Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
4mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• 4-millimeter drop• Engineered mesh upper• Fantom Fit overlay along the upper• N insignia designed to add support• Molded sock liner along the inside of the shoe for added comfort• No-sew upper reduces the risk of blisters• Fresh Foam midsole foam absorbs shock and adds cushioning• Heel counter to keep the foot in place• Extended flex grooves run along the outsole
Upper
The upper of this shoe is where runners can expect to see and feel the most drastic updates. For starters, New Balance worked to create a more lightweight, flexible upper. The engineered mesh that they selected is both lightweight and breathable. The new upper features a no-sew design that reduces the risk of friction and discomfort from seams and stitching. The Fantom Fit overlay that covers the mesh protects the runner without added weight. This layer adds support along with the classic N insignia along the side of the upper. Overall, the effect of the improved upper is a more sleek, streamlined design.
Midsole
Runners who loved the original Fresh Foam Vongo will be pleased to learn that this version also uses New Balance’s patented Fresh Foam Vongo midsole foam. This foam offers a plush cushioning to runners. It is designed to absorb the impact of each step, reducing the risk of pain and injury. Additionally, the fresh foam midsole is designed to provide a springy feedback and energy return to the runner, making a great companion for long training runs and races. For added comfort, New Balance also included a Molded Sock Liner. This sock liner provides an added layer of cushioning to the runner.
Outsole
New Balance used innovative technology to design their outsole. The result is an outsole that is both durable and soft in all the right places. What is unique about this outsole is that New Balance incorporated two different rubber materials. By turning the shoe over, these different materials are represented by different colors. This two piece system creates a soft and firm combination that both protects and comforts the runner. Both rubbers are durable and protective and designed to handle high mileage. The outsole uses a hexagonal shape that provides added grip and is still flexible. There is also a long flex groove that extends the entire length of the shoe.
Breathability
Runners were very pleased with the breathability of this shoe. Just by looking at it, runners can see the open mesh construction. Even with the Fantom Fit overlay to add more support, runners reported that this design keeps feet comfortable and ventilated, regardless of the weather conditions. Combine the high level of breathability with the no-sew upper, and the risk of blisters and friction is greatly reduced. Although the overall weight of the shoe has gone up, the upper of the shoe is extremely lightweight and designed to feel like a bootie.
Comfort
This shoe is known for its comfort. This shoe is especially comfortable for runners who need extra support and stability through the midfoot. The Fresh Foam midsole foam is soft, plush, and cushioned to create a pillow like feel that adapts to the unique shape of the foot, wrapping it in cushioned comfort. This foam absorbs shock, reducing pain and injury to joints. This makes the Fresh Foam Vongo V2 a great option for runners who are attempting to run long races. Additionally, the upper of the shoe is lightweight and breathable. It is designed to keep the runner comfortable even during warm weather runs. For an added layer of cushioning and comfort, New Balance included a molded sock liner along the inside of the shoe.
Style
Although this shoe does not offer the perfected combination of athletics and leisure wear like some Nike’ s and Reebok ’s have been able to do, runners were pleased with the new sleeker and slimmer design of the second version of the Fresh Foam Vongo. Additionally, runners were pleased with the multiple color options. Color options for this shoe include, but are not limited to, Black with Energy Lime and Vivid Colbalt Blue, Reflection with Black, or Maldives Blue with Black.
Durability
New Balance is a reliable, long-lasting shoe, and the Fresh Foam Vongo V2 is no exception to this rule. The outsole of this shoe is comprised of two different rubberized materials. Each of these materials is designed to be long-lasting and durable, while still providing individualized support in the areas it is needed. The upper of the shoe, though lightweight and breathable, has a Phantom Fit overlay that covers it. This material won’t get in the way of the shoe’s flexibility but it does make the upper material virtually rip and tear proof. This helps the shoe stay looking newer for longer. The Fresh Foam midsole foam is great at bouncing back to its original shape, and even though it is suggested for long miles, it will keep its shape for a long time.
