New Balance Ellipse v1 Review: The Future of New Balance?

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

The first time I saw the New Balance Ellipse was during a closed-door product session at The 2024 Running Event. The shoe had a different name at the time, but the same intended purpose — deliver a lightweight, fun-to-run-in experience for all types of runners.

Powered by New Balance’s signature Fresh Foam X midsole, the Ellipse serves up a ride that’s both cushioned and responsive. Its design nods to the brand’s lifestyle silhouettes that have won over fashion-forward fans in recent years, blending performance with everyday style.

So, does the Ellipse live up to its promise? And how does it stack up against other New Balance favorites like the 1080 and the Rebel? We tested the shoe for ourselves and spoke to Paul Zielinski, New Balance’s Senior Global Product Manager, to find out.

The New Balance Ellipse v1 is built on a bed of New Balance’s trusty Fresh Foam X cushioning — the same compound used in legacy models like the 880 and older versions of the 1080. I’ve always enjoyed Fresh Foam X cushioning because it provides a nice blend of softness and responsiveness. While my feet sink into the midsole a bit as I land, they pop back up during toe-offs for a super smooth ride. I definitely wouldn’t categorize this shoe as propulsive, but it delivers a nice kick to round out the plushness.

“At its core, the Ellipse is designed to make everyday running feel more fun, more comfortable and less demanding,” says Zielinski. “What it does best is deliver a trampoline-like bounce with underfoot comfort for everyday miles. We paired this midsole experience with our Fresh Foam X technology that’s soft and trusted for a lively, energetic underfoot sensation. This helps keep running feeling light and engaging rather than flat or fatiguing.”

Fleet Feet Shoe Reviewer Mandy agrees, saying, “The slight roll in the forward part of the shoe kept my momentum going, while the foam underfoot feels bouncy and alive — soft enough to cushion landings, but springy enough to give a little kick back with every stride. It keeps the ride light, fast and fun rather than flat or dull.”

I wore these on a 6-mile recovery run when I was feeling like hot garbage after an intense first week of marathon training. I was seriously worried about my ability to run at all, but I kept the pace super slow with the goal of just logging the miles. The Ellipse v1 was soft, smooth and everything I needed in that moment. It’s a little bit softer than the shoes I’ve been gravitating towards as of late, but it reminded me that sometimes I just appreciate something soft and easy underfoot.

Mandy and I both noticed how the Ellipse feels just as nice during walks as it does on runs — something we were able to test firsthand, taking virtual meetings on our matching walking pads!

“Rarely does a shoe feel great on my feet for both the road and my walking pad, but the Ellipse does just that,” she says. “Instead of feeling mushy on the soft walking pad, it felt energetic and made those meetings go by in a flash.”

The shoe is rounded out with a strategically placed rubber outsole and vertical flex grooves in the forefoot. The outsole delivers durable material in high-abrasion areas, like the forefoot and heel, while leaving the middle portion partially exposed to cut down weight. The flex grooves act just the way they sound — help the forefoot flex during toe-offs so you can smoothly transition into the next stride.

The comfort continues up top thanks to a breathable, engineered mesh upper with comfort-focused features. A stretchy, padded tongue and a plush, cushioned heel collar hold you in, while a roomy toebox lends some wiggle room.

“If I could describe this shoe in one word, it would be heavenly. The heel is nice and padded, yet curves in slightly, which hugs my foot so that I didn't even have to use the marathon loop. It also passed my busy mom-with-coffee-in-hand-who-never-sits-down-to-put-on-my-shoes test. They were easy to slip on and off in a hurry,” says Mandy.

Like Mandy, I also have narrow heels and frequently find myself needing to use the marathon-loop lacing technique to cinch down the fit. Not so with the Ellipse v1. The shoes just felt right! Plus, they’re available in wide sizing (D for women, 2E for men), so chances are high you’ll be able to find your perfect fit.

Not sure if you have narrow heels or wide feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height. You can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there!

One of the biggest questions I had when learning about the Ellipse v1 was how it would compare to the 1080 v15. After all, the 1080 has long been positioned as New Balance’s premium cushioned running shoe and, up until this year, it sported a Fresh Foam X midsole. The latest 1080 v15 is made with Infinion foam, a brand-new compound from New Balance.

“I’d look at the 1080 v15 and Ellipse being an incredible one-two punch of totally new running experiences in 2026,” says Zielinski. “Both offer a bouncy, trampoline-like running experience, but 1080v15 uses our new midsole technology, Infinion. Infinion provides enhanced cushioning and energy return, so it’s even more cushioned and bouncy!”

The $25 price difference between the two shoes can certainly account for the differentiated positioning, with the Ellipse being more of an entry-level shoe and the 1080 v15 being a more pinnacle experience.

Fleet Feet continues to categorize the 1080 v15 as a smooth running experience, with the main benefit being comfort, while the new Ellipse falls into the springy experience, offering a combination of comfort and energy.

Unsure which model is right for you? We recommend trying both on at your local Fleet Feet.

We took a look at how the new Ellipse stacks up against other comparable models. Here’s what we found:

The ASICS Novablast 5 and HOKA Mach 7 both fall into the springy experience I mentioned earlier, along with the Ellipse. All three shoes offer energetic, bouncy foams without a stiff carbon or nylon plate, delivering an elevated everyday ride.

The key point for all three shoes is their versatility. You can wear them for easy or recovery runs when you want something soft underfoot, but you can also pick up the pace in them if you feel so inclined.

“The Ellipse offers the best of all worlds. It has enough cushion to wear all day long, it’s light enough to pick up the pace and peppy enough to make running fun,” says Mandy.

I recommend the Ellipse for runners who like soft cushioning and a good amount of flexibility. If you need some extra support, this is not the style for you.

“In terms of usage, the Ellipse really shines for daily road runs, treadmill runs and runs where you just want it to feel easier,” Zielinski says. “It’s for the runner seeking an enjoyable, easy-to-run-in, comfortable running experience no matter the distance they’re going.”