The New Balance Ellipse V1 is one of the cleanest looking daily trainers of 2026 and a strong easy run shoe at $240. It uses a soft full length Fresh Foam X midsole, an 8mm drop, and a vintage inspired engineered mesh upper that bridges lifestyle and running. It suits neutral, lighter runners who want a daily trainer they can also wear all day.
| Price (AUS) | $240 |
| Weight | 273g / 9.6oz (men's size 9) |
| Stack Height | 38mm heel / 30mm forefoot |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Midsole | Full length Fresh Foam X |
| Best For | Easy daily training, cafe runs, lifestyle wear |
| Category | Neutral daily trainer / lifestyle crossover |
| Run Havoc Verdict | ★★★☆☆ 3/5 |
New Balance has been pretty open about where they want this shoe to sit. The Ellipse is the first model in what they're building into a long term franchise, and the goal is genuinely fresh: a real running shoe that also works as a lifestyle shoe. Old school Kayanos, vintage Vomero 5s, that kind of crossover energy. As someone who's a fan of that aesthetic, having it in a modern daily trainer package is genuinely refreshing.
In this review we cover who the Ellipse V1 is actually for, the type of runs it handles best, how the Fresh Foam X midsole rides, and how it stacks up against the other daily trainers in the same price bracket. We've had it on the treadmill, out on road, and on the shop floor at Run Havoc in Wollongong, and here's what you need to know before you buy.
Who Is the New Balance Ellipse V1 For?
This is the first question worth asking, because the Ellipse is more specific in who it suits than its broad lifestyle pitch might suggest.
If you're a neutral runner who wants a daily trainer that you can also wear off the run, this shoe makes a lot of sense. It's perfect for easy mileage, cafe runs, the school drop off, the commute, and the kind of light jog that ends in coffee rather than a workout. We're wearing it around the store on the shop floor and it holds up just as well behind the counter as it does on the run.
It is not, however, trying to be a Super Blast or a Mega Blast. It's not a tempo shoe, not a long run shoe, and it's not the shoe you reach for when you've got a session in the diary. It's a daily trainer that you put on, that feels comfortable, and that lets you start or end the day on a higher note. Inside its lane it does that really well.
The runner who will get the least out of this shoe is the heavier or taller runner, or anyone who pronates significantly. The Fresh Foam X is on the softer end of the spectrum and a bigger frame will compress it too quickly, both for ride feel and long term durability. If that sounds like you, look at the New Balance 860 or New Balance 880, both of which use a denser version of Fresh Foam X and offer more support underfoot.
What Is New About the New Balance Ellipse V1?
The Ellipse is a brand new franchise from New Balance, so there's no V1 to V2 story to tell yet. What's new is the positioning. New Balance has openly merged their lifestyle category with their running category and built one shoe that genuinely sits in both. It's not the first time a brand has tried this, but it's the cleanest execution we've seen so far.
The midsole is full length Fresh Foam X, tuned similarly to the 1080 V14 but reshaped through the geometry of this shoe. We found the 1080 V14 just a touch too soft. The Ellipse uses a similar foam but the geometry makes it feel softer without bottoming out. It's pillowy without being mushy, which is a hard balance to get right.
The upper is an engineered mesh with breathability through the forefoot, structure through the midfoot on the medial and lateral sides, and a secure heel lockdown. It reminds us of the 1080 V14 or V13 upper if you've spent time in those: airy, comfortable, with that slightly wider forefoot that New Balance does well.
The closest thing on the market doing something similar is the Adidas Hyperboost Edge, which launched around the same time. By late 2026 and into 2027 we expect to see more brands move into this lifestyle plus running crossover space, and the Ellipse is one of the early benchmarks.
How Does the New Balance Ellipse V1 Feel Underfoot?
The Fresh Foam X midsole sits at 38mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot, giving you an 8mm drop. That's a slightly more traditional drop than a lot of recent daily trainers, and it works well for the kind of relaxed easy paced running this shoe is built for.
The foam is really soft. Not pillowy to the point of feeling unstable, but noticeably softer than something like the Mizuno Neo Zen 2. You compress it and it gives, but the geometry of the shoe and the flared platform mean it doesn't feel like you're sinking through to the ground. It's a nicer expression of Fresh Foam X than we've felt in the 1080 V14, because the rest of the shoe is built around making that softness work.
According to research published in Footwear Science, softer midsole compounds can reduce peak vertical loading rates compared to firmer foams, which is partly why a shoe like the Ellipse feels noticeably easier on the legs over consecutive days of easy mileage.
The flared heel and forefoot do a lot of the stability work. There's still some medial and lateral movement, especially through the forefoot, so this isn't the shoe for anyone who needs proper stability. For a neutral runner, though, the flared platform gives you enough of a base that the soft foam doesn't feel out of control. If you're not sure where you sit on that spectrum, come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll put you on the treadmill before you decide.