Protection
The most protective element of this shoe is the midsole. The Fresh Foam midsole foam is designed to absorb the shock of each footfall. This protects the runner from potential injury and pain by cushioning the joints and keeping them safe from harsh impact. Additionally, the upper of this shoe features reflective details that will keep runners safe while they are running or walking in low visibility areas or while they are getting their runs done in the evening. Finally, the lightweight breathable material combined with the no-sew design of the upper reduces the risk of blisters caused by friction.
Responsiveness
The outsole of this shoe is specifically designed to add responsiveness to the running experience. The Fresh Foam Vongo V2 uses a combination of two different outsole rubber materials that provide a high level of responsiveness by adhering to the different needs in various parts of the foot. The hexagonal shaped underfoot design increases responsiveness across the entire outsole of the shoe. Additionally, the fresh foam midsole foam provides a springy, responsive cushioning that actually absorbs shock and returns energy to the runner during their workouts. This helps runners go on longer runs without their form breaking down and potentially leading to injury.
Support
This shoe features unique support features. The updated V2 has even more support elements compared to its first iteration. For starters, the upper is covered in a Fantom Fit overlay that provides flexible, lightweight support. And the classic New Balance ‘N’ along the side of the shoe isn’t just there for looks, it also provides support to runners to keep their foot in place. Along with the New Balance N, this newest version of the shoe has also added a heel counter to help keep the foot locked in place.
Terrain
This shoe is best suited for urban running. The multiple rubberized materials in the outsole make this a perfect companion for pavement and track running. Since the hexagonally shaped outsole adds more traction, this is also a good choice for bleacher running and various cross-training activities. However, this shoe lacks the aggressive lug system needed to make it a good trail running option.
Price
This shoe is very reasonably priced. For a newer model that is engineered with new technology, runners were surprised that this distance running shoe is priced lower than the average road running shoe on today’s market. Additionally, since this shoe is able to hold up against excessive mileage, runners did not need to worry about replacing it as often as they would a similar shoe. That makes this shoe an even better value and a great option for the runner who is on a budget but doesn’t want to sacrifice quality and who cares about having the newest model.
Drop
This shoe has a unique combination. It is one of the few shoes on the market that offers a high level of cushioning and stability, but a minimal drop. Most running shoes that are highly cushioned and provide stability details will also come with a more traditional heel drop. The New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo V2 has a heel drop of only 4 millimeters. This is great for runners who like a flatter landing pad. However, since the average heel drop is 10 millimeters, runners who are used to running on a traditional heel drop will need some time transitioning to a lower drop.
Stability
This shoe is designed to assist runners who struggle with overpronation. Overpronation is the result of the runner’s ankle rolling inward during activity. This can lead to pain and long-term injury for the runner. This shoe is designed to reduce overpronation and improve the runner’s gait cycle.
Flexibility
Since this shoe is a stability shoe, it is less flexible than say, a minimalist running shoe would be. However, for a stability shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo V2 is one of the more flexible in this category. The upper is made from a lightweight, breathable engineered mesh that has a bootie-like construction. It moves with the foot and conforms to the unique shape of each foot. Additionally, the outsole of the shoe has been redesigned with an extended flex groove that runs the length of the shoe.
Traction
The outsole of this shoe is unique in that it is made with two different rubberized materials. The thinking behind this was simple: Different areas of your foot have different needs while running, so New Balance created an outsole that differentiated to the unique needs of the foot. One of these needs was the call for more traction and grip. The hexagonal design along the underfoot provides runners with added grip and traction to keep them secure and safe during their workouts.
Bottom Line
New Balance took the best elements of the first Fresh Foam Vongo and added updates to create the second version. This shoe is a great companion for the runner who is training for a long race and will be putting in long slower miles. It is a great stability shoe that features the unique combination of high levels of cushioning and a low heel drop. The 4-millimeter heel drop may take some getting used to for the runner who is used to a traditional drop. New Balance’s patented Fresh Foam midsole foam is soft and provides plush, shock-absorbing cushioning for runners. This shoe comes in a variety of colors, and the redesigned upper is more sleek and stylish than its predecessor. This shoe is reasonably priced and costs less than the average running shoe on today’s market.
