The 7 Best New Balance Shoes for Running

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.New BalanceThe 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 (currently marked down on Amazon!). The insole might not be as high-quality as some other NB running shoes, but it’s easy enough to swap out.Colors15Sizes7-15WidthsStandard, wide, x-wideMaterialsMesh, knit, suede, synthetic, foam, rubberThe FuelCell Rebel V5 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 (7.9 oz!) and feel like part of your foot while you move. They are particularly adept at moving between fast and slow running, too.Colors17Sizes4-18WidthsStandard, wideMaterialsMesh, EVA foam, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf 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 New Balance 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.Colors17Sizes7-16WidthsNarrow, standard, wide, x-wideMaterialsMesh, cotton, foam, rubberWe’ve got a few Fresh Foams here, but the 860 is different than the 1080, OK? These are ventilated with a breathable, lightweight synthetic upper and are extra stable. NB’s signature Stability Plane sits inside of the shoe, keeping foot motion steady (helpful to those who overpronate), and the cushiony Fresh Foam keeps ’em comfy. These come in narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide sizing, too.Colors9Sizes7-16WidthsNarrow, standard, wide, x-wideMaterialsCanvas, synthetic, foam, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you’re training for a serious race like a marathon, you’ll want to go into the higher price range of what New Balance has to offer (trust us, it’ll be worth it). Instead of Fresh Foam, the new SuperComp Elite v6 model has the super lightweight and bouncy Infinion Foam, which helps the shoe keep its seriously light weight of 7 oz. When you match that with a new carbon fiber plate that’s thicker toward the front of the foot for a better propulsion with each step, these shoes make for a great race day option.ColorsYellow, orangeSizes7-14WidthsStandard, wideMaterialsTranslucent mesh, TPEE/EVA foam blend, carbon fiber plate, VPUIf 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.Colors8Sizes7-15WidthsStandard, wideMaterialsSuede, mesh, foam, rubberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe 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.Colors8Sizes7-17WidthsStandard, wide, x-wideMaterialsMesh, knit, foam, vibram rubberHow We Chose