Our verdict

In our lab tests, the New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune emerged as the top contender for those who prioritize supreme softness in a daily trainer. It's not only the most cushioned 1080 yet, but also one of the plushiest running shoes we've ever experienced. The top-notch upper and impressive durability also set a high bar that rivals will struggle to reach. However, we found the Fresh Foam X midsole falls short in energy return, a letdown for those seeking more bounce. Yet, at $165, we believe it's reasonably priced given its blend of distinctive attributes and performance.

City Pack New Balance Marathon Special Edition 1500 V6 D-Wide Bright M1500YB6 Pros

  • Exceptional comfort
  • Outstanding breathability
  • Кроссовки new balance 531
  • Long-lasting outsole
  • Lightweight for its size
  • High-quality materials throughout the shoe
  • Ideal for medium or long runs at a relaxed pace
  • Кросівки нью баланс жіночі new balance 574сірі з золотом

City Pack New Balance Marathon Special Edition 1500 V6 D-Wide Bright M1500YB6 Cons

  • The EVA-based midsole falls short in energy return
  • Lacks stability
  • Not suitable for quick-paced running

Audience verdict

89
Great!

Who should buy

AURALEE Dresses Down The New Balance 550 For AW21 Collection:

  • Neutral runners who crave the ultimate softness in their shoes, as this model tops the charts as the plushest daily trainer available.
  • Those looking for a long-lasting and trustworthy trainer crafted with top-notch, comfortable materials.
  • zapatillas de running New Balance asfalto constitución media talla 46.5.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune

Who should NOT buy

The 1080 v13 showcases some impressive strengths, yet it falls short in energy return due to its EVA midsole. For runners seeking a more dynamic bounce with each step, we suggest exploring options like the ASICS Superblast or the Nike Invincible 3.

Moreover, the 1080 v13 doesn't offer much in terms of stability, making it a fit primarily for neutral runners who possess solid, straight running technique. For those facing even mild stability issues, we recommend a more supportive experience in stable daily trainers such as the Кроссовки женские new balance 327 красные с чёрным or the ASICS Gel Kayano 30.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune

City Pack New Balance Marathon Special Edition 1500 V6 D-Wide Bright M1500YB6 | Cushioning

Heel stack

Now let's talk about the stack height. In the heel, it measures 34.1 mm, which is very reasonable for a cushioned daily trainer.

For easy or aerobic runs over short to medium distances, this is all you need, despite the current trend of packing in as much foam as possible. And yes, you can definitely handle a long run with this heel stack.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune stack
The shoe appears taller than it actually is due to the sidewalls on the heel and midfoot.

It's important to remember that a daily trainer should be versatile enough for a variety of runs. It should be agile and nimble, serving as a do-it-all shoe for those who prefer a single pair in their rotation. That's why we believe this approach is spot-on for this type of shoe.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Heel stack
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 34.1 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot features a moderately-high design, offering ample cushioning at 28.5 mm, ideal for both midfoot and forefoot strikers.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Forefoot stack
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 28.5 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

New Balance claims a 6-mm drop, and we measured it at 5.6 mm following the official World Athletics guidelines. Kudos to New Balance for providing measurements close to reality, a rarity among brands.

This means the shoe is more suited for forefoot and midfoot strikers. However, heel strikers can still use it, but they should be comfortable with a shoe that has a lower drop than what's typical for daily trainers. If that's not your preference, we suggest checking out the Kestävyys New balance Nitrel v3 Confort Trail Running Shoes.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Drop
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 5.6 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Let's dive into the most game-changing update in the 1080 v13. While it's still labeled as "Fresh Foam X", New Balance has revamped the formula, creating an out-of-this-world softness.

After testing over 300 shoes in the lab, we found very few that could rival this one's marshmallow-like feel.

Driven to quantify our experience, we used the Shore A durometer and recorded a 10.0 HA measurement, solidifying our initial thoughts. It's like running on a feather pillow.

The standout feature is the mind-blowingly-incredible comfort in every step. There's no arguing about it. However, this new Fresh Foam X is still an EVA midsole, which means the energy return is somewhat limited—you sink into the foam, but it doesn’t spring you back much.

