The New Balance Running Lineup: From Daily Trainers to Race Day

Introduction

New Balance’s running line in 2024 covers just about every kind of runner: cushioned daily trainers, a max-cushion recovery shoe, plated tempo and race day options, plus a lifestyle collection worth a look in its own right. This guide walks through the standouts in each category, what has changed this year, and who each shoe is really for.

The Daily Workhorse: New Balance 1080 v14

The 1080 v14 is New Balance’s standard daily trainer, the workhorse of the line. It has a decent amount of Fresh Foam stack and is built for all those easy miles. It is not a huge change from last year, but it is a good tune-up: the midsole geometry has been reshaped while the foam stays the same, and the ride feels a little livelier as a result. The upper has also been updated and is more breathable and generally more comfortable.

Fit has improved too. Earlier uppers ran a little baggy, but this version contours the foot well. The ride is dialed in and feels closer to some of the favorite daily trainers from other brands, though the weight sits on the higher side, which is typical for a max-stack daily trainer. It comes in at $165.

The Max Cushion Option: New Balance More v5

If you want more cushion than the 1080, the More v5 is New Balance’s max cushion trainer, essentially the same idea with a lot more foam underfoot. This year the gap between the two shoes is clearly visible and clearly felt. You actually sit down into the cushioning, so it is not as high stacked as it looks, and the wide platform makes it surprisingly stable.

It is one of the favorite max cushion shoes in the lineup because of how much foam you get and how comfortable that foam feels. The trade-off is weight: this is definitely on the heavier side. That matters little on recovery days and easy miles, which is exactly what this shoe is for.

The Premium Super Trainer: Fresh Foam Bos

The Bos is a new entry and a bit of an odd fit for the Fresh Foam family, because it is the first Fresh Foam shoe to get a PEBA blend. It is described as a super trainer without a plate: a premium daily trainer with a responsive, bouncy ride, something like a beefed-up Rebel.

The upper is a semi-transparent mesh with a nice knit tongue, and it is one of the lighter shoes in the daily training category. Two things to know before buying. First, the outsole is exposed EVA, so you feel the ground more than usual. Second, the ride is very soft and gooey, with some rebound but a strongly cushioned feel. That is polarizing: some runners love it, others do not. At $200, it is a premium pick that comes down to personal preference.

The Marathon Trainer: New Balance SC Trainer v3

Moving into the FuelCell line, the SC Trainer v3 uses a new PEBA-blend formulation that is very bouncy. It keeps a full-length carbon fiber plate, now thinner and reshaped into a fork design, which reduces the weight a bit and adds to the fun ride.

This is the marathon training shoe and long run shoe of the lineup. It has race day properties without quite being race ready: a bit heavier, more supportive, and a daily trainer upper on top of race day tech. The idea is that you recover faster after long runs because your legs do not feel beat up afterward.

It also pairs nicely with the SC Elite v4 for race day, giving you a similar ride that lightens up and adds bounce on the start line. For everyday cruising it feels good and supportive, and it can nearly eliminate the need for a separate recovery shoe.

The Lightweight Favorite: New Balance Rebel v4

The Rebel v4 is light, fun, has the right amount of cushioning, and the price is right. The Phantom fit upper is minimal and very light, with a thin gusseted tongue that keeps the foot locked in. Underfoot is the same FuelCell foam composition as the SC Trainer.

One knock: the fit favors a slightly wider foot, so some runners need to lace it fairly tight. Otherwise it covers all the paces. Head out for an easy day and it cruises, feel like picking it up and it responds. The noticeable thing is the weight, and the only improvement some runners would ask for is adding a plate, which brings us to the Pacer.

The Short-Distance Racer: New Balance Pacer v2

The Pacer v2 is the fast shoe for shorter race days. It was designed specifically with Emily Sisson in mind, with very specific stack heights, and its FuelCell formula is 100% PEBA, a hallmark of the race day lineup. Think of it as the Rebel with a plate.

The previous version would not have made any top lists, but this update definitely belongs on lists for middle distances, 13.1 and down. Light and efficient runners could even use it in a marathon. It feels light, snappy, and fun to run in, and it comes in at $200.

The Full-Distance Racer: New Balance SC Elite v4

For the full marathon, the SC Elite v4 is the pick. Tested at the New York City Marathon before its spring release, it carries the Phantom fit upper with a non-gusseted tongue to keep weight down, a nicely fitting heel collar, and good breathability for long runs.

Underfoot is 100% PEBA FuelCell at the maximum 40mm heel stack, a carbon fiber plate, and plenty of rubber outsole coverage. It is not the lightest race day shoe available, but it is one of the more comfortable ones. If your marathon is for fun or your pace means you will be out there a while, this shoe keeps the bounce and the PEBA feel through those later miles.

Lifestyle Picks: 990 v6 and 993 Suede

The lifestyle collection is arguably the hottest part of New Balance right now, and two shoes stand out. The 990 v6 is the modern-day classic, made in the US, a shoe that became especially popular in the DC and Baltimore area. This version is a great update and comfortable enough to wear all day walking around. It is, without question, the ultimate dad shoe.

The 993 Suede is the shoe you did not know you needed until you saw it on someone’s foot. Also made in the USA and very comfortable, it can be made even better with an aftermarket insole for all-day comfort. The purple suede colorway in particular looks great, and it works as an easy all-day companion to your running rotation.

Conclusion

New Balance’s 2024 lineup offers a clear pick for nearly every use case: the 1080 v14 for daily miles, the More v5 for recovery days, the Bos for a soft super trainer, the SC Trainer v3 for long runs and marathon build-ups, the Rebel v4 and Pacer v2 for lighter and faster days, the SC Elite v4 for race day, and the 990 v6 or 993 Suede for everything after the run. Match the shoe to the miles you actually run and you cannot really go wrong.