New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos

The upper of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos features a breathable mesh design, providing a lightweight and well-ventilated fit. This material ensures that the shoe remains comfortable during long runs, even in warmer conditions. The mesh upper also contributes to the shoe's sleek and streamlined appearance, offering a secure lockdown fit. The tongue is made from a thin, stretchy material that wraps around the foot, enhancing comfort and preventing slippage. This design is particularly beneficial for runners who encounter varying weather conditions, as it helps keep the foot cool and dry.

The midsole of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos combines Fresh Foam X with PEBA, creating a unique blend of cushioning and responsiveness. This combination offers a soft, cloud-like feel underfoot while providing a touch of energy return. The midsole's design is particularly suited for runners who appreciate a cushioned ride without sacrificing responsiveness. The inclusion of PEBA enhances the shoe's performance in colder conditions, maintaining its plushness even in low temperatures. This makes the Balos a versatile choice for year-round running.

The outsole of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos features minimal rubber coverage, focusing on high-wear areas to maintain a lightweight build. This design choice contributes to the shoe's overall lightness but raises concerns about durability, especially for runners who tend to wear out the medial side of their shoes. The use of rubberized EVA in the outsole provides a softer feel during runs, although it may not offer the same level of durability as traditional rubber. This makes the Balos more suitable for runners who prioritize a lightweight, cushioned ride over long-term durability.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos fits true to size, with a medium toe box that may feel slightly restrictive for some runners. The shoe is available in a wide size option, accommodating those with broader feet. The fit is generally secure, thanks to the stretchy tongue and mesh upper, which provide a snug lockdown. However, runners with a high instep may find the top of the shoe a bit snug, especially when wearing thicker socks or insoles. Overall, the Balos offers a comfortable fit for most foot shapes, with the option to adjust for a more personalized fit.

Comfort is a standout feature of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos, thanks to its plush cushioning and breathable upper. The combination of Fresh Foam X and PEBA in the midsole provides a soft, cushioned ride that is ideal for long runs and recovery days. The shoe's lightweight design further enhances comfort, making it suitable for extended wear. The breathable mesh upper keeps the foot cool and dry, while the stretchy tongue ensures a secure fit without causing discomfort. This makes the Balos a great choice for runners who prioritize comfort in their daily training shoes.

The cushioning in the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos is one of its most praised features. The combination of Fresh Foam X and PEBA in the midsole provides a plush, cloud-like feel underfoot, ideal for long runs and recovery days. The shoe's cushioning is particularly beneficial for midfoot strikers, offering enhanced muscle protection and sustained comfort. Despite its softness, the midsole maintains a level of responsiveness, making it suitable for a variety of running paces. This cushioning setup is perfect for runners who enjoy a soft, cushioned ride without sacrificing performance.

Breathability is a key feature of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos, thanks to its mesh upper. This design ensures that the shoe remains well-ventilated, keeping the foot cool and dry during runs. The breathable upper is particularly beneficial for runners tackling warmer conditions or those who experience sweaty feet. The mesh material also contributes to the shoe's lightweight feel, enhancing overall comfort. This makes the Balos a great choice for runners seeking a breathable, comfortable shoe for daily training.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos offers a moderate level of stability, making it suitable for neutral runners. The shoe's wide base provides a stable platform, particularly beneficial for those dealing with foot or ankle pain. While the plush cushioning may compromise stability slightly, the shoe's design includes features to enhance stability, such as the rockered sole and wide base. This makes the Balos a good option for runners who prioritize comfort and cushioning but still require a stable ride.

Durability is a mixed aspect of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos. While the shoe's lightweight design is achieved through minimal rubber coverage on the outsole, this raises concerns about long-term durability. The use of rubberized EVA provides a softer feel but may not withstand heavy wear as well as traditional rubber. The toebox material also showed signs of wear in durability tests, suggesting that the shoe may not be the best choice for runners who are hard on their footwear. However, the heel area demonstrated good durability, offering some reassurance for those concerned about early wear.

The grip of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos is adequate for road running, with rubber coverage in high-wear areas providing traction. The shoe's design focuses on maintaining a lightweight build, which may compromise grip slightly compared to shoes with more extensive rubber coverage. However, the Balos performs well on dry surfaces, making it suitable for road running and daily training. Runners who frequently encounter wet or slippery conditions may want to consider a shoe with more robust grip features.

Flexibility is a notable feature of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos, with the shoe offering impressive longitudinal flexibility. This design allows for smooth transitions during runs, enhancing the overall running experience. The shoe's flexibility is particularly beneficial for easy runs and walking, providing a comfortable and natural feel. Despite its flexibility, the Balos maintains a level of torsional rigidity, ensuring stability during runs. This balance of flexibility and stability makes the Balos a versatile choice for a variety of running activities.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos is designed for daily running with its plush cushioning and lightweight build. The combination of Fresh Foam X and PEBA in the midsole provides a soft, responsive ride, ideal for long-distance training and recovery runs.

The rockered design of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos enhances smooth heel-to-toe transitions, providing a forward-driving feel. This design is particularly beneficial for midfoot strikers and those who enjoy a smooth, rolling sensation during runs.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos fits true to size, but the toe box may feel slightly restrictive for some runners. However, the shoe is available in a wide size option, accommodating those with broader feet.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos has minimal rubber coverage on the outsole, which raises concerns about long-term durability. The use of rubberized EVA provides a softer feel but may not withstand heavy wear as well as traditional rubber.

While both the Balos and 1080 v13 feature Fresh Foam X midsoles, the Balos includes PEBA for added responsiveness. The Balos also has a mesh upper, offering a more high-performance vibe compared to the 1080's engineered knit.