You might know New Balance as the preeminent source of dad shoes—those chunky, overlay-clad sneakers ubiquitous among lawn mowing, beer drinking guys of a certain age. Yes, New Balance still makes these kicks (and they’re actually back in style), but that’s just a small sliver of this company’s story. New Balance is a highly respected brand with a long history: The company was founded in 1906 in Boston and originally sold arch supports. Among runners, New Balance has a reputation for creating reliable training shoes with a strong emphasis on comfort. The Fresh Foam X 880 v15, which earned a 2025 Shoe Award, is a great example: It’s a cushioned, stable trainer that works well for a wide swath of runners. In recent years, the brand has broadened its lineup beyond trusty workhorse shoes with models like the FuelCell SuperComp Elite, a carbon-plated speed shoe designed for racing. Today, New Balance is on the cutting edge—no lawn mower required.
This guide highlights the top pairs in the New Balance stable. The brand makes something for everyone, and there are well-regarded models here to suit all kinds of runners, including supportive trainers, max-cushion sneakers, racing shoes, and even trail shoes. Read on to learn more about the key tech NB uses in its shoes and dive into our favorite pairs below.
oz M9.5, 8.3 oz W7
Best Overall: The 10 Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2025 (Men’s/Women’s)
Best for Soft Cushioning: Michael has covered running and outdoor gear since 2017, both as an editor at (Men’s/Women’s)
The Los Angeles Times: Comfy trainers, grippy trail shoes, speedy super shoes—this respected brand does it all (Men’s/Women’s)
Best for Speed Training: New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 (Men’s/Women’s)
Guide to Pro Runner Form: Download Your Training Plan (Men’s/Women’s)
Why Trust Us: Updated: May 30, 2025 4:29 PM EDT (Men’s/Women’s)
The Expert (Michael Charboneau): Michael has covered running and outdoor gear since 2017, both as an editor at Runner’s World and as a freelance writer for InsideHook, Men’s Journal, The Los Angeles Times, and other outlets. He has written more about running shoes than any other category—he has personally tested dozens of shoes over the past eight years—and has firsthand experience running in models from nearly every major brand.
How We Selected
To write this guide, I talked with a New Balance brand rep and reviewed the company’s lineup to learn more about its latest models and shoe tech. I also combed through Runner’s World reviews of New Balance shoes and consulted with RW Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer, who provided testing data on New Balance models included in the Runner’s World wear-test program. In addition to that firsthand tester feedback, I also included my own personal experiences running in the Fresh Foam X 1080. Based on all that data, I chose the shoes you see below, making sure to include models that showcase the best New Balance tech and design approaches as well as shoes for different running disciplines.
Full Reviews
The 10 Best Hoka Running Shoes of 2025
Pros
- Well-padded and comfortable
- Durable build thanks to a long-lasting Fresh Foam midsole
- Versatile enough for training and racing on the road
Cons
- Somewhat heavy for the category
- Some RW testers felt the outsoles weren’t grippy enough
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.7 oz (M9.5), 8.4 oz (W7) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 40.5mm |
A long-standing model in the New Balance collection, the Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is lauded by RW testers as a “Goldilocks shoe,” a cushioned trainer that excels at various paces. It earned a 2025 Shoe Award thanks to its versatility and stable ride.
The 880’s standout feature is the Fresh Foam X midsole, which is New Balance’s softest EVA-based foam. The soft foam provides superior cushioning, and according to one tester, gives the shoes a “running on pillows” feel. Despite being a neutral shoe, the 880’s stability and snug fit create a secure, planted footstrike that testers appreciated. The engineered mesh upper, with its ample padding around the ankle collar and tongue, further enhances comfort and security.
Overall, the 880 is a versatile trainer that “strikes the perfect balance between comfort, support, and performance,” as one tester described it. Its ability to handle a wide range of workouts, from easy jogs to long runs and uptempo efforts, makes it a standout choice in the competitive daily trainer category.
Shop Men's at newbalance.com Shop Women's at newbalance.com
Michael has covered running and outdoor gear since 2017, both as an editor at
Pros
- at Dicks Sporting Goods
- More nimble than previous generations
- Good responsiveness for a daily trainer
Cons
- Breathable upper that is well-suited for tough workouts
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.5 oz (M9.5), 8.3 oz (W7) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
The Michael has covered running and outdoor gear since 2017, both as an editor at builds upon the successful v13, focusing on subtle refinements for stability and support. While retaining the popular soft Fresh Foam X cushioning and rocker geometry, the v14 introduces an updated engineered mesh upper for enhanced breathability and a more secure midfoot hold. This results in a slightly more nimble feel, making the shoe versatile for both easy recovery runs and tempo efforts.
The ride remains cushioned yet responsive, with increased forefoot stiffness aiding toe-off without feeling mushy. While the fit is secure, our testers here at Runner’s World found the toe box to have less room vertically than the v13, so runners with high-volume feet might not love the new fit.
