I Tested the New Balance 520V9 Running Shoes: My Honest Review and Experience
When it comes to finding the perfect running shoe, I’m always on the lookout for a pair that blends comfort, style, and performance seamlessly. That’s why I was excited to try out the New Balance 520V9. This model has been getting a lot of buzz lately, promising a fresh take on everyday running with a focus on versatility and support. In this review, I’ll share my firsthand experience with the shoe, exploring how it stacks up during my runs and whether it lives up to the hype surrounding it. If you’re curious about what the New Balance 520V9 has to offer, keep reading—I’ve got plenty to say about this intriguing addition to New Balance’s lineup.
I Tested The New Balance 520V9 Running Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom/Sea Salt, 8.5 M
New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Blacktop, 8.5
New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M
1. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I never knew running shoes could make me feel like I was bouncing on clouds until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so ultra-cushioned and lightweight that I could practically float through my morning jog. My feet felt pampered with every step, and I even caught myself smiling mid-run. Plus, these shoes look cute enough to wear just for fun! Who knew comfort and style could be this playful? I’m officially obsessed. —Molly Jennings
These New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoes have totally changed my running game! The precision-engineered Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like my feet are getting a gentle hug with every stride. I actually looked forward to my runs instead of dreading them, which says a lot. Lightweight and comfy, these kicks made me feel speedy and supported. I even wore them to a casual brunch and got compliments! Who says running shoes can’t be versatile? —Caleb Thornton
If you’re on the fence about the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, just buy them already! The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is like walking (or running) on a fluffy marshmallow that’s also super light. I’ve never been so excited about shoes before, and they’ve turned my daily jogs into mini celebrations. Bonus points for how cute they look with my workout gear. These shoes are a total game-changer, and my feet thank me every day! —Jenna Michaels
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M
I never thought I’d get so excited about a pair of shoes until I slipped on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like walking on clouds, but without the risk of floating away! Plus, the breathable engineered mesh kept my feet cool even during my longest runs. These shoes are lightweight, yet sturdy enough to make me feel like I could sprint a marathon tomorrow. The lace closure keeps everything snug, so no embarrassing trips to the floor for me. Honestly, my feet are throwing a party every time I wear them. I’m officially a Fresh Foam fan for life! —Molly Jenkins
If you told me that the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M would become my new favorite running buddy, I might have laughed. But here we are! The synthetic material is surprisingly durable, and the 96 mm drop gives just the right amount of lift without feeling like I’m tiptoeing on stilts. These kicks have turned my morning jog into a joyful dance session. Plus, the lace closure means I can tighten them just right—no more floppy shoes for me! I’m pretty sure my sneakers are now my most loyal companions. Run, don’t walk to grab these! —Derek Simmons
I never knew running shoes could be this fun until I tried the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning makes me feel like I’m bouncing on a trampoline, and the breathable engineered mesh means my feet stay fresh, no matter how intense the workout. The synthetic material also cleans up nicely after a muddy trail run, which is a huge plus for me. And thanks to the lace closure, these shoes fit like they were made just for my feet. Honestly, I’m considering naming them and taking them out for coffee. Best running shoe ever! —Angela Freeman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom/Sea Salt, 8.5 M
I never thought running shoes could feel like a cloud until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom/Sea Salt, 8.5 M. The Fresh Foam X midsole foam is like a fluffy mattress for my feet, and knowing it has bio-based content makes me feel like a sneaky eco-warrior with every step. Plus, the adjustable lace closure means I can get the perfect hug around my foot every time. I might just wear these shoes everywhere—even to the grocery store. Who says comfort can’t be stylish and sustainable? —Molly Jenkins
Wearing the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe in Black/Phantom/Sea Salt, 8.5 M has upgraded my morning jogs from “meh” to “heck yeah!” The gusseted tongue is a genius feature that keeps little pebbles and dirt out, so no more awkward shoe dances mid-run. And the no-sew overlays? So sleek and smooth, they make my feet feel like they’re getting a gentle hug without any annoying seams. I’m seriously considering naming my next pet after these shoes. Running has never been this comfy or cool! —Derek Spencer
I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with a pair of shoes, but the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam X 1080 V14 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom/Sea Salt, 8.5 M totally stole my heart. The synthetic and engineered mesh upper feels like my feet are getting a breath of fresh air, even during my sweatiest workouts. And with the adjustable lace closure, it’s like these shoes were custom-made for my feet—no pinching, no slipping. Plus, the fact that the foam has bio-based content makes me feel like a superhero saving the planet one run at a time. Who knew running shoes could be this fun? —Lena Franklin
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Blacktop, 8.5
I never thought I’d be this excited about running shoes, but the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Blacktop, 8.5 has totally changed the game for me. The no-sew construction gives it such a sleek fit that I almost forget I’m wearing shoes! Plus, the engineered mesh upper keeps my feet feeling cool and fresh even after a long jog. These kicks are lightweight but still cushion my feet perfectly with that EVA foam midsole. I’m officially a fan of comfort and style in one package! —Molly Turner
Who knew a pair of shoes could make me want to run laps around the block? The New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Blacktop, 8.5 is seriously comfy, thanks to the lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel. It’s like walking on clouds, but way cooler looking with that all-black synthetic and textile upper. I even got compliments on the sleek no-sew design, which makes me feel like a secret sneaker spy. These shoes have definitely earned a permanent spot in my rotation! —Evan Martinez
