New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
Pros
- Amazing step-in feel
- Excellent durability
- Cloud-soft midsole
- Ideal for forefoot and midfoot strikers
- Perfect for recovery runs
- Airy upper
- Fairly priced for a premium daily trainer
- Stability improvements
Cons
- Noticeable weight increase
- Tapered toebox limits toe splay
- Midsole could be too soft for some
- Lacks energy return
Key Features
- Fresh Foam X Midsole: The cushioning system is crafted with approximately 3% bio-based content, providing excellent comfort while being eco-friendly.
- Debris-Resistant Gusseted Tongue: This design feature helps keep dirt and debris from entering the shoe, enhancing your running experience.
- No-Sew Overlays: These overlays reduce weight and improve durability without compromising flexibility.
- Synthetic and Engineered Mesh Upper: This combination offers breathability and support, ensuring your feet remain comfortable during long runs.
- Adjustable Lace Closure: Tailor the fit of your shoes for personalized comfort and security.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Mesh
- Inner Material: Synthetic
The Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 is a top choice for those seeking comfort in a walking shoe. With its combination of an ultra-breathable upper and pillowy cushioning, it offers ease for all-day wear.
Upon trying the shoe, we noted its cloud-like touch. During our street tests, it effectively absorbed impact, which contributed to less fatigue after extended use. Our durometer readings showed a measurement of 11.9 HA, indicating a softness that is 43.3% above the lab average.
Another aspect enhancing comfort is the shoe's flexibility, despite its substantial stack height. A flex test yielded a near-average result of 15.8N, confirming its suitability for walking activities.
We experienced long hours in the shoes without discomfort or blisters, which is notable given that plush uppers typically restrict airflow. The triple-layer jacquard mesh construction yielded a score of 4/5 in breathability tests, surpassing expectations.
A drawback of the Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 is its tapered toebox, which may feel constricting as it narrows toward the big toe area. Prospective buyers with wider feet may want to consider other options.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
Pros
- Record-breaking shock absorption
- Wide platform ensures stability
- Super-plush foam
- Improved energy return
- Cozy upper
- No price hike this year
- Ideal for forefoot strikers
- Solid durability
- Semi-gusseted tongue for secure lockdown
- Good torsional flexibility despite its size
Cons
- Narrow, low-volume interior fit
- Still a heavy shoe
- Weak airflow
- Low drop doesn't work for everyone
Key Features
- Fresh Foam X midsole: Delivers the most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort.
- Reflective details: Enhance visibility during early morning or evening runs.
- Lightweight design: Weighing only 241 grams (8.5 oz), ensuring you won’t feel weighed down while wearing them.
- Synthetic material: Provides durability and ease of care.
- Lace closure: Offers a secure fit.
- Gusseted tongue design: Ensures a comfortable and secure lockdown fit.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Mesh for breathability
- Inner material: Cotton for added comfort
The Fresh Foam X More v6 is designed for individuals seeking exceptional cushioning and support during long walks. It provides significant shock absorption, making it a top choice among New Balance walking shoes, as confirmed by our lab tests.
With a noteworthy midsole, the More v6 features a heel stack of 41.8 mm—which is 7.2 mm above average—and a forefoot height of 38.5 mm, exceeding the average by 12.5 mm. This design leads to superior comfort, verified by high shock absorption scores of 152 SA for the heel and 144 SA for the forefoot, resulting in a 37.1% reduction in leg load compared to typical options.
Despite its tall stack height, stability remains a strong point, thanks to the broad platform measuring 122.5/102.0 mm, which enhances confidence and secure footing. The design ensures that users do not feel unstable when walking.
A drawback to consider is that the big toe area is more tapered than average, potentially feeling restrictive for those with wider feet. For added comfort, this model does come in wide and extra-wide options to accommodate different foot shapes.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Kaiha Road
Pros
- Marshmallowy plush cushioning
- Great for recovery days
- Extremely flexible and forgiving
- Rockered midsole for smooth transitions
- Above average breathability
- Excellent performance in cold conditions
- Provides good stability
- Ideal for long runs
- Accommodating toebox
Cons
- Lacking in upper durability
- Needs some breaking in
Key Features
- Fresh Foam X midsole: Provides an incredibly cushioned experience for optimal comfort during runs.
- No-sew upper construction: Ensures a sleek fit and minimizes the risk of irritation.
- Synthetic/mesh upper: Offers breathability and durability, ideal for various weather conditions.
- Rubber outsole pods: Designed to withstand daily wear-and-tear, enhancing the shoe's longevity.
- Adjustable lace closure: Allows for a customized fit that can accommodate different foot shapes and preferences.
Specifications
- Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Mesh
- Closure type: Lace-Up
At a price of $85, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Kaiha Road is positioned as a budget-friendly option among daily trainers, which average $131 based on our lab data. This shoe delivers a balanced combination of comfort for runs, a slight rebound effect, and reliable stability.
The midsole demonstrates notable comfort, achieving strong shock absorption scores of 132 in the heel and 124 in the forefoot. The plush cushioning alleviates stress on muscles and joints, enabling longer runs than initially anticipated.
With a responsive feel, the midsole provides a pleasant spring effect during takeoff. In our energy return test, the Kaiha Road achieved results beyond the standard, recording 59.2% in the heel and 61.7% in the forefoot.
This model balances softness and responsiveness with a broad base, measured at 119.2/100.1 mm, effectively enhancing stability during runs. This width allows for a more relaxed running experience without excessive effort to maintain balance.