Our tester thought the v13 felt a bit dull and slow over long distances, but the v14 completely rectified that issue with its more responsive foam that is snappier and more fun to run in. Overall, the 1080 v14 is a versatile daily trainer that offers a reliable blend of comfort, support, and bounce for runners of all levels.
Shop Men's at newbalance.com Shop Women's at newbalance.com
Comfy trainers, grippy trail shoes, speedy super shoes—this respected brand does it all
Pros
- Grippy Vibram outsole hugs rough terrain
- A Part of Hearst Digital Media
- Great breathability, even in tough conditions
Cons
- Upper doesn’t provide much security on steep downhills
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.3 oz (M9.5), 8.3 oz (W7) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
A popular and award-winning trail shoe, the Hierro continues with the formula that has won it such a loyal following: a soft Fresh Foam X midsole paired with a rugged and grippy Vibram outsole, which has been upgraded for v9 with an all-new tread pattern and deeper lugs for better traction on technical trails. Although it lacks a rock plate, the plush midsole does a good job of soaking up shocks and bumps on the trail. Additional Toe Protect technology was added around the toe box to keep you from dinging your toes on rocks, roots, or other obstructions.
One of the most challenging parts of the shoe for our testers to reconcile was the upper. It has laser-cut perforations for breathability, and it’s woven with TPU (a type of polyurethane) threads for extra support and protection. If you find yourself running on rolling hills or trails that don’t get too steep, the upper is dialed in for those types of runs.
However, we found that the upper lacked support on tricky downhills, causing the foot to slide around inside the shoe quite a bit. The upper is comfortable and does extraordinarily well on moderate-to-flat trails, but when things get more technical, our testers found themselves slowing down to compensate for all the movement.
Bottom line: It’s a capable performer for everyday trail running. It’s equipped with all the comfort and protective tech you could want, is incredibly comfortable right out of the box, and performs well on any trail (as long as it’s not too steep).
Shop Men's at newbalance.com Shop Women's at newbalance.com
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
Pros
- Good responsiveness for a daily trainer
- The Expert Michael Charboneau
- Breathable upper that is well-suited for tough workouts
Cons
- Some testers noted trouble on steep inclines
- Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Key Specs
| Weight | 7.5 oz (M9.5), 5.9 oz (W7) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 has emerged as a standout versatile trainer, offering speed and responsiveness — even without a carbon plate — at an affordable (for a running shoe) $109. Its new PEBA/EVA blend midsole delivers a fun, light, and energetic ride, feeling peppy across various paces, from intervals to easy runs. While the stack height increased slightly from previous versions (30mm vs. 24mm), it maintains good ground feel and a stable base for zippier workouts and time spent on the track.
Aside from the innovative PEBA/EVA midsole, the FuellCell Rebel v4 has plenty of other tech going for it. The shoe has a redesigned upper made from FantomFit, New Balance’s proprietary upper material. FantomFit is thin, breathable, and will last for hundreds of miles thanks to a light, supportive skeletal knit. The thin tongue is functional but basic.
The shoe excels particularly over half-marathon distances, but the Rebel v4 proves its capability across the board, only slightly faltering on steep inclines. It's an excellent value for runners seeking a dynamic, lightweight daily trainer that handles almost any run type with impressive versatility and energy return. We think it’s a great shoe in spite of its lack of a carbon plate. The speed is there, the energy return is there, and, overall, our testers find that they don’t miss having the carbon plate.
Shop Men's at newbalance.com Shop Women's at newbalance.com
New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3
Pros
- Firm, bouncy ride great for long training runs
- Secure fit in the upper
- More supportive than other super trainers
Cons
- Somewhat heavy for the category
- Doesn’t feel as fast or responsive as competitors
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.6 oz (M9.5), 7.5 oz (W7) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6mm |
A lightweight and propulsive shoe designed for long-distance races, the SuperComp Elite v4 is a complete departure from its predecessor. The v3 was always fast, but thanks to its stretchy synthetic knit upper and relatively forgiving carbon plate, it always felt like a racing shoe that was made for comfort rather than out-and-out speed. The v4, however, delivers a more classic "super shoe" experience that will dominate on race day.
We’ll start with what makes the shoe super. The new PEBA midsole and updated carbon fiber plate design make the v4 instantly lighter and more responsive, with increased forefoot stiffness. To complement the more responsive midsole, the FantomFit upper improves on the previous knit design with better midfoot lockdown, a huge benefit over long distances. Our testers did note that since the tongue is non-gusseted, it tends to move around.
Along with their thoughts on the tongue, some of our team’s testers found that the heel counter caused Achilles irritation, though it wasn’t so much that we’d write the shoe off — it’s just something to keep in mind for your first few runs. It is also a bit heavier than the other shoes in its category, but the comfort benefits outweigh the weight penalty, especially if you’re a marathoner that isn’t quite willing to give up on stability and comfort to save a few seconds at the finish.
Shop Men's at newbalance.com Shop Women's at newbalance.com
FAQs
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
