New Balance Review 2024

    
    
    
    
    
    

If you’ve been to a race recently or joined your local running club, chances are you’ve seen countless runners sporting the classic NB logo on their sneakers. For more than 100 years, New Balance has been designing and creating the best running shoes and gear to help elite athletes and casual runners alike crush their goals.

The best New Balance running shoes combine stylish looks with premium performance and innovative technology. From max-cushioned and comfortable everyday trainers to light and fast racers, there are men’s and women’s New Balance running shoes for every run and every runner.

With more than 40 years of unique experience outfitting runners and walkers with the best running shoes, we’ve reviewed today’s top New Balance sneakers by looking at a combination of our own shoe reviews and real-world testing, best-seller lists and data from over 5 million 3D foot scans (and counting) to help you find the perfect pair whether you’re looking for trail running shoes or you’re training for a marathon.

Check out our list below comparing the best New Balance shoes for running and training as well as how we tested them, who they’re best for and why we think you’ll love them:

What It’s Best For	Model Name
Best for Stability	New Balance Fresh Foam 860v13
Best for Everyday Training	New Balance Fresh Foam 880v12
Best for Cushion	New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v12
Best for Road Racing	New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3
Best for Speed Work	New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3
Best for Long Days	New Balance Fresh Foam More v4
Best for Trail Running	New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v7
Best for Long Distance	New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer
Best for Lightweight Stability	New Balance FuelCell Prism v2

 

Best New Balance Running Shoes for Stability

New Balance Fresh Foam 860v13

The Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is one of the best New Balance running shoes because it gives reliable support and cushioning that runners and walkers love.

Each step feels smooth and stable thanks to a firm and durable midsole post, new midsole geometry and structured upper that helps curb overpronation and works well for those with flexible arches. The New Balance 860 midsole also uses high-performance Fresh Foam X for super soft landings and energetic takeoffs mile after mile. Our testers loved how dependable this shoe is in our New Balance 860 v13 review.

Refreshed to give you more comfort and cushion, you will love this stability shoe for its support, accommodating fit and lightweight feel.

Best New Balance Running Shoes for Road Racing

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3

Lighter and faster than ever, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 is designed to take down PRs.

The SuperComp Elite v3 sports a stack of New Balance's premier FuelCell foam composition, which gives the shoe lightweight cushion and top-notch energy return. It has been updated with New Balance’s EnergyArc, a midsole geometry that places the carbon-fiber plate in such a way that there are strategic midsole voids to give you greater energy return.

The streamlined upper feels silky smooth against your skin and fits like a glove. Testers felt that the one-piece upper does a great job of locking down your foot in our New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 review.

Packed with New Balance's top technology, the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 primes you for your fastest half or full marathon time yet.

Best New Balance Shoes for Speedwork

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3

Light and springy, the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v3 lets you bring the speed. The Rebel features New Balance’s FuelCell cushioning that provides high energy return. New Balance added even more of this springy midsole material to the shoe, so you have enough cushion to go for another hill repeat.

The lightweight upper and gusseted tongue keeps your midfoot secure as you fly around the track during your workout. Lightweight, bouncy and cushioned, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel is a running shoe that is versatile enough for speedwork, cross-training, everyday runs and more.

Best New Balance Shoes for Long Days

New Balance Fresh Foam More v4

When you are looking for cushion and comfort, whether you are standing all day for work or spending the day at the amusement park, look no further than the New Balance Fresh Foam More v4. New Balance packed even more of its plush Fresh Foam midsole material into this shoe to provide you with a luxurious experience.

With a rocker geometry and wider platform, you will feel secure and smooth as you walk throughout the day. The shoe is surprisingly lightweight for the amount of cushion and the soft, breathable upper hugs your feet in all of the right places to keep you comfortable all day long. Read more in our New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 review.

Best New Balance Trail Running Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v7

New Balance sought to create the perfect balance between rugged trail power and road-ready cushioning in the to the Fresh Foam Hierro v7.

The Hierro runs the gamut of New Balance technology. Built on a protective FreshFoam midsole that absorbs impact like a champ and supports a wide range of foot shapes, the Hierro v7 can handle technical trails as well as short stints on the roads. A Vibram MegaGrip outsole offers with longer lugs gives you the traction you need to confidently handle inclines and downward runs without slowing you down or adding extra weight.

New Balance uses a breathable, lightweight mesh upper and no-sew construction to prevent any blisters. It also allows it to drain easily if you run in the rain or through a creek. The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v7 gives you the cushion and traction to handle the trails with ease.

Best New Balance Shoe for Long Distance

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer

Go farther and faster with the New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer. This shoe brings a combination of cushion and energy return that is perfect for the long haul. New Balance’s Energy Arc technology, which is an arched carbon plate sandwiched between two thick layers of FuelCell cushioning, gives you more energy to propel you forward.

