5 Best New Balance Running Shoes For Men in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
5 Best New Balance Running Shoes For Men in 2023
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New Balance running shoes for men are just as good as NB’s running shoes for women. They bridge the gap between performance and style so well, running never looked and felt this good. 

In search of the best men’s running shoes from New Balance? Consider this guide your best friend. 

Here, we have narrowed it down to the ten most excellent models. We handpicked them from five different categories to help all types of runners.

How we test running shoes

We don’t cherry-pick. All the men’s running shoes from New Balance that make the cut go through a myriad of tests before they get chosen. 

In these assessments, we rigidly follow these steps: 

  • Buy each pair with our own money
  • Run in them for at least 30 to 50 miles 
  • Slice them open 
  • See and measure what’s inside via 30 parameters
  • Calculate their Corescore, combining feedback and comments from experts and users

Best men's New Balance running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

If you're looking for a great middle between the more traditional, lower-stacked NB 880 v11 and the uber cushy NB Fresh Foam More v3, that's where the Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 sits. It's a comfortable cruiser that's perfect for anything easy to moderate. And with the copious amount of foam it possesses, it's a gem in long-distance runs where protection and stability are at the forefront.

Pros

  • Protective cushion
  • Lively ride
  • Smooth transitions
  • Stable when cornering
  • Comfy upper
  • Durable outsole
  • Welcomes wide feet
  • For heavy runners
  • Grippy on snow, slush, and slick surfaces
  • No lace bites
  • Great heel hold
  • An eye-catcher

Cons

  • Not for narrow feet
  • Bottom-heavy for fast runs
  • Questionable breathability
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Eclipse/Vibrant Orange/Spring Tide (M1080E12)
Infinity Blue/Green Apple/Vibrant Spring (M1080S12)
White Multi/Black (M1080J12)
Lemonade/Serene Blue (M1080Q12)
Orange (M1080M12)
Vibrant Spring/Ocean Grey (M1080C12)
Blue (M1080A12)
White (M1080X12)
More colors

Best men's New Balance running shoes with wide toebox

What makes it the best?

New Balance’s stability running shoe provides amazing support for overpronators. Ever improving, the v12 has brought some new technology into this shoe while bringing back some of the features of the old upper.

Pros

  • Excellent stability shoe
  • Good lacing
  • Looks the part
  • Comfortable
  • Consistent ride in any condition
  • Good grip
  • Perfect daily runner

Cons

  • Runs half a size small
  • Heel counter is not for everyone
  • Quite heavy
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam 860 v12

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Men
Women
Any color
Green (M860N12)
Blue (M860E12)
Black/White (W860M12)
ECLIPSE (W860G12)
Blue (M860B12)
White/Orange/Pink (M860A12)
Grey (M860G12)
White/Helium (M860W12)
More colors

Men's New Balance running shoes with best cushioning

What makes it the best?

With its 40+ mm stack, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is one of the highest road running shoes ever, so high that it’s not even allowed in World Athletics events. For all other situations, especially marathon training, this is a superb max cushioned carbon plated trainer that is so massive, protective, and fun to ride in that it surprised every runner who tested it.

Pros

  • Incredibly bouncy and soft
  • Extremely protective underfoot
  • Top-quality upper
  • Stable for a “super-shoe”
  • Versatile for different paces
  • Great lockdown
  • Ready straight out of the box
  • Welcomes wide feet
  • Massive, yet great-looking

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Collects some rocks
Full review of New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Trainer

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Green (MRCXLG2)
Black (WRCXBM2)
Rain Cloud/Silver/Marblehead (MRCXED2)
White (WRCXLW2)

Best men's New Balance running shoes for long distance

What makes it the best?

The Fresh Foam X More v4 from New Balance is a maxed-out daily trainer that's best suited for recovery days and anything easy. Whether it's a short walk or a long-distance run, this mammoth of a shoe will keep your feet comfy and well-protected at all times. And what's more awesome is it costs less than its precursor!

Pros

  • An armor from fatigue
  • REALLY cushy for long days
  • Puts life in your run
  • A stable ride
  • True to size
  • Superb heel clutch
  • Markdown price
  • Built to last
  • Reflective

Cons

  • Easily feels hot
  • Chunky and clunky
  • Low energy return
Full review of New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4

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Men
Women
Any color
Electric Red/Bright Lapis (MMORLR4)
Blue (MMORBB4)
Grey (MMORCO4)
White (MMORCW4)
Navy Blue (MMORCN4)
Arctic Grey/Natural Indigo (MMORAG4)
Black (MMORGG4)
White (MMORWT4)
More colors

Best men's New Balance running shoes with plush cushioning

What makes it the best?

Version number 3 of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel is an all-rounder daily trainer that impresses with its ability to cross the line into a performance shoe when needed. It’s still surprisingly light and provides an amazing experience on the road. Runners are happy that it hasn’t changed that much and the few adjustments are for the better.

Pros

  • Fantastic soft and fun ride
  • Versatile for different paces
  • Very lightweight
  • Excellent breathability
  • More stable than version 2
  • Great lockdown
  • Visible at night
  • Not expensive

Cons

  • Not great on wet surfaces
  • Durability could be improved
  • Bottoms out easily
Full review of New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Vibrant Spring/Victory Blue (MFCXMM3)
Grå (MFCXCG3)
Black (MFCXMB3)
White (MFCXCW3)
White/Silver (MFCXMW3)
Yellow (MFCXCP3)
Neon Dragonfly/Black (MFCXCD3)

Comparison of the 5 best New Balance running shoes for men

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Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.