7 of the best New Balance shoes for every type of runner
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If you’re looking to upgrade your running shoes and have New Balance in mind, look no further.
The brand traces its origins back to 1906, when William Riley founded New Balance Arch Company in Boston and began selling arch supports for shoes. The company’s first pair of running shoes came much later, in 1938, but before long New Balance was producing shoes that earned a reputation for high quality.
We've tested New Balance's entire range of running shoes and have rounded up our favourites below with feedback from RW editors and our team of wear testers. Here are our winners, at a glance, or keep scrolling more more.
What tech is used in New Balance running shoes?
How we choose the best New Balance running shoes
The models below represent the best New Balance running shoes available now. For this update, we reviewed our selections for technology, updated specs, and included our experience testing these shoes over the past year for any relevant feedback.
Several models had minor updates, and a few had some significant updates to both fit and materials, including the Rebel v4 and SC Elite v4. We drew on RW reviews, editor feedback, our own testing experience, and knowledge of the running shoe market to narrow the list down to the pairs below. Our choices include shoes for trail runners, beginners and overpronators.
The best New Balance running shoes, tested & reviewed
Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
> Read our full New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 review <
The 1080 is one of New Balance’s bestselling models. Whether you're looking for a recovery day shoe you can sink your feet into, a long run shoe that can eat up every mile, or even a shoe to run your first marathon in, this is a safe bet.
The v14 has had a more conservative update compared with the v13. You've still got New Balance's soft and protective Fresh Foam X cushioning underfoot, but it feels slightly less 'mushy' than the previous iteration, which adds some stability. There's also more cushioning packed into the forefoot to create a slightly stiffer ride. While this in no way makes the 1080 a speed shoe, it does give it a responsiveness that makes it more of an all-rounder than ever before.
A new engineered mesh upper also enhances breathability (though if you have high volume feet, it's worth noting that our tester found the toe box slightly shallower on the latest iteration), while a new narrower design provides a more secure midfoot hold. Finally, given the 1080 is a popular choice among high-mileage marathon runners, New Balance has also added more rubber to the outsole in high-wear areas.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
> Read our full New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 review <
A light, snappy and propulsive racing shoe designed for long distance races, the SC Elite V4 is a totally different shoe compared with its predecessor. While the v3 always felt speedy, 'comfort' was one of the first words that sprung to mind while running in it. A large part of this came from the stretchy synthetic knit upper and the fact that the carbon plate seemed relatively forgiving compared to other super shoes. With the v4, what we get is much more of that classic 'super shoe' feeling. It's not unstable, uncomfortable or aggressive by any means – in fact, it's still a pretty accommodating shoe when you compare it to something like the Adios Pro 3 – but it's no longer a shoe you can get away with wearing for the bulk of your training runs.
The new PEBA midsole feels instantly lighter and more responsive. This is also thanks to an updated carbon fibre plate design, which increases forefoot stiffness. The new FantomFit upper is a vast improvement on the previous knit design, too, providing a much better midfoot lockdown. The tongue feels a little 'sloppy', though, and isn't gusseted, which means it moves around a bit.
The heel counter is more traditional, losing that iconic high curve design that's used across most of the FuelCell line. Some testers have experienced Achilles irritation as a result, although this wasn't universal across the board.
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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
> Read our full New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 review <
This plate-free performance offering feels like a more cushioned version of a traditional racing shoe, although it offers versatility in abundance for every day miles. The midsole bounce, full-foot flexibility and gentle forefoot rocker combine to make it feel very peppy, with testers feeling it was particularly suited to tempo efforts, but also quick enough to race in.
It’s plate-less and slightly lower to the ground than max-stacked shoes (30mm heel, 24mm forefoot), offering a more natural ground feel which will appeal to purists and more mindful runners.
In the latest version, the midsole foam is a PEBA blend (known for being lightweight while providing high energy return). This creates a ride that is both smooth and fast. There's plenty of rubber on the outsole, too, so durability is fantastic.
