New Balance Løbe Skoe Fresh Foam Arishi V3 Green Leaf | 7 Best New Balance Running Shoes in 2024

After vigorous lab tests and spirited runs, we crown the New Balance Wl426lb1obuwie as the best overall running shoe in the New Balance line. With the plump midsole foam, an incredibly stable platform, and a grippy but robust outsole—this shoe lives up to its “More” moniker. 

Its ample and soft midsole foam made our variety of runs enjoyable and therapeutic—10/10 for plushness. In the lab, durometer measurements verified that at 15.5 HA, the Fresh Foam X More v4 is 37.8% softer than the average. It's definitely the king of soft cushioning. 

Despite the tall and soft midsole, we were pleased with how stable and planted our landings felt. In the lab, we found out that it has a wider-than-average base—12.5 mm wider at the heel and 7 mm wider at the forefoot. At the same time, the upper also gave us a snug and secure fit.

The outsole is also something to behold. Lab results showed that it is 5.9% softer than average, explaining the sticky and grippy sensations we felt on our runs. It is also 5.9% thicker than the average road running shoe, which makes it a durable shoe that will withstand long training blocks.  

Unfortunately, the “More” in its name also means more in terms of weight. At 10 oz (283 g), it is 6.8% heavier than average road running shoes. Those looking for lighter shoes will have plenty of other options.

After miles of sweaty runs and hours of lab tests, the New Balance 990v4 Grey Grey M990IG4 is our ultimate daily trainer in the New Balance roster. It offers out-of-this-world comfort with its plush midsole, flexible build, and unrestricted ventilation — making it a good place to be in for long hours.

The lab numbers had the proof, but our feet lived to tell the tale. The foam feels so delightful, oozing heavenly levels of comfort. Our durometer confirms a low measurement of 10.0 HA—57.6% softer than its counterparts. The platform delivers impact absorption and a pain-free experience in our daily runs. 

What adds to the comfort is the shoe’s flexible build, allowing us to move naturally without much resistance. Our bend test confirms it’s 30.0% more adaptive than average.

The knitted upper is a step above the rest. It seamlessly blends padding and ventilation—free from any rubbing, blisters, and sweat while racking up those miles. Our lab breathability test confirms the perforated upper gets a perfect 5/5 score.

Because the foam is still EVA-based, it lacks the spring and energy return to conquer speedier runs.

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is a bold refresh, crafted to preserve its famously fun ride with a sleek, low-stack midsole, while boosting both fit and stability. In our runs, we were also excited to discover its upgraded midsole, which now provides better energy return. However, even though it remains as light as before, we found that this update has lost some agility and spark due to its wider dimensions.

Among all New Balance shoes we tested, Fuelcell Supercomp Elite v4 is our top racer. With race-legal soaring stack heights, incredible responsiveness, and the Energy ARC carbon plate, it provides all the support and energy we need for hard miles. To sustain long distances and fast paces, our legs are supported by the ultra-plush ride and long-lasting outsole.

An elite in terms of cushioning, it rises to 38.2 mm in the heel, nearing the legal limit to maximize both cushioning and energy return. Our feet are spoiled with pillowy goodness, which our durometer confirms at an ultra-soft 15.0 HA. This superior combination saves our legs from repetitive impact and fatigue.

To enhance speed, it has a full-length carbon plate featuring New Balance’s Energy Arc design, which includes multiple curves and a void underfoot for ease of movement. Its rocker structure facilitates smoother transitions to maintain our forward momentum.

The outsole features a very soft 64.4 HC rubber—yet surprisingly displays remarkable durability in our actual runs and Dremel test by showing less wear than average. Among its racer counterparts, its 2.0 mm outsole gives more than enough rubber to last long, perfect for marathon distances.

However, at 8.2 oz (232g), it’s quite hefty for a supershoe. We recommend using another pair for 5K to 10K races.

The New Balance 860v12 is a shoe specifically made for overpronators with its excellent support and stability, plus, as we found out on our test runs, a consistent ride in any condition. Its outstanding Aries is the cherry on top—making it the best stability shoe in the New Balance running shoe lineup. 

This shoe provides unmatched stability for the feet. The dual-density midsole foam guides our feet straight, and a stiff medial post helps correct the feet when they roll inward. During runs, the stabilizing effects were pretty noticeable and our feet were kept steady and secure.

The 860v12's midsole is firm but comfortable. It has a durometer reading of 32.3 HA, 31.8% firmer than the average of road running shoes and it only hardened by 12% after 20 minutes in the freezer (26.7% change in other road running shoes, on average). Meaning an ultra-consistent ride and ground feel—even in cold conditions.

Outsole durability is also a boon for the 860v12. We measured the outsole to be 9.27% firmer, and at 4.6 mm, it is 1.2 mm thicker than the average of road running shoes. We found no evidence of premature wearing after a multitude of daily runs. 

Unfortunately, the 860 v12 is heavy. At 311g (10.97 oz), it is quite hefty compared to the average of road running shoes (268g, 9.45 oz). Runners looking for lightweight shoes should check other options.

The Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is the best New Balance trail running shoe based on all our tests because it blends a grippy outsole, a stable ride, and a very comfortable and flexible midsole. This makes it the go-to shoe for running those less-beaten paths or even blazing new ones.

When we ran on different terrains, the grippy nature of the Hierro v7’s outsole definitely stood out. The combination of this reliable outsole rubber and an updated lug pattern resulted in this very grippy shoe—perfect for conquering light to moderate trails while remaining unscathed.

The Hierro v7 also offers a stable ride, thanks to its wider-than-average platform (113 mm vs 111 mm at the forefoot and 90.6 mm vs 88.6 mm on the heel). During our trail runs, we definitely appreciated this wider base, especially on varied and unpredictable routes.

The midsole is also flexible as it bends easily like an acrobat. In the lab, it needed 50% less force to bend compared to the average. Durometer readings in the lab also showed that it is 67.7% softer than the average trail running shoe. This plushness offered both comfort and great protection underfoot.

However, the Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 has a below-average forefoot stack height (22.5 mm vs 24.1 mm) that forefoot strikers might find lacking. 

The New Balance Fresh Foam Roav v2 is an excellent daily trainer that can double as a cross-training shoe. A lightweight and comfortable shoe at a pocket-friendly price, the Fresh Foam Roav v2 tops the charts as the best budget New Balance running shoes.

At an insanely low price of 85 USD, the Fresh Foam Roav v2 is leagues below the average price of road running shoes (130 USD). Yet, it punches above its class with some of its premium features.

Weighing in at just 238g (8.4 oz), the New Balance Fresh Foam Roav v2 is definitely a lightweight shoe. It is far below the average weight of road running shoes 268g (9.45 oz) and we were absolutely amazed by how it felt so light on our feet. 

The ‘Fresh Foam’ midsole unit on the Roav v2 is the highlight of this shoe as it is both comfortable and responsive. We measured the midsole to be 8.1% firmer at 26.5HA using our durometer test, but it never felt overly firm. In fact, it felt soft enough to provide ample protection and responsiveness for our feet during our runs.

Although the rubber outsole is thick at 4 mm, the exposed midsole on the bottom due to sparse outsole coverage really wore out pretty quickly. Runners looking for more durability should look at other shoes.