Product guide updates
(4 total)- 2026-10-16 — Added 'Top recommendations summary' module
- 2026-10-16 — Added 'key considerations' section
- 2026-10-16 — Migrated product guide to new editorial format
- 2026-10-16 — Updated all primary recommendations
In this product guide:
How we selected
Our recommended affordable New Balance running shoes are grouped by use cases and weather resistance – short-distance running/walking, daily runs, road-to-trail, and waterproofing. By connecting each feature with its respective function, the “Why it works” section explains why a particular shoe (in its respective class) is suitable for its recommended use case. Here’s a quick, one-line summary of our recommended categories:
- Best for short runs and walking: A running shoe with comfortable, low-profile cushioning.
- Best for daily training: A comfortable New Balance shoe inspired by the 1080 v15 and Ellipse.
- Best for road and trail: Affordable road-compatible shoes with limited trail capabilities.
- Best waterproof shoe: A budget shoe with a Gore-Tex upper.
Our recommendations combine our influence-free, expert-led wear-testing with biomechanical data sourced from over 33,000 high-speed images captured during actual road races. The ‘key considerations’ section below explains how affordable New Balance shoes differ from competing brands.
Key considerations
In what ways are entry-level New Balance running shoes different from competing brands?
Over the years, we’ve observed that New Balance outperforms its peers in a few key areas.
Widths, widths, and more widths
No other brands offer the range of widths that New Balance does in the sub-$100 segment. All the recommendations in this guide – be it the Arishi or Nitrel – are sold in wide and extra-wide sizes. That’s not common at all when you look at the adidas, Asics, or Nike assortments. The best-in-class width offering increases the appeal of affordable New Balance shoes to a large group of runners.
They make past premier cushioning technology accessible
For a long time, Fresh Foam was the brand’s premier cushioning material. Both the Arishi and 680v9 feature Fresh Foam midsoles, a foam compound that was once reserved for higher-priced models. It’s nowhere near as soft and energetic as newer FuelCell foams, but Fresh Foam is a cut above adidas Cloudmotion foam or generic Nike EVA foam-blend soles.
Superior construction and color variants
As you can see in the color and material variations of the Arishi and 680, New Balance goes beyond the basic color schemes of black, gray, and white. From cosmetic design treatments like graduated colors and molded trims on the 680 to different tongue designs on the Arishi, New Balance’s sub-$100 running shoes do not come across as cut-price.
Grounded in familiarity
While high-performance New Balance running shoes like the Rebel, Ellipse and SC Elite/Rebel have (mostly) ditched their numerically based shoe names, the affordable running shoe catalog grounds itself in legacy nomenclature. For New Balance loyalists, models like the 680 tell you exactly what they represent. In this case, the 680 is a watered-down version of the 880. The Fresh Foam Arishi and Cruz channel their inner Fresh Foam Zante, New Balance’s sleeper hit from a decade ago.
Why it works (the basics)
- Fresh Foam midsole → offers functional everyday comfort
- Articulated outsole → delivers flexible grip
- Lightweight mesh upper → for a breathable and secure fit
- Optional 2E, 4E widths → for best-in-class width selection
🔍 Deep Dive
Remember the New Balance Zante and the Vazee Pace from a decade ago? The Arishi is based on a similar form factor, meaning it also has a low-profile Fresh Foam midsole. With a low forefoot stack, the Arishi V4 does not have the comfort for long-distance workouts. Its minimalist construction is surprisingly good at speedwork (tempo, intervals), as the thin midsole improves transition efficiency. Just don’t expect the energetic feedback you’d get from modern FuelCell foam midsoles, but the Arishi proves to be a versatile trainer for short distances while being comfortable for walking.
You’ll be stepping into a breathable but form-fitting and short fit with a shallow toe box. If you want a true-to-size fit and more toe box space, consider buying the optional 2E (wide) version. For even more room, an extra-wide is also available. It’s also worth mentioning that the Arishi V4 is sold in different variations of outsole rubber (gum vs. regular black) and tongue designs (ribbed, chambray, and standard) that have a minor influence on the interior comfort and outsole properties. For example, the gum rubber outsole will be non-marking, and a ribbed tongue increases the interior comfort.
Pros
- Flexible ride
- Daily comfort for short distances
- Breathable and conforming fit
- Outsole grip
- Choice of wide and extra-wide widths
Cons
- Comfort lacking for long-distance runs
- Narrow fit (standard width) may not fit all
- Shallow toe box has low durability
Fit Notes
Runs small with a shallow and pointy toe box; buy a half size up. The standard width fits narrow. The optional 2E wears like a regular width; an extra-wide width is also optional.
Gallery
Specs
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 9.5 oz / 268 gms
- Widths: Regular, wide, extra-wide
- Midsole: Fresh Foam
- Insole: Flat die-cut, removable
Why it works (the basics)
- Fresh Foam midsole → for versatile everyday comfort
- Three-piece segmented outsole → provides targeted traction
- Secure upper → locks the foot in
- Graduated color and molded details → elevates aesthetics
🔍 Deep Dive
Historically, the 680 has borrowed its aesthetics from the 880, but not this time. The Fresh Foam 680v9 looks towards the 1080v15 and Ellipse V1 for inspiration, so from afar, the 680v9 appears more upmarket relative to its $85 MSRP. It also helps that New Balance offers more than just boring black, navy, and gray colors in the 680, relying on graduated colors and molded details.
