New Balance
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New Balance Kawhi 4
The Kawhi 4 is the best in the Kawhi signature line so far. It offers a much-improved cushioning setup, excellent traction, and solid support while being lighter and more agile. On top of that, the shoe retails for $160, which, admittedly isn’t cheap, but it makes this model all the more attractive when you compare it to other similarly priced performance basketball models. New Balance has done a great job this year of creating a basketball shoe lineup that caters to various preferences for cushioning and play styles, and the Kawhi 4 fits well within New Balance’s diverse basketball lineup. The Kawhi 4 will be an excellent indoor basketball shoe as long as you get the fit right and lateral containment isn’t an issue for your playing style. Read the full review. Price $160.
New Balance 880v14
Like this year’s 1080v13, the New Balance 880v14 is the best ever model in the series. 880 fans get something that’s not a big departure from what works or what they expect. The aesthetics and midsole improve while New Balance delivers similar durability and comfort everywhere else. This is on the short list of best running shoes for beginners and will make the thousands of runners currently in the 880s pretty happy.
New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 just might be New Balance’s best basketball shoe to date. With this shoe, you’re getting elite traction that can handle outdoor play with ease, a thick plush cushioning system (that’s also ideal for outdoors), excellent materials and build, and this is completely subjective, one of the best-looking hoop shoes of the year.
Now, those premium materials need time to break in and the upper is not super breathable, the thick slab of Fresh Foam means that you’re sitting rather high off the court and court feel subsequently suffers, and the shoe does not offer a perfect 1 to 1 fit. But these are minor tradeoffs to be able to enjoy a great and super versatile performance basketball shoe. Read the full review. Price $130
New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v4
The SC Elite v4 retains the comfort and approachability of the previous model, but it ups the ante with a lot more pop and snappier geometry that will please many. If the standard super shoe price is within your means, it’s a really solid race shoe that loves the groove of marathon, half-marathon, and tempo paces. It will be appearing on both our best marathon running shoes and best New Balances running shoes lists.
Ultimately, I think New Balance has managed to find the…umm, balance…between comfort and performance more successfully here. The SC Elite v4 is still friendly to runners of different experience levels, but it doesn’t sacrifice that something extra we hope to get from a racing shoe. Read the full review. Price $250.
New Balance TWO WXY V4
New Balance has been churning out very solid basketball shoes for the last couple of years. In 2023 they put out one of the best shoes of the year, and perhaps the best new Balance Basketball shoe ever, the New Balance TWO WXY V3. The New Balance TWO WXY V4, therefore, has a very high bar to clear.
For its price point, this shoe is an absolute gem. Considering that this shoe will be a great outdoor option, you are getting a TON of bang for your buck. The New Balance TWO WXY V4 follows up, the best New Balance basketball shoe to date. There have been several tech updates compared to last year’s model, but the V4 didn’t disappoint with a few minor caveats regarding the Fit. Other than that, the V4 knocked it out of the park in every aspect of performance. Read full review. Price $120.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is one of my favorite shoes so far in 2024. It doesn’t go overboard on stack height just to fit the trend, is more stable than expected, fits great, can pick up the pace when I need it to, and isn’t prohibitively expensive. The Rebel v4 is a good value all around and is highly likely to become your go-to daily running shoe.Read full review. Price $140.
New Balance 990v4 and 990v6
Both versions of these 990s are, admittedly, pricy, but they are fantastic. The main draw of both of these models is are the materials. They a soft mesh upper with buttery soft premium, pig suede overlays. Both of these models, at one point, were performance models. Nowadays they’re not up to par as running shoes, but they provide more than enough comfort, traction, and stability for casual use. They fit true to size, but if you like a snug 1 to 1 fit you might consider going down half a size. Price $200.
New Balance Kawhi 3
Kawhi Leonard’s latest signature model could well be his best shoe to date. The two first Kawhi models were both very reactive and stable, almost to the point of being stiff (the heel of the Kawhi 1 was downright uncomfortable), but that’s not the case with the Kawhi 3.
The Kawhi 3 boasts really great traction. The shoe is equipped with a very durable and grippy translucent rubber, that, incredibly, should hold up well outdoors. For cushioning, we have (again) full-length FuelCell which offers a reactive ride and a ton of stability, which is another stand-out feature of this model. That stable cushioning, the Energy Arc shank plate, and the all-around construction make this a very stable on-court option. Watch the full review. Price: $160
New Balance Fresh Foam BB
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB is another excellent on-court performance basketball shoe from New Balance this year and Zach Lavine’s unofficial signature shoe. With the New Balance Fresh Foam BB you get top-notch traction, a very plush and bouncy slab of Fresh Foam cushioning, and just an excellent all-around construction. But the shoe’s stand-out feature really is that slab of Fresh Foam which immediately becomes one of the best cushioning systems you can find in performance basketball shoes. Watch the full review. Price: $130
New Balance 574 Legacy
This is Chris’ favorite New Balance Model, and that has a lot to do with the shoe’s revamped look and silhouette. The New Balance 574 Legacy features a more streamlined and modern look compared to the original 574s. This new look comes in several different build types, but on all of them, you will find really excellent materials. On top of that, this is one of the most comfortable casual shoes on the market. Watch the full review. Price: $85
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is a wonderful on-court performance basketball shoe, so much so that it gained a slot on our list of the best basketball shoes of the year. With the NB TWO WXY V3 what you are getting is a near-perfect fit, amazing traction, a ton of support, and a really nice reactive cushioning setup. With the TWO WXY V3 you get a dual-density foam cushioning setup that combines full-length Fuell Cell and ASRB units in the forefoot and heel of the shoe. An excellent basketball shoe and a bargain for the price. Watch the full review. Price: $120
Top New Balance Models
Best New Balance Basketball Shoe
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The most well-rounded on-court performance basketball shoe from New Balance this year. Perfect fit and near-perfect traction. See the full review. Price: $120
Best New Balance Running Shoe
New Balance FuelCell SC Trainer
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is a high-stack neutral training shoe perfect for long runs and minimizing wear and tear on tired legs. It packs massive amounts of FuelCell cushioning underneath one of the best uppers of the year. And while it’s a bit heavy, the SC Trainer is very stable. Read the full review. Price: $180
