If you're wondering how to start running, you've probably also wondered what running shoes to buy. Then, when researching, you likely came across New Balance.
New Balance has a reputation for designing good-looking shoes with a touch of classic style, bolstered by some of the best performance-oriented features in the business. Known for their lightweight foams and carbon plates on par with the top brands on the market, New Balance shoes typically offer a great balance of comfort, capability, and sleek looks.
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But with many lines to choose from, it can be difficult to know which New Balance shoes are right for different purposes. There are trail running shoes, marathon shoes, road running shoes, and everything in between.
We chose the FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4 as the best overall thanks to its superior versatility, comfort, and performance, but depending on what you’re looking for, there are a bunch of other shoes that might be a better fit for you. To that end, here are the best New Balance running shoes for men across a range of categories.
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Nathan Lemin
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Rebel v4 received a Men’s Journal Fitness Award, and we’re doubling down on that assertion of excellence. Offering an outstanding level of versatility, you can use it for just about any running situation, from daily training to racing and everything in between.
They’re super lightweight yet well-cushioned with decent bounce and stability, the FantomFit upper feels great, and they’re plenty durable. The price is right at $140, but we did fine the heel counter to be a bit flimsy
Weight: 7.1 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Soft, yet stable cushioning and super versatile | Could benefit from a beefed up heel counter |
Great upper |
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New Balance 1080 has long stood as something of a “flagship” shoe for New Balance, and anyone who has run in it can see why. It delivers the versatility and every day comfort you’d want from a daily trainer.
Fresh Foam X is uber-cushioned yet lightweight. The upper and laces have a secure fit that isn’t restrictive. And the outsole has great traction on just about any surface. The 13th iteration has lost a bit of responsiveness compared to the last edition, but it’s still plenty bouncy for a daily trainer. All told, this is a great pick if you want one shoe that will do a little of everything.
Weight: 9.2 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Secure yet comfortable upper | Not the most responsive version |
Well cushioned yet lightweight | |
Surefooted traction |
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One of the great things about this shoe, is that it's so comfy right out of the box that you can practically put them on brand new then jump straight into a race. Many other super shoes lose points by diminishing comfort in favor of shaving ounces, but not so with the Elite v4.
The cushioning is great, the energy return even better, and I found the upper to be decently secure even if another tester had issues with loosening laces. While there are slightly lighter racing shoes out there, these are hard to beat in terms of comfort.
Weight: 8.4 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 4mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Outstanding cushioning and energy return | Laces may loosen |
Good stability despite the high stack | |
Little to no break-in necessary |
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer has gone through a lot of changes over the course of its three versions, with v1 overemphasizing the stack and v2 underemphasizing the energy return, but with v3 they seem to have struck the right balance between cushioning and responsiveness. It provides plenty of cushioning for long runs while improving bounce back, resulting in a shoe that is less mushy, more stable, and more reactive than its predecessors.
The upper is nice and secure, though the toe box feels a bit narrow. While the name accurately describes it as a trainer, and it is perfect for distance training—even if a its a bit pricy for a daily trainer. It’s also a decent option for racing, though a bit bulky for it.
Weight: 9.5 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Fairly versatile | Narrow toe box |
Good energy return | |
Soft yet stable stack |
Nick Hilden
Brand new to the New Balance lineup, X Balos is a pricy, tech-forward shoe that is an outstanding option for serious runners looking for an equally serious daily trainer.
Super soft in both the Fresh Foam X cushioning and well-padded collar, it's a supremely comfortable shoe by most measures, even if the toe box could use a bit more headroom.
Perhaps most notable is its highly pronounced rocker, which practically feels like it does the running for you, though it may take some getting used to. The insole does seem to absorb a lot of moisture, so it may not be the best for damp runs, but beyond that it’s a supremely comfortable shoe.
Weight: 9.7 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Amazingly comfortable | Moisture-absorbing insole |
Zippy rocker | |
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I’m a sucker for mega-cushioning, and to that end New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 delivers. Its towering stack of foam is among the most cushioned shoes I’ve come across, yet it delivers all that padding without feeling too soft or lacking in stability.
