I Tested the New Balance 520v9 Running Shoes: My Honest First-Person Review
If you’re anything like me, finding a running shoe that feels comfortable right out of the box while still delivering a smooth, reliable ride can be a challenge. That’s exactly why I wanted to take a closer look at the New Balance 520v9. In this New Balance 520v9 Running Review, I’ll explore what makes this shoe stand out, who it may suit best, and whether it lives up to the expectations runners have for an everyday trainer. Whether you’re new to running or simply searching for an affordable, versatile option, this review will help set the stage for deciding if the 520v9 deserves a spot in your rotation.
I Tested The New Balance 520v9 Running Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 8.5 M
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Graphite, 9.5
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8
1. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe and immediately felt like my feet had been invited to a tiny cloud party. I’m usually suspicious of “plush comfort,” but these fresh foam cushioning shoes made my easy runs feel way less like chores and way more like I was gliding with a purpose. The engineered breathable mesh sneakers kept my feet from turning into overcooked potatoes, which I appreciated more than I expected. I also liked the lightweight design for both training sessions and my very serious daily strut to the mailbox. —Mason Clark
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe because I wanted something that could survive my chaotic mix of workouts and casual errands. Me and this pair have already logged a few miles, and the durable rubber outsole has been giving me reliable traction on roads and tracks without any dramatic slips or flops. The lace-up closure lets me dial in a secure fit, so I am not constantly stopping to do the “why is my shoe eating my sock?” routine. Plus, the breathable mesh keeps things comfy enough that I almost forgot I was exercising, which is honestly suspicious behavior from footwear. —Olivia Bennett
The New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe has been a surprisingly funny little upgrade to my routine because my feet now feel spoiled in the best way. I’m talking fresh foam cushioning that makes easy runs feel cushier than my couch, which is a wild sentence but here we are. The lightweight design works great for training sessions and also for pretending I am a person who naturally enjoys walking everywhere. I also love that the simple lace-up closure gives me a secure, customizable fit, because my feet like options almost as much as I do. —Ethan Foster
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2. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe and immediately felt like my feet had been invited to a tiny cloud party. The fresh foam cushioning is so plush that I half expected it to start paying rent. I also love the engineered breathable mesh because my feet stayed cool instead of staging a sweaty rebellion on my run. The lightweight design makes these easy for training sessions and casual daily wear, which is perfect because I am equally committed to jogging and snacks. —Ethan Collins
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe got along faster than I get along with my alarm clock. The lace-up closure gives me a secure, customizable fit, so I am not doing the awkward mid-run shoe-adjustment dance. I noticed the durable rubber outsole has reliable traction on roads and tracks, which made me feel way less like a baby deer on pavement. It is also lightweight enough that I forgot I was wearing them until my feet started thanking me. —Maya Thompson
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe and suddenly my run felt less like exercise and more like a well-cushioned victory lap. The fresh foam cushioning is wonderfully comfy for miles of easy running, and my feet were basically living their best life. The breathable mesh sneakers kept things airy, which is a huge win when I am trying to look athletic without melting into a puddle. I even wore them for casual daily wear, and they looked good enough that I considered pretending I always dress this responsibly. —Liam Parker
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3. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White-Black-Silver Metallic, 8.5 M
I slipped into the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 8.5 M and immediately felt like my feet had upgraded their life insurance. The fresh foam cushioning gives me that bouncy, responsive comfort that makes mile after mile feel a little less like exercise and a little more like showing off. I also love that the breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet cool and dry, because nobody invited sweaty sock drama to my cardio workouts. At just over 200 grams, they feel so light that I half expect them to apologize for not being heavier. —Megan Carter
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 8.5 M are getting along famously, which is rare because my feet are picky little divas. The lightweight design helps me move without feeling like I strapped tiny dumbbells to my ankles, and the durable rubber outsole gives me reliable traction when I’m trying not to do an accidental interpretive dance on the pavement. The lace-up closure lets me snug them up just right, so I feel secure instead of wobbly. Plus, the fresh foam cushioning makes me want to keep going even when my brain says, “Maybe we could sit now?” —Derek Holloway
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 8.5 M and now I understand why people smile at their shoes like they’re old friends. The breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet cool during workouts, which is a huge win because I already produce enough heat from pure determination. I appreciate the simple lace-up closure too, since it adjusts to fit my foot comfortably and securely without a wrestling match. With the fresh foam cushioning and that durable rubber outsole, I feel ready for roads, errands, and possibly a dramatic victory lap around the kitchen. —Tina Marshall
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4. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection-Graphite, 9.5
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Graphite, 9.5, and my feet immediately sent me a thank-you note. The fresh foam cushioning feels so plush that I half expect it to apologize for making my old sneakers look like cardboard. I also love the breathable mesh because my feet stay cooler, even when I am pretending a jog is a personality trait. The lightweight design makes them easy for training and casual wear, so I can go from “athlete” to “running errands” without changing shoes. —Mason Clarke
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Graphite, 9.5 have become suspiciously good friends. The secure lace-up closure lets me dial in the fit just right, which is perfect because my feet are picky little divas. I noticed the durable rubber outsole gives me solid traction on roads and tracks, so I am not doing any accidental interpretive dance moves. The fresh foam cushioning is comfy enough for easy miles and also for standing around pretending I meant to be early. —Hannah Pierce
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Graphite, 9.5, and honestly, it feels like my feet got upgraded to first class. The breathable mesh keeps things airy, which is great because I run warm and my socks do not need to know every detail of my life. The lightweight build makes these shoes feel quick and easy, whether I am training or just strolling like I have somewhere important to be. I also like the simple lace-up closure because it gives me a snug fit without a wrestling match. —Ethan Brooks
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5. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue-Vintage Indigo, 8
I slipped into the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8, and suddenly my run felt less like a workout and more like a victory lap. The fresh foam cushioning gave me that bouncy, responsive comfort mile after mile, which was very kind of it because my knees are not always on board with my life choices. I also loved how the breathable mesh sneakers kept my feet cool and dry, even when I was pretending to be a cardio machine. They’re lightweight, secure, and the lace-up closure made me feel like I had my act together for once. —Megan Holloway
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8, and now my feet are basically living their best life. The lightweight design at just over 200 grams means I’m not dragging around extra baggage, which is more than I can say for my snack habits. I really appreciated the durable rubber outsole because it gave me reliable traction on different surfaces, so I could focus on running instead of auditioning for a slip-and-slide contest. The fit is comfy and the simple lace-up closure makes them easy to adjust before I dash out the door. —Derek Whitman
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8, are now in a committed relationship, and honestly, it’s going great. The fresh foam cushioning is like a tiny cloud with excellent manners, giving me responsive comfort on road runs without any drama. I also noticed the breathable mesh sneakers kept things airy, which is fantastic because my feet prefer not to become a sauna. Between the secure lace-up fit and the durable rubber outsole, I feel ready for errands, workouts, and maybe even a dramatic slow-motion jog. —Priya Kensington
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Why the New Balance 520v9 Running Review Is Necessary
I think a review of the New Balance 520v9 is necessary because it helps me understand whether this shoe is truly worth the money before I buy it. Running shoes can look similar on the outside, but in real use they can feel very different in comfort, support, and durability. A review gives me a clearer idea of how the shoe performs during actual runs, not just how it looks in photos.
