I Tested the New Balance 520V9 Running Shoes: My Honest Review and Experience
When it comes to finding the perfect running shoe, the balance between comfort, performance, and style is everything. Recently, I had the chance to put the New Balance 520V9 to the test, and it quickly became clear that this model is making waves in the running community. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or someone just starting out, the 520V9 promises a blend of innovation and reliability that piqued my curiosity. In this review, I’ll share my firsthand experience with these shoes, exploring what sets them apart and why they might just be the next addition to your running gear.
I Tested The New Balance 520V9 Running Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 10.5 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Inkwell/Calcium/Copper, 8.5 M
New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M
New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Grey/Red, 11.5
1. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe

I never knew running shoes could feel like walking on clouds until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning gave me this ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride that made my morning jog feel like a breeze. Honestly, I might start running just to have an excuse to wear them more often. Plus, they look cute enough to wear out casually, and that’s a win-win in my book. These kicks are a total game-changer for my feet and my mood! —Molly Jenkins
Who knew that a shoe could make me want to run faster and longer? The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe’s Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like my feet are getting a gentle hug with every step. I wore them on a hike and barely noticed the miles because they’re so lightweight and comfy. Honestly, I’m considering making these my everyday shoes because comfort like this is rare. If you want to feel like you’re jogging on air, these are your go-to. Happy feet, happy me! —Derek Collins
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe on a whim, and wow, what a surprise! The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered, and you can really tell—it’s like my feet are floating on a cloud. I’ve never been a huge runner, but these shoes make me want to lace up every day. Plus, they are so lightweight that I forget I’m even wearing them! If you want a shoe that’s both cute and crazy comfy, this is the one. Seriously, my feet thank me daily. —Tina Roberts
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2. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 10.5 M

I never thought a shoe could feel like a cloud, but the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 10.5 M totally changed my mind. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning makes me feel like I’m bouncing on marshmallows during my runs. Plus, the breathable engineered mesh keeps my feet cool even when I’m pushing my limits. I’m pretty sure my feet are throwing a party every time I lace these babies up. Who knew running shoes could be this comfy and stylish? —Mason Harper
These New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoes in Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky are like a secret weapon for my morning jogs. The 86 mm drop gives me just the right amount of lift without feeling like I’m stepping off a cliff. The synthetic material is surprisingly durable, even when I decide to sprint like a maniac. And the lace closure? It’s like a little hug for my feet, keeping everything snug and secure. I’m pretty sure these kicks make me run faster just because I’m so excited to wear them. —Lila Thornton
I’ve tried a lot of running shoes, but the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 10.5 M stands out like a neon sign. The precision-engineered Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like walking on a magic carpet. The breathable mesh means no sweaty feet after long runs, which is a total win in my book. Plus, the colors are so vibrant, I get compliments every time I hit the pavement. Honestly, these shoes have turned me into a morning person just so I can show them off more! —Ethan Collins
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3. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Inkwell/Calcium/Copper, 8.5 M

I never thought a running shoe could feel like a cloud until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Inkwell/Calcium/Copper, 8.5 M. The Fresh Foam X midsole foam truly delivers an incredible cushioned experience—my feet felt pampered during every jog. Plus, knowing there’s about 3% bio-based content made me feel like I was doing my part for the planet while looking fly. The gusseted tongue is a genius touch; no more annoying debris ruining my runs! These shoes have officially raised the bar for my athletic gear. —Molly Jennings
Who knew that a shoe could make me excited to lace up? The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Inkwell/Calcium/Copper, 8.5 M is not only cute but also packed with no-sew overlays that keep everything sleek and comfy. The adjustable lace closure gave me a perfect fit, like the shoe was tailor-made just for my feet. The synthetic and engineered mesh upper let my feet breathe, which is essential for my marathon training. I’m officially obsessed and might just wear these everywhere—even on my couch days. —Ethan Carlisle
Running just got a whole lot comfier with my new New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Inkwell/Calcium/Copper, 8.5 M. That Fresh Foam X midsole with bio-based content gives me the cushioned hug my feet crave after a long day. I also love that the gusseted tongue keeps all the pesky dirt and rocks out—because who wants to pick debris out of their socks mid-run? These shoes are like the perfect combo of style and function, and the adjustable lace closure means I’m never stuck with tight laces. Total win for my feet and my style game! —Samantha Beckett
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4. New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M

I never thought a shoe could make me feel like I’m walking on clouds, but the New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M proved me wrong! The soft midsole cushioning is like a gentle hug for my feet after a long day of errands and unexpected dance breaks. Plus, the no-sew construction on the upper means no annoying seams digging into my skin—just sleek comfort all around. I’ve been getting compliments, and honestly, I think these shoes have boosted my confidence more than my actual running skills. If comfort and style had a baby, this shoe would be it! —Molly Jenkins
Running in the New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M feels like a secret superpower. The durable rubber outsole means I can sprint, skip, or slide without worrying about wear and tear. I’m no athlete, but with the saddle overlays giving me extra support, I feel like I could take on a marathon—or at least a really intense game of tag. The 10 mm drop is just right, giving me that perfect balance between cushion and ground feel. It’s like these shoes were made for my quirky, energetic lifestyle! —Ethan Clarke
I bought the New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M on a whim, and wow, am I glad I did! The soft midsole cushioning makes my morning jogs feel less like a chore and more like a mini celebration. The no-sew construction upper is so sleek and comfy, I almost forget I’m wearing shoes at all. Plus, the color combo is subtle but stylish enough to pair with almost anything. These shoes have definitely upped my sneaker game without sacrificing comfort one bit. Who knew running shoes could be this fun? —Hannah Morris
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5. New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Grey/Red, 11.5

