10 Best New Balance Running Shoes For Every Run From Daily Miles To Race Day

New Balance is one of those trusted brands that has built its reputation on a few staples: making its shoes comfortable, constructing those shoes with performance in mind, and putting it all together with a focus on quality and, in most cases, durability.

Known for its lineup featuring protective cushioning and stylish looks, all the while offering more fit options for wider feet, New Balance is a favorite amongst the hobby joggers, weekend warriors, and elites alike.

Our Picks For The Best New Balance Shoes

• Best Cushioned Daily Trainer – 1080 v15
• Best Budget Race Shoe – SuperComp Rebel
• Best For Wide Feet – 880 v15
• Best Uptempo Trainer – Rebel v5
• Best Budget Daily Trainer – 680 v9
• Best Shoe For Heavier Runners – More v6
• Best Carbon Plated Racer – SC Elite v6
• Best Stability Shoe – 860 v15
• Best Cross Trainer – Minimus TR BOA v2
• Best Trail Shoe – Hierro v9

10 Best New Balance Shoes

New Balance’s current lineup is packed with choices to fit your needs, no matter what type of run you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking for a shoe for casual 5Ks with your running club, or a long-distance shoe to train for your next marathon, New Balance has you covered. And here at Run to the Finish, we’ve tested just about every one of them.

Below, our recommendations cover a variety of different runs, from easy daily miles to speedwork, so hopefully you can find what’s best for you.

Best Cushioned Daily Trainer – 1080 v15

This is not the same 1080 we’ve come to know over the last few years. While it looks an awful lot like the last couple of 1080 models, New Balance debuted version 15 of its high-stack daily trainer with an all-new foam this year. Gone is the soft and pillowy Fresh Foam X; in its place is their new Infinion foam.

The new Infinion foam is not simply a name change; it’s an all-new ATPU compound that has been turning heads. The 1080 also gained 2 millimeters of foam underfoot, while shedding about one ounce on the scale.

The 1080 is a well-cushioned running shoe that just feels good for long miles on the feet, making it feel fantastic for both marathon training and for newer runners whose bodies are adapting to the load of running

Best Budget Race Shoe – SuperComp Rebel 

What do you get when you take one popular uptempo daily trainer and mix it with a high-stack plated long-run shoe and a new foam? Something confusing and completely different, but also generally looked at as a hit.

While some will argue the SC Rebel isn’t really a Rebel, and I would tend to agree, the SC Rebel is built more towards faster training and longer distances. It will even double as a race shoe for middle-of-the-pack runners, although it’s tough to recommend it for the marathon distance if you have stability needs.

Armed with New Balance’s Infinion foam, a supercritical ATPU compound, and a carbon-infused nylon plate, the SC Rebel shines at faster paces. The carbon-infused nylon plate is less rigid than a pure carbon fiber plate, which allows the shoe to be less intrusive at slower paces, albeit with less snap.

The SC Rebel delivers a fun and bouncy ride at any pace, but you’ll feel “encouraged” to let it rip.

Best For Wide Feet – 880 v15

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is a sensible daily trainer that can do it all. It’s comfortable enough for daily wear, and durable and protective enough for your daily training needs, all at a modest price of $140.

While it’s not something that is equipped with a futuristic bouncy foam that can shred through fast intervals, it is serviceable for short pickups and tempos in addition to its stated purpose.

New Balance made a few changes to this version. The first being that they added a significant amount of foam, going from a 32mm stack in the heel to a 40mm heel stack. The drop also changed from 8 to 6 millimeters.

Runners who grew accustomed to the feel might notice a slight change, but the change is minimal and most likely won’t notice it. And on the plus side, mid- and forefoot strikers will enjoy more impact protection with even more Fresh Foam X under the forefoot.

New Balance used a wider last for version 15, bringing the midfoot width to something less restrictive. The forefoot is also above average in width. And with availability in 2E and 4E, the 880 v15 is an ideal shoe for runners with wider feet.

Best Uptempo Trainer – Rebel v5

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a shoe that has undergone a drastic evolution over the last few versions. What started out as a lightweight and fast low-to-the-ground speed shoe with a lively midsole has become a slightly less light, less fast, and less low-to-the-ground shoe with a midsole that seems to only keep its bounce for around 100 to 150 miles.

The first 3 versions kept their bounce longer, likely due to the TPU in the midsole. The second version was plagued with the ripping of the upper, which caused a lot of runners to abandon their Rebels before their time was up.

Version 4 was the first Rebel to use a new formulation of its FuelCell foam, going from a supercritical EVA/TPU blend to a supercritical EVA/PEBA blend. The PEBA in the midsole is likely the cause of the premature death of the midsole in the Rebel v4 and v5.

While PEBA was the top midsole foam for several years, it was never known for its durability.

Regardless, those early miles are a lot of fun. The Rebel is a shoe that is fun to run in at easy and threshold paces in the early going.

Once I got past 100 miles, I mainly relegated the Rebel v5 to easy runs with strides at the end. Despite the reduced bounce, these shoes still make those short 20-second bursts at the end of a run feel like a whole lot of fun.

