New Balance got its start in the early 1900s, making arch supports for workers who stood on their feet all day, like firefighters and factory workers. Their first commercially available running shoe, released in 1960, was the Trackster, which was unique for being the first running shoe available in multiple widths. Although their latest models look quite different, New Balance's running shoes still carry that lineage of all-day comfort and accessibility to runners of differing foot sizes. Their current lineup features plenty of options for beginning runners, along with a few higher-performance shoes.
We've tested almost 200 models, but below are the best New Balance running shoes you can buy right now.
Updates
- 02/13/2026New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 reviewed
- 02/06/2026New Balance 1080v15 reviewed
- 01/05/2026New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 reviewed
- 12/08/2025New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos v1 reviewed
- 12/04/2025New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14 reviewed
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
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Best New Balance Running Shoes
Marathon Racing7.35K/10K Racing6.7Energy Return7.2Cushioning8.0Lateral Stability7.6True To Size8.6Weight:250.3 g (8.83 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe best New Balance running shoes we've tested are the New Balance 1080v15. They're comfort-oriented trainers that have just enough bounce to keep those daily miles fun. The brand took some risks with this iteration, scrapping the FreshFoam that has for so long defined the 1080 series, and replacing it with a new midsole compound they call Infinion. The new foam provides very good cushioning without becoming mushy, and it also has decent bounce. This is a shoe that was made for comfortable cruising, and one you can wear day after day.
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Best Mid-Range New Balance Running Shoes
Marathon Racing6.85K/10K Racing6.9Energy Return6.3Cushioning7.3Lateral Stability8.1True To Size9.4Weight:227.3 g (8.02 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:7.0 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:NoneThe New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a relatively lightweight running shoe that's a good mid-range option. The slightly lower stack height means there's less cushioning than in the New Balance 1080v15, and the FuelCell foam doesn't give as much energy back as the Infinion in the 1080v15. That said, its lighter weight does make it feel more nimble, so it can be a good option for runners who want to mix in some intervals and tempo workouts. Runners who land with a lot of force might find that it struggles to absorb heavier impacts.
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Best Budget New Balance Running Shoes
Marathon Racing6.55K/10K Racing7.2Energy Return6.6Cushioning6.5Lateral Stability8.2Weight:273.2 g (9.64 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:6.8 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:PlasticThe New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 is a great budget option for runners who want a stable shoe for easy miles. It's both heavier and less well-cushioned than the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, so it won't feel plush or nimble, and it becomes increasingly harsh the longer you run. That said, the Fuel Cell foam in this shoe does have reasonable energy return, and the midsole also has a plastic plate, but this is more for stability than propulsion.
Runners looking for a good deal from New Balance and wanting more cushioning than energy return from their running shoes can find the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 on sale right now. It's a rather different shoe, as it has the older, less lively FreshFoam. If you need a shoe that can handle slightly longer runs, and you're not trying to go too fast, it's still a solid option.
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Best New Balance Running Shoes For Racing
Marathon Racing8.45K/10K Racing8.4Energy Return8.6Cushioning7.6Lateral Stability6.9True To Size8.8Weight:200.5 g (7.07 oz)Heel-To-Toe Drop:8.9 mmSee all our test resultsPlate:Carbon FiberThe New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is the brand's premier road racing shoe, and one of the most approachable super shoes on the market today. It features many of the elements that make a good racing shoe, such as a carbon plate, a rockered midsole, and lively PEBA-based foam. What sets it apart from the pack is its well-padded and accommodating upper, which makes it feel much more comfortable than a typical racing shoe. Another rarity among super shoes: this one is available in a wide version for both men and women. This isn't a shoe you can run in every day, as it's not as stable as a daily trainer like the New Balance 1080v15, and it's not built to withstand the grind of everyday use. But if you want an ace up your sleeve that you can pull out on race day, this is the best New Balance has to offer.
Compared To Other Brands
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Widest range of widths.
New Balance was the first to offer a running shoe in multiple widths, and the brand remains an industry leader in this regard. Their most popular models are usually available in Wide (2E for Men, D for Women) and Extra Wide (4E for Men, 2E for Women) sizes. The SuperComp Elite series is one of the few racing shoes to come in a Wide version, though not yet an Extra Wide. At the other end of the spectrum, New Balance also makes Narrow versions (2A for Women and B for Men) of their daily trainers.
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Very approachable fit and geometry.