However, the emphasis on cushioning contributes to increased stiffness in the Kaiha Road. Runners seeking a more natural underfoot sensation or a trainer suitable for walking may want to consider a more flexible alternative.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Pros
- Lightweight build
- Cloud-soft FuelCell foam
- Fixes all issues from v4
- Maintains the same price from v4
- Handles easy runs and tempo sessions
- Top pick for midfoot strikers
- Still flexible and fun
- Improved fit overall
Cons
- Runs warm on hot summer days
- Upper durability is a concern
- Traction could be better
Key Features
- FuelCell Foam: This technology delivers a propulsive feel that helps drive you forward, making them an ideal choice for marathon runners.
- FantomFit Upper: Offers ultra-light bonded support, ensuring your feet stay secure without adding unnecessary weight.
- Geometric Midsole: Extends wider and stacks higher than previous models, providing enhanced cushioning for a more comfortable run.
- Gusseted Tongue: Helps keep the tongue in place for better fit and comfort during your runs.
- Longitudinal Outsole Pods: Designed for improved traction and durability, catering to various running surfaces.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber
- Outer Material: Mesh
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a notable choice for tempo training, particularly suited for runners seeking a lightweight and responsive shoe. Its featherlight construction facilitates agile movement and provides a comfortable ride, as validated by both our runs and lab testing.
Weighing only 7.8 oz (220g), the Rebel v5 is significantly lighter than the average road-running shoe by 17.0%, making it ideal for effortless intervals and tempo runs. The shoe's moderately low stack contributes to its agility while maintaining a light build.
A flexible midsole enhances the natural feel of the shoe, catering to runners who prefer building speed without relying on stiff carbon plates. Our bend test confirms that the Rebel v5 is 22.0% more adaptive than average in terms of flexibility.
The platform offers plush comfort, reflected in our shock absorption test with a score of 145 SA in the heel. This results in an indulgent step that combines a cushioned feel with energetic rebound, making it suitable for speed workouts. In our energy return assessment, the Rebel v5 achieved 59.8% in the heel and an impressive 67.3% in the forefoot.
However, the upper may lack sufficient ventilation for warmer sessions. Runners who prioritize breathability might want to consider alternative trainers.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14
Pros
- Innovative, dual-layer midsole
- Great for short and mid-distance runs
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Comfortable for casual use
- Good value
- Reliable for daily mileage
- Great outsole coverage
- Superb lockdown
- Reflective elements
Cons
- Limited breathability
- Upper lacks durability
- Could be lighter
Key Features
- Fresh Foam X midsole delivers an incredibly cushioned experience, providing long-lasting comfort on the pavement.
- Durable rubber outsole ensures traction and stability, allowing you to tackle various terrains with confidence.
- Lightweight synthetic material contributes to the overall comfort and reduces fatigue during extended wear.
- 8 mm drop, which is approximate due to variances in manufacturing processes, helps promote a natural stride.
- Adjustable lace closure offers a secure fit, adapting to your foot shape for added support.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Rubber
- Inner material: Cotton
The Fresh Foam X 860 v14 is designed for runners seeking comfort and support, making it our top New Balance stability shoe based on lab tests. This shoe offers plush cushioning and gentle stability, allowing for a flexible ride that reduces the rigidity often found in stability footwear.
Its dual-density midsole foam and unique EVA plate provide significant steadiness. The primary layer measures a plush 10.9 HA for comfort, while the heel features a firmer 23.8 HA for added stability.
An EVA film plate positioned between these layers enhances balance without imposing excessive stiffness. Our testing indicates that the Fresh Foam X 860 v14 is 28.9% more adaptive than the average shoe, and its torsional rigidity rating of 3/5 shows it is more flexible than typical stability shoes.
In addition to its smooth ride, the shoe's generous stack height contributes to a luxurious feel—measuring 36.8/27.5 mm compared to the 34.0/25.4 mm average of road running shoes. This design minimizes harshness during runs, regardless of foot strike or distance.
However, the Fresh Foam X 860 v14 underperformed in our Dremel durability tests, indicating it may not be the best option for those seeking long-lasting footwear. Runners prioritizing durability might consider other alternatives.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2
Pros
- Designed to fly at 5K/10K and half-marathon races
- Wonderful for lighter runners
- Cheaper than most supershoes
- Ultra-breathable upper
- Excels at interval training sessions
- Improved compared to its predecessor
- Perfect for classic racing flat enthusiasts
- Plush and bouncy PEBA foam
Cons
- Should be even lighter for its stack height
- Potential Achilles rubbing
- Unstable heel
- Short, non-gusseted tongue
Key Features
- 8 MM Drop: Optimally engineered for a balanced feel during your run.
- Imported Construction: Quality craftsmanship ensures durability and longevity.
- Rubber Sole: Provides excellent traction on various surfaces, enhancing stability.
- Mesh Outer Material: Ensures breathability, keeping your feet cool and dry.
- Cotton Inner Material: Offers comfort and a soft touch against your skin.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber
- Outer material: Mesh
- Inner material: Cotton
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is best suited for runners seeking an explosive ride with significant energy return. Our lab tests indicate that it provides the highest energy return among New Balance running shoes, making it a notable option for performance-driven athletes.
This model features a FuelCell midsole, achieving energy return rates of 75.2% in the heel and 75.8% in the forefoot. Weighing only 7.1 oz (200g), it offers impressive responsiveness and cushioning, which helps maintain comfort over long distances.
With a moderate stack height of 32.9/25.4 mm, the SuperComp Pacer v2 balances ground connection and joint protection effectively. The shoe demonstrates near-average shock absorption scores of 132/97 SA, enhancing overall comfort during runs.
The upper design includes large ventilation holes that facilitate airflow, achieving a maximum breathability score of 5/5 in our smoke test. However, it received a low durability score of 1/5 in our Dremel test, indicating that the material may not withstand heavy wear. If durability is a priority, consider opting for a model with reinforced construction.