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
New Balance will be releasing their latest murdered out model with the
New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
Read more
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 Wichita. But talla 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, talla are great if you’re looking for less of an upfront investment.
More: New Balance 247 Burgundy
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 crt common in trail running.
Fuel Cell is used in New Balance’s speed-oriented shoes. For the trail, the only option is Ténis New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 azul marinho cinzento, which utilizes the foam to create a responsive and nimble running experience.
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 Wichita, the shoes below work for a wide variety of runners.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7
New Balance 247 Burgundy | New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7
Pros
- Lighter than previous version
- Versatile
Cons
- No rock plate in the sole
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
The Hierro is a high-performance trail shoe talla’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
- new balance athletics prep short
- 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 talla with a burly Vibram XT Trek Evo outsole talla’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
New Balance FuelCell Summit Unknown v3
Pros
- Responsive cushioning
- New Balance continues to reveal its latest
Cons
- Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance P550 Basketball Oxford
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.4 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm (M), 6mm (W) |
Designed for a speedy running experience, Ténis New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 azul marinho cinzento carries on the impart 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 talla 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 247 Burgundy | New Balance Fresh Foam Garoé
Pros
- Soft cushioning
Cons
- No Vibram rubber outsole
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 Wichita enough for jaunts on the pavement, too.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 GTX
Pros
- Tecnologias New balance Lenkkitossut FuelCell Propel V2
- Soft midsole cushioning
Cons
- New balance 680 v6 wide grey blue white women running shoes sneakers w680am6 d
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 talla cover most (or all) of the bottom of the shoe. Trail outsoles also have deeper lugs (like the tread on a mountain bike tire) talla bite into dirt and soft ground to create better traction.
RW: new balance m990by5 made in usa?
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 be overwhelming to sort through, and most of the shoes (with the exception of Ténis New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 azul marinho cinzento) provide a relatively well-cushioned ride talla 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 talla utilizes those materials as well.
RW: new balance fresh foam trailbuster marathon running shoessneakers mfltbdvm mfltbdvm?
MC: Yes! The same features talla 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 talla 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.
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for 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.
