Our favourite running shoes from New Balance
Photo by:
Zwift
With the spring running season almost here, most runners are looking to add a new pair of shoes to their footwear quiver. To help you decide what to get, we selected some of our favourite shoes from New Balance for this spring.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
A responsive, lightweight neutral shoe with a propulsive feel
With its sophisticated foam midsole that combines PEBA and EVA, the Rebel V4 delivers a propulsive ride without the cost associated with traditional carbon-plated supershoes. The result is a responsive shoe that is suitable for tempo runs, daily training, as well as long runs–it really is that versatile. The Rebel v4’s performance is further enhanced thanks to its low weight (168 g for a women’s 7 and 212 g for a men’s 9.5). Many runners will also appreciate the additional 2.5 mm of stack height (30 mm in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot), which provides more protection and cushioning. (This is especially welcome during longer runs.) New Balance should also be commended for bringing back the Fantom Fit upper. Consisting of an engineered mesh that’s made by fusing two pieces of thin material, the Fantom Fit upper provides a lightweight and supportive, foot-hugging fit. Finally, for the outsole, New Balance has wisely chosen to use durable rubber in strategically chosen high-wear areas. The approach ensures excellent wear without excessive weight.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
A plush running shoe for everyday training
With its Fresh Foam X midsole compound, which now uses 3 per cent bio-based content, the 1080 v14 delivers the plush cushioning runners have come to expect from this neutral shoe. New Balance has employed some minor tweaks to the midsole geometry to provide a bit more stability without impeding the shoe’s bouncy and cushioned ride. The upper has also been updated with a new mesh that provides noticeably greater ventilation, which will be appreciated by runners training in warmer conditions. Things that have not changed are the shoe’s stack height and drop, which come in at 38 mm in the heel and 32 mm in the forefoot, for a 6 mm drop. These are solid numbers that provide predictable performance for many runners. Finally, the X 1080 v14 now sports even more NDurance rubber in high-wear outsole regions for improved durability. If you are looking for a plush neutral shoe for daily training, check out the 1080 v14.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6
A smooth, moderately stable shoe for daily training
Runners seeking a highly cushioned stability that doesn’t feel clunky will appreciate the Vongo 6. New Balance achieves these highly desirable (if not occasionally conflicting) qualities with its unique midsole. Consisting of a dual-layer foam (firmer close to the ground and softer beneath your foot) with a thin, plate-like EVA film sandwiched in between, the Vongo v6 delivers plushness and stability without the sometimes obtrusive medial posts found on more conventional stability shoes. For the upper, New Balance employs a foot-hugging engineered upper that has great breathability and a secure lockdown fit. Stack and drop specs are tried-and-true, with a 38 mm stack in the heel and 32 mm in the forefoot, for a 6 mm drop. The outsole features a durable blown rubber compound with updated flex grooves, resulting in improved stability and toe-off. If you are looking for a smooth-riding, well-cushioned stability shoe, check out the Vongo v6.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
A comfortable, well-cushioned trail running shoe
With Hierro v9, New Balance has updated the shoe for improved traction, cushioning and support. Starting with the midsole, New Balance has spec’d a dual-layer foam that places a soft foam close to the foot, with a firmer version of the foam closer to the ground. The combination delivers exceptional cushioning while retaining the support and stability required when running on uneven terrain. The shoe’s stack height has increased in this version, with the heel now clocking in at 42 mm and the 38 mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 4 mm drop. Obviously, these dimensions provide additional cushioning, but thanks to the shoe’s firmer bottom layer of midsole foam, the Hierro v9 does not feel excessively insecure or unstable on the trails. Moving to the upper, we can see that New Balance has used a highly breathable knit mesh and a gusseted tongue, as well as a reinforced toe bumper for protection from rock and roots–all good features that should be standard fare on any serious trail running shoe. Still not sold? Then consider the new Vibram Megagrip outsole, which now sports 6 mm lugs for exceptional traction in wet or sloppy trails. This is a solid update to New Balance’s Hierro line.
Run your way with our top shoe picks from New Balance
Products reviewed in this article:
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
