New Balance has been producing running shoes for almost a century, and has been in business even longer. While the company’s road shoes get most of the attention, New Balance makes excellent trail shoes as well.
The Best New Balance Trail Running Shoes
The Expert: I became a runner in middle school and have covered running and outdoor gear for years, both on-staff at Runner’s World and as a freelance journalist. I’ve written more about running shoes than I have any other type of gear, and I have firsthand experience with models from a range of brands, including New Balance.
What to Consider When Shopping for New Balance Trail Shoes
Compared to other brands, especially trail-focused shoemakers like Salomon and Inov-8, New Balance’s trail shoe lineup is small. But that doesn’t mean these shoes skimp on performance. One reason to consider New Balance is if you already like the company’s road shoes. The brand uses the same midsole cushioning foams (more on those later) across its road and trail models, so you can create a similar running experience off the pavement. Another reason to shop New Balance? It offers affordable trail shoes, most notably the Fresh Foam Garoé below, that are great if you’re looking for less of an upfront investment.
More: Кросівки жіночі нью баланс new balance of 2023
Cushioning Foams
There are a few key features to know when shopping for New Balance trail shoes. First, the company has two performance cushioning platforms: Fresh Foam and Fuel Cell. Fresh Foam is EVA-based and found in many shoes across the New Balance lineup. Generally speaking, it provides a cushioned, bouncy feel with less weight. For trail shoes, the Fresh Foam cushioning is often made a little firmer to better support your feet—important for the lateral movements common in trail running.
Fuel Cell is used in New Balance’s speed-oriented shoes. For the trail, the only option is New Balance Men's 237 in Red Purple Suede Mesh, New Balance 1709.
Other Trail Tech
Cushioning aside, New Balance also uses Toe Protect and Rock Stop to shield your feet from debris on the trail. Toe Protect is a fancy marketing name for an added layer of rubber printed onto the upper around the front of the toe box. This protects the upper (and your feet) from scuffs and abrasions. Rock Stop is New Balance’s brand jargon for a midsole rock plate, also known as a stone guard. It’s made of TPU plastic and helps prevent your feet from getting bruised if you land on a sharp rock or root.
How We Chose These Shoes
The pairs below are the best New Balance trail shoes currently available. To recommend these shoes, and compile the information above, I researched the New Balance trail lineup, assessed past Runner’s World reviews, talked with a New Balance brand rep and a product manager, and used my own knowledge of the running shoe market. I also incorporated feedback from RW testers when writing this guide. Although the New Balance trail lineup is small, the shoes below work for a wide variety of runners.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- Versatile
Cons
- New Balance Homem Fresh Foam X Vongo v5
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
The Hierro is a high-performance trail shoe that’s suitable for everything from a laid-back hike to running a trail marathon. The seventh version keeps much of the same tech as previous iterations, including a grippy Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole, a cushy Fresh Foam midsole, and a breathable upper with Toe Protect overlays for added durability against trail debris. One key difference: It’s over an ounce lighter than the v6, which should help it feel more lively underfoot.
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v2
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v2
Pros
- Girls New Balance FuelCore Reveal v3 BOA Running Shoes
- Grippy outsole
Cons
- Tall stack height might feel unstable at times
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.4 oz (M), 9.1 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
As the name implies, the More Trail is a maximalist trail shoe for runners who like lots of cushioning. This second version features the thickest Fresh Foam midsole in the New Balance trail lineup, so you can expect a supremely plush ride (and the thick wedge of foam obviates the need for a rock plate). New Balance paired that with a burly Vibram XT Trek Evo outsole that’s studded with lugs all the way up onto the toe of the shoe for dependable grip, even on inclines.
New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
AURALEE × New Balance XC-72 Blue 26.5cm | New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
Pros
- Responsive cushioning
- zapatillas de running New Balance niño niña competición asfalto distancias cortas
Cons
- New Balance Classic 500V1 Εκπαιδευτές Βρέφος
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.4 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm (M), 6mm (W) |
Designed for a speedy running experience, New Balance Men's 237 in Red Purple Suede Mesh carries on the legacy of the Minimus Trail, a popular minimalist trail shoe New Balance released in 2011. The biggest change on the v3 is the inclusion of New Balance’s responsive FuelCell cushioning. Combined with the shoe’s relatively high drop (especially in men’s sizes), this foam gives the shoe a snappy ride that promotes quick transitions. A Rock Stop plate in the midsole protects your feet from sharp roots and rocks, and the bootie-style upper construction creates a close fit, adding to this shoe’s nimble feel on the trail.
New Balance Fresh Foam Garoé
New Balance Fresh Foam Garoé
Pros
- Soft cushioning
Cons
- Aime Leon Dore × New Balance 827 Abzord Red 26.5cm
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.7 oz (M), 8.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
Want to get into trail running but don’t want to spend a ton of money on new shoes? Consider the Fresh Foam Garoé. A new model in the New Balance lineup, it’s made with Fresh Foam cushioning in the midsole for a comfy ride, and the synthetic upper has Toe Protect overlays for durability and protection against trail debris. What’s missing? Vibram rubber. Even so, the studded outsole should provide plenty of grip for mild trails, and the lugs are small enough for jaunts on the pavement, too.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
Pros
- Femme New Balance XRCT Nightshade Purple Jupiter
- Особенности New balance Nitrel v4 Trail Running Shoes
Cons
- New Balance 1080 Γυναικεία Παπούτσια
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.3 oz (M), 9.2 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
Running with soaking wet feet is never fun. When there’s rain in the forecast or your favorite trail is looking sloppy, the GTX version of the Hierro is the shoe to reach for. It combines all the features of the regular Hierro—like a cushy Fresh Foam midsole and a dependable Vibram Megagrip outsole—with a Gore-Tex membrane in the upper. The membrane blocks moisture, keeping your feet dry, but it’s also breathable, so they won’t overheat.
Q+A
RW: What’s the difference between New Balance road and trail shoes?
MC: The biggest differentiator is in the outsoles. New Balance trail shoes have thicker, more durable rubber that cover most (or all) of the bottom of the shoe. Trail outsoles also have deeper lugs (like the tread on a mountain bike tire) that bite into dirt and soft ground to create better traction.
RW: Men's New Balance Tenacity Long Sleeve Tee?
MC: New Balance trail shoes are great for beginners and runners who already like New Balance road shoes. For beginners, the brand’s limited trail lineup won’t remain overwhelming to sort through, and most of the shoes (with the exception of New Balance Men's 237 in Red Purple Suede Mesh) provide a relatively well-cushioned ride that should suit new runners. In addition, if you already like New Balance’s Fresh Foam or FuelCell cushioning in its road shoes, then you’ll probably appreciate a trail shoe that utilizes those materials as well.
RW: Can I use these shoes for hiking?
MC: Yes! The same features that make these shoes good for trail running—shock-absorbing midsoles, grippy outsoles, and durable uppers—make them well-suited for hiking. I prefer trail running shoes over hiking boots because they’re lighter, more comfortable, and more versatile. Just keep in mind that the low-cut design of trail shoes won’t protect your ankles like a true hiking boot or mid-rise shoe; it also makes them a poor choice for hiking in deep snow.
New Balance OMN1S Low White Black W Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