This characteristic makes the shoe ideal for easy runs or days when your feet crave the ultimate comfort. But for faster paces, we think the shoe is too mushy.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Midsole softness
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 10.0 HA
Average 20.9 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 330 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

Even under cold temperatures, the foam remains ultra-soft at 12.9 HA, though it becomes 28.8% firmer.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Difference in midsole softness in cold
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 29%
Average 25%
Compared to 330 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
0%
Midsole softness in cold
63%

Insole thickness

The Ortholite insole, at 5 mm, is incredibly soft. It gave us a preview of the comfort we can expect from the midsole...

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Insole thickness
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 5.0 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 399 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Size and fit

Size

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune is true to size (197 votes).

New Balance Xc-72 Unisex Men S Women S Marblehead Rain Cloud?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 380 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

One of the advantages of knit uppers is their ability to stretch after a few runs. Yet, the 1080 v13 likely won't need to rely on this feature because it provides a regular fit that's slightly on the roomier side.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune upper fit

Nachhaltig New balance Impact Run 5 Kurze Hose.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 99.7 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
91.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
104.9 mm

City Pack New Balance Marathon Special Edition 1500 V6 D-Wide Bright M1500YB6 | Toebox width - big toe

Our second measurement focused on the big toe area, coming in at 77.9 mm. This is pretty much average, indicating that New Balance chose a safe taper, which is sensible for a daily running shoe.

By the way, those with wide should now that the brand offers the 1080 in three widths: regular, wide, and extra-wide (in some markets).

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 77.9 mm
Average 78.4 mm
Compared to 244 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
67.6 mm
Toebox width - big toe
89.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Regarding stability, it's clear that the 1080 v13 is not the most stable daily trainer out there.

Even though it has sidewalls, as we mentioned in a previous test, the foam is just too soft to offer any real stability boost. Therefore, we recommend the 1080 v13 only for neutral runners.

Torsional rigidity

Brands are increasingly creating more rigid shoes in their latest daily trainers, but New Balance is taking a different approach. This makes sense for us—why compromise on comfort when the focus is solely on neutral runners with the 1080?

This is why we recorded a 2/5 in our torsional rigidity test. Yep, it's a step back in terms of stability, but it significantly enhances comfort for everyday runs.

Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 2
Average 3.4
Compared to 382 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1
Torsional rigidity
5

New Balance 998 Cityscape Grey White For Sale M998BLA

The heel counter is on the stiffer side, a necessary choice when paired with such cloud-like foam. We rated it a 4/5.

It might slightly bother those with Haglund's deformity or other Achilles area issues, but in our view, most runners should find it comfortable.

Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 4
Average 2.9
Compared to 366 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1
New Balance 998 Cityscape Grey White For Sale M998BLA
5

New Balance 530 Womens

Now, let's look at the midsole dimensions. From the moment we first held the shoe in the lab, it felt really large, clearly one of the widest daily trainers we've tested.

Measuring the forefoot at its widest point, we got a measurement of 119.5 mm, confirming our initial impressions. Basically, it's a result of the pillow-like midsole, they had no choice!

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 119.5 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
102.2 mm
New Balance 530 Womens
126.9 mm

New Balance M2002RXA GORE-TEX Black 25cm

The same design concept is seen in the heel, which is slightly wider compared to most running shoes. Our caliper measured it at 95.9 mm.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 95.9 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
70.8 mm
New Balance M2002RXA GORE-TEX Black 25cm
106.6 mm

Best green New Balance sneakers Hierro V7 Zapatilla De Correr para Tierra SS22-47

Earlier in our lab review, we found that this shoe offers impressive flexibility in terms of torsion. But how does it perform longitudinally?

Remarkably, it remains more flexible than the average! Our machine needed 13.1N of force to bend it to a 30-degree angle. This level of flexibility makes the shoe not just ideal for running, but also perfect for comfortable all-day wear.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Best green New Balance sneakers Hierro V7 Zapatilla De Correr para Tierra SS22-47
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 13.1N
Average 15.6N
Compared to 124 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
4.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
28.5N

Weight

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The 1080 v13 weighs just 9.3 oz (264g), which is quite reasonable for its size. This shows their solid progress in combining lightweight design with comfort.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Weight
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 9.31 oz (264g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 404 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

We must admit that we had our doubts about the 1080 v13 at first. Knit uppers usually don't breathe well, and it seemed like this one might lack airflow.

