The 7 Best New Balance Shoes for Running

We’ve got a few Fresh Foams here, but the 860 is different than the 1080, OK? These are ventilated. Stable. NB’s signature Stability Plane sits inside of the shoe, keeping foot motion steady (Helpful to those who over-pronate) and the cushiony Fresh Foam keeps ’em comfy. These come in narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide sizing, too.

While proper foam gives a great cushioned feeling, some people feel weighed down by it. FuelCell of any kind, but these in particular, are the antidote. These are lightweight, designed with a TPU plate that really responds to a foot strike. They feel they’re helping push you forward quickly, rather than just absorbing impact.

If you need a great, highly cushioned running sneaker for a standard foot type, a normal run gait, and really any run speed or length, it’s the Fresh Foam X 1080. It’s hard to recommend a single running shoe to a whole bunch of people, but this one gets pretty damn close. It has a ton of shock-absorbing cushion, a soft upper, and a durable rubber outsole, padded extra in high-impact areas.

The FuelCell Rebel V4 is flexible, springy, and great for anyone who’s the most concerned about staying light on their feet and quick on their runs. These are crazy lightweight (7.5 oz!) and feel like part of your foot while you move. They are particularly adept and moving between fast and slow running, too.

The Fresh Foam Arishi is the New Balance sneaker you can wear on your run and just about anywhere else, too. The knit and leather upper reads streetwear design but it’s packed with performance specs, too. There’s a cushioned midsole, a durable rubber outsole, and an easy $75 price point. Some people feel like the insole isn’t as high-quality as some other NB running shoes, but they’re easy enough to swap out.

If you’re running on a trail, take these with you. The Tektrels have a solid combination a soft but dynamic midsole cushion with a hardcore lug outsole design. They are extra adept at traction, which is our first priority for a trail running sneaker.

The Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is another great outdoor running sneaker. These have a sticky Vibram outsole but offer a ton more cushioning. For some, this is great for shock absorption and gentle joints, while others might find the stack height a bit too high. For us, we’re wearing them on longer, slower hikes, particularly when we might be traveling or otherwise wearing the same shoes all day long.