The Best New Balance Running Shoes in Summer 2023
Founded in 1906, New Balance is one of the revered names in running. Here are the best running shoes the brand has to offer.
New Balance is one of those brands that has legs beyond running. Loved by suburban parents, the elderly and trendy streetwear hypebeasts alike, the Boston-based brand also has a serious performance running division. New Balance is known for their comfort, quality and support, and their top shoes deliver on those attributes while adding in style, speed and versatility. Here are the best New Balance running shoes in 2023.
The Best New Balance Running Shoes in 2023
Founded in 1906, New Balance is one of the oldest running brands in the game. Its top shoes today mix old school heritage with modern tech, including bouncy super foams and lightweight uppers. Below are the best running shoes from the brand today—fashion legends like the NB 550 and 990 not included.
1. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12: Best Traditional Daily Trainer
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 is the brand's flagship running shoe. Known colloquially as the 1080, its midsole uses New Balance's EVA-based Fresh Foam X compound, which is a durable and mildly responsive foam. With a 34mm heel stack and 6mm drop, it's moderately cushioned but protects the legs well from impact on runs of all length. The underfoot sensation skews to firmer side, and the ride is similar to other no-frills daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus and Adidas Adizero SL. It's a great option for runners who want a reliable workhorse that will hold up for hundreds of miles and whatever training throws at it.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12
2. New Balance Rebel v3: Best Uptempo Running Shoe
The New Balance Rebel v3 has a lively and energetic ride great for fast workouts as well as everyday running. It's the non-plated uptempo option in the brand's range, using the highly responsive FuelCell foam to provide pop and bounce. New Balances's FuelCell foam is a supercritical foam, meaning it's been injected with gas to make it lighter, airier and bouncier. The Rebel v3 has a solid layer of outsole rubber covering the midsole, which makes it a much more durable shoe than competitor options like the Hoka Mach 5 or Saucony Kinvara 14. Though it only has 27.5 mm of cushioning in the heel, the feel of the foam makes it cushioned enough for long runs as well.
New Balance Rebel v3
3. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer: Best Short Distance Racer
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer is a short-distance racing shoe designed for road races from the 5k to the marathon. It takes the formula from the SC Elite v3 and trims some of the excess, bringing the heel stack down to 25mm and the weight to 7.1 ounces (v 35mm and 7.7 oz for the Elite). On foot, the SC Pacer has a lightweight and snappy feel, perfect for efficient runners looking for a racing option. Beginners runners or those who run with more power due to weight or strength may prefer a more cushioned option for race day, regardless of distance, like a traditional super shoe. The SC Pacer also does a great job with interval work and shorter distance workouts.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer
4. New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13: Best Stability Shoe
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 is a stability shoe designed for runners who need moderate support. The 860 uses New Balance's EVA-based Fresh Foam X and pairs it guidance around the outside of the shoe to prevent pronating. The 860 uses traditional medial posts starting in the midfoot and extending to the forefoot. Due to the support, these are also the best New Balance running shoes for flat feet. While the 860 doesn't have the most exciting ride compared to competitor stability shoes like the Saucony Tempus, it's a trusted and reliable training partner that will last a long time.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13
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5. New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4: Best Max Cushion Shoe from New Balance
The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 is a comfort-oriented max cushion cruiser. Built with a plush, padded upper and think stack of Fresh Foam X EVA-based cushioning, it's designed to take the load off your legs and help you plod along in ease. The More v4 is best at slow recovery paces to the feeling of the cushion. Compared to other max cushioned shoes like the Saucony Triumph 21 and ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25, the ride is more stable but less responsive with lower energy return. It's best for runners who want a comfortable hybrid run-walk option or a dedicated shoe for recovery running efforts in high weeks.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
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6. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2: Best High Mileage Trainer
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 is a max cushioned, carbon-fiber plated trainer designed to tackle high-mileage weeks. The SC Trainer uses a 40mm stack of FuelCell foam, which has a bouncy and cushioned ride. These are the best New Balance running shoes for long distance due to the comfort from the foam combined with the pop from the plate—during peak weeks of marathon training, a shoe like the SC Trainer or another super trainer can help your legs feel fresh on everyday runs and recovery runs, helping you ease into your next workout. The SC Trainer uses a 40mm stack of FuelCell foam
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2
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7. New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3: Best Trail Running Shoe
The New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3 is a max cushioned shoe for the trails. It takes the More v4 from the roads and ruggedizes it, adding aggressive lugs with a beefier rubber application to the bottom of the shoe and a revised upper for increased lockdown on the trails. With a tall 35+ mm stack of Fresh Foam in the heel, it's not the most nimble trail option or well-suited to highly technical trails, but it performs well on the terrain most runners encounter. It's a great choice for comfort and protection over the long miles, and it can also double as stylish day hiker.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3
8. New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12: Best Lightweight Daily Trainer
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12 is one of the best durable, versatile and lightweight daily trainers. It takes the formula from the 1080 and modernizes it, adding FuelCell cushioning to the forefoot for increased pop and energy return. With a lower stack than the 1080, it has a more ground feel and a more flexible platform, making it a good option for faster everyday running. While the Rebel v3 may be a better choice for a dedicated uptempo shoe, but the 880 is a great lightweight trainer for runners who want a long-lasting, jack-of-all-trades type of shoe.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12
9. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3: Best Marathon Racing Shoe
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 is the brand's top-tier marathon racing shoe. It uses New Balance's premium FuelCell racing foam, the supercritical EVA and TPU blend. It's soft, cushioned and responsive, making it one of the most comfortable super shoes on the market today. While it may not have as much pop and zing as shoes like the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3 and Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, it makes up for it by keeping you cushioned and comfortable over the course of the long feel. Due to its softer more forgiving feel, it makes a great first carbon-plated super shoe for beginner runners tackling a marathon or half marathon.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3
Final Thoughts
New Balance has a diverse running lineup that suits all runners' needs. No matter your shoe preferences; there's an option for you. Whether you opt for the 860 for support or the SC Elite for speed, New Balance has you covered in the comfort and reliability department. It'll just be your job to put those shoes to good use.
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