New Balance Ellipse Review

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Quick Verdict

The New Balance Ellipse is a first-generation neutral road trainer centered on comfort and everyday enjoyment. Its 37/29mm stack, 8mm drop, high cushion rating, and 9.6-ounce men's weight create a conventional protective package. Daily, long-run, and recovery categories give it unusually broad easy-mile coverage.

Running Warehouse found the foam softer than the 880 while walking but firmer than the 1080 once running. Women's Running similarly frames it as comfort-first rather than pace-first. Our conclusion is that the Ellipse is a practical workhorse for runners who want cushioning without the softest possible ride. See our best daily trainers.

Key Specifications

What Changed

The Ellipse launches a new New Balance franchise rather than updating an older numbered model. New Balance positions it around running without constant performance pressure, using a rockered Fresh Foam X platform and comfort-oriented upper.

The current runtime record corrects earlier research notes: the men's and women's weights are 9.6 and 7.7 ounces, MSRP is MSRP: $145, and all width options are included. Those values match the current product direction and are canonical here. Independent testing then helps place the ride between the firmer 880 and softer 1080.

Ride and Intended Use

The 8mm drop and 37mm heel are familiar enough for ordinary training, while the rocker should help transitions through easy and steady paces. Published reviews emphasize comfort and a balanced rather than extremely soft feel. That points toward recovery runs, routine aerobic mileage, walking, and moderate long runs.

The Ellipse is not cataloged for speed. It may accommodate brief pickups, but runners planning regular intervals should compare our best lightweight shoes. For distance-specific options, our best long-run shoes explains when more cushioning or a livelier platform may matter.

Its three listed roles should be read as variations within aerobic training, not three separate performance personalities. Recovery pace, ordinary daily pace, and a relaxed long run all benefit from predictability and comfort. The Ellipse's balanced firmness may make those transitions easier for runners who dislike sinking deeply into foam, while athletes seeking strong rebound at marathon pace may want a livelier option.

Fit and Sizing

New Balance's full width range is the Ellipse's clearest practical advantage. Narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide versions allow runners to choose volume without changing length. That still does not guarantee fit because heel shape, instep height, and toe taper remain individual.

Start with your normal New Balance running length and select the width that centers the foot without compression. Check heel hold while jogging and leave enough toe clearance for long-run swelling. If between widths, compare them directly rather than over-tightening the laces.

What Works Well

• Broad training range: Daily, long, and recovery roles cover most comfort-oriented mileage.
• All-width availability: Few new models serve narrow through extra-wide feet.
• Competitive MSRP: The corrected MSRP: $145 price is reasonable for a high-cushion platform.

Tradeoffs

• Not a speed specialist: The 9.6-ounce men's build and comfort brief favor easier paces.
• Not the softest New Balance: Independent review describes a firmer running feel than the 1080.
• New line: Long-term expectations are less established than for older franchises.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

• Neutral runners seeking a comfortable, versatile daily trainer.
• Hard-to-fit athletes who benefit from four width choices.
• Beginners and experienced runners who prioritize easy mileage over racing.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Runners wanting a very soft maximum-cushion sensation.
• Athletes buying specifically for tempo work or races.
• Anyone preferring a lighter, lower-stack platform.

Cross-Brand Comparison

The Brooks Ghost 18 is an established workhorse, while the Nike Vomero 18 leans further into premium cushioning. The Ellipse competes through breadth, moderate price, and width access rather than an aggressive performance claim.

Same-Brand Comparison

The New Balance 1080v15 is softer and more premium, while the Fresh Foam X 880 v14 is a firmer traditional daily trainer. The Ellipse occupies the comfortable middle, with a lower MSRP than the 1080.

Value

At MSRP: $145, the Ellipse is well positioned if one shoe handles recovery, daily, and long runs. Its width range adds real value for runners who otherwise compromise fit. It is less compelling as a redundant easy shoe in a large rotation or for athletes who need significant workout capability.

The new franchise also carries some uncertainty about long-term expectations. Independent reviews support the current ride description, but buyers should avoid projecting the service history of the 880 or 1080 onto a first-generation model.

Final Verdict

The New Balance Ellipse is a thoughtfully moderate debut. It offers high cushioning, familiar geometry, broad easy-mile roles, and the company's complete width range at a corrected MSRP: $145 MSRP. Independent reviews prevent confusing comfort with extreme softness: the ride is balanced and more structured than the 1080. For neutral runners seeking approachable versatility, that is a strength.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support TrainingPlan at no extra cost to you.