Best Budget Daily Trainer – 680 v9

The New Balance 680 v9 is not a shoe you’ll find being talked about much on running shoe forums. But it is a trainer that should be looked at for runners looking to start their running journey.

With its heel stack topping out at 29 millimeters in the heel, the 680 v9 is also a great option for runners who want a reliable option for short and easy runs while retaining some ground feel, something that is disappearing in today’s world of growing stack heights.

One reason to keep this shoe for shorter runs is the use of classic Fresh Foam for the midsole, rather than the more updated Fresh Foam X, which has shown increased durability over its older counterpart.

With its $85 price tag, the New Balance 680 v9 is a great option for the beginner runner or the budget-conscious runner who enjoys a few shorter runs per week.

Best Shoe For Heavier Runners – More v6

Sometimes a shoe’s name tells you exactly what it is. That is the case with the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6. It has more cushy Fresh Foam X foam underfoot for maximum comfort and protection. 

The core of the soft midsole is dense enough that heavier runners, myself included, do not sink too far into the midsole. That dense core even offers some bounce back as you roll through your stride.

This is not a shoe we would recommend for threshold workouts or to take out for a 10K PB attempt, but it is a shoe that can handle those easy miles and long runs for runners of a larger stature.

Best Carbon Plated Racer – SC Elite v6

The New Balance FuelCell SC Elite v6 is great for runners who want a snappy, lightweight carbon plated shoe with enough cushioning for longer races/workouts. 

It’s also great for runners who want the benefits of a super shoe without the more dramatic propulsion of a shoe like the Nike Alphafly.

Built to tackle the marathon distance, the SC Elite v6 is a shoe that is fast and light enough for shorter, faster races such as the 5K and 10K.

Best Stability Shoe – New Balance 860 v15

The New Balance 860 v15 is a great option for runners who need some added stability without sacrificing everyday comfort.

Built with a firmer secondary foam that sits under the midfoot and is biased towards the arch of the foot, this setup helps guide the foot through the stride while preventing excessive pronation.

The main foam is New Balance’s Fresh Foam X, and registers considerably softer than the stability post section. Version 15 saw a slight gain in stature and weight, going from 38 to 40 millimeters of stack in the heel, and an additional 1.1 ounces in the men’s sample size.

Despite the weight gain, the ride keeps it smooth and stable, giving runners with stability needs a great option for consistent miles with that added bit of security.

Best Cross Trainer – Minimus TR BOA v2

The next shoe up is more of a training shoe and isn’t something we would recommend for more than short sprints. We’re adding this one to the list because every runner interested in a long stint as a runner would do well to incorporate strength training into their schedule. 

We also discourage runners from lifting weights in their running shoes, as carrying heavier loads around degrades the midsole faster and they do not often provide a stable enough base. Additionally, the New Balance Minimus TR BOA v2 is a stellar gym shoe.

The Minimus TR BOA v2 is equipped with New Balance’ FuelCell cushioning underfoot; it’s just not enough to consider this shoe for long distances. There is just enough cushioning underfoot for weight lifting, bodyweight exercises, and short cardio sessions.

Equipped with the BOA Fit system, getting secure lockdown for box jumps and weighted lateral hops is a cinch, pun intended. With a simple turn of the dial, you can tighten or loosen the lacing system. And if you’re not a fan of the BOA system, they’re available in a version with standard laces.

With the TR BOA v2’s low profile and drop, it’s a great option for HIIT workouts.

Best Trail Shoe – Hierro v9

New Balance deviated from their winning formula with the release of the Hierro v9, their cushioned daily trainer built for taking down mileage on mild trail terrain. The drop changed from 6 to 4 millimeters, giving runners a couple extra millimeters under the forefoot. New Balance also updated the geometry, going from a flatter, more classic style to a rocker style for extra guidance through your stride.

Its high stack of cushion makes it less than ideally stable for the more technical terrain. The Fresh Foam X on the midsole can be a bit misleading, however, as this version is much firmer than what is found in New Balance’s road models.

The Hierro v9 is great for a protective and supported ride out on the trails, whether you’re out there for two or ten hours. And with its chunky Vibram outsole, you’ll be as sure-footed as a mountain goat out on the trails. 

New Balance, as a brand, does not have an overly extensive trail shoe lineup. They focus most of their resources on their road running models. Other brands will have 6 to 10 trail models to choose from, which can be confusing for some.

Dedicated road runners looking to dip their toes into the trail running pond will be well served to start out with a basic and reliable model like the Hierro.

How We Tested New Balance Running Shoes

Our team over here at Run to the Finish has been running in New Balance shoes for years.

Our diverse team of testers allows us to give various opinions from different runner types on everything from daily trainers, trail shoes, and carbon plated race shoes. In short, you’re getting opinions from runners of all shapes, sizes, and paces.

There it is! A full breakdown of the best New Balance shoes we have tested this past year. If something didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance we’ve tested it, but it wasn’t rated the best in the categories we’ve picked.