New Balance FuelCore NERGIZE Review

8.9
8.9 score
[Editors rating (8.9)] = (WalkJogRun) score (8.9)/10


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Editor rating: 8.9 / 10
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Lightweight, stylish, and responsive, the FuelCore NERGIZE women’s cross-trainers by New Balance is proof that the simplest designs can sometimes have a lot of benefits. They are uncomplicated in their construction, but they provide effective cushioning and stability. What’s more, they are convenient and stylish at the same time—two features that all busy women know the value of. With that said, nothing is perfect. They do have some downsides, including their mediocre support and sizing inaccuracy. Without further ado, let’s jump into more detail about the key features of these women’s cross-trainers.

Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Clean, simple upper
  • Gym/street wear
  • Slip-on design
  • Lightweight cushioning
  • Good bargain
Cons
  • Ambiguous sizing
  • Mediocre support

Colorways

Though they’ve got a minimalist design, there’s still plenty of room for them to be eye-catching thanks to their colorways. Some of the more striking color options include burgundy (as shown in the photos), light blue, and olive. If you’re a more neutral kind of gal, there are obviously also the more versatile and toned-down options like black and grey. The outsole is white and creates a nice contrast with the color of the uppers. As well, the laces are the same color as the uppers, creating a unified appearance.

Comfort

It’s hard to pinpoint comfort on its own because it relies so heavily on a variety of other aspects of the shoe. But what gives these specific trainers their extra points on comfort is definitely their light weight and their cushioning. They minimize the weight you have to carry on your feet, keeping you light-footed and feeling free. Their cushioning prevents the shock of your foot falls from fatiguing or harming your feet. In addition, there’s the New Balance Memory Sole Comfort inserts that molds to the shape of the foot for customized support, and a V-dip collar design that keeps the ankles flexible and agile.

Cushioning

This model is made with a technology by New Balance called the REVlite cushioned midsole. Simply put, it is a foam compound sandwiched between the insole and the outsole that’s designed to absorb the shock impact of your strides, and maybe even bounce back some of that energy to give you a boost for your next step. According to the company, this foam provides the same responsiveness and durability as their counterparts that weigh 30% more. By consequence, they keep the trainers nice and lightweight without sacrificing comfort or support.

Ease of Use

Don’t let looks fool you: though at a glance, they seem like the usual lace-up trainers, they are actually slip-on. They are not made with the traditional tongue or lace front, and also have a low and flexible collar. As a result of these two combined features, the trainers can be slipped on. The laces are only there for more support and to render them adjustable. This is ideal for busy mornings when time is too precious to waste on trying your shoelaces, but also just for those who just can’t be bothered to do it.

Size

We won’t lie—size is quite tricky with this model. Scrolling through customers’ reviews, it’s clear that this is one of those pairs where everyone seems to be in a different world when it comes to fit accuracy. While some say they fit small, others say they fit large. Meanwhile, some say they fit true to size. This is a disadvantage, more so when buying online than when buying in store. When you can’t try them on for yourself nor rely on size conversion charts, it’s hard to know what size you should order. However, we’d recommend you order half a size larger than you usually might, since it appears that most customers who did this found their ideal fit. But on the bright side, there are wide options alongside normal width options to better accommodate wide feet.

Stability

There’s nothing worse than feeling your foot slipping and sliding inside your shoe while you’re trying to work out. Although that’s a problem arising from a too-large fit, it can also happen depending on shoe construction. This model ensures stability by strapping the midfoot area in place, making your foot and your shoe feel like one unit so that you can move faster and stay balanced. Do keep in mind, however, that some customers with high arches felt that the midfoot was too constricting. In addition, a pattern of multidirectional flex grooves can be found on the outsole to prevent slipping while also allowing for agility and swift turning.

Style

Minimalism is key when it comes to their style. By keeping things nice and simple, they offer a sleek aesthetic and a modern style that will never fail to look good, regardless of whether you’re in the gym or out in the city. Pair them with shorts and a tank top for when you’re working out, or with skinny jeans or leggings for a casual day out. They’re the perfect pick for women who are always on the go. The clean-lined upper has a mixture of different textures but is uniform in color, resulting in subtle originality. As mentioned already, there are also many color options to ensure they incorporate well into your color palette.

Support

To speak the truth, the support provided by these trainers isn’t excellent. They prioritize responsiveness, cushioning, and weight, so the support that’s present is mostly provided by the cushioning midsole. However, as we will mention under ‘Weight,’ the foam might not feel like it’s doing its job simply because of its airiness. It’s also been said that the memory foam wears out quickly and ceases to give support. As well, the same V-dip that gives one person agility could be a lack of ankle support for another.

Value

This pair is an amazing bargain when you take into consideration their versatility and support. It’s clear that cross-trainers must be able to provide adequate comfort and support in many different ways simply because of the demanding nature of cross-training. Style-wise, their sleek, modern design renders them great for streetwear on your rest days. The fact that they have such diverse uses means that one pair can do the job of many, saving you the money of buying other pairs.

Bottom Line

To wrap things up, this is a great pair for busy, athletic women who prioritize cushioning and speed but don’t need extensive support. Their style makes them versatile and practical both for gym days and rest days, and their slip-on design renders them amazingly convenient. Their REVlite foam provides responsive cushioning and comfort, but don’t provide a lot of support. Likewise, the memory sole and V-dip collar can provide comfort, but lack support. We recommend you wear this pair for light or short durations of exercise. If you’ll be working out for long durations of time, consider replacing the inserts with more supportive ones, or opt for a more supportive pair.