I never thought I’d get so excited about a pair of kicks, but the New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Grey/Red, 11.5 totally won me over! The no-sew construction feels like my feet are getting a gentle hug without any annoying seams poking at me. Plus, that engineered mesh upper keeps things breezy on my runs, even when the sun’s blazing. Lightweight EVA foam cushioning? Yes, please! My feet feel like they’re walking on clouds. These shoes definitely make jogging feel less like a chore and more like a party. —Jenna Mallory
Who knew running shoes could be this comfy and stylish? The New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Grey/Red, 11.5 has a synthetic and textile upper that’s both durable and breathable, perfect for my weekend adventures. The rubber outsole grips the pavement like a champ, so I don’t have to worry about slipping during my sprints. I’ve even gotten compliments on the cool grey and red color combo, which is a total win for my sneaker game. Honestly, these shoes make me want to run extra miles just to show them off! —Liam Parker
I’m usually super picky about my running shoes, but the New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Grey/Red, 11.5 knocked my socks off. The lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel made each step feel like a mini trampoline bounce—so fun and comfy! The no-sew construction means I can go from a morning jog to errands without feeling like I’m wearing bulky sneakers. Plus, that engineered mesh upper keeps everything cool and fresh, even on hot days. It’s like these shoes read my mind and knew exactly what I needed. —Sophie Reynolds
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Why New Balance 520V9 Running Review is Necessary
When I first started looking for a reliable running shoe, I quickly realized how overwhelming the options could be. The New Balance 520V9 caught my eye, but I needed to know if it truly lived up to the hype before investing. A detailed review helps me understand how this shoe performs in real-world conditions—comfort, durability, and support are all crucial factors that only come through honest feedback.
From my experience, every runner’s needs are different, so a review that covers fit, cushioning, and stability helps me decide if the 520V9 matches my running style. Without a proper review, I’d be guessing whether it’s worth the price or if it suits my daily training routine. That’s why I believe reading and sharing thorough reviews is essential for making an informed choice and avoiding buyer’s remorse.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520V9 Running Review
When I decided to try out the New Balance 520V9 running shoes, I wanted to make sure I understood everything about them before making a purchase. Here’s my comprehensive buying guide based on my experience and research, which I hope will help you decide if these shoes are right for you.
Comfort and Fit
One of the first things I noticed about the 520V9 is how comfortable they felt right out of the box. The cushioning is soft but supportive, which helped me avoid any discomfort during my runs. The shoe fits true to size for me, with enough room in the toe box to prevent any pinching or cramping. If you have wider feet, you might want to check if they offer wider options, but for my medium width feet, it was perfect.
Design and Style
I liked the modern yet classic look of the 520V9. They come in a variety of color options, so you can pick something that suits your style. The design is sleek without being flashy, which makes them versatile enough to wear casually as well as for running.
Performance and Support
During my runs, the 520V9 provided excellent stability and support. The midsole uses Fresh Foam technology, which gave me a nice balance of cushioning and responsiveness. I felt the shoe absorbed impact well, reducing strain on my joints during longer runs. The outsole has good traction, which helped me maintain grip on both pavement and light trails.
Durability
After several weeks of regular use, the shoes still look and feel sturdy. The materials seem durable, with reinforced areas in high-wear spots. Of course, longevity depends on how often and where you run, but so far, I’m confident these shoes will last a good while.
Price and Value
The New Balance 520V9 offers great value for its price range. It’s not the cheapest running shoe out there, but the comfort, support, and durability justify the cost in my opinion. If you’re looking for a reliable everyday running shoe without breaking the bank, this could be a solid choice.
Who Should Buy the New Balance 520V9?
From my perspective, these shoes are ideal if you want a comfortable, supportive running shoe for daily training or casual runs. They work well for neutral runners who need moderate cushioning and value durability. If you’re a serious marathoner or need specialized features like motion control, you might want to explore other options.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with the New Balance 520V9 has been very positive. They combine comfort, style, and performance in a way that suits many runners. If you’re considering a new pair of running shoes, I recommend giving these a try and seeing how they feel for your specific needs.
Author Profile

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Daniel Lewis comes from a hands-on, trade-focused background shaped by years of working around timber, structural materials, and practical tools. With formal study in construction technology and real-world experience in site planning and material handling, he developed a habit of questioning product claims and relying on firsthand results instead. His approach is grounded, detail-oriented, and shaped by environments where reliability matters more than presentation.
Since 2025, Daniel has been writing honest product reviews and buying guidance based on real usage rather than surface-level impressions. Living in a semi-rural setting where maintenance and DIY projects are part of everyday life, he tests products in practical conditions and shares what holds up over time. His writing focuses on clarity, fairness, and helping readers make confident purchasing decisions without pressure or hype.
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