What’s new
- Soft Fresh Foam X midsole
- Cushioned tongue & heel tab
- Engineered mesh upper
ON THE RUN
Meg: I'll be honest, my first experience in the Ellipse v1, I was feeling some sort of way and was really looking for something to complain about. I wanted to find something wrong with the shoe. I wanted to be able to blame the shoes and their response to the cold, snowy conditions for the less-than-stellar performance I was anticipating... but I just couldn't. The Ellipse v1 is truly a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Before I finished my first podcast I found myself truly enjoying the miles and pushing the wintery weather further and further from my mind with every step. The Ellipse feels incredibly effortless. It's light and it's peppy. The Fresh Foam X midsole is soft enough to absorb impact, but not so soft that it feels like you're sinking in quicksand. I genuinely enjoyed my time in this shoe and could absolutely see myself adding it to my daily rotation.
Nolan: From the very first stride, the shoe delivered a familiar yet refreshed ride, calling back to the legacy feel of previous 1080 models. True to its roots, the Ellipse features a full-length Fresh Foam X midsole, but this time in a noticeably peppier, more lively package. The responsiveness and plush comfort we’ve come to expect are all there, only better. Unlike earlier iterations of Fresh Foam X that could lose their pop over longer runs, this version maintains its integrity, never feeling flat and delivering a consistently smooth, energized ride mile after mile.
THE FIT
Nolan: Slipping into the Ellipse feels instantly familiar, like pulling on that old, perfectly broken-in slipper you could never bring yourself to throw away. The upper molds to the foot almost immediately, creating a plush, step-in feel that truly oozes comfort. A generously padded tongue shields the top of the foot from any potential lace bite, while the heel delivers reliable lockdown. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel here, but importantly, it doesn’t do anything wrong either.
The toe box does lean slightly narrow, yet it still offers ample room to stay comfortable and unconstrained during longer daily miles. Overall, the engineered mesh breaks in remarkably fast, almost melting around the foot and reinforcing that cozy, dialed-in fit from the moment you lace up.
Meg: The fit was decent! I personally appreciate a bit of a roomier toebox, but to be fair, I was wearing thicker socks so it wasn't a complete deal breaker for me. I felt fully locked in and supported without being suffocated. The upper was breathable with a bit of give despite my questionable sock choice (I hate cold feet). It felt like a big bear hug for my foot... if you like that sort of thing...
THE FEEL
Meg: Speaking of bears, Goldilocks and the Three Bears comes to mind. The cushion wasn't too hard or too soft. The upper is not too tight or too loose, too hot or too cold, but juuust right. It was light and lively. It was bouncy but stable. It was fun!
Nolan: Underfoot, the shoe feels like the spiritual successor to what many felt was lost with the evolution of the 1080 line. While it moves away from that ultra–ooey-gooey softness we’ve all come to love, it replaces it with a more balanced, responsive ride. Fresh Foam X remains one of my favorite foams to run in, and that preference continues with the Ellipse. The result is a plush, well-cushioned feel paired with just enough pop to keep things engaging, creating a truly enjoyable underfoot experience.
The last trends slightly narrow, subtly encouraging you to pick up the pace, while the forefoot flares out just enough to inspire confidence at toe-off. This thoughtful shaping delivers smooth, controlled transitions and makes the shoe feel right at home as a dependable, do-it-all daily runner.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Meg: The Ellipse v1 strikes me as a super versatile shoe. It felt fresh and speedy during my 5k, but it also felt smooth and dependable for my longer run. I could also see myself wearing this just out-and-about. I see it moving seamlessly from "track work" to "at work". Visually, there's something about them that is truly aesthetically pleasing. According to my teenage daughter who is no stranger to critiquing my fashion choices, they look "kinda cool", so I think that says something...
Nolan: For me, this is a shoe built for everyday miles. I took it out for shorter, quicker efforts as well as slow, longer runs, and it never once showed a weakness. Where it truly shined, though, was on those 5–8 mile runs at an easy, relaxed pace. That’s when the upper really had time to melt around my foot, pairing seamlessly with the cloud-like underfoot feel of Fresh Foam X.
When stacked up against other shoes in the $140–$150 category, like the ASICS Novablast 5, Saucony Azura, and Hoka Mach 6, the Ellipse holds its own without hesitation. It’s a confident, versatile daily trainer that belongs in the conversation with the very best in its class.
THE RUNDOWN
Meg: I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the Ellipse and I'm excited for others to give it a try. I think it's going to be a great addition to the New Balance line up. I would like to try it in a wide, just for comparison purposes, but overall, this average runner with no intentions of becoming an elite athlete, was impressed!
Nolan: I think New Balance absolutely nailed this one. Entering an increasingly crowded field of light, fast daily trainers, the Ellipse manages to stand out as a genuinely compelling option as the category continues to evolve. Whether you’re a new runner searching for a true do-it-all shoe, or a seasoned athlete chasing a Boston Marathon qualifying time, the Ellipse proves itself as a reliable and versatile training companion.
I see this shoe as the spiritual successor to the 1080 line as that franchise moves in a new direction with Infinion. Taken as a whole, the Ellipse feels like the complete package, light, fast, comfortable, and adaptable, and a model poised to make real waves in the fast-daily-trainer space heading into 2026.
Meet the Reviewers