From those who do a run/walk combination to super speedsters, runners of all abilities loved this carbon-plated shoe in our New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Trainer review. A breathable, flat-knit upper rounds out this shoe, keeping you nice and stable as you go the distance

Best New Balance Shoes for Lightweight Stability

New Balance FuelCell Prism v2

The New Balance FuelCell Prism delivers race-day speed and durable stability to everyday training.

The FuelCell midsole foam is lightweight and bouncy for responsive energy return with each step. A medial post system works to support the inside of your foot as you run, ensuring stable landings and even wear.

Say goodbye to clunky stability shoes with the lightweight FuelCell Prism v2.

Are New Balance good running shoes?

As a leader in the footwear industry for more than 100 years, the Boston-based brand continually innovates to provide athletes at all levels with the best running shoes and apparel. New Balance running shoes have the technology, performance, comfort and style to be your go-to shoes whether it’s race day or rest day.

Do New Balance shoes run big or small?

Known for their comfort, soft cushioning and accommodating fit, New Balance sneakers tend to run true to size and fit a wide variety of foot shapes. Some models even made our list of the best shoes for wide feet.

Not sure how your running shoe should fit? Find a Fleet Feet location near you for a personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting with 3D foot scanning technology.

Not able to make it to a Fleet Feet? No worries. If you buy New Balance shoes from us and you don’t like the way they look, fit or perform, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.

New Balance Running Shoes Terms Glossary

New Balance shoes use a host of unique, cutting-edge technology to create one-of-a-kind experiences. Designers collect hoards of data from real runners to inform the innovative technology that drives you forward, faster.

Here are the New Balance names and terms you need to know:

• Fresh Foam X. New Balance’s Fresh Foam is their premier running shoe cushioning that’s packed into shoes. The foam is soft, responsive and light, giving each shoe an easy ride and smooth transition.
• Hypoknit. Hypoknit is an upper used in several New Balance running shoes. The manufacturing process creates different areas of support and stretch in one seamless upper.
• Ultra Heel. A snug, supportive heel cup that provides a snug fit and locked-in feel.
• FuelCell foam. New Balance’s highest rebound foam, FuelCell provides a light and responsive ride

How We Picked the Best New Balance Running Shoes

With more than 250 stores in communities across the country, Fleet Feet is the largest running store in the U.S. with more than four decades of experience outfitting runners with the best running shoes, apparel and gear. We focus on running and walking gear, so we can be the experts and bring you the best advice possible.

Through our personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting process with 3D foot scanning technology, we use data from over 4 million foot scans (and counting) to give us unique insights into how running shoes from New Balance and other top running brands fit and perform on a wide variety of feet. Additionally, thanks to 100,000+ runners participating in our local running clubs and training programs each year, we can see firsthand how the newest running shoes and gear perform for all different types of runners, each with different goals in mind.

Collectively, our experienced team of Fleet Feet editors has tried, tested and fallen in love with hundreds of different running shoes from dozens of the world’s top running brands. With this knowledge, we meticulously pore over the smallest details like fit, comfort, materials, durability and weight, to decide which new balance running shoes and gear are the best. From running shoe and gear reviews to workout tips and inspiration, we are your go-to source for running knowledge and motivation.

With this experience and expertise, we’ve tested the best New Balance running shoes based on:

• Purpose. Comparing apples to apples
• Performance. How well does it do its job?
• Real-world testing. We put them to the test on real runs
• Price. Is it affordable? Does its performance justify its cost?
• Sales. Best-selling models are best-sellers for a reason
• fit id® data. Our 4 million+ foot scans show how shoes fit on different feet
• Availability. It won’t be good for you if it’s not in stock
• Designer interviews. We ask the people who made it

Standing Behind Our Picks

Fleet Feet knows running.

We picked the best New Balance trainers based on over four decades of experience outfitting runners of all abilities, ages and sizes. If you buy gear from us and you don’t like the way it looks, fits or performs, bring it back within 60 days for a full refund.

Plus, we offer free shipping & returns on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.

fit id® & Dynamic Pressure Mapping

Buying online isn’t for everyone. To try on your New Balance sneakers before you buy them, visit a local Fleet Feet store for an in-person fitting experience.

We fit you for running shoes through our own fit id® outfitting process. The one-on-one process uses a 3D scanner to take precise measurements of your feet. This in combination with our *Dynamic Pressure Mapping system helps our highly trained Outfitters assess your foot’s path of motion and stride as you walk so they can find the perfect shoes for you. Then, using data points for each foot and decades of experience in the industry, we help you find the right gear for your unique feet and specific needs.

Want to try it for yourself? Find a Fleet Feet location near you.