Whether your marathon season is over for the year or not, there’s one thing for sure: you won’t simply be hanging up the running trainers until next year. If there’s something that all runners have in common, it’s that they’re addicted to it. Hell, if you weren’t addicted to it, why would you put yourself through it? Once the big race is over, runners are straight back to the grind, working on their fitness to do it all again next season.
That’s why it’s always necessary to keep runners in the loop about the best New Balance running shoes. Why New Balance in particular? Well, the brand has proven time and again this year that it has what it takes to be the only label needed in your running shoe roster. From New Balance trail running shoes to regular New Balance running shoes, we’ve put together a list of our top-recommended running shoes for 2022.
While New Balance is certainly up there with the most stylish running shoe designers in the game, that hasn’t played a central role in our selection today. We’re here for performance and technicality, so visuals have taken a back seat — though not been ignored — for the following selection.
Shop the best New Balance running shoes of the year here.
Fresh Foam X More V4
Let's kick things off with one of the comfiest New Balance running shoes we've had the pleasure of wearing yet. The huge sole unit suggests that the Fresh Foam X More V4 offers a lot of underfoot cushioning, and you'd be right in thinking so. In fact, the midsole contains the most Fresh Foam X in a shoe to date, but the sole magic doesn't stop there. A wider platform balances cushioning and support while the large rocker shape smoothens transitions.
NYC Marathon Fuel Cell Rebel V3
Also designed for the NYC Marathon, the Fuel Cell Rebel V3 is more of an everyday running shoe. With less cushioning and fewer exaggerated performance fixtures, it's a more affordable all-rounder than the Fresh Foam X More V4. That's not to say that you'll be left wanting, though. The standout feature here is high-rebound FuelCell foam to propel you forward and a lightweight engineered knit upper that locks your foot in place without feeling too restrictive.
Fresh Foam X 860v13
Like we said at the beginning of this article: runners are basically addicts. New Balance understands this too, and it's actually the reason that the Fresh Foam X 860v13 exists. Designed to keep up with the consistent, hard usage of a daily runner, it features ample cushioning but also a hard-wearing outsole to prevent premature wear.
FuelCell Prism v2
If you're in the party of runners whose big races are done and dusted this year, then you're likely looking for an off-season training shoe for lighter runs that's reliable and comfortable. If that's you, then the FuelCell Prism V2 should be a priority. There's nothing cutting-edge or wildly fancy about this pair, just a trust, lightweight runner that offers propulsive cushioning with high energy return.
Fresh Foam X 1080v12
Undoubtedly one of our favorite running shoes in recent memory, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 has become something of a new-age icon for New Balance. All-round performance wrapped up in a beautiful package is hard to disagree with. Serious science has gone into the sole of this shoe, where the pressure points have been mapped and given increased attention with more foam and cushioning. New Balance puts it this way: "If we only made one running shoe, that shoe would be the 1080."
Fresh Foam X 1080 Unlaced
Most runners will look at this shoe and disregard it instantly because of its lack of laces. Nobody wants to be sliding around or slipping out of their running shoes mid-run. But here's some news: you won't. Until you've tried a run in this laceless beauty, it's difficult to understand. But just know that it's not any ordinary slip-on. Thanks to strategic structuring to the knit upper, the Fresh Foam X 1080 Unlaced holds your foot in place effortlessly.
Fresh Foam X More Trail v2
As well as lifestyle kicks and regular running shoes, New Balance trail running shoes are also at the top of their game. Not least because of the Fresh Foam X More Trail V2. Bringing all the cushioning of the Fresh Foam X More running shoes, this More Trail V2 also comes with a robust Vibram outsole to keep you gliding over rough, unyielding terrain.
Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
Wet feet are the enemy of a good off-road run and this pair of shoes knows it. That's why a waterproof GORE-TEX lining plays the main role here, keeping you dry for the duration. Let's not ignore the off-road sole unit, though, which eats up gravel and debris, stabilizing the ankle and providing energy return in each step.
FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
The last New Balance trail running shoe that we recommend is the FuelCell Summit Unknown v3. One of the most lightweight trail runners in the New Balance running shoes roster, it features a Hydrohesion outsole for superior grip in wet conditions as well as a Rock Stop Plater to the forefoot to provide balance over uneven terrain.
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