7 Best New Balance Running Shoes in 2023
New Balance has become a go-to brand not only for stylish lifestyle footwear but running shoes as well.
Given how easy it is to get lost in all those FreshFoams and FuelCells, we are here to narrow down your choices. We have tested 60+ road and trail running shoes from New Balance to select the best options in various categories.
Whether you’re after a well-cushioned trainer for daily runs, a budget-friendly all-arounder, or a speedy shoe for personal bests, we’ve got them all covered.
See the carousel below with our top picks in various categories.
How we test running shoes
With over 150 New Balance running shoes to choose from, it's our mission to help you find the one and only.
Each shoe on our website comes with a proprietary CoreScore, a number from 0 to 100, which indicates how good it is. Sounds simple. But here is the work that goes into it:
- Our independent shoe testing lab literally puts every shoe through the wringer, cutting it open and measuring over 30 different aspects on flexibility, softness, durability, etc.
- A team of dedicated runners logs at least 30-50 miles in each pair before sharing their experience.
We also aim to keep our scores as objective as possible:
- All New Balance shoes are purchased with our own funds, helping to minimize brand loyalty and bias.
- Over 100,000 expert and user reviews from all over the web have been accounted for in our scoring system.
Best New Balance running shoes overall
What makes it the best?
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
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Best lightweight New Balance running shoes
What makes it the best?
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
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Best New Balance running shoes for race
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Plush comfort in a race shoe
- Smooth, fast ride
- Breathable
- Responsive toe-off
- Carbon plated
- Stiff but not overly stiff
- Fits wider feet well
- True to size
- Stretchy material hugs feet
- Sticky, grippy tread
- Sexy! Sparkles in sunlight
Cons
- Spendy at $225
- Heavier than other race shoes
- Tongue tends to fold under
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Best New Balance speed training shoes
What makes it the best?
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
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Best New Balance trail running shoes
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Comfortable
- Super plush
- Protective underfoot
- Amazing lockdown
- Easy to put on (heel loop!)
- True to size
- Heel rudder
- Looks amazing
- Value at $135
Cons
- Heavy
- Runs warm
- Could be grippier
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Best New Balance running shoes for flat feet
What makes it the best?
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
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New Balance running shoes with best cushioning
What makes it the best?
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
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Comparison of the 7 best New Balance running shoes
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Road or trail? New Balance shoe types based on terrain
Here’s the quick comparison of the New Balance road and trail running shoes:
Note: The ratings are based on how each type of shoe performs in general. This does not apply to a specific model that exists.
Road running shoes prevail in New Balance’s selection. Some of the best-rated ones are those with Fresh Foam cushioning.
Arch support in New Balance running shoes
The level of arch support in NB shoes is tightly connected to the pronation degree. When you know how you pronate, it's easy to see which type of shoe you need - neutral, stability, or motion control.
| TIP: Buy a pair of neutral running shoes if you don’t have any visible foot issues. |
To learn more about your pronation type and whether you need extra support in running shoes, see our in-depth guide on arch support.
75% of New Balance shoes are made for neutral pronation, meaning they have no added arch support. Example: the popular 1080 series.
New Balance numbering system
Some New Balance running shoe models have numbers on their names, which can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the brand’s numbering system.
Here’s how you read the style or model number:
- The letters represent the gender and sometimes the activity - M = Men’s; W= Women’s. Here are a few other examples: MT = Men's Trail, WT = Women's Trail, and US = Made in the USA
- The level of performance refers to the number of technologies. However, New Balance emphasized that while most of their “higher-numbered” models feature more technologies than those “lower-numbered”, it is not always the case.
- The two digits refer to the shoe type as shown below.
- Version (i.e. “v3”) number refers to the times the model has been updated.
Additional features of New Balance running shoes
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Some New Balance road and trail running shoes have waterproof features. These shoe models are equipped with a GTX membrane that keeps the feet dry in wet and rainy running conditions. |
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The BOA closure system allows runners to experience a more customized fit. It is a unique lacing system that is made of three integral parts: a micro-adjustable dial, super-strong lightweight laces, and low-friction lace guides. It is easy to operate as well - just turn the dial to tighten and pull up for quick release. |