New Balance's running shoes are designed to accommodate a broad range of runners, and their fit and geometry are very beginner-friendly. While some of the brand's performance-oriented shoes do incorporate a rockered midsole, it's usually much less aggressive than those of other brands. New Balance's running shoes also tend to feature an inherently stable design, which further inspires confidence among less experienced runners.
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Lack of innovation between iterations.
While consistency is key in running, New Balance's shoes sometimes feel stuck in a rut. Although they do make tweaks between iterations, the changes are often slow and not necessarily improvements; the SuperComp Trainers feel particularly tired and behind the curve. The brand has also been known to launch products that bear new names but seem like rebranded versions of older product lines; the New Balance Ellipse, for example, was launched with a lot of clever marketing but ultimately seems similar to the discontinued New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14.
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Foams feel stale.
New Balance uses several different foams. The FreshFoam used in many of New Balance's daily trainers is notorious for sinking underfoot, and the feeling is often described as running on quicksand. This is fine if you just want soft cushioning, but it feels sluggish when you try to pick up the pace. The FuelCell foam used in the brand's performance-oriented shoes is livelier than FreshFoam, but it still trails well behind most other brands' premium race foams. New Balance has now dropped the FreshFoam compound from its popular 1080 series, resulting in much better energy return, but many of the brand's running shoes still prominently feature the less lively foam.
New Balance vs HOKA
New Balance and HOKA are two brands that are popular in large part because of the everyday comfort of their running shoes. As such, both brands have models that straddle the line between walking and running shoes, though the numbering system of some New Balance models (e.g., 880, 1080) makes it a bit easier to determine which shoe is most appropriate for which goals. New Balance's sizing tends to be more accommodating, as some HOKA models run narrow, and New Balance offers more models in Extra Wide sizes. Although both brands are very comfort-oriented, HOKA's cushioning in its running shoes is usually better than that of its closest equivalent in New Balance's lineup.
New Balance vs PUMA
New Balance and PUMA are two brands that come from opposite sides of the ocean and, in many ways, approach running shoes from opposite directions. New Balance's roots lie in making comfortable shoes for workers who stand on their feet all day, and their running shoes belie a clear emphasis on comfort. PUMA, on the other hand, has a long history of making track racing shoes, and those influences are still clear, from the snug fit of many of its road running shoes to the more aggressive geometry in its performance-oriented models. PUMA's running shoes are also known for having good traction thanks to their patented PUMAGRIP. If you have wider feet or just prioritise softness, you'll find more options in New Balance's lineup. If you want faster options, PUMA is generally the better brand.
New Balance vs Nike
Nike and New Balance are two of the most iconic and immediately recognizable American running shoe brands. Nike has staked much of its reputation on cutting-edge engineering and on its elite performance shoes, while New Balance is much more focused on the middle of the pack. Unsurprisingly, Nike offers much better options for racing and speed training shoes, and each of the "Flys" (Vaporfly, Alphafly, Streakfly) is much more specialised than New Balance's generalist SuperComp Elite series. Both brands have a robust selection of daily trainers and comfortable shoes that can double as walking and running shoes. New Balances often feel softer when you first step in, but the cushioning doesn't hold up as well as Nike's over long distances.
New Balance vs Skechers
New Balance and Skechers are two stereotypically 'dad shoe' brands, but they both make shoes you can actually run in! New Balance has been making running shoes for much longer, so its lineup is much more comprehensive and offers many more options. Because Skechers is still trying to establish itself in the running shoe game, its shoes tend to be more competitively priced. Skechers' running shoes have good grip, thanks to their Goodyear rubber outsole, but this also makes them a bit heavier. The ArchFit in Skechers 'Aero' models is nice if you need arch support, but it can pinch if you have wider feet, whereas New Balance's shoes are generally wider through the heel and arch.
New Balance has built a loyal following not because their running shoes are the most innovative or most interesting, but because they are consistently comfortable. Their models tend to have lower heel-to-toe drops than other brands', and although virtually every running shoe's stack height has increased in recent years, New Balance's are not quite as inflated as those of many other brands.
Conclusion
New Balance has an extensive lineup of running shoes that caters to a wide range of runners. Their shoes are not necessarily the most innovative, but they are almost always comfortable. If there's a New Balance model you want us to test, you can vote for it to help decide what we buy next. To learn more about each model, check our full list of the best New Balance running shoes in the table below.