The upper is similarly plush, yet locks down securely. In terms of how it feels on your foot, I’d go so far as saying it’s one of the most comfortable shoes of the year. It’s very heavy though, so you’re probably not going to want to wear it for distance training or racing. For daily training at short to medium distances, however, it feels supremely good underfoot.
Weight: 10.7 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 4mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Supreme comfort | Very heavy |
Massive yet stable stack | |
Soft, secure upper |
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Fresh Foam X Trail More v3 takes everything we like about the previous shoe on our list and packages it in a tougher, more surefooted trail version.
It’s plenty well-padded underfoot and feels outstandingly comfortable all around, and it delivers reliable traction on a range of soft or slippery surfaces. Its biggest downside is its rather stiff performance. It’s almost universally agreed that it’s less nimble than you’d want for technical trails.
That being said, it’s more durable than other New Balance trail shoes, and provides solid protection even though it lacks a rock plate. While you’re probably not going to wear it for difficult or competitive runs, it’s a great option for more casual trail running or even hiking.
Weight: 11.4 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 4mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Great comfort and cushioning | Not nimble enough for technical trails |
Very protective | |
Surefooted grip |
Cheap and effective, New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is ideal for runners on a budget.
Let’s be straightforward: New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 isn’t all that great a running shoe, as it lacks the arch support and secure upper you’d want from a serious trainer, let alone racing shoe.
That being said, it's a great option for more general use, whether walking around town, wearing to work, traveling, hitting the gym, or going on less intensive jogs. The cushioning is decent, the traction is grippy, and they’ll feel comfy for long days on your feet. So, if you’re looking for versatility rather than a dedicated running shoe, it’s a solid option.
Weight: 9.5 ounces
Heel-Toe Drop: 6mm
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Versatile | Not ideal for serious running |
Good traction | |
Decent cushioning |
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New Balance has a reputation for standing out in a few different realms.
In recent years, New Balance has gone all-in on the trend of maximizing cushioning whenever possible. In some cases, that means towering, chunky stacks, while other shoes use a more trimmed down layer of the company’s excellent Fresh Foam.
How much cushioning is the right amount depends on you, but in any case, research has shown that cushioning can help not only with minimizing injury and boosting comfort, but improving performance as well.
According to Amanda Grimm, Certified Running Coach and Personal Trainer at We Run, “Beginners may need more cushioning and support, while more experienced runners may prefer lighter and more responsive shoes for better speed and efficiency of movement.”
Regardless of experience level, she points out that some shoes are “designed to help reduce joint pain or to offset the stress felt by knees and hips when running on hard surfaces,” so keep that in mind if you have joint pain issues.
“Running shoes should always be well-fitted,” says Grimm. “It is important to avoid poorly fitted running shoes, otherwise the outcome could be blisters, black toenails or even repetitive strain injuries.”
To help address this, New Balance often offers its shoes in several fits, including options for extra wide and extra narrow feet.
“Some shoes have design features which support foot and general health,” says Grimm. “They do this by incorporating design features which address common issues such as overpronation by increasing arch support and the firmness of the midsole, or supination, by providing extra cushioning.”
New Balance is famously one of the best brands for stability across most of its shoe lines. They tend to have a high degree of torsional or “twisting” rigidity, meaning they are great for preventing twisted ankles—though some people do find them too rigid. They also have great heel stability, and a wide midsole to ensure a stable foundation.
While testing different New Balance lines for different purposes, I took into account how they balance these elements to deliver on specific running needs. Long distance shoes, for example, should typically offer greater cushioning, whereas with daily trainers you may want to trim down a bit of the stack in favor of stability and versatility.
I donned my first pair of running shoes way back when I joined middle school track, some 30 years ago. Since then I’ve remained an avid runner on road, track, and trail. This firsthand experience has been essential to my work reviewing shoes for leading publications like Men’s Journal, Runner’s World, Popular Mechanics, and more. For this list I tested all of New Balance’s most popular running lines, including the newest releases.
I also consulted with running expert Amanda Grimm, certified running coach and personal trainer at We Run. Grimm provided insight into what to look for in shoes for different running intentions, as well as some useful information about running shoes in general.
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