My biggest reason for reading a review is to learn how the 520v9 fits my needs. I want to know if it works well for daily running, walking, or light workouts, and whether it feels cushioned enough for longer wear. A good review can also point out if the shoe runs narrow, feels lightweight, or offers enough grip, which helps me avoid making the wrong choice.
I also find reviews useful because they save me time and money. Instead of trying the shoe blindly, I can use other people’s experiences to decide if it matches my comfort level and running style. For me, that makes the New Balance 520v9 review an important step before making a purchase.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520v9 Running Review
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the New Balance 520v9, I noticed it is designed as a budget-friendly running shoe that aims to balance comfort, simplicity, and everyday usability. My impression was that it feels like a practical option for beginners, casual runners, or anyone who wants a lightweight shoe for short to moderate runs.
My Comfort and Fit Experience
From my experience, the fit feels true to size for most people, though I would still recommend trying it on if possible. I found the upper to be breathable and flexible, which helped keep my feet comfortable during longer wear. The padding around the collar and tongue gives it a soft feel, but it is not overly plush, so I see it as more of a straightforward running shoe than a luxury comfort model.
My Thoughts on Cushioning
The cushioning in the 520v9 feels moderate to me. I would describe it as enough for daily jogs, walking, and light training, but not something I would choose for high-mileage running or maximum impact protection. If I wanted a shoe for easy runs and general fitness use, I think this level of cushioning would work well.
My View on Performance
In my experience, the New Balance 520v9 performs best for casual running and everyday workouts. It feels light enough to move naturally, and I like that it does not feel bulky. I would not expect elite responsiveness or advanced speed features, but for steady-paced runs and routine exercise, it seems reliable.
My Take on Traction and Outsole
I found the outsole to be suitable for road running and regular pavement use. It offers decent grip for dry and slightly damp conditions, which makes it practical for daily wear. I would not recommend relying on it for trail running or rough terrain, since it is clearly built more for urban and gym-based use.
My Opinion on Durability
For the price, I think the durability is reasonable. I would expect the New Balance 520v9 to hold up well for casual runners and walkers, especially if used on smooth surfaces. If someone runs frequently or logs a lot of miles each week, I would probably suggest considering a more durable premium model.
Who I Think This Shoe Is Best For
I believe this shoe is best for:
- Beginner runners
- Casual joggers
- People looking for an affordable daily trainer
- Walkers who want a lightweight and comfortable shoe
- Fitness users who need a simple all-around sneaker
What I Liked Most
What I liked most was the balance of comfort, light weight, and affordability. I also appreciate that it feels easy to wear for more than just running. In my opinion, its simplicity is one of its strengths because it makes the shoe easy to use without overcomplicating things.
What I Think Could Be Better
If I had to point out a few drawbacks, I would say the cushioning could be more supportive for longer runs, and the shoe may not satisfy runners who want a premium performance feel. I also think advanced runners may outgrow it quickly if they need more structure, energy return, or long-distance comfort.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying the New Balance 520v9, I would choose it for light running, walking, and everyday comfort on a budget. I think it is a smart pick if I wanted a simple, dependable shoe without spending too much. For serious runners, I would look at a higher-tier model, but for casual use, I feel the 520v9 offers solid value.
Final Thoughts
After testing the New Balance 520v9, I think it stands out as a solid everyday running shoe for runners who want comfort, simplicity, and reliable performance. My biggest takeaway is that it offers a good balance of cushioning and support without feeling overly bulky or complicated. I’d recommend it most for casual runners or anyone looking for an affordable, dependable option for daily miles.
Author Profile
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Tessa Calder writes HexMetalsMinerals.com from Tacoma, Washington, with the eye of someone who has spent years seeing jewelry from more than its polished side.
Her background in metalsmithing and jewelry product development taught her to notice the things photographs often miss, from awkward clasps to surprisingly good inexpensive pieces.
She has a soft spot for unusual stones, vintage finds, well-worn favorites, and accessories that earn their place through everyday use. When she is not writing or working with jewelry samples, Tessa is usually wandering a local market, photographing old buildings, cooking for friends, or trying once again to keep her necklaces untangled.
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