New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos
Balos is New Balance's newest max-cushion trainer, slotting near the More with a tall, soft Fresh Foam X stack and a smooth rocker aimed squarely at comfort. It launched in 2025 as a plush option for recovery days and long, easy miles, with a wide base that keeps the soft foam from feeling tippy. A newer name, so it lacks the track record of the 1080 or More lines.
Reach for the New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos for easy recovery days, long runs and everyday training miles. A wide, stable base keeps it steady without stability hardware, so it's a good pick if you're mostly neutral but like a planted feel. The tall, soft stack favors comfort over ground feel. That's great for high mileage and bigger runners, less so for racing snappiness.
- Very soft, protective cushioning
- Stable base for a max-stack shoe
- Comfortable for long easy efforts
- Heavy and easy-pace only
- New model with limited long-term track record
| Shoe | Cushion | Support | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoka Bondi 9 | Maximum | Mild | $170 | Analyze |
| Hoka Clifton 10 | Maximum | Neutral | $150 | Analyze |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 | Maximum | Neutral | $165 | Analyze |
| ASICS Novablast 5 | Maximum | Neutral | $150 | Analyze |
Ratings compare the current lineup. Price favors lower cost.
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