Best New Balance Running Shoes 2026

If you’ve been to a race recently or joined your local running club, chances are you’ve seen countless runners sporting the classic NB logo on their sneakers. For more than 100 years, New Balance has been designing and creating the best running shoes and gear to help elite athletes and casual runners alike crush their goals.

The best New Balance running shoes combine stylish looks with premium performance and innovative technology. From max-cushioned and comfortable everyday trainers to light and fast racers, there are men’s and women’s New Balance running shoes for every run and every runner.

With more than 40 years of unique experience outfitting runners and walkers with the best running shoes, we’ve reviewed today’s top New Balance sneakers by looking at a combination of our own shoe reviews and real-world testing, best-seller lists and data from over 5 million 3D foot scans (and counting) to help you find the perfect pair whether you’re looking for trail running shoes or you’re training for a marathon.

Check out our list below comparing the best New Balance shoes for running and training as well as how we tested them, who they’re best for and why we think you’ll love them:

Running should feel good — and the New Balance Ellipse v1 makes sure it does.

Built on Fresh Foam X cushioning, the Ellipse v1 is an all-new silhouette designed for everyday runners who want a soft, bouncy, energetic ride for daily training. Fresh Foam X cushions every landing and bounces back at toe-off, while vertical flex grooves in the forefoot help the shoe move naturally with your stride for smooth, effortless transitions mile after mile. Whether you're logging easy miles, tackling a treadmill session or just moving through your day, the Ellipse keeps every step feeling light and fun.

A breathable engineered mesh upper, stretchy padded tongue, plush heel collar and roomy toe box work together to create a fit that feels natural from step one — no break-in required. Available in wide sizing (D for women, 2E for men), the Ellipse v1 is a versatile daily trainer built for runners who prioritize comfort and a lively, energetic ride over structured support.

If you're just getting started, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is the shoe that makes every first mile feel like a good idea.

New runners need a shoe that does its job without getting in the way — and the 880 v15 delivers exactly that. Fresh Foam X cushioning, now made with approximately 3% bio-based content, gives you a smooth, soft ride that's forgiving on new legs and easy on the body during those first weeks of building a routine. Our testers said it best in our New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 review: "The 880 v15 is a Swiss-army-knife kind of shoe — it can do it all, from short runs to long runs, fast or slow paces."

A breathable engineered mesh upper keeps things comfortable and supportive without feeling stiff or restrictive, and a balanced 6 mm drop makes the transition into running feel natural. Whether you're following a run/walk program, joining a local training group or simply lacing up for the first time, the 880 v15 meets you exactly where you are.

The 860 v15 pairs Fresh Foam X cushioning with smart stability technology, making it a solid choice for runners and walkers who want a little extra support for daily miles.

The Fresh Foam X 860 v15 is one of the best New Balance running shoes because it gives you reliable support and cushioning in one dependable package. New Balance's innovative Stability Plane technology uses a wider base and elevated sidewalls to guide your stride and keep you stable without sacrificing the soft, cushioned feel underfoot. A dual-layered Fresh Foam X midsole brings a softer top layer for plush, comfortable landings and a firmer bottom layer for reliable support, while a rocker profile keeps your momentum moving forward naturally for smooth, effortless transitions.

A breathable engineered mesh upper works with the wider base and sidewall design to create a secure, stable lockdown that keeps your foot comfortably in place — whether you're running your favorite route, building a consistent training routine or spending a long day on your feet. The 860 v15 now delivers New Balance's most cushioned 860 experience yet, making it more comfortable than ever for runners who need dependable stability every single day.

The shoe runners count on most just got a whole lot better.

You'll feel the difference in the New Balance 1080 v15 from the very first step. New Infinion supercritical foam is engineered to maintain the same cushioned, responsive feel from mile one to the last, addressing one of the biggest challenges in running shoes: keeping that fresh feeling throughout your entire run. Testing shows Infinion outperforms Fresh Foam X in cushioning, responsiveness and energy return, all while coming in lighter than before.

A one-piece circular knit upper creates a breathable, seamless feel around your foot with stretch laces that let you dial in the fit exactly how you like it. A cushioned tongue, heel tab and reflective hits round out a shoe that's as thoughtfully designed from the top down as it is from the bottom up. With a 6 mm drop and a smooth, natural ride, the 1080 v15 is as reliable as cushioned daily trainers get.

All those early mornings and hard training miles deserve a shoe that shows up for race day — and the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is exactly that.

