New Balance Kayse R V2 First Impressions: A Racer That Finally Comes Together

Introduction

The original Kayse R was a shoe with potential that never fully clicked: a sloppy upper, foam that felt more training-shop than race-ready, and a ride that didn’t hold together the way it should. The V2 is a different story. After a race and a full 10-mile workout in the new version, this one is already in the race day conversation, and it may even be a tough call against New Balance’s Elite for marathon duty.

What the Kayse R V2 Is Meant For

The original Kayse R was pitched as a fast training or tempo shoe, but it never quite worked out that way for its testers. The V2 shifts the identity firmly toward racing. It sits alongside, or arguably above, the top tier of race day options: not quite as light as a Vaporfly, but lighter than many middle-tier race day shoes, which puts it squarely in the mix as a genuine contender.

Performance and Ride Feel

The headline change is an extra 5 mm of foam underfoot, bringing the heel to roughly 33 mm while still keeping the overall stack on the lower side. The foam has also moved to a PEBA blend, which makes the ride very responsive and bouncy, and the low-slung platform still delivers enough cushioning and protection under the forefoot for long efforts.

That combination was enough to survive a 10-mile workout and still feel amazing, and it prompted an honest question: would this be the marathon pick over the Elite? For runners who prefer a lower, firmer-feeling race shoe that doesn’t sacrifice forefoot protection, the answer may well be yes.

Fit and Upper Notes

The upper is extremely minimal, which keeps weight impressively low: just over 6 oz in a women’s size 7.5 and 8.1 oz in a men’s size 10. For a race day fit, that snugness is largely a plus, since a locked-in upper is exactly what most racers want.

There are two fit caveats worth knowing. The toe box gets a little shallow, with some pressure felt on top of the toes, and the minimal heel collar caused rubbing on the first wear before settling down by the second outing. The shallow tongue also carries over from the original, offering some lace protection but with very little material above the tie area.

Price and Value

The Kayse R V2 is available now at $200. That sounds steep for a trainer, but as a race day shoe it actually lands on the lower side of the premium racing tier, especially given the carbon plate, PEBA blended foam, and lightweight upper you get for the money.

Buying Advice

This is a shoe for runners shopping for a genuine racer rather than a fast trainer: tempo days, tune-up races, and possibly even the marathon itself. If you like a lower, livelier ride than most tall-stack super shoes, the V2 is one of the more fun options out there, with a ride that has drawn comparisons to a Rebel with a plate. Try it with the shallow toe box and heel collar in mind, but expect the fit to reward a racing-oriented foot.

Conclusion

The first Kayse R didn’t come together. The V2 clearly does: lighter, more cushioned, bouncier, and finally fitting the way a race shoe should. As a first impression, this one looks like a winner, and a full review is only likely to confirm it.