v2 was certainly one of my favourite footwear final summer season. They are peppy, comfy, and look nice. Whenever I had a Sunday long term or fartlek, these had been certainly one of my high decisions. The mixture of soppy cushioning and propulsive plate felt comfy and quick over huge miles.

If you need to race in footwear you can additionally frequently train in, give the SuperComp Trainer v2 a severe look. At $180 they’re considerably expensive for a coach, however the means to train pace and distance in addition to race offers glorious worth. Plus, for these not eager on carbon plates, the Trainer v2’s plate feels approachable and never as stiff as others. I additionally discovered the higher and laces to offer a safe match.

Unfortunately for people residing on gravel roads, there’s a giant void in the heart of the outsole that exposes the plate, and this hole picks up rocks, which then make a grating noise in opposition to the plate. Additionally, the outsole didn’t maintain up in addition to we’d’ve preferred, and I like to recommend retaining this on fairly easy tarmac—keep away from even mild gravel. That mentioned, the efficiency and luxury are glorious in the Trainer v2, and it’s one other nice shoe in the FuelCell lineup.

Pros:

• Fun and quick.
• Comfortable.
• Versatile, can be utilized for training and racing.
• More steady than different long-distance trainers.

Cons:

• Outsole wears comparatively quick.
• Exposed carbon plate void picks up rocks.

Weight: 9.7 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best Budget New Balance Shoe: Fresh Foam Arishi v4

While there’s nothing significantly inspiring about the Fresh Foam Arishi v4, for $70 you get a superbly succesful and stable trying shoe. It makes a superb strolling shoe or journey shoe, as the easy traces and light-weight consolation are stable for all-day put on.

However, I didn’t love running greater than three miles in the Arishi. The laces don’t come up very high on the shoe, so I did not really feel safe. However, I wore these all day round city for a weekend and like them for strolling and as a pair of informal footwear, as they’re simple to slide on and off. While I wouldn’t advocate these to a severe runner, I do assume they make a flexible pair of journey footwear, particularly if you wish to go on a pair runs while you’re on the go.

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Comfortable to stroll in and run brief distances.
• Lightweight.
• Durable, grippy outsole.

Cons:

• Poor lacing system would not lock your foot in.
• Cushioning doesn’t maintain as much as longer distances

Weight: 9.5 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best Max-Cushion New Balance Running Shoe: Fresh Foam X More v4

If you want delicate cushioning, then the Fresh Foam X More v4 needs to be in your shoe rotation. I’ve by no means run in footwear as delicate and squishy. That’s not for everybody, however for simple efforts, the appreciable shock absorption make for a complete consolation experience.

When you run, you exert an enormous quantity of drive in your body. That isn’t at all times comfy, particularly if you happen to’re heavier. A well-cushioned shoe that doesn’t really feel clunky or heavy is difficult to return by, so New Balance has made a compelling max cushion shoe with the newest FFX More v4.

Pros:

• Soft underfoot.
• Surprisingly light-weight.
• Super steady, nice for heavier runners.
• Tacky and sturdy outsole.

Cons:

• Struggled to lock in match with free, stretchy materials.
• Zaps power return, particularly on lifeless legs.
• Not versatile.

Weight: 8.4 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 4 mm

Best New Balance Trail Running Shoe: Fresh Foam X More Trail v3

A path model of the Fresh Foam X More v4 featured above, the Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 is mainly a highway shoe with larger lugs tacked on. I usually go for nimble, mild path runners which are fairly stiff as a result of I worth rock safety and fast ft once I’m running trails. The More Trail v3 is neither nimble nor stiff, nevertheless it offers glorious long-wearing consolation.

Over the course of testing, this turned my go-to path runner for simple miles. I used the More Trail v3 for runs with my canine, flowy single tracks, and different chill path runs. While it’s not stiff and has no rock plate, the high quantity of stack created a protecting really feel on path. It felt a bit huge, even in the commonplace width, so it is laborious to lock in match. And paired with the delicate midsole, I sometimes skilled sloppy transitions going into turns and on uneven terrain. Therefore, this isn’t a shoe to run quick in, as the delicate really feel can sluggish momentum. Speaking of soppy, the Vibram outsole lugs don’t present full protection of the midsole, so the uncovered foam finally will get chewed up on sharp rocks, diminishing long-term sturdiness. That mentioned, if you happen to want a max cushion path shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 was surprisingly candy.

Pros:

• Plush experience is good for lengthy path runs and restoration days.
• Flexible midsole and grippy Vibram lugs mix to create nice traction.
• Available in three widths.
• Super steady on path, particularly much less technical efforts.

Cons:

• Soft cushioning can sluggish momentum at occasions, particularly uphill.
• Not very sturdy or nimble for a path shoe.
• Slightly huge, even in commonplace width.

Weight: 11.4 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 4 mm

Best New Balance Stability Shoe: Fresh Foam X 860v13

These days, each running shoe firm makes a fantastic stability oriented shoe. New Balance offers overpronators assist with their 860 lineup, and the Fresh Foam X 860v13 is a worthwhile iteration of that shoe.

While the More v4 and 1080v13 really feel nice, they each function very delicate cushioning. For sure runs, particularly on various terrain, I choose a extra stable platform. The 860v13 has a pleasant steadiness of stiffness and luxury; it nonetheless options the FreshFoam X that makes the 1080 so delicate, but in addition consists of some stiffer foam. It matches effectively proper out of the field, without having for inventive lacing. The higher, whereas somewhat heat, offers lockdown match and the stability options felt stable underneath the internal foot.

Pros:

• Added rigidity.
• Supportive medial publish works as meant to forestall overpronation.
• Upper feels actually comfortable and comfy.
• Durable and cheesy outsole, even on rougher surfaces.

Cons:

• Not significantly performance-driven.

Weight: 10.9 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 10 mm

Related: We Tested Every Hoka Running Shoe—These Are the Best

Why You Should Trust Me

I run in dozens of various running footwear yearly. The footwear chosen for this roundup by a staff of testers and I are the end result of months of testing. Some of the greatest New Balance running footwear have been on my ft since early final yr, and lots of of those choices are in my full-time, go-to running rotation.

Because I like New Balance a lot as a running model, I’ve significantly high expectations of its newest footwear and equipment. I check all their footwear, particularly newer variations of previously-tested fashions, with a detailed and significant eye. Their year-over-year enchancment is a part of why I love the model and their footwear as a complete.

What We Look for When Reviewing Running Shoes

My three go-to questions when testing running footwear are as follows:

1. Do I need to put on it once more?
2. Is it holding as much as frequent put on?
3. Does it serve its meant goal?

We right here at Men’s Journal hunt down sturdy, comfy and succesful running footwear that carry out the job they had been designed for. That means a racing shoe ought to present speedier transitions, long-wearing consolation and light-weight match, an on a regular basis coach ought to present sturdy outsoles, accommodating match and loads of assist, and a path running shoe ought to present glorious tread and enhanced safety.

In my training and racing efforts, New Balance footwear assist me get the most out of my work. I discover their footwear match effectively, providing a variety of widths in lots of fashions; they’ve a delicate but responsive cushioning, particularly their FreshFoam X and FuelCell foams; and so they look cool, too.

A number of of the testers in our staff have New Balance footwear of their common rotation, together with former cross-country and observe athletes. On tester cited the steadiness of efficiency and luxury at a greater value than different manufacturers he used to train in. And it’s true, there are a pair footwear on this listing that, at their value level, cannot be beat by any competitor.

Related: We Tested Dozens of On Running Shoes. These Are the Best

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