New Balance isn’t a new company. The name comes from the company’s original business model envisioned by its founder William J. Riley. The company started as a footwear manufacturer specializing in arch supports and orthopedics. But in 1938, they created their first running shoe for the Boston Brown Bag Harriers. Twenty-two years later, they released the first shoe with different width options, the New Balance Trackster. The iconic “N” logo first appeared on the New Balance 320 in 1976. From there, the brand never looked back. These are our picks for the Best New Balance Running Shoes today.
This list does not include all of our New Balance running shoe reviews – just the best ones. If you want to see more, you can check out our New Balance reviews page or our running shoes reviews page.
To learn the differences between New Balance’s Fresh Foam and Fuelcell foam cushioning, check out our article that dives into the compounds, their purposes, and which is best for you.
All the shoes mentioned here are at the top of their category within the brand. We hope you’ll have an easy time finding the categories you’re most interested in. Just click the ones you want to read in the table of contents, and you’ll quickly see what we have to say about the best shoe from that category.
Please note that some of these shoes have width options. This will help you choose the best fit for you, which is critical for any footwear, especially running.
Best New Balance Running Shoes
- Best Neutral Cushioned New Balance Running Shoes
- Best New Balance Trail Running Shoes
- Best New Balance Marathon Running Shoes
- Best New Balance 5k or 10k Running Shoes
- Best New Balance Running Shoes – Honorable Mention
- New Balance Running Shoes to Avoid
- Best New Balance Running Shoes Now on Sale
- Best New Balance Cross Training Shoes
- Best New Balance Casual Shoes
Best Neutral Cushioned New Balance Running Shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
New Balance once again brings its singular approach to the max-cushion category with the plushly stacked, ultra-protective, yet surprisingly stable Fresh Foam X More v6. Made to soak up miles, it’s an approachable update with a slightly less squishy and more consistently smooth and controlled ride.
The Pros are clear: Fresh Foam X remains one of the top-performing midsole foams in the category; it’s good for new runners and longtime athletes looking for a comfortable ride; and the overall package is the gold standard for max-cushion daily trainers. The Cons are unsurprising in that this isn’t a shoe meant for anything other than easy cruising, and the New Balance aesthetic may not be for everyone. But in a market full of super foams and max-cushion behemoths, New Balance reminds everyone why it’s king of the high-stack shoes with the phenomenal Fresh Foam X More v6. It’s a great shoe for new runners needing a training partner that can help them develop both physical and mental fortitude. And veteran runners will appreciate the More v6 for its comfort and cruisy nature on those easy and long-run days when discipline needs to overcome a lack of motivation. It’s also a rare max-stack shoe in that it’s stable enough to further function as a walking shoe.
All in all, the $155 price may well be a bit of a steal, and the true-to-size, standard fit is even wide-foot friendly. There are also additional Wide and X-Wide options in both men’s and women’s sizing. For more details on the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6, read the full review
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 4mm, Price: $155
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is in many ways a continuation of and improvement upon what worked so well in one of our favorite shoes of 2024, the Rebel v4. But there are some key differences worth noting for fans of the line.
Its many Pros include: a chameleon-like ability to perform well at any pace; a bouncy and versatile PEBA/EVA midsole that’s less likely to bottom out for bigger, taller runners; a comfy upper with gussetted tongue; durable, effective traction; nice breathability; and a lightweight experience. Cons include: lower-than-average midsole durability; a slight sacrifice in groundfeel and snappiness; and a standard fit that isn’t as wide-foot friendly as the previous version. Luckily, New Balance will be offering wide options in both men’s and women’s sizing, which we recommend wide-footers select for better comfort over longer efforts. The fit is otherwise true-to-size.
The New Balance Rebel v5 provides a lovely ride across speedy, easy, and long runs, keeping its place alongside shoes like the Asics Novablast 5 as one of the most versatile running shoes on the market as well as one of the best values for its price. For more details, read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $140
New Balance 1080v14
The New Balance 1080v14 slightly tweaked the 1080 formula established with the 1080v13 resulting in a more durable but slightly less squishy experience. It’s a slight upgrade from the 1080v13 and continues the big (positive) change made to the 1080 line last year. It’s a solid daily trainer that provides plenty of comfort without letting you get lost in the mush. And it’s wide footer friendly because it comes in Wide and Extra Wide versions. Read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $165
Best New Balance Trail Running Shoes
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 gets a complete revamp from the ground up, and the result is a high-performing, high-stack trail running shoe.
While our testers feel it’s best on mellow, runnable trails (rather than overly technical ones), performance Pros are its dual-density Fresh Foam X midsole that’s plush yet stable for its height, a reliable and hearty Vibram Megagrip outsole, and multiple available widths in both men’s and women’s sizing. Cons include the possibility of sliding forward within the shoe prior to breaking in the materials and the not-very-accomodating fit in the standard width (which is thankfully easy to overcome due to the aforementioned range of wide widths on offer).
