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New Balance has a brand new daily trainer in its line up, dropping in alongside the New Balance 1080v15 and the 880v15. The New Balance Ellipse is a Fresh Foam X packing daily mileage shoe that New Balance says is designed for easy enjoyment rather than speed. It’s lighter and lower stacked than the 880V15 and the 1080v15 and comes in slightly cheaper than both. We’ve logged the requisite test miles to see if this adds something new – and needed – to the daily trainer shelves.
New Balance Ellipse Design & Key Stats
- Price: £130/$145
- Weight: 9.5oz / 268g (men’s UK 8.5/ US 9)
- Drop:Â 8mm
- Stack:Â 38mm / 30mm
- Upper:Â Engineered mesh
- Midsole:Â Fresh Foam X
- Outsole:Â Rubber covering most of forefoot plus heel pads
How’s The Fit
Like a lot of New Balance running shoes, the fit is quite snug true to size, particularly into the toe box with a narrowish sweep right back and across the toe knuckles. The midfoot locks down well with a well-cushion tongue to remove any risk of lace pinch and improve the overall plushness though the high cut might be too much for some. The ample-padded heel collars hold securely and overall you’re getting a comfortable, natural feeling shoe that’s pretty effortless straight out of the box.
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New Balance Ellipse Review
The Run Test: Likes
Kieran, Nick, Mike and Tom put the test miles in in the New Balance Ellipse and one thing that stands out with this is how light it is compared to the daily trainers in the New Balance line up and the best cushioned running shoes on the shelves.
Some of that weight saving comes from a lower stack which isn’t as maxed out as some. But the softer-tuned Fresh Foam X still delivers a balance of cushioned protection and springy energy. Early miles suggest this is quite an easy shoe to log low and slow miles, absorbing the impact and turning over well without you having to think too much. Though it doesn’t have too much potential when you move up the gears.
The midsole offers up some spring and energy at the slower paces. It gives a bit back to help you along. It’s all quite immediate in the return so you get the feedback quite quickly, which some runners like. There is a bit of softness in the heel but it also feels fairly stable and generally well balanced.
We enjoyed our runs and this is definitely another shoe that falls into competent, cushioned daily pile.
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It’s also a looker that’s clearly trying to tread the line between a shoe you can clock daily miles in and keep wearing when the running stops. We sometimes scoff at the idea of lifestyle shoes that can also run but they can be really good shoe to have in your lineup.
The Run Test: Dislikes
It’s not so much a dislike, but the biggest question we have with the New Balance Ellipse is whether it really brings anything new. New Balance already had a lot of shoes in this cushioned daily area and the Ellipse, while competent, isn’t likely to blow you away. Nor is it the most energetic, fun or versatile daily trainer. So it kind of struggles to stand out from the pack in terms of performance.
There are plenty of shoes out there already that cater for the similar range of runs as the Ellipse. And some that can do that and take care of faster training , too.
Verdict and Alternatives
The New Balance Ellipse is another solid, dependable, nicely cushioned daily training option from New Balance and lands at a good price. Which is maybe the most enticing thing about it. Aside from the crossover run/everyday wear styling.
But it’s up against some really serious competition even from within the New Balance line-up. The New Balance 1080v15 is pricier but the new Infinion foam midsole injects more life and more fun. The 880v15 arguably does a similar job. The New Balance Rebel V5 is also a good comfortable daily, a bit lower profile than the Ellipse but again has more range.
Oustide of New Balance, the Hoka Mach 7 has quite a similar ride profile but probably tops the Ellipse for the all-round package. The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 and Salomon Aero Glide 4 are also around this price and shoes we’d reach for ahead of the Ellipse.
New Balance Ellipse vs…
If you’re weighing up the Ellipse against other shoes from the New Balance line up, here are a few head to heads worth dipping into.