Remarkably light at just 5.8 oz (W) and 7.3 oz (M), the SC Elite v5 delivers the kind of propulsive, energized ride that makes your best pace feel sustainable when it matters most. A 100% PEBA FuelCell foam midsole provides exceptional energy return with every stride, and a stiffer forefoot carbon fiber plate creates that propulsive feeling that helps you hold your pace when fatigue starts to creep in late in a race. The redesigned outsole improves grip across a variety of surfaces, giving you the confidence to push hard regardless of course conditions.

A refined engineered upper lets you dial in your fit so you can focus entirely on your race — not your shoes. The thoughtfully designed tongue and collar make the transition from training shoes to race day feel natural and comfortable, right from the starting line.

When you want every mile to feel fast, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 delivers.

The Rebel v5 doesn't just look fast — it feels fast. A PEBA and EVA foam blend creates a responsive, propulsive underfoot experience that drives you forward with every step, and more foam underfoot than its predecessor means you get that energetic, bouncy ride without sacrificing the lightweight feel that makes this shoe special. At just 6.3 oz (W) and 7.5 oz (M), it transitions effortlessly from long, steady runs to spontaneous speed sessions — wherever your run takes you, the Rebel is ready.

FantomFit technology in the engineered mesh upper delivers ultra-light bonded support without added weight, while a redesigned heel and tongue keep things comfortable during faster efforts. A updated outsole places strategic rubber at the forefoot for improved durability and traction exactly where you need it most — at toe-off and through quick transitions.

When your legs need a break but life keeps going, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 is the shoe that carries you through.

The More v6 delivers the most cushioned Fresh Foam X experience yet — and it shows from the very first step. The refined Fresh Foam X midsole strikes that perfect balance of soft and compressive, giving you maximum foam underfoot without ever feeling clunky or smushy. It's substantial enough to protect your legs on long days while still feeling light enough to keep you moving comfortably. Our run tester Caroline said it best in our Fresh Foam X More v6 review: "They feel like slippers that you want to run in. Soft, light and just plain good."

The soft, breathable upper feels comfortable even on warm days, and thoughtful details like a gusseted tongue for secure lockdown, extra eyelets for customizable lacing and reflective hits for low-light visibility show just how much New Balance thought about the runner wearing this shoe. Long laces with a marathon loop option add one more layer of security when the days get long.

When the pavement ends and the adventure begins, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is ready to go.

Built around a Vibram® Megagrip outsole with redesigned 6 mm lugs, the Hierro v9 delivers the kind of confident traction that lets you focus on the trail ahead — not your footing. Dual-density Fresh Foam X cushioning strikes the right balance between plush comfort and stable ground feel, absorbing impact on the rough stuff while keeping you connected to the terrain beneath your feet. Whether you're navigating wet roots, loose gravel or technical climbs, this shoe handles it all without breaking a sweat.

A breathable knit mesh upper with printed overlays and gusseted tongue keeps debris where it belongs — outside the shoe — while Toe Protect technology shields your feet from rocks and roots on more technical routes. At 4 mm drop and with a trail-tuned platform, the Hierro v9 feels equally at home on your first forest path as it does on your hundredth.

If you're putting in the big miles, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 is the shoe that makes every one of them count.

This carbon-plated trainer delivers a rare combination of cushion and propulsion that keeps you moving forward comfortably — whether you're deep into a marathon training block or just logging the kind of mileage that demands a shoe you can count on. FuelCell foam brings the bounce, a carbon fiber plate adds the rigidity that keeps that cushioning responsive and Energy Arc geometry creates a rocker feel that effortlessly carries your momentum forward. Our run tester Travis captured it perfectly in our FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 review: "The FuelCell cushioning is very bouncy and fun to run in, and the rocker geometry keeps my momentum moving forward. The carbon-fiber plate gives the midsole some much-needed rigidity that keeps the bouncy cushioning more responsive."

Now nearly a full ounce lighter than the previous version, the v3 features a sleeker, more comfortable engineered mesh upper and enhanced traction in the forefoot and heel for confident footing in wet conditions. It's the kind of shoe that makes long training days feel less like work — and more like progress.

Are New Balance good running shoes?

As a leader in the footwear industry for more than 100 years, the Boston-based brand continually innovates to provide athletes at all levels with the best running shoes and apparel. New Balance running shoes have the technology, performance, comfort and style to be your go-to shoes whether it’s race day or rest day.

Do New Balance shoes run big or small?

