This design really your foot in, however it is also the portion of the shoe that needs the longest time to break in. For the first few runs, it was stiff and irritated my midfoot, but was great after about 10-15 miles. The midsole’s softness is like magic. Our durometer measurements confirmed this because at a mere 9.5 HA, the Rebel v3 is the second softest we’ve ever tested in our lab! During our runs, each step felt like a luxury. Although spongy and buttery-soft, it still felt lively and springy during our speed runs. After vigorous lab tests and spirited runs, we crown the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 as the best overall running shoe in the New Balance line. With the plump midsole foam, an incredibly stable platform, and a grippy but robust outsole—this shoe lives up to its “More” moniker.

It’s not very soft though; the Dynasoft foam has a tinge of firmness – this is no Fresh Foam. And that’s not a bad thing for a trail shoe; a firmer ride equates to better stability over uneven terrain. Perhaps for your marathon long runs, or you’re just wanting more protection from the road, I’d suggest these. In this case, the price is worth the pay out. When we ran on different terrains, the grippy nature of the Hierro v7’s outsole definitely stood out. The combination of this reliable outsole rubber and an updated lug pattern resulted in this very grippy shoe—perfect for conquering light to moderate trails while remaining unscathed.

The update to the More v2 is a game changer for this type of shoe in my mind, and it will continue to be a shoe I’ll keep in rotation until they wear out.

Their Fresh Foam material is winning me over more and more with each offering they have, not to mention FuelCell. But really, what is setting them apart for me is the combination of sole unit materials and great uppers. 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. The New Balance 860v12 is a shoe specifically made for overpronators with its excellent support and stability, plus, as we found out on our test runs, a consistent ride in any condition. Its outstanding traction is the cherry on top—making it the best stability shoe in the New Balance running shoe lineup. The last two digits of the number used to indicate the level of cushioning: a “60” being a stability shoe while a “80” a neutral shoe. This is the actual list: Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The HistoryThe outsole features a balanced 70.3 HC rubber — tougher than most race shoes for durability and softer than the average daily trainer for better grip. Among its racer counterparts, its 2.8 mm outsole gives more than enough rubber to last long. 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.

A running shoe that fits well will be comfortable and snug without being too tight. Ideally, there should be about ½ to a full thumb width of space from the front of the shoe to your big toe, offering enough space to wiggle your toes freely without feeling too restricted or too loose. The right running shoe should feel like a natural extension of your body. How do you best wash running shoes? 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 Rebel v3’s upper is insanely plush and breathable, which we enjoyed when running outdoors in warm temperatures. In the lab, we pumped smoke inside the shoe and watched as the smoke passed through the ultra-thin knit effortlessly. Garnering a score of 5/5, this shoe was a joy to run in, even during hot days. The 860v12's midsole is firm but comfortable. It has a durometer reading of 32.3 HA, 31.8% firmer than the average of road running shoes and it only hardened by 12% after 20 minutes in the freezer (26.7% change in other road running shoes, on average). Meaning an ultra-consistent ride and ground feel—even in cold conditions.

While the Nitrel V3 was more of a ‘regular’ trail runner with a please-all character, the V4 is quirky in comparison. Instead of the Nitrel v3’s full-length Revlite midsole (of the 1500 fame), the V4 uses a Dynasoft midsole and a high toe-spring that promotes a forward-rolling motion. The Hierro v7 also offers a stable ride, thanks to its wider-than-average platform (113 mm vs 111 mm at the forefoot and 90.6 mm vs 88.6 mm on the heel). During our trail runs, we definitely appreciated this wider base, especially on varied and unpredictable routes.

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.Despite the tall and soft midsole, we were pleased with how stable and planted our landings felt. In the lab, we found out that it has a wider-than-average base—12.5 mm wider at the heel and 7 mm wider at the forefoot. At the same time, the upper also gave us a snug and secure fit.