Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
12 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• American-made Horween Nubuck leather• Ndurance covered outsole• REVLITE foam midsole• PU-made ENCAP®
Upper
The upper unit of the New Balance 2040v3 is unique in the fact that it is made almost entirely out of American-made Horween Nubuck leather. This leather gives the 2040v3 a classic style. This leather material is also the reason that the New Balance 2040v3 is considered to be an expensive shoe. Despite the price, the leather material is extremely durable and maintains itself well. The upper is also partially mesh in some areas. This allows for breathability. In the 204 v3 version, larger and more numerous perforations were placed throughout both the mesh and leather materials. This improvement allows for greater ventilation and breathability, keeping your foot dry and cool. The New Balance 2040v3 utilizes one overlay that runs throughout the entire length of the shoe. This overlay offers support and structure. The laces of the New Balance 2040v3 are flat wax laces, offering even more durability. This shoe also has a padded tongue to provide even more comfort. Many reviewers found the aesthetics and comfort of the upper portion of the 2040v3 to help compensate for the price.
Midsole
The New Balance 2040 v3 features a midsole created out of REVLITE foam. This foam is well cushioned, offering comfort and support. It is also lightweight. REVLITE foam is responsive to the natural movements of your foot, providing a firm but plush feel. The midsole of the New Balance 2040 v3 also features a PU-made ENCAP®. This features helps correct slight over-pronation. A stability web is built-in throughout the midsole, helping to provide good arch support to protect runners from strain. The midsole also features a removable insole. The New Balance 2040 v3’s midsole offers an ideal amount of comfort for light runs and everyday use. This well supported midsole compliments the luxurious upper unit.
Outsole
The 2040 v3 utilizes a full contact outsole. The outsole is built out of New Balance’s specially designed Ndurance rubber. This rubber is designed to be flexible and moderately responsive. The outsole of the New Balance 2040 v3 has lugs placed strategically along its’ outsole. The 2040 v3 is a shoe that is designed to provide solid traction for versatility.
Breathability
To increase breathability in the 2040v3, perforated holes in the materials of the upper unit were made slightly larger and more numerous. This modification in the 2040v3 model allows for more airflow and ultimately better breathability. This added amount of perforations makes the 2040v3 version more comfortable than the previous models. The moderate amount of breathability found in the New Balance 2040v3 ensures that your feet will stay cool and dry.
Comfort
The 2040v3 is a very comfortable shoe. Despite the heavier weight, many reviewers found this shoe to just “disappear” once they put them on. The REVLITE foam midsole is particularly comfortable. It offers a firm, plush feel. The upper unit of the shoe utilizes one overlay that offers structure and support, giving comfort. The added perforations in the v3 model improve the amount of breathability. This ensures an adequate amount of air flow, keeping your feet cool and dry. The New Balance 2040v3 offers wearers an ideal amount of comfort.
Style
The New Balance 2040v3 scores high in the style department. The American-made Horween Nubuck leather offers a timeless look to the 2040v3. This shoe is expensive, but it is aesthetically pleasing. The Nubuck leather is not only aesthetic but it also adds an element of durability. The colors offered are varying shades of leather, grey, black, and brown. This is a shoe that aesthetically can be worn during any part of your day, offering versatility.
Durability
Ample amounts of durability are offered by the 2040v3. Considering that this shoe costs around $350.00: the fact that this shoe is quite durable is encouraging. The American-made Horween Nubuck leather is an extremely durable material. This premium leather is one of the main factors in the 204 v3’s high price tag, but it is also an aesthetically pleasing material that is long lasting and maintains itself well. The Ndurance outsole is also quite durable, offering protection, traction, and moderate amounts of responsiveness.
Protection
The New Balance 2040v3 offers wearers an ample amount of protection. The American-made Horween Nubuck leather is a particularly durable and protective material. Leather is known to offer protection from the elements. The premium leather adds protection and durability to the New Balance 2040v3. The midsole features a PU-made ENCAP® that protects runners from developing over pronation while running. The 2040 v3 also offers solid arch support, protecting against arch strain. Overall, the Ndurance outsole is a durable rubber, that offers protection to your feet while maintaining traction and responsiveness.