The shoe is true-to-size with regard to length, and it provides great value for its price point. The New Balance Hierro v9 is best used for short-to-long distance hiking and trail running (including ultras) and will excel most for those who want more cushioning underfoot for their trail adventures. Fans of New Balance road shoes will particularly find the Hierro v9 a natural candidate for transitioning to the trails thanks to its super-cushioned and poppy ride. For more details, read the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 4mm, Price: $155
Best New Balance Marathon Running Shoes
New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v5
The New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v5 isn’t among the best marathon race shoes overall, but it’s a great option if New Balance typically works well with your feet. The SC Elite v5’s 100% PEBA FuelCell midsole is protective, bouncy, and plush…just not top tier. While the midsole feel is by no means unrecognizable, the plate and overall geometry do ride more aggressively than in the SC Elite v4. New Balance has gone from a 4 mm drop in the v4 to an 8 mm drop and stiffer forefoot here in the v5, and it’s a noticeable difference. Also contributing to that is the dramatically slimmed down platform underfoot, particularly at the midfoot and heel. Those who have wanted more top-end speed/aggression and less mid/rearfoot stability from the SC Elite may prefer it; conversely, those who happily looked to the SC Elite as a slightly more laid back, more comfort-oriented race shoe with a solid stance may not get along as well the change.
The outsole may be the best part of the SC Elite v5 as the triangular forefoot pattern really digs into the ground making it a very good option for Cross Country races and wet, rainy road conditions. The upper offers nice volume with good toebox width (for a race shoe) while maintaining adequate heel lockdown, but the standard width is not quite as accommodating as in last year’s v4. There’s also a wide version available, however, so wide-footers can check that out with confidence. The only real negative is the support as the shoe seems to be built to ride on the lateral side. Because of that, it’s not a shoe that supinators will enjoy; and it also draws further attention to the lessened width by compounding lateral pressure for wider feet. But overall, the SC Elite v5 is a solid road racing and marathon shoe for those who generally enjoy the feel of New Balance running shoes, and the grip is tough to beat on a modern race shoe.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $250
Best New Balance 5k or 10k Running Shoes
New Balance SC Pacer v2
The New Balance SC Pacer v2 feels just like a slimmed down SC Elite v4. Those that don’t need the super high stack of the Elite can get something a little lighter and livelier.
That said, the SC Pacer v2 is very squishy at the rearfoot and can be hard on the achilles for those that land on their heels. It’s also understandably clumsy at slower paces. But if your form keeps you on your toes or midfoot, then the SC Pacer v2 is a light, breathable shoe that’s an aggressive option for track workouts, 5k, and 10k distances (with the carbon plate placement partially to thank). The outsole grips in all conditions, and the fit is more of the 1-to-1 race variety that may put you between your normal size and a half size up.
Overall, if you’re light on your feet, very light in general, or a forefoot dominant runner, you could even take it up to the half or full marathon distances like some of New Balance’s elite women do.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 4mm, Price: $200
Best New Balance Running Shoes – Honorable Mention
New Balance SC Trainer v3
The SC Trainer v3 brings with it a new PEBA/EVA foam blend, a new plate shape with redesigned midsole geometry, a revamped engineered mesh upper, and a half-ounce decrease in weight. While it outperforms the SC Trainer v2 on various fronts, it doesn’t quite capture the bouncy magic of the original, nor does it keep pace with the fun and versatility of today’s top-performing super trainers.
That said, the SC Trainer v3 still offers excellent comfort and protection with an easygoing, dependable feel for high-volume training miles. The fit is TTS, and wide widths are available to better accommodate those needing extra room. See the full review.
Fit: True to Size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $180
New Balance Running Shoes to Avoid
No current models are on the avoid list.
Best New Balance Running Shoes Now on Sale
Check back later.
Best New Balance Cross Training Shoes
New Balance Minimus TR BOA v2
The New Balance Minimus TR BOA v2 is a training shoe with a little something extra packed into it so the wearer enjoys a less austere minimalist shoe experience. Pros include: an incredibly grippy outsole; great stability and groundfeel; a surprisingly comfortable, thin-but-effective FuelCell midsole; and a PerformFit Wrap upper that molds to your foot. The setup is effective for squats, deadlifts, any one-legged exercises of choice, plyometrics, bodyweight training, cycling, rowing, and some agility work.
Cons include: a small and narrow fit; plus stilted heel-to-toe transitions that hamper running. As a result, the Minimus TR BOA v2 is most at home on the weight room floor but can handle some of those ancillary exercises that are now so common in functional fitness workouts. The short fit means we’d recommend going up a half-size for pretty much everybody; whereas the Minimus TR BOA’s narrow fit (and current lack of a wide option in the BOA version) means this shoe isn’t particularly wide-foot friendly. Though there is enough height/volume for those with high insteps.
But as long as the fit works for you and running isn’t on the training menu, the Minimus TR BOA v2 offers strong value at $150. It’s the perfect workout shoe for someone who wants a minimalist-ish option with bells and whistles that improve both the function and feel, and it’s well-suited to most workout challenges. For more details, read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 4mm, Price: $150
Best New Balance Casual Shoes
New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 is an old-school basketball sneaker first released in 1989. The 550 returned as a retro in 2021 where it sold out multiple times. The sellouts have continued in 2022 but some colorways are available for retail price on eBay. The classic look of this shoe draws people in and as usual, New Balance delivers impressive materials. See the full review.
Fits: True to size, Price $110
New Balance 574 Legacy
The New Balance 574 used to be a functional running shoe. Nowadays, for a casual shoe, it packs great value. The Legacy version sticks true to the original with an open medial EVA wedge that allows for more compression and comfort than other cup sole shoes. You can get different materials and textures with different colorways. See the full review.
Fits: True to size, Price $100
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