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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.
What everyone's reading
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.
Our full reviews
Pros
- Running feels effortless
- Rocker profile creates smoother ride
- Soft yet firm underfoot
- More stable than v13
Cons
- Still not an all-out speed shoe
| Weight | 262g (M) 206g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 38mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Type | Neutral |
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.
Pros
- Lighter, more nimble ride than v5
- Padded heel counter prevents irritation
- Responsive midsole
Cons
- You preferred the wider platform of the v4
| Weight | 187g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 40mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
Read our full New Balance SC Elite v5 review
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New Balance has made bold updates to its flagship racer in the SuperComp Elite v5. It’s lighter, firmer and more streamlined than the v4 — a shift that makes it feel slightly less ‘friendly’ for all types of runners. The midsole uses PEBA-based FuelCell foam for a responsive ride, now paired with a stiffer carbon plate and a reduced forefoot stack (-4mm) that delivers a more aggressive toe-off. The result is a shoe that excels at race pace, particularly over longer distances.
The fit has also been improved: the upper is more secure and breathable, and the heel is more padded to counteract the Achilles irritation many experienced with the v4. Testers found it grips well on roads and light rain, with good traction from the rubber outsole. However, the leaner platform and snappier feel may not suit everyone — particularly runners who preferred the softer, more cushioned ride of the v4, or those who need more width underfoot
Pros
- Versatile across different speeds
- Lightweight and nimble
- Smoother ride
- Comfortable for long runs
Cons
- Less snappy than v4
- Upper a little loose in the forefoot
| Weight | 225g (M), 180g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 35mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 6mm |
Read our full New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 review
The Rebel v5 is the latest version of New Balance’s much-loved tempo trainer. It retains the plate-free design and lively PEBA/EVA blended FuelCell midsole of its predecessor, but this time sees an extra 5mm of foam underfoot (now 35mm heel/29mm forefoot), creating a softer, more cushioned ride. This shifts the shoe closer to daily trainer territory, while still offering the nimble feel that made previous versions so popular.
Other updates include a more padded tongue and heel collar, improved outsole coverage for durability, and a slightly wider platform with better stability. It’s a smoother ride than before, with a more rounded heel to aid transitions – especially for heel strikers.
While the v5 lacks some of the aggressive snap of the v4, it’s still a responsive, versatile shoe suited to a mix of efforts – from steady long runs to progressive workouts. If the v4 was your speedwork staple, this may feel like a step down in intensity, but for most runners, it strikes an excellent balance between comfort and performance. At £140, it remains one of the best-value PEBA-based shoes available today, too.
Pros
- More cushioned than its predecessor
- Extremely durable
- Smooth transitions from heel to forefoot
Cons
- Firm underfoot feeling
- Fairly heavy
| Weight | 306.5g (M), 245.4g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 35.5mm (heel), 27.5mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Type | Road |
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.
Pros
- More responsive than previous iteration
- Bouncy and fun ride
- New, refined upper
- Great for tempo efforts
Cons
- You want a lighter shoe for race day
- Can feel clunky at recovery pace
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.
Pros
- Very soft and plush underfoot
- Bouncy ride
- Very stable
- Plenty of room in the toe box
Cons
- Not very versatile
- Heavy
| Weight | 310g (UK 8.5) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 44mm (heel), 40mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Type | Neutral/road/max-cushioned |
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.
Pros
- Comfortable over long distances
- Versatile across different terrains
Cons
- You prefer a nimble trail shoe
| Weight | 293g (M), 234g (W) |
|---|---|
| Stack height | 42mm (heel), 38mm (forefoot) |
| Drop | 4mm |
The Hierro is best thought of as a multi-terrain shoe. It's a cushioned cruiser that combines the underfoot comfort of a road shoe with the reassurance and grip needed for trails. This midsole’s generous portion of Fresh Foam X – 42mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot – is split into two different densities: a more comfortable and compliant foam directly underfoot and a firmer layer of directly above the outsole. The effect is a springy yet stable ride that keeps the legs ticking over during long days.
That stability is complimented by a wide base and an updated lacing system that keeps on-the-run slippage at bay. Like the v8, the outsole features gold-standard Vibram Megagrip for unparalleled traction, while the 4.5mm lugs are capable of tackling all but super technical or very muddy terrain. While the toe box on the Hierro v9 has been re-designed to feel less restrictive, sizing still runs on the small side so we’d recommend going a whole size up from your regular lifestyle shoes.
