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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 04:09 PM
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Amazon
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 03:23 PM
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Adidas.com
Heel Stack Height
36.8 mm
Weight
256.1 g (9.03 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.5 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
38.2 mm
Weight
305.5 g (10.78 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.0 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
New Balance Fresh Foam 520v9
adidas Questar 4
The New Balance Fresh Foam 520v9 and adidas Questar 4 are both budget shoes, but the adidas is the better daily training option overall. It provides much better impact protection and a smoother ride, so it's the better choice if you'll be running regularly. The New Balance is lighter and more stable, though, and it comes in wider sizes, making it the better pick for mixed use or wider feet.
Variants
- Fresh Foam 520v9 (Angora/Blue Oyster - (Women - US 7))
- Fresh Foam 520v9 (Black/Black/Black Metallic - (Women - US 7))
- Questar 4 (Cloud White/Iron Metallic/Lucid Tangerine - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.1
5.9
Weight
6.2
4.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.1
6.9
Heel Stack Height
36.8 mm
38.2 mm
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
4.6
2.2
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
6.2
4.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
256.1 g (9.03 oz)
305.5 g (10.78 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
36.8 mm
38.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.3 mm
31.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.5 mm
7.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
89 mm (3.5")
92 mm (3.6")
Outsole Arch Width
83 mm (3.3")
75 mm (3.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
111 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.42
2.41
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.83
3.56
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
272 mm (10.7")
277 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
61 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
98 mm (3.9")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.7
8.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
2.1 mm (0.083")
5.9 mm (0.232")
Toe TTS Deviation
1.6 mm (0.061")
0.7 mm (0.026")
Forefoot Fit: Height
7.2
5.5
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-3.3 mm (-0.131")
-5.3 mm (-0.210")
Arch Fit: Width
10
9.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
0.8 mm (0.032")
1.4 mm (0.054")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.5
7.5
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
29 mm (1.1")
21 mm (0.8")
Heel Apex Position
35.1%
17.6%
Heel Rocker Angle
16.2°
22.0°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.8
7.1
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
46 mm (1.8")
49 mm (1.9")
Toe Apex Position
61.4%
66.2%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.7°
26.1°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Freshfoam
Cloudfoam+
Primary Foam Type
EVA
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Flat
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.2 mm (0.0")
2.0 mm (0.1")
Stretch
5.0%
7.5%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
3.3
1.1
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
69.9%
65.1%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
4.6
2.2
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
71.4%
68.1%
Heel Cushioning
6.1
6.7
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.85 J
2.54 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
7.74 J
8.65 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
13.34 J
15.47 J
Forefoot Cushioning
5.0
7.3
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.28 J
4.34 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
5.42 J
7.92 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
7.81 J
11.87 J
Heel Firmness
8.9
9.2
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
50.4 N/mm
65.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
64.4 N/mm
68.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
90.7 N/mm
91.2 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.7
9.1
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
82.7 N/mm
70.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
110.5 N/mm
87.7 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
155 N/mm
119 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.1
6.9
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
4.78 J
7.55 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
4.56 J
7.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.41 J
7.25 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
4.30 J
7.16 J
Rocker Stiffness
4.0
7.0
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
30 N
85 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
4.3
3.7
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
54.3%
52.4%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.0
7.0
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
11.0 N/mm
8.8 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
281 N
356 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.0
4.5
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
10.9 mm
8.5 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
17.1 mm
16.1 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
21.0 mm
20.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.1
5.0
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
9.7 mm
11.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
11.8 mm
14.8 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
13.2 mm
17.3 mm
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New Balance Fresh Foam 520v9
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Comments
New Balance Fresh Foam 520v9 vs adidas Questar 4: Main Discussion
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