New Balance Ellipse Review | Running Performance Meets Dad Shoe Style?

I was excited about all the marketing and buzz around the New Balance Ellipse, and, frankly, really liked the way they looked. So I had to snag a pair myself and see what the hype was all about. I logged about 75 miles in these during the month of March.

Right out the box, I am all-in on New Balance’s design direction of the Ellipse. New Balance is at the top of their game right now in the lifestyle shoe market, and the Ellipse draws on inspiration from classic silhouettes like the 990 and 2002.

I left them sitting out on our shoe rack, and my wife — who’s rather critical when it comes to my fashion choices — said “those are sick” when she got home from work. I’ve felt just as confident wearing these around town the last few weeks as I have running in them. 

Who Should Buy the New Balance Ellipse?

• Beginner Runners: If you’re just starting out and are looking for a comfortable, fun, and forgiving shoe that’s going to help the miles tick by, this is a fantastic introduction to the sport at a competitive price point. 
• Narrower Feet: If you’re used to a narrower silhouette, the Ellipse’s narrower toebox will feel familiar. 
• Heel Strikers: If you’re a heel-strike runner, the high stack of Fresh Foam X will keep you feeling supported throughout your runs. Similar vibes to our take on the Nike Vomero 18.
• Fashion-Forward: If you’re a fan of the New Balance “dad shoe” aesthetic, then these runners will scratch that itch and give you a lifestyle look with the performance of a daily trainer. 

Who Should Not Buy the New Balance Ellipse?

• You’re Looking For A Race Day Shoe: The Ellipse is not the snappiest or lightest and should be reserved for easier days and stacking miles, as opposed to track sessions or race day. 
• You Have Wider Feet: If you have a wider foot, think 3E+, or a thicker foot, the toe box was too narrow for our liking. 

New Balance Ellipse Fit & Sizing 

• About My Feet: I have a normal/neutral arch and my feet come in at a D (medium) width. The length of my left and right foot are slightly inconsistent… my left foot is about a half size longer than my right foot, but I generally wear a USM10 for most companies sizing charts. 

Relative Sizing Thoughts

• Narrow (<D): True to size
• Medium (D): True to size
• E-EE: True to size
• 3E+: Skip altogether

I purchased a size 10, and the length of the Ellipse was true to size. I found it to have a snug fit on the heel and tongue without feeling too constricting. The issue for me was the width. The Ellipse is noticeably more narrow than its cousin, the Fresh Foam 1080.

I still found the Ellipse to be plenty comfortable during runs and daily wear. However, as room in the toe box, I will trend back to the Fresh Foam 1080, which shares the same midsole material and a similar mid drop category. That said, New Balance did just release a Wide (2E) and X-Wide (4E) option that I’m excited to try next! 

Performance Assessment

Short/Mid Runs (400m-4ish miles): 6.5/10

That Fresh Foam X is just a fantastic material for a midsole. It’s plush, cushiony, and comfortable. You can feel it from the moment you slip the shoe on – let alone before you take your first steps. It just makes you want to jog, with a smile on your face.

The shoe is a little heavier (9.8oz for a USM10) than some of the snappier shoes I’ve been running in lately (Saucony Endorphin Pro line, Adidas Evo SL), and lacks any sort of “rocker” construction like a speedier shoe. So this is probably not a shoe that I’d pick out of my rotation for shorter, faster runs. That said, if I was doing a run commute to the gym, or something low key to catch up with friends, this shoe definitely fits the bill. 

Longer Runs (5-10+ miles): 8/10

For my easier, longer runs, I was extremely happy with the Ellipse. The Fresh Foam X continues to provide plenty of cushion once you push into that 10k territory. Once I started to rack up some more mileage, I could feel the shoe losing just a bit of its’ pop and structure, and it started to feel like the midsole was getting a bit “mushy” for my liking, and I found myself wondering if I would have appreciated something with a plate or a lighter construction – especially on the days where I included a couple of tempo miles mid-long run. 

Upper construction definitely lends itself to comfort for the long run. The heel cup is plush and comfortable, and kept me locked in place even when I tied the shoes with the intention of keeping the upper a bit roomier and less locked down. I also love that the tongue construction shares the same elastic pieces on the sides with the 1080. They keep the tongue bolted down and made the ride feel familiar and secure. 

New Balance chose to install a good bit of rubber on the outsole of this shoe, which adds a bit of weight to it, but also gives the shoe a great deal of traction. We’ve been dealing with some wet weather in New York City this month, and I felt entirely confident cornering on runs no matter the condition of the pavement. 

Walking & Daily Wear: 9/10

The comfort level of the upper and Fresh Foam X midsole, plus the generous amount of rubber on the outsole, combined with the design of this shoe make me think that I’ll be reaching for it often for walking and daily wear. I could see this being a shoe that I take when traveling as I can workout in it, as well as wear it just walking around town, and not feel like I’m sporting a loud and sporty looking running shoe. The only reason I wouldn’t give the Ellipse a perfect 10/10 for daily wear is simply my preference for a wider toe box. 

Hyrox Style Training: 6/10

Plenty of grip from the rubber outsole when it comes to sled pushes, plenty of stability from the snug and breathable upper, but not going to be my go-to when it comes to Hyrox-style training or racing. It’s just a bit too clunky and doesn’t have the “pop” that I’m looking for when it comes to compromised running.

Construction & Materials

The Ellipse weights 9.8oz (278g) for a US M10 and has a 37.9mm heel stack compared to a 29.9mm forefoot stack (8 mm drop). It boasts a plush and comfortable Fresh Foam X midsole and an upper design that offers a modern take on classic running influences and some of New Balance’s flagship lifestyle models. It also shares a gusseted, elasticized tongue like some of New Balance’s other running shoes giving it a secure midfoot fit. The padded heel cup also gives a snug and secure fit. 

The result? A shoe that makes the miles tick by, especially if you’re heading out for a run to clear your head, touch some grass, and just enjoy the ride. This shoe’s marketing speaks to “fun comfort for everyday runs” and that’s exactly what New Balance achieves with the first version of the Ellipse. If my run is intended to be social and fun, this is definitely a shoe that I’m reaching for. 

Final Thoughts: Would We Get Again?

Not likely for a pure running shoe. As much as I find the Ellipse to be comfortable and stylish, the narrow toe box is a deterrent for me, and I’d probably double back down on the 1080 if I want that delightfully plush Fresh Foam X midsole in the future. 

Edit: While I haven’t tried them on, the Ellipse also comes in a WIDE option. That may solve my toebox crowding, but I’d be a little nervous about losing some of the upper stability if the shoe’s entire profile is too wide!