New Balance Fresh Foam Sport Review
Since their beginning, over a hundred years ago, New Balance has been trying to make the feet of their customers happy and comfortable. Here we are decades later and they are still making great quality products that your feet will love. The Fresh Foam Sports shoes are super comfortable, mostly thanks to the Fresh Foam insole that sits on top of an already cushioned EVA foam midsole. You will get a responsive ride that puts a little spring in your step. Runners will love the high energy return they get from these while they are on the go, along with the lightweight design. If you are in the market for a reasonably priced pair of simple looking, yet comfortable, running shoes or simply a pair of casual everyday sneakers, then the New Balance Fresh Foam Sports shoes might right for you.
- Affordable price tag
- Comfortable sock-like fit
- Responsive ride
- Lightweight feel
- Soft foam insole
- Rubber traction sole
- Not enough support
- Not very breathable
- Rough mesh uppers
Outsole
These sneakers are more considered to be road running shoes and as such it is recommended that you stick to flat and non-abrasive surfaces such as tracks, paved paths, or treadmills. The soles of these shoes will not be able to offer you the protection you will need to veer off the beaten path so it is best to stick to the recommended terrains. If you are in looking for something to wear when you hit the trails there are better options out there for you.
Midsole
As a runner, you want to find a nice pair of shoes that are going to give you a responsive ride, or a high energy return, and that is something that these shoes can offer you. When you are on the go, with each step you take, your feet will sink into the foam cushioning of the midsole and the insole of these sneakers. The foam will quickly bounce back into its original shape and it will help propel you into your next step. This can help you save a little bit of energy that you can use to run faster and/or longer, giving you a slight advantage if you are participating in a race.
One major complaint, however, about the insole of these shoes is that they do not offer any kind of arch support, which can be frustrating. Most customers suggest purchasing an additional insert to give them the extra support that they need.
Upper
These sneakers feature a lace-up closure that attaches to these overlay. The tongue is sewn into the uppers of the shoes, which does not seem like it would be a huge problem but customers with wide feet have complained because it does not give them any extra wiggle room that they need for a more comfortable fit.
Durability
The problem with the lifespan of these shoes generally comes from the construction of the uppers. There are a few reviewers who stated that after only a few months the uppers started to rip and tear, making the sneakers unwearable. It can be extremely frustrating to spend your money on these shoes only to have to replace them again so soon.
Style
Fit
One thing that customers mentioned is that if you have wide feet these might not be the best option for you. Since the tongue is sewn onto the mesh uppers there is not a whole lot of extra room, making them rather tight on wide feet.
Comfort
One problem, however, that some customers have mentioned is that the mesh and synthetic materials that make up the uppers can get a bit rough and irritating when they are trying to run in them. There is a fabric lining inside of the shoes to try to keep most of the materials off of your feet but it does not always do a good enough job. It is not a huge problem and can generally be solved by wearing socks, but you should keep this in mind when making your decision on these sneakers.
Overall, when customers were asked to rank the comfort level of these sneakers they almost all stated that they were 'very comfy' and mentioned that they would recommend these shoes to their friends and family.
Support
These sneakers do feature a one-piece mesh upper and some synthetic overlays to give you a snug and sock-like fit for some extra support. The lace-up closure also helps assist in keeping your shoes in place. The lacing system, however, seems to be where some of the problems lie. Reviewers mentioned that they cannot seem to get a tight enough tie with them to keep them secure enough. Some customers fear that their feet might fall out of their shoes altogether while they are out for a run.
Most customers have no problems with the support of these sneakers and they run in them just fine, but you should note that there are some who believe they might not be the most secure and probably are not the best option for a running shoe.
Breathability
Even though the uppers of the New Balance Fresh Foam Sports sneakers are made out of mesh materials they do not offer you a lot of air flow, mostly due to the synthetic overlays taking up a good part of your foot. Please note that they do feature some airflow and they do an adequate job in keeping you cool, but some customers mentioned that it just did not seem to be enough for their liking and they stated that New Balance could have done better when it came to the ventilation of these shoes.