New Balance Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 review

In our view, the ideal runners for the Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 are:

• Those who prefer a thinner midsole with plenty of ground feel for a responsive, feedback-rich ride.
• Runners looking for a budget-friendly shoe that handles both daily runs and tempo workouts.
• Lightweight runners who enjoy ultra-plush midsoles but prefer to avoid bulky, maximalist designs.

We believe that runners looking for a highly-cushioned experience won’t find it in the Tempo v2. With its thinner midsole, the shoe prioritizes ground feel over plush comfort, making it less appealing for those who prefer a softer ride. If you’re after more cushioning, options like the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Nike Winflo 10 offer a better balance of softness and protection.

Additionally, we think some runners may find the energy return lacking in this shoe. If you prefer a more responsive, spring-loaded feel, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 and the Nike Streakfly deliver an energy-packed ride while maintaining a flexible, low-stack design.

We’re living in the era of maximalist running shoes—each year, stack heights climb higher, and nearly every brand has a model exceeding 40 mm in the heel. But the Tempo v2 stands apart from this trend.

With just 29.2 mm in the heel, it feels like stepping back a decade to a classic daily trainer—offering decent cushioning while maintaining plenty of ground feedback. However, based on our experience, we believe it’s best suited for low to medium-weight runners.

The forefoot sits at just 22.2 mm, promoting a natural-feeling ride with plenty of ground feedback—especially for midfoot and forefoot strikers. But again, this shoe is best for those who don’t require heavy joint protection or usually run shorter distances.

This lower-profile design enhances underfoot connection while keeping the ride lightweight and fun.

With a measured 7.0 mm heel-to-toe drop, the Tempo v2 accommodates all foot strikes. However, forefoot strikers may find it less suitable, as the lower stack height offers minimal cushioning under the toes.

In our lab, we’ve tested hundreds of shoes, and one common trend is that thinner midsoles typically come with denser, firmer foams to prevent bottoming out. But the Tempo v2 takes a different approach.

New Balance seems determined to make Fresh Foam X (like in the 1080 v14) synonymous with ultra-plush softness, regardless of the risks. Our durometer measured just 11.5 HA—shockingly soft!

Runners who crave a pillowy underfoot feel will love it, but in our view, a slightly firmer setup would have been beneficial given the shoe’s thin midsole. If you're worried about this, then check the Saucony Kinvara 15 instead.

When we put the Tempo v2 in the freezer for 20 minutes, we discovered it became 45% firmer. While not ideal, this unexpected change adds a slight stability boost, which could be beneficial for some runners.

The insole follows the same weight-saving approach as the rest of the shoe—noticeably thinner than average, measuring just 3.2 mm.

With its low stack height and flexible forefoot, we thought an aggressive rocker might disrupt the ride. However, the heel design has evolved from previous models, featuring a noticeable curve—enough to give the shoe a moderate rocker overall without being excessive.

In fact, we think that this is exactly what Tempo v2 users are likely seeking—a mix of a classic and modern running experience!

Our running shoe reviews cover many key aspects, but if you ask us, fit is arguably the most important—it’s often the biggest dealbreaker. In fact, if a shoe doesn’t fit right, why even consider it? That’s why we pushed the limits and created our gel test.  

The first measurement came in at 92.5 mm, which it's notably snug. Based on our findings, this shoe seems best suited for those who prefer a snug-fit design or runners with narrow feet. But let’s keep measuring.

The big toe area improved in terms of room, offering a generous 74.5 mm of space. Combined with the stretchy knit upper, this is great news for runners who appreciate a bit more toe splay!

This shoe is undoubtedly designed for runners with low-volume feet or those who enjoy the snug sensation of the upper pressing against their toes. Some dislike it, but others appreciate the secure, locked-in feel it provides especially at faster paces.

On the positive side, despite measuring just 24.5 mm, it avoids the restrictive feel of mesh uppers with no stretch. Instead, the knit material offers a well-balanced blend of flexibility and containment, adapting more comfortably to upward toe movement.

For those seeking support, the Tempo v2 will fall short. In our experience, it leans more toward a playful, free-moving ride—allowing your legs to handle control with its compact build and highly-flexible feel.

That’s why we believe it’s best suited for neutral runners. It's fun and lively, but not stable.

Thanks to the outsole grooves and low stack height, the Tempo v2 maintains low torsional rigidity. In our view, this flexibility aligns perfectly with the shoe’s concept, and we rated it 2 out of 5.

The heel counter features decent padding for added comfort while retaining a moderate stiffness score of 3/5—similar to most daily trainers—offering a nice touch of stability for heel strikers.

Unlike most modern designs, this shoe is anything but clunky or wide. In fact, it’s the opposite!

Featuring a narrow forefoot that we measured at 105.3 mm and coupled with the super-soft Fresh Foam X midsole, it delivers an exhilarating, fun ride but sacrifices stability. Does that work for you?