Known for their comfort, soft cushioning and accommodating fit, New Balance sneakers tend to run true to size and fit a wide variety of foot shapes. Some models even made our list of the best shoes for wide feet.

Not sure how your running shoe should fit? Find a Fleet Feet location near you for a personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting with 3D foot scanning technology.

Not able to make it to a Fleet Feet? No worries. If you buy New Balance shoes from us and you don’t like the way they look, fit or perform, bring them back within 30 days for a full refund. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.

New Balance Running Shoes Terms Glossary

New Balance shoes use a host of unique, cutting-edge technology to create one-of-a-kind experiences. Designers collect hoards of data from real runners to inform the innovative technology that drives you forward, faster.

Here are the New Balance names and terms you need to know:

• Fresh Foam X. New Balance’s Fresh Foam is their premier running shoe cushioning that’s packed into shoes. The foam is soft, responsive and light, giving each shoe an easy ride and smooth transition.
• Hypoknit. Hypoknit is an upper used in several New Balance running shoes. The manufacturing process creates different areas of support and stretch in one seamless upper.
• Ultra Heel. A snug, supportive heel cup that provides a snug fit and locked-in feel.
• FuelCell foam. New Balance’s highest rebound foam, FuelCell provides a light and responsive ride

How We Picked the Best New Balance Running Shoes

With more than 250 stores in communities across the country, Fleet Feet is the largest running store in the U.S. with more than four decades of experience outfitting runners with the best running shoes, apparel and gear. We focus on running and walking gear, so we can be the experts and bring you the best advice possible.

Through our personalized Fleet Feet fit id® Outfitting process with 3D foot scanning technology, we use data from over 4 million foot scans (and counting) to give us unique insights into how running shoes from New Balance and other top running brands fit and perform on a wide variety of feet. Additionally, thanks to 100,000+ runners participating in our local running clubs and training programs each year, we can see firsthand how the newest running shoes and gear perform for all different types of runners, each with different goals in mind.

Collectively, our experienced team of Fleet Feet editors has tried, tested and fallen in love with hundreds of different running shoes from dozens of the world’s top running brands. With this knowledge, we meticulously pore over the smallest details like fit, comfort, materials, durability and weight, to decide which new balance running shoes and gear are the best. From running shoe and gear reviews to workout tips and inspiration, we are your go-to source for running knowledge and motivation.

With this experience and expertise, we’ve tested the best New Balance running shoes based on:

• Purpose. Comparing apples to apples
• Performance. How well does it do its job?
• Real-world testing. We put them to the test on real runs
• Price. Is it affordable? Does its performance justify its cost?
• Sales. Best-selling models are best-sellers for a reason
• fit id® data. Our 4 million+ foot scans show how shoes fit on different feet
• Availability. It won’t be good for you if it’s not in stock
• Designer interviews. We ask the people who made it

Standing Behind Our Picks

Fleet Feet knows running.

We picked the best New Balance trainers based on over four decades of experience outfitting runners of all abilities, ages and sizes. If you buy gear from us and you don’t like the way it looks, fits or performs, bring it back within 30 days for a full refund.

Plus, we offer free shipping & returns on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.

fit id® & Dynamic Pressure Mapping

Buying online isn’t for everyone. To try on your New Balance sneakers before you buy them, visit a local Fleet Feet store for an in-person fitting experience.

We fit you for running shoes through our own fit id® outfitting process. The one-on-one process uses a 3D scanner to take precise measurements of your feet. This in combination with our *Dynamic Pressure Mapping system helps our highly trained Outfitters assess your foot’s path of motion and stride as you walk so they can find the perfect shoes for you. Then, using data points for each foot and decades of experience in the industry, we help you find the right gear for your unique feet and specific needs.

Want to try it for yourself? Find a Fleet Feet location near you.

*Pressure plates are available at select Fleet Feet stores

Best Running Shoe Brands

New Balance makes some of the best running shoes in the business, but there are plenty of excellent shoes from other brands. See the best running shoe brands 2026 for more great shoes.

• Best Brooks running shoes
• Best ASICS running shoes
• Best On running shoes
• Best HOKA running shoes
• Best New Balance running shoes
• Best Nike running shoes
• Best Saucony running shoes
• Best Altra running shoes
• Best Karhu running shoes
• Best Mizuno running shoes
• Best Diadora running shoes
• Best adidas running shoes
• Best Topo Athletics running shoes
• Best Salomon running shoes