New Balance Lerato
Verdict from 2 experts and 5 user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- Comfort: The Lerato has a "luxurious" sensation upon step-in. It feels plush underfoot and the upper is very soft "from all sides" and "easy on the foot."
- Ride: It's springy and bouncy. This is because of the shoe's combination of the soft FuelCell foam and flexible carbon-fiber plate.
- Stability: No matter at what angle you land, the shoe keeps you steady, thanks to the plastic heel cup and upper reinforcements.
- Style: It's like NB's modern take on their 990 series — the OG dad shoe. It keeps a classic silhouette with "deluxe" embellishments.
- Subtle carbon plate: For reference, it's as flexible as the Puma Deviate Nitro and more pliable than the FuelCell TC. It's very unobtrusive that experts say it makes the legs less sore than any non-plated shoe.
- Fit: It's very secure from the heel to the forefoot. There have been zero issues with slippage.
- Protection: The combination of the plate and the foam "insulates" the foot from impact. Meanwhile, the outsole rubber is very thick, generating a "tank-like ride."
2 reasons not to buy
- Heavy: It's heftier than the Saucony Triumph 18, which is among the heaviest road shoes.
- Warm: The upper has so much padding that it's not breathable. It may be of help during winter runs, but it's definitely a drawback for summer runs.
Bottom line
Best price from 30 shops
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50% say it's true to size.
Overview of this review
New Balance FuelCell Lerato: Everything premium
Out of the box, the NB Lerato screams luxury, both in style and features. It's everything you can expect from a premier daily trainer — style aside, it maximizes fit, stability, comfort, and durability. Add in its carbon-fiber plate, then you get a full-on, luxury-style trainer.
So what are the aspects of the shoe that make up its qualities? Read on to find out.
Comfort
Thanks to the shoe's FuelCell midsole, which is also present in both the RC Elite and Rebel v2, a cushy ride is generated. Complementing it is the upper's plushness and the flexibility of the carbon plate. With all of these combined, a leg-saving shoe is created.
Stability
As mentioned, the Lerato has a locked-in fit, generating very steady, surefooted steps. And since the midsole foam is on the plush side, the addition of the plate balances out the softness, maintaining comfort and stability.
Probably the most talked-about feature that enhances support is the shoe's plastic heel cup. It keeps the heel locked in place, preventing unwanted motions and slippage.
What is it for?
Because of the presence of the carbon plate, you might think that the Lerato from New Balance is a speedster. It's not. It's a "pleasant, easy-riding" shoe that's best for:
- daily runs
- recovery runs
- mellow runs
- easy long-distance runs
- walking
Those who will benefit most from the Lerato are the heavier runners and heel strikers. It's best for heel strikers simply because its bounce is more pronounced in the heel.
A few more notes about the NB Lerato
- The carbon-fiber plate does not reward fast paces. It has some pop, but only enough so that you won't have to exert more effort. In short, make your runs easy and enjoyable.
- Given its looks, the shoe is very much suitable as your sneaker.
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