New Balance Ellipse running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

New Balance Ellipse running shoe upper

The New Balance Ellipse running shoe upper is made from a padded, thicker mesh material with slightly below-average breathability. Although the upper has large ventilation holes, these are covered on the inside by a thicker fabric layer, which reduces airflow. In addition to the regular width, it is also available in wide and extra-wide versions, but even the regular version provides enough room in the toe box and does not feel narrow. The upper fits true to size, so it is worth buying it in your usual running shoe size. The tongue is heavily padded, comfortable, and protects well against lace pressure. It is also wide and slightly taller than average, fixed on both sides, so it does not move around while running. The heel collar is also heavily padded and rigid, so in addition to comfort it provides good foot lockdown.

New Balance Ellipse running shoe midsole

The New Balance Ellipse running shoe midsole is made from the brand’s well-known Fresh Foam X foam, which is used in many of their running shoes. Fresh Foam X is a softer, more comfortable foam, with comfort and cushioning standing out more than sheer responsiveness. It is not sink-in soft, and the midsole rebounds nicely. At the same time, the shoe is not heavy, and its weight is average compared to highly cushioned, soft, comfortable shoes, which helps make it suitable for the occasional more dynamic run as well. Softer midsoles usually do not offer high stability, so the Ellipse does not stand out in this regard either. The forefoot of the midsole is moderately wide, while the heel is broad and squared-off, which improves stability, but it is narrower through the midfoot. Thanks to this, however, it is flexible and has low torsional rigidity. The heel flare is relatively pronounced, but because the midsole is soft, if you land on your heel this is not bothersome; instead, it makes transitions comfortable and smooth.

New Balance Ellipse running shoe outsole

The New Balance Ellipse running shoe outsole is a thicker outsole with good grip that does not cover the entire midsole. The outsole layout feels familiar; this arrangement is practically a classic from New Balance and has already proven itself on many of their running shoes. The forefoot has received several longitudinal grooves, improving torsional flexibility. At the same time, there are no transverse grooves in the forefoot, which reduces front-end flexibility to some extent. Since Fresh Foam X is a softer foam, this non-aggressive stiffening is necessary to help maintain the forefoot’s curved geometry, thereby supporting quicker transitions. Of the two lateral outsole sections at the heel, the outer section, which is exposed to greater wear, is denser and more abrasion-resistant so that it remains durable for longer.

What is it like to run in the New Balance Ellipse running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

Although in today’s world a 38 mm midsole height cannot be considered especially high, the midsole of the New Balance Ellipse running shoe provides enough cushioning. Because it is made from a softer foam, it is comfortable and not stiff, ideal for lower-intensity runs, but it can also handle the occasional quicker segment or run that is faster than easy pace.

Stability and ride

The Fresh Foam X foam used in the New Balance Ellipse midsole is softer than average, and the outsole only stiffens it minimally. As a result, stability is not high, so it is not ideal for runners with pronation or supination issues, but with a neutral gait this does not cause any disadvantage. The midsole is rockered both at the front and the back, but not aggressively. Thanks to the softer, more flexible foam, these curves flatten out more easily on landing and toe-off, meaning transitions feel smooth, but the shoe does not guide the foot strongly or aggressively.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the New Balance Ellipse is heavily padded, which makes it very comfortable even over longer periods of wear. The upper holds the foot well, is available in 3 different widths, and is therefore also ideal for runners with wide feet. It has a thick, wide, and long tongue that wraps around the foot very well and provides a good fit.

Ground contact, traction

The New Balance Ellipse midsole has an 8 mm drop, which is considered average, so it does not hinder either heel striking or landing farther forward on the foot. At the same time, the shoe is slightly heel-heavy, and because of the heel flare it encourages heel striking more. Since the midsole is softer, heavier heel landings feel comfortable, easy, and smooth through transition. The segmented outsole grips well on dry, firm surfaces and offers average grip on wet surfaces.

Pace and dynamics

The midsole of the New Balance Ellipse compresses significantly, sits on the softer side, and offers average energy return. This means it is not primarily intended for fast running, and this is not the shoe in which you will break your personal records, but it is still possible to run the occasional faster section in it.

Long run vs tempo vs training

The New Balance Ellipse running shoe is designed for everyday training and is not the most ideal choice for racing. In terms of both pace and distance, it is balanced and sits somewhere in the middle. It is comfortable and cushioned enough for longer runs, but there are shoes that are better suited for long-distance running. It can be a good choice if you are looking for a shoe for your daily training that can be a good partner for most of your runs without being expensive.

Who is the New Balance Ellipse running shoe recommended for – and who is it not for?

The New Balance Ellipse running shoe is designed for neutral runners and for everyday training that is not extreme in either distance or pace. If you are looking for a comfortable and versatile running shoe at an affordable price, it can be an ideal choice. It is suitable as a first running shoe for beginners and can also work well as your only running shoe.

For more advanced runners looking for a shoe for longer runs or faster efforts, the New Balance Ellipse may not be the ideal choice, as its energy return is limited for those types of runs.

Which New Balance daily trainer should you choose?

If you cannot decide which New Balance daily running shoe to choose for your training, the brief comparison below may help:

• NB Fresh Foam X More v6: a highly cushioned, very comfortable running shoe with excellent shock absorption and a higher weight, designed for low-intensity or recovery runs
• NB 880 v15: the most stable and stiffest of the 4 running shoes, with high cushioning and above-average weight. It is primarily made for longer but lower-intensity runs
• NB 1080 v15: more dynamic, faster, and the lightest running shoe among those listed. Of the 4 shoes, this is the only one that features the new Infinion supercritical foam rather than Fresh Foam X
• NB Ellipse: a versatile running shoe that is average in most of its characteristics and can be a good choice for most of your runs. It has no major weaknesses, but no standout advantage either, and that is its best quality, along with its price.

New Balance Ellipse running shoe alternatives – comparison

If you are looking for a running shoe similar to the New Balance Ellipse, or you just want to place the shoe within the world of running shoes and get a sense of what models it resembles, the following alternatives are worth considering:

• Asics Gel-Cumulus 28: similar midsole height and drop, but a slightly lighter running shoe, and its upper is less padded than the Ellipse upper
• Brooks Ghost 17: similar midsole height, but with a higher drop, a slightly firmer midsole, and similarly versatile performance
• Hoka Clifton 10: although its midsole is much higher and slightly firmer, the two shoes weigh the same
• Adidas Supernova Rise 3: similar softness and height in the midsole, the same weight, and a similarly padded but more flexible upper
• Saucony Ride 18: its midsole is slightly lower and firmer, and it weighs 20 grams less, but its upper is similarly padded

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s New Balance Ellipse running shoe?

The official weight of the women’s New Balance Ellipse running shoe is much lower than that of the men’s version, which may also be due to the fact that the women’s version is measured in size 37.5, while the men’s is measured in size 43.5. In my size 42, it weighs only 248 grams, which suggests that the women’s version is lighter only because of the smaller size. The midsole height and drop of the women’s New Balance Ellipse running shoe are the same as those of the men’s version.