The Balos may not have a plate, but the soft and bouncy PEBA-blended foam makes it a shoe that fits neatly into the world of super trainers. Designed for versatility, the midsole provides a high level of cushioning for easy runs but can easily allow you to pick up the pace thanks to an impressive level of energy return and a smooth rocker geometry.
As well as the balance midsole foam, there’s a healthy layer of ground contact EVA on the outsole built to provide protection and add grip, while helping to retain a relatively light weight.
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00:12 – Stats
00:28 – Design
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09:48 – Should You Buy It?
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Hey Tommy from the Run testers in this Video we are going to be doing a full Review of the New Balance balos let's Have a [Music] Look the New Balance BOS costs 2 or $199.99 it weighs 243 G or £ 8.6 o for Men in a size8 and the drop is 6 [Music] Mm the ballos may not have a plate but The soft and bouncy peber Blended foam Makes it a shoe that fits neatly into The world of super trainers designed for Versatility the midso provides a high Level of cushioning for easy runs but Can easily allow you to pick up the pace Thanks to an impressive level of energy Return and a smooth rocker geometry as Well as the balanced midsole foam There's a healthy layer of ground Contact Eva on the out soole built to Provide protection and add grip while Helping to retain a relatively Lightweight finally the upper combines Cre mesh material with a knit tongue as Well as plenty of padding around the Ankle Column comes to the fit of the Ballas I've got my normal running shoe size Here which is uk9 with New Balance That's a US 9.5 that's the size I Usually go for with New Balance it can Be a bit hit and miss sometimes with Some of the racing shoes having a
Tighter fit but that's not the case with The ballos I had a very good fit in my Normal running shoe size think it's the Right length is quite close at the front Of the shoe I'd say the actual volume of The toe box isn't that high in that the Fabric sits quite low near your toes but Overall I was happy my normal size all Around no concerns with the fit around The heel or midfoot so I'd stick to your Normal size so fit for me in the BOS I'm A size 8 in the UK this is a size eight I found it to be a very very comfortable Shoe as soon as you put it on it's just Got the nice level of padding in it a Lot of support from the upper the front Section of the shoe I had plenty of Space before the forfoot and around the Side uh it does have a slightly shallow Forfoot I didn't have any problems with It at all and I've done about 70k in This shoe now so all in all I would say Stick to your size in the BOS so I've run around 70k in the New Balance BOS I've done a mix of runs in The shoe lots of training runs kind of Easy Paces easy to steady progression Runs I've done a long 90-minute run in The shoe and taking it to the track for Some 1K reps as well and I really like It it's got an amazing ride it's a Really enjoyable shoe to run in with the Ride being really soft and bouncy and Where I've not got on with some really
Soft New Balance shoes in the past like At 1080 because they haven't really Bounced back that's not the case with The ballos I really find that it gives You a lot of energy return but does have A really nice sinking squishy feeling It's almost like a pept up Nike Invincible for me that sinking really Comfortable feeling on easy runs but it Does bounce back it rolls you through And you can run quite fast in the shoe And run long in the shoe without the Phone feeling like it's really bottoming Out that's what I felt in the long run The shoes I did 90 minutes probably Around half marathon and just was Cruising along the rock is noticeable But it's not really aggressive or overly Pronounced so on easy runs you can just Tick a long it's not you're being tipped Forward or anything like that you get a Real sinking squish move through your Foot strike with that foam kind of Sinking in and compressing and then it Bounces you back and while it's not a Really propulsive and you know highly Aggressive shoe for faster runs it does Give you enough bounce back and the Overall design is lightweight and you Easy to use at those faster Paces as Well with all that soft phone on the Foot you are getting a protective Feeling it does feel like you're almost Getting the benefits of a really max out
Shoe the one that goes well above 40 mm But it does feel like a lower more Nimble shoe because it is a bit lower And N More Nimble but it does give you That Max cushion feeling I did a hilly 10 miler in the shoe one morning going Out first thing had a busy day so got up At 600 and went out and on tired legs Stiff legs busy week of training and it Just gives you that protective feeling At the start of the ride and as you get Into it you get warm You've Got That Bouncy ride you can start to pick up the Pace nice rocker there and next day my Legs felt pretty good because they had Been protected well by all this foam on The foot so it comes to the top end Range of speed I think that's the Weakest area of the ballos if you're Looking at it as an allrounder I took it Down the track and was doing 101k reps And I think I did about half of them in The S endorphin speed 4 half in the BOS Like BOS is fast enough I was doing the Reps not flat out as it was like one of It was the first session of a double Kind of threshold PES I was doing the 1K Reps at around 330 a k pace and I did Have the pace to move through those reps And I didn't feel like it was really you Slowing me down too much but I would say Like nearing the end of each rep I was Craving a slightly firmer feeling Underfoot like it is very soft you do
