Asics Novablast 2 - Not entirely a max cushioned, but still a highly, highly cushioned trainer that does recovery well Like most shoes, finding the best running shoe for your preferences will depend on unique factors like your foot, arches, goals, and stability needs. The best running shoe will offer the ideal balance of softness and stability, comfortable fit, and the preferred amount of cushioning for comfort and longevity. How do you break-in running shoes?

Jeff: Released last year, the React Infinity has a litany of issues for me - major arch pressure and heel slip are the majors - and while I’d prefer a more versatile shoe in the FFM, it takes the cake for me over the problematic Nike. When I first put them on, I was surprised. Although the midsole is gigantic, and the shoe advertised “the highest levels of cushion” from New Balance, they didn’t feel extra soft. A mighty fine premium upper here with the crude and rough feeling v2's and minimal heel counter replaced by a very soft engineered mesh and a stout and comfortable heel counter and collars.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v2 Versus New Balance Fresh Foam More v3

This shoe fits true-to-size and hugs your feet in all the right places. I didn’t experience any hotspots or rubbing. This shoe felt like it was made for my feet. The midfoot and the heel are comfortable and secure. And both the tongue and the heel collar are padded, which helps keep your feet in place. The inherent stability is there but in no way noticed, after the first couple runs that is until the shoe starts to get a long flex with a distinct near midfoot quite snappy flex point, nice. This shoe is very close in design and purpose to the Hoka Bondi 7, and if you saw our review of that shoe I just thought it was too stiff. The Bondi fits heavier runners really well, and the ample amounts of foam underfoot were not that useful in my tests. The midfoot and forefoot are super spacious, attributes that Wide Foot Jarrett will appreciate, especially if this comes in a 2E. New Balance calls the upper construction a “no-fuss fit.” I agree. Engineers dropped the 3D ultra heel featured in the More 2 and returned to a traditional look with extra padding. Tongue padding is equally generous. The mesh upper, complemented by the “N” logo on the medial and lateral sides of the midfoot for a touch of structure, round out an irritation-free design. The exposed rubber on the outsole shows some minor wear, but the carbon stuff is holding strong.

The New Balance Fresh Foam More v3 is probably one of my favorites maxed cushion shoes of 2021. Here are three reasons why: The Stable Upper Ready for more good news? Never again will you have to choose between function and fashion. New Balance is proud to offer fresh, exciting styles that are as modern as they are timeless - created with an ideal balance of aesthetics and function in mind. How should running shoes fit? Taking its place is the new Ecostep rubber, which while sustainable (made from 30% recycled rubber), falls behind when it comes to traction on technical trails. During our 90-degree bend test, we had to apply a force of 27.5N, 13% more bendy than average! Rubber is good enough, but not greatThe material used on the upper is a double jacquard mesh which is flexible, and very breathable. However, as I found out while running during a rain storm halfway through my tests, they let all the water in. And they were not great at expunging the water that got in. So on those runs in the rain, your feet are going to get very wet. New Balance Fresh Foam More – Conclusion