But we're here to test shoes, not make assumptions—and our smoke test revealed the 1080 v13 has exceptional airflow, a 5/5 in our opinion. Thumbs up to New Balance for creating a knit upper with such outstanding ventilation.

Next, we conducted the light test to discover how New Balance achieved this. The secret? Hundreds of microperforations throughout the upper.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune microscope

Under our microscope, these tiny holes were visible everywhere. The upper isn't just comfortable; it excels in performance too.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune microscope

In fact, the upper is packed with pillow-like padding, making the back half of the shoe one of the most comfortable we've ever tested in the lab.

Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 333 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

One major concern with highly breathable uppers is often reduced durability. So, did the 1080 v13 fall into this trap?

Luckily, the 1080 v13 impressed us with a solid 3/5 score. It's not the top of the charts, but considering the odds, we're quite pleased with this outcome.

The key lies in its double-layered knit. If it were a single layer, we might be looking at a mere 1/5 score.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Toebox durability
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 3
Average 2.6
Compared to 267 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1
Toebox durability
5

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Let's dive into our second Dremel test. In this one, we focus on the heel area's resistance, a spot that often shows early wear and tear in many shoes.

After putting it through the Dremel test, we were thrilled to find barely any damage, earning a fantastic 4/5 score. Up to this point, the 1080 v13 is doing an outstanding job here in the lab.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune New balance 327 black кросівки нью баланс післяплата купити
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 262 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1
New balance 327 black кросівки нью баланс післяплата купити
5

Outsole hardness

Now, let's focus on another crucial aspect of a New Balance Chaussures Running Dynasoft Drft V2—the outsole. No matter how exceptional the upper is, if the outsole wears down too soon, it can ruin the whole value of the shoe.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune outsole
The outsole is strategically covered in key areas with blown rubber, significantly reducing the shoe's weight in comparison with standard rubber. 

First off, we assessed the outsole's hardness. The Shore C durometer test gave us an average reading of 80.1 HC. This suggests the outsole should have pretty decent durability. However, keep in mind that there's a lot of exposed foam and we don't recommend using this one on trails.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Outsole hardness
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 81.5 HC
Average 79.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 384 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
56.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

We then tested how the blown rubber held up under our Dremel, applying more duration and force than we do with the upper, for obvious reasons.

And the results were truly incredible. With just 0.2-mm of wear, you can be confident that this outsole won't wear down prematurely. And the traction, while not the best in the market by any means, it's good enough for road running.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Outsole durability
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 0.2 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 245 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The impressive durability of the rubber likely inspired the team at New Balance HQ to design a thinner outsole than usual.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune

We measured it at 2.5-mm thick, which is below average but more than sufficient for this shoe. This design choice also helps keep the weight as low as possible.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Outsole thickness
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 2.5 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

We initially worried that the 1080 v13 might join other brands in cutting costs on often-overlooked features. However, New Balance pleasantly surprised us by maintaining its reflective elements, and we absolutely love it.

Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 Yes

Tongue padding

The tongue of the shoe, at 7.3 mm, is padded and very comfortable. Yet, we think New Balance could trim it down a bit, maybe to around 4-6 mm. This would save some weight while still maintaining plenty of comfort for a daily workhorse.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Tongue padding
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 7.3 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
new balance CM996 ALS CM996 ALS
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

We found the tongue of the 1080 v13 is semi-gusseted, offering an excellent lockdown. It's impressively comfortable without being too tight or intrusive. We believe this choice is perfect for this shoe.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 Both sides (semi)

Heel tab

The v13 doesn't have a heel tab, but it does have a more padded area around the heel. This makes it easier to grab the heel when we need to.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Heel tab
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 None

Removable insole

The 1080 v13 features a standard insole that's easy to remove and replace if necessary. And thanks to the shoe's average dimensions, slipping in third-party insoles is not a problem at all.

New Balance Homme FuelCell Propel v3 en Bleu Jaune Removable insole
Test results
Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 Yes