New Balance Fresh Foam X Balos Reviews

They liked the Balos, comparing it to the 1080 Fresh Foam with a more aggressive rocker, and did many long runs in it.

At 130 miles of easy long runs up to 16 miles, a runner finds the Balos consistent, bouncy and very protective.

Another tester would only recommend it to shoe nerds: promising tech (knit tongue, foam outsole, rocker, PEBA blend) that doesn't come together. One tester liked its bouncy protection on long moderate runs, but faster efforts bottomed out the soft forefoot. The foam outsole may reach ~300 mi.

Co-testers had foot and knee pain (C and C-). B+ from one tester: a bouncy, highly rockered PEBA/EVA trainer for easy, long and recovery runs. The big heel bevel worked for him, but it isn't the most stable and the foam doesn't respond fast enough for quick efforts. Outsole should last slightly above average.

Several runs, including multi-hour long runs. They find it bouncy, well cushioned, light for its size and true to size, suited to long runs with some strides or pace up to marathon effort. The big drawback is sharp pain under the pads of the right foot after about five miles, worsening on longer runs, which they link to the thick bouncy forefoot stack; other shoes did not cause it. They also call $200 a touch expensive.