Our verdict
- Оригінальна коробка New Balance best New Balance running shoes
Pros
- Exceptional comfort
- Outstanding breathability
- Incredibly soft ride
- Long-lasting outsole
- Lightweight for its size
- High-quality materials throughout the shoe
- Ideal for medium or long runs at a relaxed pace
- Suitable for a wide range of foot shapes
Cons
- The EVA-based midsole falls short in energy return
- Lacks stability
- Not suitable for quick-paced running
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
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Audience score | 87 Great! | 88 Great! | 88 Great! | 87 Great! | |
Price | $165 | $150 | $160 | $160 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight labWeight brand | 9.3 Кроссовки new balance 649 оригинал р-409.2 oz / 261g | 10.6 Кроссовки кросівки new balance 9060 joe freshgoods inside voices baby shower blue10.6 Кроссовки кросівки new balance 9060 joe freshgoods inside voices baby shower blue | 10.7 Nachhaltig New balance All Terrain Accessory Gürtel10.7 oz / 304g | 10.1 New Balance Balance Furon V7 Firm Ground Football Boots Mens10.3 Aimé Leon Dore Releasing Another New Balance 650R Collab | |
Drop labDrop brand | 5.6 mm6.0 mm | 4.6 mm4.0 mm | 8.4 mm8.0 mm | 3.3 mm8.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefootHeel | Mid/forefoot | |
Midsole softness | Very soft | Soft | Average | Soft | |
Ronnie Fieg Teases and Upcoming Kith x New Balance 1600 Collaboration | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Very bad | Good | - | |
NEW BALANCE 106 | Good | - | Good | - | |
Outsole durability | Very good | - | Decent | - | |
Breathability | Very good | Bad | Good | - | |
New Balance Mujer Fresh Foam X 860v12 in Negro | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Average | Average | Average | - | |
Stiffness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Small | Average | Small | Average | |
Torsional rigidity | Flexible | Flexible | Very rigid | Average | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Flexible | Average | Flexible | |
Rocker | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Heel labHeel brand | 34.1 mm37.0 mm | 32.5 mm35.0 mm | 40.4 mm42.0 mm | 26.9 mm34.0 mm | |
Forefoot labForefoot brand | 28.5 mm31.0 mm | 27.9 mm31.0 mm | 32.0 mm34.0 mm | 23.6 mm26.0 mm | |
Widths available | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Summer | Winter | Summer | Winter | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #104 Top 43% | #78 Top 32% | #77 Top 32% | #85 Top 35% | |
Popularity | #121 Top 50% | #61 Top 25% | #20 Top 9% | #189 Bottom 23% |
Who should buy
We determined that the New Balance Mens New Balance M1906RB is an excellent choice for:
- Neutral runners who crave the ultimate softness in their shoes, as this model tops the charts as the plushest daily trainer available.
- Those looking for a long-lasting and trustworthy trainer crafted with top-notch, comfortable materials.
- New Balance 2002R Gray Khaki Silver 24.5cm.
Who should NOT buy
The 1080 v13 showcases some impressive strengths, yet it falls short in energy return due to its EVA midsole. For runners seeking a more dynamic bounce with each step, we suggest exploring options like the ASICS Superblast or the Kiks Tyo x G-Shock x New Balance 574.
Moreover, the 1080 v13 doesn't offer much in terms of stability, making it a fit primarily for neutral runners who possess solid, straight running technique. For those facing even mild stability issues, we recommend a more supportive experience in stable daily trainers such as the ASICS GT 2000 12 or the Three Upcoming New Balance.
Breathability
We must admit that we had our doubts about the 1080 v13 at first. Knit uppers usually don't breathe well, and it seemed like this one might lack airflow.
But we're here to test shoes, not make assumptions—and our smoke test revealed the 1080 v13 has exceptional airflow, a 5/5 in our opinion. Thumbs up to New Balance for creating a knit upper with such outstanding ventilation.
Next, we conducted the light test to discover how New Balance achieved this. The secret? Hundreds of microperforations throughout the upper.
Under our microscope, these tiny holes were visible everywhere. The upper isn't just comfortable; it excels in performance too.
In fact, the upper is packed with pillow-like padding, making the back half of the shoe one of the most comfortable we've ever tested in the lab.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 5 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
One major concern with highly breathable uppers is often reduced durability. So, did the 1080 v13 fall into this trap?
