New Balance
Fresh Foam X Balos v1 Running Shoe – Women's
$199.95
Free shipping
Free shipping on orders over $60
In-store pickup · Check our 4 Memphis-area stores
30-day returns, even if you've run in them
The Grivet Take
The Balos v1 is New Balance's swing at a max-cushion easy-day shoe with a much more aggressive rocker than the 1080 line. Underfoot is a soft PEBA-blended Fresh Foam X stacked tall, with a heel bevel, early-stage rocker, and pronounced toe spring that does the rolling work for you at conversational paces. This is a recovery-day and long-run shoe for runners who already know they want maximum cushion and a rolling ride. It is not a tempo shoe; the soft foam and flexible EVA outsole damp out any real snap above easy paces. Runners who need any kind of stability should look elsewhere, since the tall stack and narrow platform read as tippy at slower paces. Midfoot strikers and forefoot strikers may also struggle with how early the toe spring kicks in.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.3 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.2 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.5 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.4 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.5 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.3 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
No added support structure
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Narrower than average platform
How it fits
Fits true to size for most runners. Width across the forefoot reads standard, but vertical volume over the toes is on the low side, and customer reviews consistently note that the sharp toe spring combined with a thicker knit upper sits close on the top of the foot. Runners with tall toes or a high-volume forefoot should expect the upper to feel snug at the toes for the first miles. The gusseted tongue and standard lacing produce a secure midfoot lockdown without pressure points, and the heel counter is firm with adequate collar padding. Only standard (B) width is offered for women, which limits options for very wide forefeet. Customer reviews also consistently note that the platform feels narrower than the stack height suggests, so runners with a history of ankle instability should try the shoe in store before committing.
How it feels
Cushion is plush and protective, with the PEBA-blended Fresh Foam X reading soft but not mushy. The defining feature is the rocker: an aggressive heel bevel, early forefoot transition point, and pronounced toe spring combine to roll the foot forward without much conscious push from the runner. At easy and moderate paces this geometry is calm and smooth, especially for heel strikers. At faster paces the soft foam compresses too far for a snappy toe-off, and the EVA outsole rubber adds compliance rather than pop. Ground feel is minimal given the 39mm heel stack, and the platform feels narrow enough that some runners will need to focus through corners and uneven surfaces.
Quick specs
- Category
- Long run trainer
- Surface
- Pavement · Treadmill
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 39.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 33.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 6.0 mm
- Weight (women's 8)
- 7.3 oz · 207 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 5 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Narrower than average platform
- Midsole
- Fresh Foam X (PEBA-blended)
- Outsole
- Ground Contact EVA
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- No
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- B
Tech, translated
Fresh Foam X is the midsole foam, a PEBA-blended formulation with approximately 3% bio-based content. New Balance positions this as their most cushioned Fresh Foam to date; underfoot it reads soft and protective with a small bounce on landing rather than the firmer feel of older Fresh Foam compounds.
Ground Contact EVA is the outsole material, with strategic rubber coverage in the highest-wear areas of the heel and forefoot. The full-contact EVA design saves weight and gives a more ground-conforming feel than a fully rubbered outsole, at some cost to durability on rough pavement and wet-weather grip.
The rocker geometry uses a large heel bevel, an early forefoot transition point, and a pronounced toe spring. There is no plate; the roll comes entirely from foam shaping and the curved last.
Frequently asked
Does the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos v1 run true to size?
The Balos v1 runs true to size for most runners. Width across the forefoot reads standard, but vertical volume over the toes is on the low side because the sharp toe spring combines with a thicker knit upper to sit close on the top of the foot. Runners with tall toes or a high-volume forefoot should expect the upper to feel snug at the toes for the first miles. Only standard (B) width is offered for women, so runners with wider feet should try the shoe in store before committing.
How does the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos v1 compare to the New Balance 1080v14?
Both shoes share a max-cushion daily-trainer profile and a similar PEBA-blended Fresh Foam X midsole. The Balos v1 sits on a much more aggressive rocker with a sharper toe spring, so the foot rolls forward more easily at easy and recovery paces. The 1080v14 is flatter, more grounded, and available in wider widths, which makes it the more versatile pick for runners who want one shoe across a wider range of paces.
Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos v1 firm or soft underfoot?
The Balos v1 is soft. The PEBA-blended Fresh Foam X reads plush and protective on landing, with a small bounce rather than a dead sink. The pronounced rocker geometry adds to the soft impression by carrying the foot through the gait cycle without much push from the runner. Runners who want a firmer, more responsive daily trainer should look at the Asics Superblast 3 or a more traditional daily trainer.
Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos v1 good for treadmill running?
Yes for easy and recovery treadmill miles. The soft Fresh Foam X foam absorbs the harder treadmill landing well, and the Ground Contact EVA outsole grips belt surfaces reliably. The aggressive rocker keeps the cadence smooth at conversational paces without forcing a forefoot push. Faster treadmill workouts belong in a different shoe; the soft foam and rocker geometry are tuned for easier efforts.
Does the Balos v1 work for forefoot or midfoot strikers?
Less well than for heel strikers. The rocker geometry combines a large heel bevel with an early forefoot transition point and a pronounced toe spring, which is designed to carry a heel-striking foot forward smoothly. Forefoot and midfoot strikers tend to land past the heel bevel and onto the toe spring, which can feel unnatural and may put more load on the calves and knees. Heel and rearfoot strikers will get the most from the geometry.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
Choose the Balos v1 if you want a much more aggressive rocker and a softer, bouncier PEBA-blended midsole for easy and recovery days. Choose the 1080v14 if you want a flatter, more grounded daily trainer that handles a wider range of paces and is available in wider widths.
Compare New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 →
Hoka Bondi 9
Choose the Balos v1 if you want more PEBA bounce in the foam and a sharper toe spring. Choose the Bondi 9 if you want a more planted feel underfoot and a wider, calmer platform on long max-cushion miles.
Compare Hoka Bondi 9 →
Brooks Glycerin 22
Choose the Balos v1 if you want a more pronounced rocker and a bouncier supercritical-foam ride. Choose the Glycerin 22 if you want a traditional plush daily trainer with a wider, steadier base.
Compare Brooks Glycerin 22 →
Asics Superblast 3
Choose the Balos v1 if your priority is easy-day cushion and a strong rolling sensation at conversational paces. Choose the Superblast 3 if you want a max-stack shoe that can also handle tempo runs and faster long efforts.
Compare Asics Superblast 3 →
Buyer's guide
Read our running shoes guide
A clear framework for picking running shoes by surface, cushion, drop, stability, and fit.
Read the guide