All the news that's fit to run
Let’s be honest: the first edition of a running shoe usually blows. That’s just shoe science. I mean, think about it: there haven’t yet been a dozen updates of minuscule changes that totally improve how the shoe performs. Just look at how far the original Brooks Ghost has come! Totally. Find out why the Ellipse is the rare exception to the rule, in this New Balance Ellipse review.
Notice anything different about the shoe name? Say goodbye to Fresh Foam X! New Balance finally replaces outdated Fresh Foam X with a supercritical Infinion—which sounds less like a midsole and more like an underwhelming Christopher Nolan film. But are the updates enough to upgrade the daily trainer to another level?
The Balos has accomplished quite the feat: it’s the first running shoe you can simultaneously pronate and supinate in! I didn’t think that was conceivable, but as New Balance says: “Impossible is nothing.” Wait, I think that’s Nike’s tagline. I’m exaggerating, of course, but if you’re not a neutral runner, do not try this shoe. Hell, even if you are a neutral runner, this shoe may not work for you. It’s one of the least stable shoes I’ve run in…ever.
New Balance has made big changes to the 880, with updates that make it unrecognizable from previous editions. But, does the significant gain in midsole foam put the pair on par with the higher-priced 1080?
There’s a reason New Balance says if they only made one shoe, it’d be the Fresh Foam 1080. It’s their most dependable shoe that can conquer miles with ease and in comfort. (Forget the fact that if New Balance only produced one pair, they wouldn’t be in business.)
Arguably the most important component of a running shoe is the midsole foam. No one cares about the outsole, upper, and especially not the asinine heel pull tab. I ask yet again: how difficult is it to put on and take off a pair of running shoes? So, how can you choose the best running shoe foams to match your picky preferences? Beats me. However, if you’re looking for descriptions of why the name of every midsole foam is silly, you’ve come to the right place.