Details
Brand
New Balance
Breathability
7.5/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Fresh Foam midsole makes it very comfortable• Knitted one-piece upper is easy to slip into and secures the foot nicely after lace-up• Casual look• Highly breathable• Very responsive
Upper
The knitted upper of the Fresh Foam Cruz is made of lightweight mesh that allows for a great deal of ventilation to keep the foot cool and dry throughout the run. The Cruz’s “bootie” design provides a great deal of consistency in the upper’s construction and overall fit. Having removed the traditional shoe tongue, instead the one-piece upper allows the runner to slip into the shoe with ease. With a saddle that’s made from synthetic material placed in the midfoot for extra support, the saddle and the lace-up closure provide a great fit and keep the foot firmly in place while running.
Midsole
The midsole of the Cruz uses New Balance’s proprietary Fresh Foam technology, providing a plush but responsive cushioning for the runner. This heel-to-toe foam is predominately in the heel, where runners are more apt to strike during footfall, while the forefoot section is thinner and more firm. The Cruz works best for heel strikers and those who want to avoid discomfort during a run. The Fresh Foam tech is of great construction and strategically arranged in the midsole to maximize comfort.
Outsole
The outsole of the Cruz is made from blown rubber, which adds durability and protection and is resistant to wear and tear. The outsole also delivers a good deal of traction over regular running surfaces. Pliable and soft, this outsole provides additional support and cushioning while protecting the foot from potential hazards on the road.
Breathability
The upper of the Cruz features a one-piece construction out of knitted synthetic mesh, which allows for a great amount of ventilation and keeps the foot cool and dry. This highly breathable trainer is nice and snug while allowing for air to enter the foot chamber.
Comfort
One of the best attributes of the Fresh Foam Cruz is its high comfort level. With a unique upper construction that has gotten rid of the traditional tongue, this one-piece upper has a slip-on ability like a loafer with a lace-up enclosure instead. This provides a comfortable but secure fit that keeps the foot firmly in the chamber during a run. In addition, its Fresh Foam midsole that runs from heel to toe provides a plush comfort to the foot, with extra padding in the heel for heel strikers that gets thinner in the forefoot to allow for firmness and responsiveness during a run. Its blown rubber outsole also provides extra support and comfort to the runner.
Style
The New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz is a stylish shoe that runners and casual wearers alike will appreciate. Eschewing the traditional construction of a running shoe that Reebok and Nike follow, New Balance has made a running shoe that looks more like a casual loafer. Its knitted upper suggests comfort rather than high-energy performance, but don’t be fooled: these are definitely running shoes. The upper’s saddle has the large “N” New Balance logo emblazoned on its sides, but this too is a subtle addition rather than a bold-faced advertisement. Coming in a number of attractive colors (including red, gray, blue, black, and white), the Cruz hides its nature as being a running shoe in its low-key design and straightforward construction, which makes it an attractive shoe for those looking for a comfortable everyday shoe to wear or for runners looking for a more muted option in their trainer.
Durability
With its knitted upper made of synthetic material that’s resistant to breaking down over time, a blown rubber outsole that can withstand wear and tear, and its Fresh Foam midsole that remains plush and responsive even after many miles, the New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz could be considered a very durable shoe. However, there have been some complaints that the upper unit isn’t as durable as the runners had hoped.
Protection
Made for traditional running surfaces (asphalt, pavement, and running tracks), the Cruz is protective against the average hazards that are found on these surfaces. In addition, the Fresh Foam midsole has more padding in the heel to protect the heel from impact during strike. However, this is not a trainer to take out on the trails. The Cruz is best for the regular roads and paths that runners take every day in their neighborhood and town.
Responsiveness
Thanks to its Fresh Foam midsole, the Cruz is a responsive trainer when on the road. While the heel is padded to prevent injury against heel strike, the forefoot of the midsole has a thinner layer of the Fresh Foam to provide the runner with a better response during a run. The blown rubber outsole also has a good amount of traction, which gives the runner a fair amount of grip on regular running surfaces.
Support
The Cruz is made for neutral runners, which means it provides a standard amount of arch support. However, these are not specifically stability shoes for those who over- or under-pronate during a run, and as such will not provide those runners with the support they may need. But for neutral runners, the Cruz provides a comfortable, responsive ride.
Terrain
If you like to run around your neighborhood, on the boardwalk, through the city streets, or on the local track, then the Fresh Foam Cruz will prove to be a comfortable running shoe for these terrains. However, they will not perform as well even on light trails, and for those who like to run through nature or climb rocky surfaces will find the Cruz will let them down in this regard. But the average runner will find the Cruz fits their needs quite well.
Price
Price is always one of the largest concerns that may hold a runner back from purchasing a new pair of trainers. For the New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz, the price may be a dividing line for some prospective buyers: although not prohibitively expensive, and falling below the $100 mark, runners will have to weigh whether they want a comfortable running shoe that’s not particularly versatile over a more tenacious and similarly priced trainer. However, for those looking for a stylish, comfortable trainer that can easily transition into being an everyday shoe, the Cruz is a good value for its price.
Drop
With an 8mm heel to toe drop, the Fresh Foam Cruz features a moderate drop. In fact, the drop is just a few millimeters below the standard, providing a slight amount of more stability for the runner to enjoy.
Stability
This is a trainer for neutral runners with moderate arch support and is not specifically a stability shoe. Although New Balance does make great stability shoes with zero drop, the Cruz is not part of those lines. Instead, runners can expect a trainer for runners with neutral pronation with this shoe, which has just a slightly lower drop than most other trainers.
Flexibility
With a one-piece upper comprised of knitted synthetic materials that keep the foot firmly in place after lace-up, a flexible blown rubber outsole, and a cushioned midsole made of Fresh Foam technology, the Cruz is a refreshingly flexible trainer that runners will enjoy for the amount of responsiveness and control it provides.
Traction
The Fresh Foam Cruz has a good amount of traction for a casual running shoe. Although not as tenacious as some other trainers on the market, for the amount of comfort and overall performance, runners will appreciate the firm traction it provides.
Bottom Line
For the runner that’s sick of their trainers being logo-heavy, flashy, and looking altogether garish, the New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz is here. Looking more like a casual everyday sneaker instead of a running shoe, its loafer-like design and muted style hide its essence as a running shoe while still performing as one.;With its proprietary Fresh Foam midsole that runs heel to toe, New Balance smartly distributed this tech so that the heel is more cushioned than the forefoot, both to protect the heel during heel strike and to allow the forefoot more responsiveness during a run. This midsole also provides the runner with a highly comfortable midsole that’s plush but never detracts from performance. With a one-piece upper that does away with a traditional tongue, runners can slip into a pair like a loafer and then attain a snug fit after lace-up. This stylish trainer comes in a nice variety of colors to match the runner’s preference, and its overall muted colors and design will find fans in both runners and those looking for an active everyday shoe.;For fans of New Balance’s excellent line of shoes and knowing of their reputation in the running world, the Cruz is yet another solid product from the company. Comfortable and casual but still built to perform on the streets for long runs, for those looking for a new trainer that will look nice when worn out to the store or hanging around the house but are able in a moment’s notice to perform on a long run, the New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz may be your new favorite sneaker, both on the road or just around the block.
