New Balance already makes some of the best running shoes you can buy, but the brand's latest effort is less about smashing a PR and more about the joy of being "lost in the run."
It’s designed to motivate runners of all types to get out there and enjoy their run.
Kevin FitzPatrick, Global Vice President of Running, New Balance
The Massachusetts-based company has just unveiled its latest creation: the Ellipse running shoe. It reimagines the Fresh Foam X material in the midsole to create more bounce underfoot. There's a rockered profile and elevated cushioning to make this a comfortable everyday running shoe.
New Balance is positioning this as the shoe you grab when you want to leave all the best smartwatches or fitness trackers at home and just head out on a run.
"In a world where running has become a constantly connected scorecard of splits, pace and performance metrics, the Ellipse is built to restore the simple joy of being 'lost in the run.' Whether it’s someone logging their first miles or a seasoned runner heading out for recovery, this shoe is engineered for comfort, ease and everyday enjoyment," the company wrote in a press release shared with Tom's Guide.
The Ellipse features a breathable engineered-mesh upper, a cushioned tongue and stretch laces. The shoe also hits the sweet spot in terms of weight, with a men's 9.5D tipping the scales at 9.6oz/274g and a women’s 7B coming in at 7.6oz/218g.
“It’s designed to motivate runners of all types to get out there and enjoy their run,” said Kevin FitzPatrick, Global Vice President of Running at New Balance.
New Balance says the drop is 8mm while the total stack height is 37.8mm for men and 29.9mm for women.
“The Ellipse celebrates all who run – whether logging their first miles or recovering after race day," added FitzPatrick.
I can't wait to try it
The Ellipse has already been adopted by New Balance's stable of athletes, including Olympic gold medallist sprinter Gabby Thomas and middle-distance champion runner Parker Valby. And while I'm a long way from the rarefied air of those runners, I regularly log around 20 miles a week even when I'm not training for an event.
I'm currently using the New Balance 1080v15 — the brand's most popular everyday running shoe — as my current footwear for those lunchtime runs. That shoe trades on its comfort and lightness thanks to the upgraded midsole, so you know I'm dying to find out if the Ellipse can outperform it.
Pricing can sometimes be a factor when it comes to NB and the Ellipse will set you back $145/£130 when it launches on March 5. That makes it cheaper than the 1080v15 and so it may make for a more sensible purchase for those looking to get into running as the weather (hopefully) starts to get a bit warmer.
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