Get bounced back but I just prefer a Firmer platform to push against I'm Running fast and the Endorphin speed 4 Was certainly better for that it's is a Much more comfortable shoe I'd say than The Su endorphin speed 4 but you don't Quite have the same level of drive and Punch from the foam and the socony and Certainly the foam and the plate in Combination so overall I'd say the Ballos definitely has that do it all Feel like it does feel like a super Super trainer you can do everything in It but the strength is much more at the Easy end of things the daily training End of things long runs something more Like the mauno Neo Vista that kind of Shoe as opposed to something like the Speed 4 or the Mac X2 which I think have A bit more top end punch you have got a Really comfortable design all around Here from the upper to the midsole and Indeed the outsole which on durability I'd say I haven't had any big problems Yet so there's quite a lot of exposed Foam on the outsole there you do have The firmer bits in the key impact areas I've not really noticed anything getting Worn away or anything like that Happening on Forest Trails and the shoe As well as on the roads obviously 70k You can't say too much but so far so Good in terms of the bouncy feeling Still being there and no on you wear and
Tear on that outso okay so I've been Looking forward to this shoe for quite Some time we saw some early pictures of It at the US running show and it had me Written all over it it is a a really Interesting shoe um and it's one of These new breed of quite expensive uh Almost super trainers that have come out To that really meant to do a lot of Stuff really well uh it is a shoe that When you put it on and you start running It for an easy run it is a really really Nice comfortable easy day shoe there's a Very soft midsole in it but it's also Quite bouncy um and it's just a joy to Run in over a nice comfortable run I've Done quite a few easy runs in this so my Easy run pace is about 5 minute kilm and At that pace it's just really really Nice just Cruise along bouncing along uh And it just feels really really Comfortable to wear you can go even Slower in it so when I've been been Doing interval sessions and things in it Where I've been going down to like 5 Minute 45 km um it still feels great It's just a great easy day shoe and if That's the only reason you bought this Shoe you'd be very very happy with it Apart from the price because there's Other shoes out there a lot cheaper that Do a similar thing if you're using it For easyday runs now I've used this for A few other runs as well I've used it
For track I've used it for intervals and Farle sessions I'm just on my plan at The moment for Valencia Marathon so I've Got a few sessions in it which I'm Finding quite hard uh and I tested the Shoe out across a variety of those runs Because I wasn't sure how well it would Do at those those faster sessions it Felt so nice at easy runs that it I Didn't think it' be as versatile um Those those faster sessions now I know Nick thinks this caps out a bit when You're running faster Nick is a lot Faster than me um my Pace in this shoe When I'm doing interval sessions tends To be about 4 minute kmers and I've Actually found it to be a very very Enjoyable shoe to run at at those Paces At track was doing 10 400 m um uh reps And that was at about 3 minute 15 km Which is as fast as I go that's that's That's definitely um my my my Peak speed When I'm when I'm running those sorts of Distances uh and I actually found I Quite enjoyed it for it um I was Surprised how much I liked running in it At that pace definitely didn't feel like It was holding me back in any way it Doesn't feel like a shoe that is Specifically designed for racing fast um Um so it it's it's definitely not a shoe That I would I would race in I wouldn't Take this if I was going for a PB Attempt or something like that but over
Those interval sessions and that track Session actually felt pretty good and I Didn't feel like I was I I I was running Slowly in this shoe than I would in a Ratio over those distances definitely Doesn't have the pickup or the Responsiveness that you'd get from a Faster shoe that maybe has a plate in it Or maybe has a more responsive midsole In it but it feels great and and at the Paces that I run at it just feels like You've got nice comfy bit of softness But when you really speed up you get a Lot of bounceback from this shoe it's a Very natural feeling shoe as well so uh It doesn't feel like it's forcing your Foot into a position it doesn't feel Like it's got a really pronounced rocker In it it just feels really comfortable And bouncy uh it sort of reminds me of The Nike Invincible one um where you had That really big stack of zoomx in and Even though it was designed for nice Comfortable easy runs you still got a Nice bit of bounce back from that in This shoe it feels quite similar to that For me but feels like you can do a lot More in it the Invincible was was not a Shoe that you do fast training in it was Quite chunky shoe this feels like it's Got the same level of comfort and bounce Uh from that midsole but also feels like It it's more pronounced in the way that It you can have a nice Pace in it and it
Cruises you forward so it's definitely Uh a shoe that for me can do a lot of Stuff um and if I was going on holiday And I was had interval sessions um but The bulk of what I was doing was easier Runs so I just wanted to go out and Enjoy it this would be a shoe that I Definitely pick up for it so um I really Enjoyed doing this using this for Testing um and it's definitely going to Be one of my favorite shoes uh at the Moment for just lots and lots of Different runs it's a sort of shoe that If you have to go for a run you don't Really want to go for a run and you just Got to tick off some miles this is the Short shoe I pick for cuz it just makes The run more enjoyable and and more fun Uh so very much enjoyed that the uh I've Not had any shoes on it at all um so It's seems to be holding up really well I've not seen any major um issues with It and I do have problems where I tend To destroy the outsole of shoes so it Seems pretty durable for me so far over Those 70k uh so yeah hoping that holds Up as Well so my verdict on the balos is as You've probably guessed I'm a massive Fan this is basically a shoe designed For my style of running my main thing I Look for in shoes is comfort and bounce And softness and this has got all of Those things but it does them in a way