Fresh Foam X 860v14
> Read our full Fresh Foam X 860 v14 review <
Drawing inspiration from the ever-popular New Balance Vongo v6, the Fresh Foam X 860 v14 ditches its rigid medial post for an EVA stability plate, which allows for more flexibility without sacrificing support. That creates a balanced and stable ride that serves as a perfect everyday workhorse for runners who need a lot of support. It doesn’t drastically affect the support of the shoe, but it helps make the midsole feel softer.
New for version 14, the 860’s dual-density Fresh Foam midsole now boasts four extra millimetres of padding in the forefoot and slightly less drop. The two layers – soft on top for comfort and firmer below for stability — provide a balance of cushioning and support that is a touch more forgiving than the previous iteration, without feeling squishy-soft.
Rounding out the stable base is a structured engineered mesh upper that further adds to the 860 v14’s supportive nature. The shoe comes in a narrow, standard, wide and extra wide fit, making it a great choice for both lighter and heavier runners.
FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3
> Read our full FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 review <
When New Balance first launched the SuperComp Trainer two years ago, a lot of people didn’t quite know what to make of the not-quite-a-daily trainer, not-quite-a-racing shoe newcomer, with its chunky stack height and carbon plate. As it turns out, the brand had stumbled upon something quite revolutionary, and the 'super trainer' category has gone on to establish itself as a permanent fixture in 2024.
But that's not to say New Balance got everything right the first time around. In fact, the v3 has performed quite the Doctor Who-style regeneration with a new look and feel. The good news is, this is the best one yet.
The re-formulated FuelCell midsole now consists of a 20% Peba blended foam for added responsiveness, with more foam also packed into the forefoot to deliver a firmer ride. The gentle rocker helps to aid transitions, but it's not overly aggressive. Our tester described it as 'bouncy rather than explosive', which means you can use the shoe for daily training.
That said, the stiffness doesn't lend the shoe as well to easy, recovery pace. That's not to say you need to 'send it' on every single run in the SC Trainer v3; it's just slightly clunky at those really chilled paces, and as soon as you put in a tiny bit of effort, things smooth out.
Ultimately, If you're looking for a durable long run shoe with decent cushioning that also excels at uptempo paces, this is for you. If you're looking for a more minimal, speed-focused trainer with decent ground feel, the Rebel is probably a safer — and cheaper — bet.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
> Read our full New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 review <
If you're looking for a truly max-cushioned, plush, can't-feel-the-ground trainer for short to moderate plods, you'll love the the More v5. Providing shed loads of comfort, it really is one of those shoes you can cruise around in very happily at a steady pace.
Up top, the shoe's mesh upper is soft, borderline plush, with not a lot of give to it. This helps to hold the foot in place, despite the lack of overlays. You've also got a very padded tongue and a moderately padded heel collar to lock you in.
The midsole foam has changed slightly from the v4 to the v5, upgrading from standard Fresh Foam to Fresh Foam X. This creates a step-in that feels very soft, bordering on plush, and delivers plenty of bounce on the move. However, bouncy doesn't necessarily translate to responsive. Don't expect much versatility from the More v5 — this chunky boy is very much made for recovery pace and not much else. That said, our bigger/taller testers found they got more out of the shoe's big stack of foam than our lighter runners, perhaps because they were able to compress it more and in-turn get more energy return from it.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
The Hierro is best thought of as a multi-terrain shoe. Its Vibram Eco-Step outsole feels at home on the pavement, hard trails and even the sand. Where the Hierro has struggled before is on muddier, more uneven surfaces, but the latest version seems to have traded in some of that soft feeling cushioning for something a little firmer with more ground feel. Don't get us wrong, it's still not intended to be a hardcore trail shoe like the Salomon Speedcross, but it's definitely gained a degree of versatility.
This is a comfortable yet responsive, multi-tasking, multi-terrain marvel. If you have the confidence to pull it off, and pockets deep enough to pay for it, the Hierro v7 will not disappoint.
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