Since the seventies, the Boston-based sneaker manufacturer has created numerous running shoes that are recognized as the best.
Text/Brother Hui
New Balance’s history dates back to 1906, when William Riley founded the New Balance Arch Company in Boston and began selling shoe bows. In 1938, the company’s first pair of sneakers left the factory, and it wasn’t long before New Balance produced high-quality shoes. Its first breakthrough came with the introduction of the Trackster running shoe in 1960, which was designed to fit different widths of feet, which was a novel idea at the time. In 1976, New Balance’s 320 running shoe became the number one hit on the market and cemented the company’s position as a global running leader.
Over the years, New Balance developed a philosophy of creating top-of-the-line running shoes and committed to manufacturing some of them in the US (as well as the UK). The 990 running shoe was first introduced in 1982 and became the pioneer of New Balance with its revolutionary ENCAP technology. In this shoe, EVA foam in the midsole is wrapped in a polyurethane shell, which helps the foam maintain its shape, resulting in an athlete’s favorite running shoe that is both elastic and highly durable. It is still a popular shoe style today and one of the staples in the company’s American-made collection.
New Balance remains innovative, with multiple technologies to choose from in the company’s shoe lineup. Like other shoe makers, New Balance entered the “bubble war” by designing its own proprietary foam, Fresh Foam, which is used in the soles of many of the best-selling running shoes. This lighter, ultra-elastic foam adds excellent cushioning without adding weight. Another midsole innovation is the FuelCell, where TPU foam is infused with nitrogen, which creates a quick bounce and improves energy returns, so you can get your toes off the ground faster during a run. New Balance hasn’t completely abandoned EVA foam: RevLite is a refined EVA material designed to provide cushioning for maximum response, and it’s used in some of the company’s lighter, leaner shoes, where a good feel for the ground is important. In short, New Balance has been synonymous with quality running shoes for decades, and the shoes below illustrate why.
890v6
Price: 999 yuan
Reason for selection: Striking a balance before lightweighting and cushioning.
The 890 won the 2018 Runners World Magazine Spring Update Award and has a lot of praise for the revamped shoes. At 261g for men and 215g for women, it’s light enough for interval runs and races, but still feels like there’s enough REVLite midsole. This update is wider than the previous model, and the New Balance adds a thin layer of plastic to the forefoot wear zone to give the wearing a “lively feeling”.
990v4 (Made in the United Kingdom)
Price: 2299 yuan
Reason for selection: Stable and supportive representative shoes
The 990 has been on the New Balance lineup for 30 years and still has a large loyal following today. As part of the company’s Anglo-American collection of shoes, the 990 has earned the trust of runners looking for shoes that maintain stability and durability for high-mileage running. The secret formula is ENCAP, in which the EVA foam midsole is encapsulated in a polyurethane shell, while the strong polyurethane creates stability and prevents the foam from losing its elasticity over time.
Fresh Foam Beacon
Price: 799 yuan
Why it was selected: Runners want a running shoe that is light for long distances
As one of the best lightweight running shoes of 2018, Beacon is only 213g for men and 176g for women. New Balance incorporates a more durable Fresh Foam, called Ground Contact, into the shoe. This means they can limit heavy rubber to a few high wear points on the forefoot and heel, reducing weight. The lightweight and breathable upper allows you to run as you want.
Fresh Foam 1080v8
Price: 1099 yuan
Reason for selection: Neutral runners will be willing to try training running shoes with better cushioning
Abrasion testers consider this the most comfortable shoe they’ve ever used, and it’s no surprise that the 1080 is packed in a massive amount of Fresh Foam foam in the midsole. Other features also help elevate foot feel: a soft mesh upper and a redesigned midfoot wrap help support the foot, and a soft molded ankle collar. Due to the good reviews and the soft technology throughout, we named it one of the best cushioning shoes of 2018.
Fresh Foam Hierro v3
Reason for selection: No matter what the road conditions, it will not stain your socks and feet
We named the Hierro one of the best off-road shoes of 2018 with a number of great features that helped it earn a spot on our list. The midsole Fresh Foam cushioning provides softness and support, and in fact, on off-road tracks, it doesn’t irritate your joints either. An elastic layer envelops the structure and protection of the upper, and our testers love the design of the knitted ankle collar.
FuelCell Impulse
Why it was selected: Anyone looking for lightweight, thin-soled shoes that can grab the ground
Unlike more powerful models like the 1080 or 990, the FuelCell Impulse is streamlined and fast. The midsole is made up of Revlite EVA foam and two FuelCell inserts, which work together to create responsive elasticity while still making your feet feel good. While the rubber is limited to two areas on the outsole to reduce weight, abrasion testing shows good traction, even on gravel, with seamless uppers forming a secure fit.
Fresh Foam Zante v4
Why it was selected: Affordable and versatile.
Zante has many advantages: it is lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and can cope with a wide range of distances. Only truly well-designed shoes can inspire that feeling, but Zante’s quick feel and versatility back up those claims. The midsole Fresh Foam provides great cushioning and support without adding weight, and the all-rubber outsole provides superior durability wherever you run.
Fresh Foam Gobi v2
Price: There is no quotation on the domestic official website
Reason for selection: Affordable trail running shoes
The Gobi Gobi was also included in the list of the best trail running shoes of 2018, and it received the honor of best debut in 2017, a well-decorated shoe to say the least. The design is similar to the Fresh Foam Zante, which is lighter and provides excellent grip on rough terrain, but their flat shape makes them also suitable for harder surfaces.
Summit KOM/QOM
Price: There is no offer on the official website
Reason for selection: King of the Mountains
Designed to handle the toughest terrain, Summit is a heavy-duty shoe that will allow you to navigate through rain, mud, rocks and more. The RockStop plate provides protection against debris underneath, and the elastic RevLite midsole adds mat while your feet feel the ground. The wide Vibram Megagrip outsole provides excellent traction. Although some testers did not like the lacing system, overall, the shoe received high marks.
LD5000 v6
Price: There is no offer on the official website
Why you were selected: Strong track and field athletes need a pair of long-distance track racing shoes
The LD5000 is designed for elite players and has a wealth of biomechanical data. The sixth version of this shoe comes with a new ankle collar and mesh upper to comfortably sit this stud on your foot. The full-length peg plate is finely tuned to optimize grip, bending and propulsion. Not all testers liked spike plates in versions prior to LD5000. Bottom line: These may become rockets under your feet, but make sure to try them on before buying.
Price: 999 yuan
Price: 999 yuan
Price: 799 yuan