Fitness / January 30, 2024

We Tested 16 New Balance Running Shoes. These Are the Best

Aside from churning out some of the best-looking running shoes on the market, New Balance innovates alongside heavy hitters like Nike and Adidas. It hasn’t shied away from implementing the latest tech, like ultra-light foams and carbon plates, while maintaining its heritage comfort and throwback vibe.

And what makes New Balance so widely appealing is the fact that it makes great shoes for every runner. Whether you are an elite marathoner or someone who jogs a few miles per week, the brand doesn’t feel exclusionary or niche. Its everyday trainers are versatile and durable—and its racers are comfortable, accessible, and lightning quick.

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Best Overall New Balance Running Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4 FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4

Nathan Lemin

The latest New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4 is my early pick for best running shoe of the year. While previous versions of this shoe have varied in quality, the v4 nestles perfectly into the daily trainer category.

While some folks want niche offerings and multiple shoes for different efforts, I’m a big fan of versatility and value. That’s where the Rebel v4 shines. The shoe is peppy but not at the sacrifice of comfort. It’s nimble but doesn’t forgo stability. It’s fast and light but doesn’t cost a fortune. I took the Rebel v4 out on an easy 10K that ended with some interval speed work. I re-laced them once early on, then they stayed snug and felt great, even late in the effort. When I turned on the jets for some faster running, the extreme lightness of these shoes was really noticeable. Late into high intensity workouts, I notice things like energy return, smoothness of transition, and weight, and the Rebel v4 performed as hoped.

One of the shoe’s most direct competitors, the Asics NovaBlast 4, can’t quite match the pep or the lightness of the Rebel v4, and while I also love that shoe, I think this New Balance offering narrowly beats it. And for $140 this shoe offers more performance and more comfort than competitors. If you’re looking for a racing and training combo, the Rebel v4 and Elite v4 pair perfectly.

Pros:

Capable and versatile for a great price.
One of the lightest and most fun daily trainers I’ve tested.
Updated PBA x EVA foam blend balances cushion, durability, and bounce.
High stack height and sole width creates smooth, stable ride.
Soft and comfortable FantomFit upper.
Durable outsole rubber.

Cons:

Foot slips out of shoe, despite gusseted tongue.
Not the beefiest heel counter for a daily trainer.

Weight: 7.1 ounces (size 9)

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

The New Balance Rebel v4 launches on March 1, 2024.

Best New Balance Running Shoe for Daily Training: Fresh Foam X 1080v13 Fresh Foam X 1080v13

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The Men’s Journal test team has been loving the latest 1080 for nearly a year. New Balance claims if it only made a single shoe, this would be the one—and it’s not hard to see why. It packs a ton of versatility and performance into a sleek, lightweight package.

The 1080v13 utilizes New Balance’s latest Fresh Foam X, which our team found to be super soft underfoot. It excels as an everyday trainer, so if you can only buy one running shoe at a time, the 1080 is an excellent option.

The 1080v13 was one of my go-to shoes for easy miles, recovery runs, and threshold efforts. A member of our test team said it moved ahead of the SC Trainer v2 (mentioned below) as his favorite New Balance trainer.

Pros:

Midsole, upper, and lacing all fit and feel great.
Lightweight for the amount of cushion.
Outsole performs well on wet terrain and light trails.
Looks good

Cons:

Not quite as responsive as the previous version.
Plushness isn’t for everyone.

Weight: 9.2 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best New Balance Marathon Racing Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

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Just as exciting as the competition to break the marathon records is the race for the best super shoe among major companies. The team at New Balance had an excellent, accommodating racer in the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3, but they elevated to a new level with v4.

The foam used for these shoes feels softer out of the box than competitors. There’s a meaningful squish in the Elite v4, and the bounce back is superb. Speeding up was effortless, but going slow feels good too. While other super-shoes cut weight at the expense of utility and comfort, the upper on this New Balance FC SC Elite v4 is really comfortable—although slightly warmer than competitors. I also love the fit, as the shoe didn’t take long to break-in.

The only issue I experienced with these shoes is that the tongue and laces loosened up over the course of my run. I retied them three times over a 10 mile run. Obviously that would be an issue in a race, but I plan to make this my racing shoe this year anyway. I was able to keep them snug using a tight surgeon’s knot at the top (looping your initial single knot an extra time or two), and if you had enough laces, a runner’s loop would likely work too.

Pros:

More comfortable and approachable out of the box than other elite racing shoes
Incredible energy return.
Stable and tacky for a high-stack racing shoe.

Cons:

Laces and tongue loosen while running, leading to some heel slippage.
Soft outsole doesn’t seem very durable.
Upper is a bit warmer than competitors.

Weight: 8.4 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 4 mm

More New Balance Running Shoes We Love

Best Long-Distance New Balance Running Shoe: FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2

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The SuperComp Trainer v2 was one of my favorite shoes last summer. They are peppy, comfortable, and look great. Whenever I had a Sunday long run or fartlek, these were one of my top choices. The combination of soft cushioning and propulsive plate felt comfortable and fast over big miles.

If you want to race in shoes that you can also frequently train in, give the SuperComp Trainer v2 a serious look. At $180 they are somewhat pricey for a trainer, but the ability to train speed and distance as well as race provides excellent value. Plus, for those not keen on carbon plates, the Trainer v2’s plate feels approachable and not as stiff as others. I also found the upper and laces to provide a secure fit.

Unfortunately for folks living on gravel roads, there is a large void in the center of the outsole that exposes the plate, and this gap picks up rocks, which then make a grating noise against the plate. Additionally, the outsole didn’t hold up as well as we would’ve liked, and I recommend keeping this on pretty smooth tarmac—avoid even light gravel. That said, the performance and comfort are excellent in the Trainer v2, and it is another great shoe in the FuelCell lineup.

Pros:

Fun and fast.
Comfortable.
Versatile, can be used for training and racing.
More stable than other long-distance trainers.

Cons:

Outsole wears relatively fast.
Exposed carbon plate void picks up rocks.

Weight: 9.7 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best Budget New Balance Shoe: Fresh Foam Arishi v4

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While there is nothing particularly inspiring about the Fresh Foam Arishi v4, for $70 you get a perfectly capable and solid looking shoe. It makes an excellent walking shoe or travel shoe, as the simple lines and lightweight comfort are solid for all-day wear.

However, I didn’t love running more than three miles in the Arishi. The laces don’t come up very high on the shoe, so I didn’t feel secure. However, I wore these all day around town for a weekend and like them for walking and as a pair of casual shoes, as they’re easy to slip on and off. While I wouldn’t recommend these to a serious runner, I do think they make a versatile pair of travel shoes, especially if you want to go on a couple runs when you’re on the go.

Pros:

Affordable.
Comfortable to walk in and run short distances.
Lightweight.
Durable, grippy outsole.

Cons:

Poor lacing system doesn’t lock your foot in.
Cushioning doesn’t hold up to longer distances

Weight: 9.5 ounces

Heel-Toe Drop: 6 mm

Best Max-Cushion New Balance Running Shoe: Fresh Foam X More v4

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If you like soft cushioning, then the Fresh Foam X More v4 should be in your shoe rotation. I’ve never run in shoes as soft and squishy. That’s not for everyone, but for easy efforts, the considerable shock absorption make for a total comfort ride.

When you run, you exert a huge amount of force on your body. That isn’t always comfortable, especially if you’re heavier. A well-cushioned shoe that doesn’t feel clunky or heavy is hard to come by, so New Balance has made a compelling max cushion shoe with the latest FFX More v4.

Pros: