Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Blown rubber outsole• Cushioning system that combines GCEVA and CUSH+• No-sew mesh material• Flex cuts• 8 mm drop
Upper
The New Balance 775v2 upper is made of a no-sew mesh that is highly breathable. The strong material is durable and provides structure. Reviewers felt that the no-sew mesh created a seamless style that helps reduce the weight on the shoe. The material also makes the shoe more flexible and efficient, important attributes for a running shoe. The inner lining on the shoe is smooth and soft, helping to create a comfortable interior and is comfortable enough to wear without socks. Some reviewers did feel that the collar and tongue were not padded enough. Overall, though, the upper’s upgrade makes the shoe more comfortable and light weight.
Midsole
The New Balance 775v2 midsole is a combination cushioning system that supports the foot and provides comfort. The midsole uses CUSH+, a foam compound that is responsive and soft, yet durable. CUSH+ holds up against damage and high wear. The midsole also uses the brand’s injected molded EVA, Ground Contact EVA. The GCEVA is a foam that is injected into the shoe, rather than being layered like in most shoes. This provides an added measure of durability. The cushioning system is full-range and responsive, providing comfort and efficiency.;The midsole also contributes to the shoe’s flexibility. Reviewers were impressed with the level of comfort the cushioning provides. Most are able to put a high volume of miles on with the shoe, due in large part to the midsole. Even with the full cushioning system, the shoe still feels lightweight and comfortable.
Outsole
The New Balance 775v2 essentially combines the outsole with the midsole to create one unit. The outsole uses blown rubber in areas of high wear to protect from the abrasive elements often found on the road. This rubber still adds cushioning with traction. There are flex cuts on the outsole that work to distribute the cushioning. The flex cuts also help create flexibility while allowing for natural movement. The outsole creates a platform based on comfort, support and protection.
Breathability
The 775v2 upper is created in a way to keep the shoe breathable. The upper uses a no-sew mesh material that helps keep the foot cool and dry. The attached overlays are also meant to keep the upper more breathable. The smooth inner lining uses a material the wicks away moisture so wearers can feel comfortable wearing the shoe with or without socks.
Comfort
This New Balance shoe combines a variety of elements to create a comfortable shoe. As mentioned, the newly designed upper uses a no-sew material and attached overlays to create a flexible, lightweight and non-irritating fit. The smooth inner sleeve also contributes to the shoe’s comfort, as it helps keep the foot feel like it is wrapped in a pillow, and can be worn with or without a sock.;The midsole’s cushioning system also helps keep the foot comfortable by creating a base of cushioning that allows the foot to feel at ease during impact. The GCEVA, a part of the midsole, injects foam into the shoe so that it is not a separate component, allowing the shoe’s weight to stay down and the comfort level to go up. The outsole and its flex cuts also help make the shoe feel comfortable when running as they allow the foot to move more naturally. Reviewers felt that the overall the shoe was very comfortable and made for an optimal running experience.
Style
The 775v2 offers a variety of color options. New Balance uses a streamlined design to create a stylish shoe that appeals to many people.;However, reviews are mixed on the overall style of the shoe. One group of reviewers felt that the color choices and design made this version stylish. Another group of reviewers felt that the previous version was more visually appealing.
Durability
The New Balance 775v2 has some durable qualities. Reviewers were impressed with the durability of the upper, which uses no-sew mesh and synthetic material. However, there have been several issues with the outsole’s rubber wearing down quickly. Reviewers felt that the outsole’s rubber was too thin.;In general, reviewers felt that the quality of the shoe was a bit low for New Balance. Given the price point, though, the shoe’s durability does seem to match up for those who are not putting on as many miles and might not need a high quality, more expensive option.
Protection
This shoe has a good amount of protection built into the shoe. The outsole uses blown rubber in areas of high wear to protect from the abrasive elements often found on the road. While some reviewers had an issue with how quickly the rubber wore down, most felt that the protective element of the outsole was good.;The shoe’s midsole uses CUSH+, a foam compound that is responsive and soft, yet durable. CUSH+ holds up against damage and high wear. The midsole also uses the brand’s injected molded EVA, Ground Contact EVA. The GCEVA provides an added measure of protection. Finally, the shoe’s upper, even with the many holes for breathability, still manages to protect the foot from debris and irritation.
Responsiveness
The 775v2 is developed to be responsive and efficient. The shoe’s midsole is comprised of a combination of two elements that create a cushioning system. The midsole uses CUSH+, a foam compound that is responsive and soft, yet durable. The midsole also uses the brand’s injected molded EVA, Ground Contact EVA. The shoe’s upper, as well as the flex grooves, give the shoe flexibility so the foot can move more naturally. Reviewers felt that the shoe’s responsiveness and flexibility were its strengths.
Support
This is a neutral shoe that provides some features that contribute to the shoe’s support. The shoe’s midsole is designed to provide support to the underfoot with the cushioning system. The cushioning system combines the CUSH+ foam cushioning with the foam injected, GCEVA. These help create a supportive platform for the runner. The upper also manages to support the foot with its structured design. Finally, the shoe’s outsole has a series of flex grooves that support the runner.
Terrain
The 775v2 is designed to be used on the road. Its blown rubber outsole, combined with its flex grooves, provides adequate traction and the ability to withstand high wear and tear from abrasive elements.;The shoe’s cushioning system is also designed to alleviate issues during impact, so there is a smooth running experience on the road. The shoe does perform well on wet surfaces, however, some runners had an issue using the shoe on trails, as the tread picked up small rocks and made the shoe uncomfortable and heavy. However, the shoe is still a great choice for running on paved surfaces.
Price
The Balance 775v2 retails for a price of $75. The shoe can be found online though for approximately $60. This makes it a budget friendly option for those looking for a good quality shoe. While New Balance does not pull out all the stops with the shoe, they have still managed to create a solid shoe for those looking for find a low cost shoe for beginning runners, everyday trainers, and those looking to add a second pair to their rotation. This is an affordable buy that should be considered.
Drop
The New Balance 775v2 has a 8 mm drop. This is an average drop for most neutral shoes. Even with the amount of cushioning that is on the shoe, it is still evenly distributed so that there is a lower drop. Runners who are just starting out or prefer more cushioning on the heel would want a higher drop.
Stability
This New Balance trainer is a neutral shoe that doesn’t have a lot of stability features built into it, which is typical for this kind of shoe. However, that does not mean it offers no features that help create a stable ride. The shoe’s upper locks the foot in place with attached overlays. Combining the outsole with the midsole also manages to create added stability as well. If more stability is needed, purchasers should consider a shoe in the Motion Control category.
Flexibility
The 775v2 has a good amount of flexibility. Often times, lower price models struggle to have flexibility included, but New Balance has managed to find a way. The outsole on the shoe has flex cuts that distribute the cushioning and create flexibility while allowing for natural movement. Reviewers felt that the shoe’s major strengths were its responsiveness and flexibility.
Traction
As mentioned, this shoe is designed to be used on the road, so there is a decent amount of traction offered by the outsole. The 775v2’s sole is constructed with blown rubber and flex grooves to create traction that holds up well on paved surfaces. Reviewers felt that the shoe had good grip on the road, even when wet.
Bottom Line
The New Balance 775v2 is a neutral shoe that offers a good amount of versatility with comfort. The shoe is designed to use some of New Balance’s technology to make this a quality shoe that runners can use to ramp up their training. While the shoe does not use all of New Balance’s tricks, the brand has managed to create an affordably priced shoe that runners who are just starting out will appreciate, as well as those runners who are looking to add a second trainer option. The shoe has uniquely combined the outsole with the midsole’s cushioning system to create a highly comfortable running experience. While the minimal rubber has posed some durability issues, average mileage runners should be fine with the blown rubber. The newly designed upper also offers benefits with its no-sew mesh material that helps keep the shoe light weight. New Balance has even managed to build flexibility and responsiveness into the shoe, two qualities that reviewers felt were strengths. Runners can feel comfortable purchasing this affordable shoe that will carry on mile after mile.
