Lots of runners love New Balance running shoes, but which are best for you? We ask our expert testers for their recommendations
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As a runner, it would be hard not to know that New Balance are one of the best running shoe manufacturers out there. New Balance running shoes have been associated with the London Marathon since the 1980s, and have been the official sponsor since 2017. And that’s because their running shoes really go the extra mile when it comes to performance.
The New Balance running shoes journey actually began in 1906. They were originally a manufacturer for arch supports and other accessories designed to improve how our shoes fit. Founder William J. Riley wanted to provide greater balance (hence the name!) and comfort through shoes. And he clearly was onto something – their products quickly became sought after by athletes, and it wasn’t long before they became the shoe company we know today.
To begin with, there was just one New Balance running shoe – The Trackster. Of course, now there are a myriad of shoes designed for different types of runners and goals. So, how do you know which one is right for you? That’s where we come in. We asked our expert testers to share the New Balance shoes that they’ve loved this year, and why. Read on for their guide to the best New Balance running shoes for women…
The best New Balance running shoes for women
- Best overall: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13
- Best for race day: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V3
- Best for recovery and easy miles: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
- Best for different width fit and support: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13
- Best for everyday trails: New Balance Hierro v7
- Best for off-road comfort: New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3
- Best for an off-road PB: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail
Best overall: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13
New Balance 1080v13 technical details
- Weight: 206g
- Sizes: 3-9
- Drop: 6mm
- RRP: £160
What our tester said:
“If I could only choose one word to describe the New Balance 1080v13, it would be ‘comfortable’. This shoe is highly-cushioned but has enough responsiveness and recoil in the foam that you can pick up the pace in your training miles. Pulling them on, I was excited to get running. They were soft and light, and took me from easy, chatty run club miles to faster-paced solo runs.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 review.
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Best for race day: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V3
Technical details
- Weight: 179g
- Drop: 4mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3.5-9
- Price: £220
- Special technology: Carbon fibre plate
What our testers said
“The FuelCell foam of the sole is soft without being too squishy and gives a great balance of comfort and energy return. New Balance say they want you to forget about the shoe on race day and, for the most part, they succeeded. The ride was smooth and comfortable.
“The structure around the ankle and heel in the upper cradled my feet and made it feel stable going round corners. And while there’s minimal rubber on the outsole to cut down on the weight of the shoe, what is there is enough to give you the grip you need for a road race.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 review.
Best for recovery and easy miles: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 technical details
- Price: £140
- Weight: 237g
- Sizes: UK women’s 3-10
- Heel stack: 34mm
- Special features: Fresh Foam X Midsole
- Eco-credentials: Foam made from 3% bio-based content
What our testers said:
“These shoes are part of this new wave of super-stacked but also speedy shoes that we’ve seen hitting the market recently. They are perfect for easier miles or longer race training.
“Not only were they ridiculously comfortable, they also put a bit of pep in my step that kept my legs moving, thanks to that very rockered design. They also felt responsive to the ground, which is not true of all ultra-cushioned running shoes – sometimes all that foam can get in the way.
“It’s rare for me to feel as though I could run for days recently (I’m very pregnant!), but I did while wearing these shoes. I think this was in part due to the sole design, which has been ‘strategically engineered’ to help promote a natural stride. I definitely felt as though my feet landed and lifted consistently all the way through my run.
“My feet did feel a little bit bigger in these shoes than normal, I suspect due to that nice wide toebox, This was no bad thing, as I felt very stable and supported by the extra width, but might feel cumbersome to other runners.
“With it being a very wet winter, I took these out in both rain and shine. I did notice that they didn’t handle wetter, slippier ground as well as I would have liked, despite those rubber sole pads.
“I’d also very much recommend these shoes for longer distances or walk/runs where you’re spending a lot of time on your feet. I ended up wearing them for everyday use as well as my runs, just because they were so darn comfy.”
Want to know more? Read Kate’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 review.
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Best for different widths and support: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 technical details
- Price: £140
- Weight: 243g
- Comes in three different widths: Standard, Wide, X-Wide
- Special features: Fresh Foam midsole
What our tester said:
“This shoe would suit newer runners as well as those training for longer distances looking for some support on long runs,” says tester Laura. “There are three widths available. The standard, as you may expect with two wider widths on offer, are on the narrower side, so they’re ideal for those of us with both narrow and wide feet.”
“They were comfortable from the get-go. The fit is snug around the ankle and mid-foot, but I always feel that this is important in a support or stability shoe as you need to feel that you’re locked into it. The foam felt like it gave more cushioning on the heel (great if you’re a heel-striker) and a little less forefoot as my foot rolled through allowing for a good push off. They should see you through plenty of miles.”
Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 review.
Best for everyday trails: New Balance Hierro V7
New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V7 technical details
- Price: £130
- Weight: 235g
- Drop: 8mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 3-10
- Special technology: Fresh Foam X cushioning and Vibram Megagrip sole
What our testers said
“I have loved the Hierro v7 from the moment I opened the box. They look and feel great. I love the design and how they feel on the feet. They’re light and not clunky. This is a fantastic trail shoe for all distances with amazing traction due to the Fresh Foam X. They have good cushioning and are stable with a simple but effective lacing system making sure your foot stays in place. I have really been impressed with the Hierro 7 and how versatile they are.
“They are suited for all terrains and even performed well on asphalt. They also did well on both long and short distances. The grip on the shoe is amazing which provides great traction on all surfaces dry and wet.”
Want to know more? Read our full New Balance Hierro v7 review.
Best for off-road comfort: New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3
New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 technical details
- Weight: 260g
- Drop: 4mm
- Stack height: 33mm/23mm
- Sizes: 4-9
- RRP: £144.99
What our testers said
“Taking these out of the box, I was shocked at how big they looked, particularly the stack height. Stepping into them it became clear that all the foam and cushioning makes them probably the most comfortable trail shoes I’ve ever worn.
I was surprised at how light these felt. The Vibram outsole with 5mm lugs provides grip across different terrain and, because of the cushioning, I found they worked well on a bit of road too. I tested them out on a long run, and I felt the benefit of cushioning and bounce to help keep my legs fresh.
I would certainly recommend having these in your trail shoe rotation for longer running distances where you want maximum comfort.”
Want more? Check out Laura’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 review.
Best for an off-road PB: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail technical details
- Weight: 214g
- Drop: 10mm
- Sizes: UK women’s 4-8
- Special features: Carbon fibre plate
- RRP: £200
What our testers said
“I first took them out for 4.5 miles of woodland paths and gritty trails. The grip from the Vibram Megagrip held well on all surfaces. They felt light and springy – quite unlike a lot of trail shoes. My next run in them was a 5-mile cross country race. I’d toyed with wearing spikes, but the ground was firm and I went for the comfort and speed boost of the FuelCell SuperComp Trail shoe instead. (I did check the race rules and carbon plated shoes were permitted.)
“The route of the race involved a lot of grass and trails through some woods with plenty of tree roots to try and trip us up. The shoe was light and nimble for picking my way through the trees without tripping.
“While there was a good amount of up and down, there was also a couple of nice flat sections and that’s where you can really feel the benefit of that carbon fibre plate. And although grass is probably one of my least favourite surfaces to run on, the lugs gripped well for a semi-sprint finish.”
Want more? Check out Laura’s full New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail review.