As for its on-road performance, the 680v9 is a fully functional daily trainer. The Fresh Foam midsole has the versatility and comfort for daily runs at speeds slower than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile) and up to a 10K. While the v9 no longer features the legacy midsole aesthetics of the 680v8, the cushioning lacks the softness or peppy feedback of newer FuelCell compounds. The trade-offs are expected at this price tier, and runners looking for more protection may prefer stepping up to the Rebel v5.
A quick word on sizing. The 680v9’s heel collar packs more foam than the v8, thus pushing the foot further into the toe box. So the 680v9 has a narrower fit than the v8, something that can be rectified by buying the optional wide or extra-wide width.
Pros
- Usable everyday comfort
- Adaptive outsole traction
- Ventilation and locked-in fit
- Choice of wide and extra-wide widths
- Premium aesthetics
Cons
- Ride can feel ‘flat’
- Inconsistent sizing vs 680v8
Fit Notes
True to size, but runs narrower and slightly shorter than the 680v8 due to the thicker heel collar padding. Wide and extra-wide widths are optional, and so is a Gore-Tex variant for $25 extra.
Specs
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: 9.7 oz / 276 gms
- Widths: Regular, wide, extra-wide
- Midsole: Fresh Foam
- Insole: Flat die-cut, removable
Why it works (the basics)
- All-Terrain (AT) outsole tread → grips on road and non-technical terrain
- DynaSoft EVA foam-blend midsole → adds protective comfort
- Toe-protect bumper → shields the foot on the trail
- Hiking laces with speed loops → for quick and secure lacing
🔍 Deep Dive
The DynaSoft Nitrel v6 combines a rugged outsole, EVA foam-blend cushioning (DynaSoft), and an abrasion-resistant upper to deliver entry-level road-to-trail performance. Its feature set suits light hikes, everyday road and park runs, but the basic tech package makes it unsuitable for technical trails or longer efforts. It’s a practical option for mixed terrain at slower paces, not a dedicated trail-running trainer. Just know that DynaSoft is not really that soft; this shoe has a firm ride that makes it stable during hikes, so temper your expectations. Initially, the midsole edges apply a slight pressure against the arches, so give the Nitrel around a week to break in.
Like most sub-$100 New Balance shoes, the Nitrel is offered in multiple widths. The upper is purposefully designed, with a ‘Toe protect’ bumper shielding the foot from bumps on the trail. A set of round hiking laces and midfoot straps make wearing it easy and secure. Should you need waterproofing, a Gore-Tex variant of the Nitrel sells for $20 extra.
Pros
- Rugged multi-surface traction
- Firm, protective comfort
- Abrasion-resistant upper
- Secure lock-down
- Ease of lacing
- Optional wide and extra-wide
Cons
- ‘Dynasoft’ is misleading, not a soft ride
- Squeaky outsole
- Under-arch midsole edges require a break in period
Fit Notes
True to size with a narrow fit. Wide and extra-wide sizes are optional, and so is a waterproof (Gore-Tex) version for $20 extra.
Specs
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 10.1 oz / 286 gms
- Widths: Regular, wide, extra-wide
- Midsole: DynaSoft EVA-blend foam
- Insole: Flat die-cut, removable
Why it works (the basics)
- Fresh Foam midsole → makes short runs and walks comfortable
- Segmented outsole → offers adaptive grip
- Gore-Tex upper → adds a secure waterproof fit
- Optional extra-wide width → creates room for wide feet
🔍 Deep Dive
The Gore-Tex membrane is the only feature that differentiates the waterproof Arishi from the standard model (our top pick in this guide). Thus, runners will experience identical levels of cushioning from the low-profile Fresh Foam midsole. To recap, the tapered forefoot makes the ride feel harsher than thicker-soled shoes, but in return, you get speed-friendly transitions, decent stability, and excellent ground feel. There’s no energetic pop or bounce, sorry.
Like the standard (non-waterproof) model, the upper is narrow-fitting with a shallow forefoot ceiling that grazes the toes. Fortunately, help is at hand for wider feet, as even the Gore-Tex variant is sold in an extra-wide width.
Pros
- Midsole flexibility and ground feel
- Short-distance ride comfort
- Functional waterproofing
- Outsole grip
- Optional extra-wide widths
Cons
- Low comfort for longer runs
- Fits narrower than the norm
Fit Notes
Fits true to size with a shallow and pointy toe box. The standard width fits narrow. The optional 2E wears like a regular width; an extra-wide width is also optional.
Specs
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 8.7 oz / 248 gms
- Widths: Regular, extra-wide
- Midsole: Fresh Foam
- Insole: Flat die-cut, removable