New Balance Fresh Foam Evoz V2 Running Shoes (2E Width) - AW22

Product Information

Some New Balance running shoe models have numbers on their names, which can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the brand’s numbering system. The ‘Fresh Foam’ midsole unit on the Roav v2 is the highlight of this shoe as it is both comfortable and responsive. We measured the midsole to be 8.1% firmer at 26.5HA using our durometer test, but it never felt overly firm. In fact, it felt soft enough to provide ample protection and responsiveness for our feet during our runs. The midsole’s softness is like magic. Our durometer measurements confirmed this because at a mere 9.5 HA, the Rebel v3 is the second softest we’ve ever tested in our lab! During our runs, each step felt like a luxury. Although spongy and buttery-soft, it still felt lively and springy during our speed runs. This trail running shoe carries forward the Nitrel name from the V3 but has been completely redesigned from the ground up.

When compared to the Hoka maximals I’ve tried, these are less soft, but more responsive, and have a much better upper. The width of the toebox and softness and flexbility of the upper are a step above. The level of arch support in NB shoes is tightly connected to the pronation degree. When you know how you pronate, it's easy to see which type of shoe you need - neutral, stability, or motion control. To learn more about your pronation type and whether you need extra support in running shoes, see our in-depth guide on arch support.

But think of a budget New Balance running shoe that’s been consistently updated over the years, and there’s none. Sure, one could argue that the 680 is such a shoe, but is it the highlight of New Balance’s budget catalog? Not really. A running shoe that fits well will be comfortable and snug without being too tight. Ideally, there should be about ½ to a full thumb width of space from the front of the shoe to your big toe, offering enough space to wiggle your toes freely without feeling too restricted or too loose. The right running shoe should feel like a natural extension of your body. How do you best wash running shoes? The lab numbers had the proof, but our feet lived to tell the tale. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12’s cushion felt like we were running on clouds. Our durometer measurement confirmed this with the midsole cushion scoring 12.5 HA—49.7% softer than the average road running shoe. While it felt ultra-plush, it was abundantly springy and provided us with a forgiving and exciting ride. Don’t get us wrong. The Nitrel V4 is a nice enough trail shoe that gets its basics down pat. The foam midsole provides decent levels of ride comfort, and the full-coverage outsole does its job. The upper, while narrow, delivers a trail-worthy fit.

After miles of sweating it out during runs, and hours of intensive tests in our lab, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 has emerged as the best daily trainer in the New Balance roster. The luxurious cushion of the midsole, its unrivaled fit, and its grippy outsole make it the perfect running ally—day in and day out. Instead, what we have is a hodge podge of different shoe models that are vaguely inspired by the more expensive models. The Fresh Foam Evoz bears a passing resemblance to the 1080, and there’s a glimpse of the Fuelcell Rebel in the New Balance Breaza. Some New Balance road and trail running shoes have waterproof features. These shoe models are equipped with a GTX membrane that keeps the feet dry in wet and rainy running conditions. When we ran on different terrains, the grippy nature of the Hierro v7’s outsole definitely stood out. The combination of this reliable outsole rubber and an updated lug pattern resulted in this very grippy shoe—perfect for conquering light to moderate trails while remaining unscathed.At an insanely low price of 85 USD, the Fresh Foam Roav v2 is leagues below the average price of road running shoes (130 USD). Yet, it punches above its class with some of its premium features.

To give credit where it’s due, New Balance offers multiple widths on their entry-level products – a benefit that most brands do not offer. Despite the tall and soft midsole, we were pleased with how stable and planted our landings felt. In the lab, we found out that it has a wider-than-average base—12.5 mm wider at the heel and 7 mm wider at the forefoot. At the same time, the upper also gave us a snug and secure fit. The redesigned upper is soft and breathable. Using a double jacquard mesh, the upper gives structure to the foot while moving with your foot.MR”: The first two letters identify the gender and the sport activity. “M” is for MEN, “W” for WOMEN. “R” is for Running. “WW” will be Women’s Walking, “MX” will be Men’s Cross-Training and so on. The outsole features a balanced 70.3 HC rubber — tougher than most race shoes for durability and softer than the average daily trainer for better grip. Among its racer counterparts, its 2.8 mm outsole gives more than enough rubber to last long. After vigorous lab tests and spirited runs, we crown the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 as the best overall running shoe in the New Balance line. With the plump midsole foam, an incredibly stable platform, and a grippy but robust outsole—this shoe lives up to its “More” moniker. This design really your foot in, however it is also the portion of the shoe that needs the longest time to break in. For the first few runs, it was stiff and irritated my midfoot, but was great after about 10-15 miles. It’s not very soft though; the Dynasoft foam has a tinge of firmness – this is no Fresh Foam. And that’s not a bad thing for a trail shoe; a firmer ride equates to better stability over uneven terrain.

This article has been updated with current models for May 2022. The Shando and the Pro Knit have been removed. The Rebel v3’s upper is insanely plush and breathable, which we enjoyed when running outdoors in warm temperatures. In the lab, we pumped smoke inside the shoe and watched as the smoke passed through the ultra-thin knit effortlessly. Garnering a score of 5/5, this shoe was a joy to run in, even during hot days. With the outsole being 44% thinner than average, we were pleasantly surprised with the incredible traction. We ran on dry and wet pavement, even on snow or slush—yet the outsole’s grip remained exceptionally adherent to any surface we challenged it to. Weighing in at only 7.4 oz (211 g), the Rebel v3 is amazingly 25.6% lighter than the average road running shoes tested in our lab. Indeed, its lightweight nature allowed us to glide breezily through our mile repeats, fartlek sessions, and tempo runs. The New Balance 860v12 is a shoe specifically made for overpronators with its excellent support and stability, plus, as we found out on our test runs, a consistent ride in any condition. Its outstanding traction is the cherry on top—making it the best stability shoe in the New Balance running shoe lineup.The Hierro v7 also offers a stable ride, thanks to its wider-than-average platform (113 mm vs 111 mm at the forefoot and 90.6 mm vs 88.6 mm on the heel). During our trail runs, we definitely appreciated this wider base, especially on varied and unpredictable routes. While this is not strictly the case anymore, the concept stays: you can expect the cost (and features) of the shoe to go up when moving from a “8” model to a “10” or a “12”.