New Balance Propel V4 Review: A Budget Daily Trainer That Punches Above Its Price

Introduction

The New Balance Propel V4 is a surprisingly exciting shoe, and the biggest surprise is what it costs. At $110, it lands squarely in the budget daily trainer category, especially in a year when shoes that used to be around $100 now sit at $110 or more, with models like the Pegasus at $130 and the Kinvara around $120. For that money, the Propel V4 packs FuelCell foam, a TPU plate, a seamless no-sew upper, and generous rubber coverage, making it one of the best deals in running for a brand-new shoe that is not on sale.

Upper and Fit

The no-sew upper is simple and there is not a lot going on. There is no gusseted tongue, but there is decent padding around the collar and heel. The materials are not the most premium, and that is where the budget nature of the shoe shows, but it works: it is breathable and lands well on the foot. Some puckering can appear, which may suit runners with a slightly wider foot, while narrower runners may notice a bit of extra fabric.

The forefoot is nicely wide and accommodates broader feet well. Some heel lift showed up early on for one wearer, and using the additional lace hole as a runner’s loop helped reduce it. There can still be a little movement, so a perfect fit is not guaranteed out of the box, but taking the time to lace it properly largely fixed the issue.

FuelCell Foam and TPU Plate

Underfoot, the FuelCell used here is the same foam found in the much-loved SC Trainer, though the setup performs differently. Instead of an Energy Arc carbon setup, the Propel V4 uses a TPU plate, which is a little less snappy than carbon fiber. It is not that real bouncy, lively feeling, but it feels good underfoot, like a toned-down version of the SC Trainer.

The stack is 31/25 with a 6 mm drop, offering solid daily training cushioning rather than the extreme 40 mm plus of max-stack racers. The lower stack also adds a sense of stability. One tester has logged around 50 miles in the shoe and is enjoying it for easy runs.

Ride and Weight

Weight is the main thing that keeps this shoe from feeling fast. A men’s size 10.5 comes in at about 11 oz (312 g), which is a little heavy, and leg fatigue can creep in toward the end of longer runs. A women’s size 7.5 lands around 8.5 oz (240 g), and there the weight is barely noticeable, similar to the SC Trainer where the heft is accepted in exchange for bounce and a pleasant ride.

As for pace, the firmer TPU plate does provide decent energy return, so picking up the speed on shorter runs works, even if it is not the shoe for marathon-pace long-run workouts. Overall, it is best treated as a solid daily trainer.

Durability

At $110, the build quality is impressive. The amount of rubber coverage on the outsole, the seamless no-sew upper, the plastic plate, and the simple foam design mean there is very little to break down. The expectation is well beyond 300 miles, with some putting realistic longevity at 500 miles or more, which is remarkable at this price.

Who It’s For

This is a strong choice for anyone after a low-budget daily trainer, including newer runners or younger runners getting into the sport, since it is not a huge investment and can do a little of everything. Easy runs are its sweet spot, with the option to pick up the pace on shorter efforts.

Conclusion

The Propel V4 earns its green light by saving you green while still being a good shoe. The previous versions felt too firm and a bit sloppy, but version 4 turns the formula around with a better ride, quality FuelCell foam, and construction that should last well past 300 miles. If you are looking for a budget daily trainer, this is an easy recommendation.