The same feel continues in the heel. At just 82.2 mm, don’t expect the shoe to handle stability for you. Once again, this one’s feels like a track spike and it's for neutral runners only!

For a shoe built to promote a natural, unfiltered ride, flexibility is essential. It had already scored 2 out of 5 in torsional rigidity, so next, we put its longitudinal flexibility to the test.

We found that it bends effortlessly (almost like an Olympic gymnast!) registering an impressively low 11.1N in our 90-degree bend test. While it lacks the propulsion of a plated shoe, its ultra-flexible build makes it an excellent choice not just for natural-feel running but also for walking.

With such a low stack height, we expected a lighter reading on the scale. At 8.6 oz or 244g, it’s not heavy by any means and still qualifies as lightweight, but hey, that’s nearly identical to the ASICS Superblast 2—a much higher-stacked shoe.

Basically, the thick outsole and knit upper noticeably contributed to the weight. While they help maintain durability, they also prevent this shoe from feeling as feather-light as its design might suggest.

Knit uppers are often a trade-off—while they provide a snug and cozy fit, they tend to sacrifice breathability. And at first glance, the knit upper of the Tempo v2 looks plush and comfy, yet it doesn’t seem particularly ventilated.

To confirm our suspicions, we put it through our smoke test. The results were underwhelming, as the toebox ventilation scored only 2/5. This is a common issue with knit uppers, but for a road running shoe, we believe it could have been better.

Diving deeper, we examined the upper under our microscope and discovered that its ventilation holes are smaller and more tightly woven than we hoped. 

This restricts airflow significantly, which explains why the shoe feels noticeably warmer than expected, even on moderate runs.

On the positive side, the upper remains highly comfortable. Its stretchable, sock-like material adapts well to different foot shapes. While not ideal for hot climates, this plush design works well for cooler weather or even casual wear.

All in all, it's clear the Tempo v2 isn’t the go-to option for those prioritizing breathability, but its stretchy knit upper makes up for it in other areas. However, if ventilation is a must, we’d suggest looking at alternatives like the Fresh Foam 680 v8.

We suspected durability was a factor in the Tempo v2’s slightly higher weight, and our tests confirmed it. The shoe performed impressively against our Dremel, earning a solid 4 out of 5—an outstanding result, especially for a budget-friendly model.

However, the heel fell short, scoring just 2/5 after our Dremel test. Runners who tend to wear through this area quickly might want to take note.

The Tempo v2’s outsole features a strategic horseshoe-shaped rubber design in the heel, reinforcing high-wear zones, while the forefoot carries the familiar pattern seen in Fresh Foam X models with tons of grooves to improve flexibility. The midfoot, however, remains completely exposed, prioritizing weight reduction over full coverage.

At first glance, this setup might seem risky, but the rubber itself is notably thick and hard, measuring 81.0 HC on our durometer. While it doesn’t offer standout grip—expected at this price point—it delivers reliable traction, which is exactly what we were looking for in a daily trainer.

During our third Dremel test, we measured an impressive 0.7 mm indentation in the outsole—an outstanding result that signals high durability. Based on our findings, this level of resilience suggests the rubber can endure extensive mileage without significant wear despite the exposed midsole.

Here’s another reason this shoe feels slightly heavier than expected—it packs 4.5 mm of rubber, which is quite a lot. 

Given its strong durability test results, we believe New Balance could trim some weight by reducing the outsole to 2.0–3.0 mm, making the Tempo v2 even more fun and less filtered, while still having enough durability.

A key selling point of the Tempo v2 is its budget-friendly price while featuring a full-length Fresh Foam X midsole and delivering solid performance and versatility. In fact, for runners who prefer a plush feel without excessive cushioning, we think it's one of the best options available right now!

Some New Balance models feature a reflective N logo, boosting visibility. However, the Tempo v2 lacks any reflective details, making it less ideal for low-light runs.

The lockdown feels secure and comfortable, though don’t expect the ultra-plush instep of a high-cushion daily trainer. This shoe carries Tempo in its name for a reason, and our calipers measured a 2.9-mm tongue—thin enough to match its fast-paced design.

That said, the tongue it’s not as thin as a true racing shoe like the FuelCell Elite v4 from New Balance. Instead, it strikes a balance, making it a solid choice for both daily running and interval sessions.

While even premium daily trainers like the Hoka Bondi 9 skip a gusseted tongue, New Balance secured this one to the sides. That’s great news, especially for a shoe built for speed that also lacks a tongue loop to keep it centered.

The heel design is simple and lacks a pull tab, but that’s expected for a budget-friendly shoe.

We found that the insole has an average shape and can be easily removed, allowing for a quick swap with third-party orthotics or higher-quality insoles from other brands like Ortholite.