I also intended trying the shoe out over a 35-mile run, which for me averages out at about 7 hours. This would give me a sense of whether the Nitrel v3 could be the shoe I use to undertake the G2E later this year. So, if that principle was to translate into the slightly heavier and more cushioned New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3, then 55 miles becomes very possible! Ready for more good news? Never again will you have to choose between function and fashion. New Balance is proud to offer fresh, exciting styles that are as modern as they are timeless - created with an ideal balance of aesthetics and function in mind. How should running shoes fit?

The New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 is designed as a ‘crossover’ trail shoe. This means it’s a shoe that can take you over both light, non-technical trails, and roads. With the firm ride described previously, I did not find this shoe to break in and get any softer than its first day running. Don't get bogged down, however, because a firmer shoe like this is not always a negative point. For starters, the upper material is more protective than breathable with added protective welds along with the high wear areas (i.e., lateral forefoot, toe box, eyelets) which is a big advantage for off-road use. New Balance doesn’t state the size of the lugs, but I would suggest they could be about 4 mm—this would mean good traction on dry, light trails but not so great on wet, muddy ground. The Nitrel v3 comes in weighing 274 gramsThe Fuelcore Coast 4 runs a half to full size big, so I definitely recommend trying these shoes on before purchasing. Blown-rubber is strategically concentrated in an arch configuration along the toe and heel to prevent accelerated wear in these locations. However, the limited use of blown-rubber leaves the foam exposed under the forefoot. For me, the New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 became a great addition to my shoe collection. I felt New Balance had produced a very ‘honest’ shoe—one that delivered on what it is designed to do. This will provide added support and comfort around the ankle and allow you to ‘dial-in’ the laces to ensure a secure fit. But as you can see, it is not a gusseted tongue and therefore could potentially let in debris. Upon unboxing, it’s obvious that the FuelCore Sonic is a very different-looking shoe. Without traditional laces—and the laces’ necessary accoutrements—the shoe resembles something a little more velcro-y than what we’re used to. The good news? With less “stuff”, there’s less opportunity for rubbing and chafing—super important for barefoot running and for keeping the shoe at a thrifty advertised 8.5oz weight with a small dial. The bad news? They’re not exactly fashion-forward, though to be honest, I actually did get a few compliments, so what do I know? The Fit:

Your child might be little, but they deserve big standards when it comes to, well, everything - and at New Balance, we believe that applies to the shoes they wear. From running and lifestyle shoes that are sure to outlast that toddler stage to the perfect pair of sandals, walking shoes, baseball cleats and more, New Balance has a little something for every little one out there. The first thing I noticed when I put on the Nitrel v3 was that the fit felt very much true to size and it actually felt very comfortable. Remember, it’s not a specialist shoe but is a shoe that you can just pull on and go out for a run. You’ll be secure in the knowledge that your feet will be fine, and it will handle all the terrains you present it with. New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 – Overview & specifications The upper does have a no-sew material. This provides that seamless comfort that we all like and that reduces the chances of any awkward rubbing. The Nitrel v3 also comes with a very padded collar and tongueIt will handle mud, wet trails, and technical trails (at a level); but it’s not a specialist shoe for those terrains—it’s at its best when on light, non-technical trails. The uppers of the Nitrel v3 consist of an unusual mesh

But, remember, the stated weight is the average weight across all the sizes and is not necessarily the actual weight of the specific shoe you’re buying. I’m a UK size 9, and as the picture shows you, when I weighed the Nitrel v3 on my scales, it came in at 299 grams. New Balance has given the Nitrel v3 a Toe Protect to protect the toes against loose or sharp stones and a Pull Tab to assist with easy on/off. For example; I got the lightweight New Balance Gobi v3 up to the distance of 35 miles and used them in a 50k race. This midsole feel works well in off-road situations where a bit more stability aids in foot control on uneven terrain. On the tarmac, however, the Dynasoft foam was not forgiving and was especially noticeable while testing on concrete floors over multiple hours. If one limits his or her use to a few hours per outing with this shoe it will wear properly. This is a great shoe, tailor-made for triathletes. Yes, Zoot has had a BOA-enabled option for a few years, but now that big shoe brands are on board, BOA has made some necessary upgrades to their system. I loved the low-profile dial with a rubberized coating for wet-triathlete T2 paws, and I loved the low-seam, highly breathable upper that the BOA system allowed for. It also goes without saying that the tightening system was great at getting the laces super tight, super loose (duathletes take note!) or anything in-between.

New Balance FuelCore Coast v4 Conclusions

The underground feel was also good—I’ve had shoes that gave me a better underfoot feel of the ground and at the same time provide cushioning, but these shoes were way more expensive. Weighing in at 6.1 oz. for women and 7.2 oz. for the men’s version, they are lightweight and agile yet still provide plenty of cushion for runs lasting up to 2 hours.

The midsole becomes slightly more rigid in the midfoot and heel where the foot is less flexible. New Balance’s Response performance insole rests on top of the midsole to further enhance the shoe’s responsive and supple feel. Throughout the 18 miles, the Nitrel v3 performed really well. The shoe was very comfortable and secured my feet well. I had no ‘hot-spots’ whatsoever, and the ‘relationship’ was growing stronger! Since there is no tongue, tightening the laces bunches up the fabric in between the lacing eyelets were the tongue should be. This caused initial discomfort as the crinkled fabric poked and pressed into the top of my foot.

New Balance FuelCore Coast v4 Price Comparison

The New Balance Nitrel v4 is true to size with just the right amount of toe box space that did not feel restricted. Overall length was consistent with just enough room in the toe box and no slipping in the heel. The width is moderate from heel to toe without any excess room for slipping. The Fuelcore midsole employs a combination of EVA foam densities to achieve the optimal balance between responsiveness and softness.