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 V3
• Best for training: New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos
• Best for recovery and easy miles: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
• Best for different width fit and support: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14
• Best for everyday trails: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
• 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

Pros:

• Really comfortable, plush shoe
• Soft but responsive foam
• Versatile, everyday running shoe

Cons:

• Could be a little narrow for wider feet

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.

Best for race day: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp V3

Technical details

RRP: £230
Weight: 212g
Drop: 6mm
Stack height: 40/34mm
Foam: FuelCell midsole foam
Special technology: Carbon fiber plate
Sizes: 3.5 to 8

Pros:

• Comfortable and easy to run in
• Great grip
• Good for longer runs

Cons:

• Expensive for a training shoe

What our testers said

“I’ve run in the New Balance FC SC Elite V4 and while it’s a super quick racing shoe, what stopped me giving it full marks was that it wasn’t as comfortable as I wanted for racing over longer distances, and it’s certainly not as comfy as my beloved New Balance FC SC Elite V3.

With the design of the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 looking a lot more like the SC Elite V4, I was worried it wouldn’t be as comfortable as I wanted, but I was wrong. This is a really comfortable shoe and I had no pressure points in the upper. There was a good amount of padding and I’d happily run a long way in this shoe.”

Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance FuelCell SuperComp v3 review.

Best for training: New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos

New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos technical details

• RRP: £200
• Weight: 206.7g
• Sizes: UK women’s 4-9
• Drop: 6mm

Pros:

• Lightweight and super comfortable
• Nice speed boost thanks to a rocker design
• Looks maximal but with far less foam underfoot

Cons:

• Might not suit midfoot strikers

What our testers said:

“I would say these shoes are ideal for runners looking for something comfortable and easy-to-wear through training miles. They feel as suited to my foot as a pair of well-worn-in slippers. I loved the knit tongue, which is sewn into the upper, as it gave a seamless fit.

Running in these was so easy due to their design. hey have a very pronounced rocker, which gave me a lovely pep in my step as I ran, without propelling me forward too intensely like a carbon plate would.”

Want to know more? Read Kate’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos review.

Best for recovery and easy miles: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 technical details

• RRP: £140
• Weight: 244g
• Sizes: UK women’s 3-8
• Drop: 4mm
• Heel stack: 43/39mm
• Special features: Fresh Foam X
• Eco-credentials: Foam made from 3% bio-based content

Pros:

• Soft, squishy, bouncy sole
• Well-priced
• Fun to run in

Cons:

• A little heavy
• Not very inclusive sizing

What our testers said:

“It’s something New Balance does very well: making soft, cushioned running shoes. This soft, squishy shoe is up there with the best cushioned shoes I’ve run in.

Running in these was dreamy – the shoe is soft but bouncy and doesn’t have that quicksand feeling that some overly soft shoes can. It would make a good running shoe for beginner runners wanting a lot of cushioning, or more experienced runners who want some serious comfort for their recovery runs.”

Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 review.

Best for different widths and support: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 technical details

RRP: £140
Weight: 245.4 grams
Drop: 8 Mm Drop
Sizes: UK 3 – UK 9

Pros:

• Super comfortable
• Good level of support
• Soft, bouncy foam

Cons:

• Less suited to speedy runs

What our tester said:

“These shoes are a stability shoe designed for road runs. They’re aimed at runners who overpronate and are looking for a comfortable shoe that offer some support support. They also look great – something that isn’t always a given for stability shoes. They’re not made for racing, so whilst they won’t slow you down, they also won’t have you smashing a long distance PB.”

Want to know more? Read Laura’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 review.

Best for everyday trails: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 technical details

• Price: £140
• Weight: 227g
• Drop: 4mm
• Stack height: 42/38mm
• Foam: Fresh Foam X
• Special features: Vibram Megagrip

Pros:

• Great for a range of tough terrains
• Super comfy

Cons:

• A little narrow in the toe box

What our testers said

“These shoes were way more comfortable than I thought they’d be, mostly due to that huge wedge of Fresh
Foam. They feel supremely cushioned from the first step although, because of the depth of the foam, they’re also on the stiffer side. I personally love this in a trail shoe, as it makes me feel more protected overall – but worth bearing in mind if you prefer shoes that enable you to feel more at one with the surface you’re running on. I also loved the outsole, as I found it very grippy and kept me upright. I took these on a couple of fairly dry 5Ks, and then immediately on to a big ol’ trail 20-miler, and they were fantastic. Where they had felt narrow on first try, I found that they moulded beautifully to my feet. They were consistently comfortable underfoot, and I’m going to trust them for a trail marathon later on this month as well. New favourite trail shoes unlocked.

“If you’re after shoes you can take on technical runs that have a mass of foam underfoot, then they’re worth every penny.”

Want to know more? Read Esther’s full New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 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

Pros:

• Good support
• Ideal for wider feet
• Extremely comfortable
• Lightweight feel

Cons:

• High stack makes steep downhill running unstable

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

Pros:

• Propulsive and speedy
• Excellent grip

Cons:

• Pricey

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.