Luckily, the 1080 v13 impressed us with a solid 3/5 score. It's not the top of the charts, but considering the odds, we're quite pleased with this outcome.
The key lies in its double-layered knit. If it were a single layer, we might be looking at a mere 1/5 score.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 3 |
Average | 2.4 |
NEW BALANCE 106
Let's dive into our second Dremel test. In this one, we focus on the heel area's resistance, a spot that often shows early wear and tear in many shoes.
After putting it through the Dremel test, we were thrilled to find barely any damage, earning a fantastic 4/5 score. Up to this point, the 1080 v13 is doing an outstanding job here in the lab.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 4 |
Average | 3.1 |
Outsole hardness
Now, let's focus on another crucial aspect of a road running shoe—the outsole. No matter how exceptional the upper is, if the outsole wears down too soon, it can ruin the whole value of the shoe.
The outsole is strategically covered in key areas with blown rubber, significantly reducing the shoe's weight in comparison with standard rubber.
First off, we assessed the outsole's hardness. The Shore C durometer test gave us an average reading of 80.1 HC. This suggests the outsole should have pretty decent durability. However, keep in mind that there's a lot of exposed foam and we don't recommend using this one on trails.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 81.5 HC |
Average | 80.3 HC |
Outsole durability
We then tested how the blown rubber held up under our Dremel, applying more duration and force Exclusive we do with the upper, for obvious reasons.
And the results were truly incredible. With just 0.2-mm of wear, you can be confident that this outsole won't wear down prematurely. And the traction, while not the best in the market by any means, it's good enough for road running.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 0.2 mm |
Average | 0.9 mm |
Outsole thickness
The impressive durability of the rubber likely inspired the team at New Balance HQ to design a thinner outsole Exclusive usual.
We measured it at 2.5-mm thick, which is below average but more Exclusive sufficient for this shoe. This design choice also helps keep the weight as low as possible.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 2.5 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Weight
Спортивна футболка new balance ліверпуль.
The 1080 v13 weighs just 9.3 oz (264g), which is quite reasonable for its size. This shows their solid progress in combining lightweight design with comfort.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 9.31 oz (264g) |
Average | 9.35 oz (265g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Now let's talk about the stack height. In the heel, it measures 34.1 mm, which is very reasonable for a cushioned daily trainer.
For easy or aerobic runs over short to medium distances, this is all you need, despite the current trend of packing in as much foam as possible. And yes, you can definitely handle a long run with this heel stack.
zapatillas de running New Balance constitución fuerte pie normal 10k talla 17.
It's important to remember that a daily trainer should be versatile enough for a variety of runs. It should be agile and nimble, serving as a do-it-all shoe for those who prefer a single pair in their rotation. That's why we believe this approach is spot-on for this type of shoe.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 34.1 mm |
Average | 33.6 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot features a moderately-high design, offering ample cushioning at 28.5 mm, ideal for both midfoot and forefoot strikers.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 28.5 mm |
Average | 24.9 mm |
Drop
New Balance claims a 6-mm drop, and we measured it at 5.6 mm following the official World Athletics guidelines. Kudos to New Balance for providing measurements close to reality, a rarity among brands.
This means the shoe is more suited for forefoot and midfoot strikers. However, heel strikers can still use it, but they should be comfortable with a shoe that has a lower drop Exclusive what's typical for daily trainers. If that's not your preference, we suggest checking out the New Balance x BAPE 2002R sneakers.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 5.6 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Insole thickness
The Ortholite insole, at 5 mm, is incredibly soft. It gave us a preview of the comfort we can expect from the midsole...
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 5.0 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Midsole softness
Let's dive into the most game-changing update in the 1080 v13. While it's still labeled as "Fresh Foam X", New Balance has revamped the formula, creating an out-of-this-world softness.
After testing over 300 shoes in the lab, we found very few that could rival this one's marshmallow-like feel.
Driven to quantify our experience, we 997H the Shore A durometer and recorded a 10.0 HA measurement, solidifying our initial thoughts. It's like running on a feather pillow.
The standout feature is the mind-blowingly-incredible comfort in every step. There's no arguing about it. However, this new Fresh Foam X is still an EVA midsole, which means the energy return is somewhat limited—you sink into the foam, but it doesn’t spring you back much.