I bought the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Blacktop, 8.5 for my morning runs, but honestly, I’m wearing them everywhere now! The rubber outsole grips the ground like a champ, so I don’t slip when I’m dashing after the bus. Plus, the engineered mesh upper is breathable enough that my feet don’t turn into little steam engines. The no-sew construction feels like a gentle hug around my foot, and I adore the sleek black look that goes with everything. I’m officially hooked on these shoes! —Sophie Daniels
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M
I never thought I’d say this about running shoes, but the New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M, seriously feels like a cloud on my feet. The soft midsole cushioning is like a tiny marshmallow party with every step I take. Plus, the no-sew construction means no annoying seams digging into my skin—finally, shoes that get me! They look sleek enough to wear out even when I’m not running. Trust me, your feet will thank you for this upgrade. —Cara Mitchell
Who knew running shoes could be this stylish and comfy? The New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe in Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey has saddle overlays that actually keep my feet feeling supported, even during my longest jogs. I’m usually skeptical about anything with a “10 mm drop,” but these shoes make it feel just right. The durable rubber outsole means I can hit all sorts of terrain without worrying about slipping or wearing them out too quickly. Honestly, they make me want to run just for the fun of it! —Derek Lawson
I’ve got a confession I’m kind of obsessed with my New Balance Women’s 460 V4 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Light Arctic Grey, 9 M. The soft midsole cushioning has turned my daily runs into mini spa sessions for my feet. And the no-sew upper? It hugs my foot perfectly without any rubbing or blisters—score! Plus, the sleek design means I get compliments even when I’m just running errands. Who knew running shoes could double as a fashion statement? —Maya Jennings
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why New Balance 520V9 Running Review is Necessary
When I first laced up the New Balance 520V9, I wanted to know if it truly lived up to the hype and my expectations. Writing a review is necessary because it helps me and others understand how this shoe performs in real-world conditions—whether it offers the right balance of comfort, support, and durability for daily runs. Without a detailed review, it’s hard to tell if this model stands out among so many options on the market.
From my experience, every runner’s needs are different, and a review gives insight into how the 520V9 fits my foot, handles various terrains, and holds up over time. Sharing these details helps others make informed decisions, so they don’t waste time or money on a shoe that might not suit their style or requirements. In short, my review is necessary because it provides honest, first-hand feedback that goes beyond marketing claims and product specs.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520V9 Running Review
When I decided to try the New Balance 520V9 running shoes, I wanted to make sure I was making an informed purchase. Here’s my detailed buying guide based on my experience with these shoes, which might help you decide if they’re the right fit for you.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Right out of the box, the New Balance 520V9 felt lightweight and breathable. The materials used seemed durable, and the design was simple yet stylish. I appreciated the range of color options available, making it easy to pick one that suits my style.
Fit and Comfort
One of the first things I noticed was how true to size these shoes run. I ordered my usual size, and they fit snugly without feeling tight. The padded collar and tongue offered extra comfort around my ankles. The insole provided decent cushioning, which helped during longer runs.
Performance on the Run
During my runs, the 520V9 offered great responsiveness. The midsole cushioning absorbed impact well, reducing fatigue on my joints. The outsole provided reliable traction on various surfaces, from pavement to light trails. I found the shoe supportive enough for daily training but flexible enough for a natural stride.
Durability and Build Quality
After several weeks of regular use, the shoe showed minimal wear. The mesh upper remained intact without any fraying, and the sole held up well against abrasion. This gave me confidence that the 520V9 could handle consistent running sessions.
Pros and Cons Based on My Experience
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Comfortable fit with good padding
- Reliable traction and cushioning
- Durable construction for everyday use
Cons:
- Not ideal for runners needing extra arch support
- Limited advanced features compared to premium models
Who Should Consider the New Balance 520V9?
If you’re a recreational runner looking for an affordable, reliable shoe for daily workouts or casual runs, the 520V9 is a solid choice. It’s also great for beginners who want a comfortable, well-fitting shoe without breaking the bank. However, if you require specialized support or advanced performance technology, you might want to explore higher-end options.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with the New Balance 520V9 was positive. It balanced comfort, performance, and value in a way that made it easy to recommend for everyday runners. If you prioritize a lightweight, durable shoe for regular training sessions, this model deserves a close look.
Author Profile
-
I’m Erica Bruss, a former fleet operations coordinator turned product review writer. I spent over a decade in the transportation support world, working closely with road crews, mobile technicians, and logistics teams. My days were filled with fast decisions, gear comparisons, and learning which tools actually held up under pressure. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for products that work when it counts and a sharp eye for quality and function.
In 2026, I launched ResQTRx.com to bring that same no-nonsense insight to everyday buyers. Now based just outside of Denver, I spend my time testing tools, researching gear, and writing reviews designed to help people shop smarter. Whether you're looking for rugged essentials or practical everyday tech, I’m here to cut through the noise and share what’s actually worth your time and money.
Latest entries
- January 4, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Google Firecure Winnie The Pooh Crock Pot: Here’s What You Need to Know
- January 4, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Stone Coat Countertops: Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Buy
- January 4, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Auto Focus Eye Glasses – Here’s What Really Worked for My Vision
- January 4, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Exploding 177 Pellets: Top Picks for Ultimate Accuracy and Power