7 best New Balance shoes for every type of runner

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Hunting for new running shoes? New Balance has something for everyone, from race day shoes to multi-tasking all-rounders Ppf900z3

7 best New Balance shoes for every type of runner

If you’re looking to upgrade your running shoes and have New Balance in mind, look no further. New Balance traces its origins back to 1906, when William Riley founded New Balance Arch Company in Boston and began selling arch supports for shoes. The company’s first pair of running shoes came much later, in 1938, but before long New Balance was producing shoes that earned a reputation for high quality.

We've tested some of the most popular New Balance running shoes on the market and have rounded up our favourites below. All of the shoes have been tested, with feedback from RW editors and our team of wear testers. Our choices include the brand’s latest innovations and flagship models, including shoes for trail runners, beginners and overpronators. Keep scrolling to read more.

In the running realm, New Balance's first breakthrough came with the release of the Trackster running shoe in 1960, which was designed to fit feet of different widths — a novel idea at the time. In 1976, New Balance’s 320 running shoe became the number one shoe on the market, and cemented the company’s status as a global leader in running.

In 1982, New Balance developed their EVA-based Fresh Foam, which feels both springy and supportive and is still used in their shoes today. In more recent years, New Balance has brought FuelCell to the market, in which TPU foam is injected with nitrogen, which creates a snappy bounce and improves energy return so you can toe off more quickly during your run.

In October 2023, the brand also launched a new rocker profile on its flagship 1080 trainer. It's expected to be rolling this out on other shoes in the next year.

The 1080 is one of New Balance’s bestselling models. Whether you're looking for a recovery day shoe you can sink your feet into, a long run shoe that can eat up every mile, or even a shoe to run your first marathon in, this is a safe bet.

The v13 has received quite the update from the v12 too, with an additional 4mm stack in the heel and 6mm at the forefoot, making it the brand’s most cushioned shoe yet. There’s additional padding around the heel collar and on the gusseted tongue – adding to the v13's all-round plusher feel – with the tongue wrapping nicely around the midfoot. It’s also got a new rocker profile with increased forefoot stiffness. While this in no way makes the 1080 a speed shoe, it does give it a newfound responsiveness which makes it more of an all-rounder.

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A peppy, propulsive racing shoe designed for long distance races, the SuperComp Elite V3 is as close to a neutral shoe as something with a carbon plate can get. The 4mm drop plays a role here as you’re not getting excessive shaping to the footbed or aggressive transitions from midfoot to toe-off. These are PB shoes that gently push you forward with a softer ride – and the FuelCell foam feels nicely balanced with the spring of the plate.

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The Propel is a versatile trainer, suited to both speedier interval sessions and slower recovery runs. In the latest version, there’s a redesigned, cushioned upper and an internal heel counter for structure – this is what lends the Propel v4 towards everyday miles. The main update is the new TUP plate in its midsole, sandwiched between layers of FuelCell foam. This doesn’t give quite so much propulsion as a carbon plated shoe, but it does mean you can pick up the pace if you want to. At the same time, the FuelCell foam is slightly softer than the v3, which adds to the more cushioned feeling of the shoe.

This plate-free performance offering feels like a more cushioned version of a traditional racing shoe. The midsole bounce, full-foot flexibility and gentle forefoot rocker combine to make it feel very peppy, with testers feeling it was particularly suited to tempo efforts, but also quick enough to race in. It’s plate-less and much lower to the ground than max-stack super shoes, offering a more natural ground feel which will appeal to purists and more mindful runners.

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The SC Trainer V2 is best described as an elevated training shoe - something that bridges the gap between a standard training shoe and an all-singing, all-dancing, race day shoe. It features a carbon plate and NB’s Energy Arc technology - a hollow channel or ‘void’ through the centre of the midsole, which allows the carbon plate to flatten into it during landing and rebound during take-off, increasing energy return.

Thanks to the new FuelCell midsole foam, the ride is bouncy and light, and the propulsion you get from the Energy Arc allows you to cruise through each mile with ease. It’s a great option for those longer runs where you fancy throwing in some marathon tempo, or those easy runs where your fatigued legs need a helping hand.

The Vongo is the stability equivalent of New Balance’s 1080 – offering premium cushioning but with an additional touch of support for mild overpronators. This version sees the introduction of a midsole of the brand’s Fresh Foam X for an ultra-cushioned, light-feeling ride. Rather than a traditional medial post, the inner edge of the midsole is a little higher than the outside, and the foam is also slightly firmer on the medial side. The support on offer is subtle and provides a smooth transition, too – but you won’t feel its guidance if you don't need it.

The Hierro v7 is best thought of as a multi-terrain shoe. Its Vibram outsole feels at home on the pavement, hard trails and even the sand. Where the Hierro has struggled before is on wetter, muddier surfaces, but the latest version sees an updated lug pattern on the outsole for improved traction. This is a comfortable yet responsive, multi-tasking, multi-terrain marvel. It’s got significantly lighter since its previous two iterations too. If you have the confidence to pull it off, and pockets deep enough to pay for it, the Hierro v7 will not disappoint.

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