That makes it quite a versatile shoe I've got Sho other shoes as well that Have the same similar level of softness Things like the 1080 v13 have a very Similar feel to this if you're running At an easy Pace apart from that bounce So it's almost like um it it picks up The the best elements of shoes that I Like for the softness side of things but Gives me the ability to run faster in it Um and I definitely think it's a shoe That would work very well for for longer Runs as well I've gone up to 2 hours in This shoe and I just enjoyed that run um Just felt like I was just bouncing along The whole way and just found it really Enjoyable um so yeah I definitely think It's shoed that for some if you're like Me and you just the main thing you want In a shoe is just softness and bounce There's not many shoes out there that do This a similar thing to this in such a Natural way without plating it or Anything like that um it's an expensive Shoe which makes it a tricky buy but if You're the sort of Runner that maybe Wants one shoe to do all of your running And you're not buying carbon plate shoes To go out and racing and trying to get PBS you just want to have a really Comfortable bouncy shoe to do all those Runs in it's a nice option um I Definitely think if this ever goes down In price uh and is on sale or anything
Like that I think it's going to be a Really really popular shoe because when You compare it with a lot of the other Shoes at the moment and Cushing shoes That are costing £180 that don't have Any versatility in them this is a a Really good option um but for 200 there Are other shoes out there that maybe Make it a little bit more of a difficult Decision super Blast 2 is one of my Favorite shoes as well like it for Similar reasons um but the super Blast 2 Is not as soft and bouncy as this so I Definitely enjoy running in this shoe More for most of my runs but I do think The super Blast 2 has a little bit more To it when you're doing those longer Sessions where you're trying to maintain A pace you're doing Tempo sessions and Things like that it does just have a Little bit more of a Rocko it just feels A little bit more like it's conducive to Running faster than this shoe but I Think they're pretty close and I think It really comes down to the feel that You want from the shoe um and if it's Softness and bounce this is a shoe that You're really really going to like the Verdict is the New Balance ballos it's a Really smashing shoe I really enjoyed Running in the shoe I had a great time I Think it's one that I would love to Reach for again and again for those easy Runs long runs and it can do some of the
Faster stuff as well it you know does Fit the bill as a pretty special trainer At a very high price so you know it is Really expensive we'll talk more about The price but for that money you are get Something that do feel quite special and I really liked running in it if you are Feeling a bit more hard noosed looking Just straight up performance and value The BOS will be outdone by other shoes I Would say because there are loads of Really great super trailers out there And a couple I've mentioned in the Review already the Endorphin speed 4 and The hok ma X2 are cheaper than the BOS I Think you're getting more range in those Shoes they're certainly faster feeling Them they're not as comfortable as the Ballos at the easy end of things but you Can do those runs in them if you're Looking at a Do-it all super trainer With a high price those shoes are more Versatile all around and then you can Also find really excellent plate free Shoes that are you would use for the Same job as the ballos like maybe They're not quite as soft and bouncy and Fun as the ballos but they still do the Same job and would fit in a rotation Just as well something like the hok Max 6 new balance's own Rebel V4 know it's Not as soft and bouncy as the ballos but It is lighter and a fair bit cheaper Even the as6 overlast 4 which you know
Is heavier and it's not quite as fun Under 30 can't use it for the same kind Of runs very happily like the ballos and The price tag is a big consideration Here for sure obviously if you are going To talk about 200 shoes they can do a Bit of everything without a plate have To also mention the A6 super Blaster I Think it's a bit more rigid a bit more Response if you're looking at those Faster runs but it's a bigger shoot all Round and I don't know if I just like Running in the super loss quite as much As the BOS just because it BOS has a More relaxed feel Under Foot it's a bit Soft a bit bouncy a bit more fun I think You probably get a bit more Pace out of The super blast and maybe durability Will be a bit better there because the Foam is a bit firmer Under Foot but I Probably like the ballast a little bit More even though the superlast maybe is The more effective all around shoe I Don't actually love the superlast for Fast runs just cuz it is quite a big Shoe so I would still look at using it With a faster shoe for those sessions And in that case if you're just looking At easy and long runs I think the ball Has a more enjoyable ride around I do Think it is a really great shoe it's got A very high price but if you pick it up It's going to be a lot of fun for daily Training I think it delivers something a
Bit different on the market at large and Is really enjoyable shoe to use but just Looking on value you are going to get Better options from New Balance Themselves as well as others and Certainly the top Super trainers like The max2 and the Endor speed 4 give you A bit more range at a slightly lower Price so yeah hard to really say go out And buy the shoe CU it's 200 quid but I Did really enjoy running in it and I Absolutely certain Tom did as well Because it's right up his alley that's It from us on this review of the New Balance ballos thanks a lot for watching Don't forget to like subscribe click the Little bell and if you go into catch and Vow you can find a link to our podcast Which comes out a couple of times each Month thanks all for watching catch you Next time [Music]