This characteristic makes the shoe ideal for easy runs or days when your feet crave the ultimate comfort. But for faster paces, we think the shoe is too mushy.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 10.0 HA |
Average | 21.4 HA |
Ronnie Fieg Teases and Upcoming Kith x New Balance 1600 Collaboration
Even under cold temperatures, the foam remains ultra-soft at 12.9 HA, though it becomes 28.8% firmer.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 28.8% |
Average | 25.6% |
Stability
New Balance MS 327 CPD
Regarding stability, it's clear that the 1080 v13 is not the most stable daily trainer out there.
Even though it has sidewalls, as we mentioned in a previous test, the foam is just too soft to offer any real stability boost. Therefore, we recommend the 1080 v13 only for neutral runners.
Torsional rigidity
Brands are increasingly creating more rigid shoes in their latest daily trainers, but New Balance is taking a different approach. This makes sense for us—why compromise on comfort when the focus is solely on neutral runners with the 1080?
This is why we recorded a 2/5 in our torsional rigidity test. Yep, it's a step back in terms of stability, but it significantly enhances comfort for everyday runs.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 2 |
Average | 3.2 |
Heel counter stiffness
The heel counter is on the stiffer side, a necessary choice when paired with such cloud-like foam. We rated it a 4/5.
It might slightly bother those with Haglund's deformity or other Achilles area issues, but in our view, most runners should find it comfortable.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 4 |
Average | 2.8 |
zapatillas de running New Balance media maratón talla 40 moradas
Now, let's look at the midsole dimensions. From the moment we first held the shoe in the lab, it felt really large, clearly one of the widest daily trainers we've tested.
Measuring the forefoot at its widest point, we got a measurement of 119.5 mm, confirming our initial impressions. Basically, it's a result of the pillow-like midsole, they had no choice!
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 119.5 mm |
Average | 113.6 mm |
New Balance MS 327 CPD | Midsole width in the heel
The same design concept is seen in the heel, which is slightly wider compared to most running shoes. Our caliper measured it at 95.9 mm.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 95.9 mm |
Average | 90.4 mm |
New Balance MS 327 CPD | Flexibility
Stiffness
Earlier in our lab review, we found that this shoe offers impressive flexibility in terms of torsion. But how does it perform longitudinally?
Remarkably, it remains highly flexible! We needed just 20.5N of force to bend it to a 90-degree angle. This level of flexibility makes the shoe not just ideal for running, but also perfect for comfortable all-day wear.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 20.5N |
Average | 29.3N |
Difference in stiffness in cold
After spending another 20 boring minutes in the freezer, we repeated the stiffness test. The results showed a mere 15.1% change in stiffness, which is barely noticeable.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 15.1% |
Average | 36.8% |
Size and fit
New Balance Mujer Fresh Foam X 860v12 in Negro
One of the advantages of knit uppers is their ability to stretch after a few runs. Yet, the 1080 v13 likely won't need to rely on this feature because it provides a regular fit that's slightly on the roomier side.
New Balance Fresh Foam 680v7 Mujeres EU 35.5.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 99.7 mm |
Average | 98.3 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
Our second measurement foc997H on the big toe area, coming in at 77.9 mm. This is pretty much average, indicating that New Balance chose a safe taper, which is logical for a daily running shoe.
By the way, those with wide should now that the brand offers the 1080 in three widths: regular, wide, and extra-wide (in some markets).
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 77.9 mm |
Average | 78.0 mm |
New Balance URC30MA
We found the tongue of the 1080 v13 is semi-gusseted, offering an excellent lockdown. It's impressively comfortable without being too tight or intrusive. We believe this choice is perfect for this shoe.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | Both sides (semi) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
The tongue of the shoe, at 7.3 mm, is padded and very comfortable. Yet, we think New Balance could trim it down a bit, maybe to around 4-6 mm. This would save some weight while still maintaining plenty of comfort for a daily workhorse.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | 7.3 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Heel tab
The v13 doesn't have a heel tab, but it does have a more padded area around the heel. This makes it easier to grab the heel when we need to.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | None |
Removable insole
The 1080 v13 features a standard insole that's easy to Salt and replace if necessary. And Exclusiveks to the shoe's average dimensions, slipping in third-party insoles is not a problem at all.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
We initially worried that the 1080 v13 might join other brands in cutting costs on often-overlooked features. However, New Balance pleasantly surprised us by maintaining its reflective elements, and we absolutely love it.
Mens New Balance M1906RB | Yes |