Responsiveness
The 2040v3 is considered to be a traditional shoe. This shoe offers moderate amounts of responsiveness. The New Balance 2040v3 has a midsole built out of REVLITE foam. This foam gives the 2040 responsive cushioning. The midsole it able to respond to the natural movements of your feet while running, while still adding comfort and protection. The outsole, which is comprised of Ndurance rubber, is also designed to add elements of ground responsiveness and durability. While the New Balance 2040v3 may not be the most responsive shoe on the market, it is comfortable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Support
The New Balance 2040 v3 is designed to offers high levels of comfort and support. The fit of this shoe is slightly narrow, opening up slightly in the toe box. The forefoot offers room, to allow for natural foot movements. The upper unit of this shoe utilizes one overlay that covers the whole length of the shoe. This overlay provides complete support and structure. The midsole of the 2040 v3 features REVLITE foam, designed for cushioning and support. Many reviewers were satisfied with the level of support that this shoe offered.
Terrain
The outsole of the 2040v3 is designed for roads and pavements. The Ndurance rubber outsole is complimented by decent sized lugs placed strategically along the bottom of the shoe. This outsole offers adequate traction for roads and pavements, but the shoe is not designed for trail running. The luxurious aesthetics promoted wearers to also enjoy using these shoes for everyday use, considering that they are quite fashionable and comfortable.
Price
The New Balance 2040v3 has a high price tag. This shoe cost around $350.00. The high cost is caused by the upper portion that is constructed mainly out of American-made Horween Nubuck leather. This leather is of premium quality and enables the shoe to have excellent durability. Many reviewers found that despite the price, the shoe was extremely comfortable and quality made. The high price of this shoe is one of the cons but the premium leather, comfortable feel, and excellent durability counteract the price to some degree.
Drop
The 2040v3 features a 12mm drop. This drop is considered to be in the range of traditional running shoes. Many runners will be used to the feel of a 12mm drop. A traditional drop is designed to slightly propel the foot forward and to help minimize the effects of shock upon impact. Many reviewers noted the comfortable feel of the New Balance 2040v3.
Stability
The New Balance 2040v3 offers ample stability and support. The outsole is comprised of New Balance’s specially designed Ndurance rubber. This rubber is designed to be durable, responsive, and to provide excellent traction. Having an element of traction keeps your feet stable and prevents injury while running. The PU-made ENCAP® is designed to help correct slight over-pronation while running, and also offers and element of stability. The upper portion of the 2040v3 is designed with one main overlay. This overlay covers the entire upper unit of the shoe and maintains structure and offers wearers stability.
Flexibility
The 2040v3 is a traditional running shoe. This shoe is supportive, durable, and comfortable. While this shoe is certainly not as flexible as other more minimally designed shoes, it does offer some flexibility. The Ndurance found in the outsole is designed to offer flexibility and responsiveness while running. The REVLITE foam midsole is also specifically designed to be both lightweight and slightly flexible, offering runners a responsiveness to their feet. While the upper unit of the New Balance 2040v3 is not particularly flexible, it is supportive, durable, and comfortable.
Traction
The outsole of the New Balance 2040v3 is made out of Ndurance rubber. This rubber was designed by New Balance to have durability, responsiveness, and solid traction. Many reviewers felt that the 2040v3 offered adequate traction for road and pavements. This shoe has a decent amount of lugs strategically placed along the outsole. These lugs, along with the Ndurance rubber, work together to provide a full contact outsole. The New Balance 2040v3 offers runners stability and support by providing solid traction.
Bottom Line
The New Balance 2040v3 is considered to be a luxurious running shoe. The high price prevented some people from actually running in this shoe, instead opting to use it for everyday use. However, the 2040v3 is an extremely durable shoe that maintains itself well. The upper unit is made out of American-made Horween Nubuck leather. The leather provides a classic look and enables the shoe to be durable. Larger and more numerous perforations were added to this version of the 2040 series. The midsole is quite soft but is still able to provide excellent support. The outsole is made out of Ndurance rubber and strategically placed lugs. The Ndurance rubber provides subtle flexibility and solid traction. The New Balance 2040v3 is on the heavier side of a running shoe. However, many reviewers felt that the comfort and snug fit counteracted the heaviness of the shoe. Overall, if you are willing to make the initial investment, the New Balance 2040v3 proves itself to be an extremely luxurious, comfortable, and durable shoe. This shoe is ideal for roads and pavements, and versatile enough to easy runs and everyday use.