Is the New Balance Ellipse V1 Upper Comfortable?
The upper is one of the parts of the Ellipse that genuinely impresses. The engineered mesh has the right amount of breathability through the forefoot, a clean structured fit through the midfoot, and a heel lockdown that just works.
New Balance run their uppers a touch wider through the forefoot than most brands, and the Ellipse follows that pattern. If you've had issues in narrower shoes like some HOKA or ASICS models, this is a good one to try. There's room for the foot to spread naturally without feeling sloppy.
For everyday wear, the upper holds up to walking around on it all day. We've been wearing them around the store, out the back doing stock work, on the shop floor, and they're as comfortable at the end of a Saturday as they are first thing in the morning.
How Does the New Balance Ellipse V1 Compare to Its Competitors?
At $240 the Ellipse sits in a busy bracket. Here are the closest comparisons to look at if you're shopping in this space:
Mizuno Neo Zen 2 - Probably the closest competitor to the Ellipse on the shelf. Similar daily trainer positioning, soft cushioned ride, similar price point. The Neo Zen 2 uses a nitrogen infused EVA midsole that feels a touch more grounded and responsive than Fresh Foam X. The Ellipse leans further into the lifestyle crossover, the Neo Zen 2 leans further into running.
Saucony Endorphin Azura - Similar price, uses PowerRun PB foam, more rocker geometry through the forefoot. The Azura is a more versatile running shoe than the Ellipse and can handle longer and slightly faster efforts. The Ellipse wins on aesthetics and everyday wearability.
Adidas Adizero Evo SL - Lighter, bouncier, with LightStrike Pro foam. The Evo SL is the better choice for daily training that includes longer runs and the occasional pickup. The Ellipse is the better choice if you want one shoe for jogs, the cafe, and the rest of the day.
We stock all of these at Run Havoc in Wollongong, so if you want to try them side by side before committing, come in and we'll put you on the treadmill.
Not sure where the Ellipse fits in the broader daily trainer landscape? Our Mizuno Neo Zen 2 review breaks down the other end of this category and is a good follow up read if you're weighing up your options.
What Are the Downsides of the New Balance Ellipse V1?
The Fresh Foam X midsole is really soft. That's not a flaw, it's a design choice, but it does narrow who this shoe suits. If you like a firmer ride or you're a heavier runner, the foam will feel like it gives too much underfoot.
The other limit is who can run in it durably. Heavier or taller runners will compress the midsole faster than the shoe is designed for, and you won't get the kilometres out of it that a lighter runner will. If durability is a priority and you're carrying more mass, the 860 or 880 from New Balance are the safer call, and we cover both in the New Balance section at our Wollongong store.
And it's not a fast shoe. If you want a daily trainer that can also handle a tempo or pick up the pace on a long run, the Ellipse will feel underpowered. That's not what it's built for. It's a comfort first, lifestyle ready shoe, and inside that lane it does the job well.
Final Thoughts on the New Balance Ellipse V1
The New Balance Ellipse V1 is a really clean execution of a specific idea. A daily trainer that runs well at easy paces, looks genuinely good off the run, and lets you go from the shop floor to the coffee shop to a 5km jog without changing shoes. For $240, that's a fair package.
It's not for everyone. Heavier runners, anyone chasing pace, anyone who pronates noticeably, this isn't your shoe. But for a lighter, neutral runner who wants something comfortable, soft, easy to wear, and genuinely good looking, the Ellipse delivers.
New Balance has been pretty clear they want this to grow into one of their flagship shoes over the next few years. If the V1 is the starting point, we're in for an interesting ride.
Shop the Men's New Balance Ellipse V1 and Women's New Balance Ellipse V1 at Run Havoc, or come into our Wollongong store and try it on the treadmill alongside other options in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the New Balance Ellipse V1 worth buying in Australia?
Yes, if you're a neutral runner who wants a daily trainer that also doubles as a clean lifestyle shoe. At $240 it sits comfortably in the daily trainer bracket, the Fresh Foam X midsole is soft and forgiving, and the styling is genuinely one of the best looking running shoes on the shelf in 2026. Shop the Men's New Balance Ellipse V1 and Women's New Balance Ellipse V1 at Run Havoc.
What is the New Balance Ellipse V1 designed for?
The Ellipse V1 is built as a do it all daily trainer that bridges lifestyle and running. New Balance designed it for easy runs, commutes, cafe runs and everyday wear, with a full Fresh Foam X midsole and a clean vintage inspired upper. It's not trying to compete with super trainers like the Super Blast, it's a comfortable shoe that runs well and looks good off the run too.
Who should not buy the New Balance Ellipse V1?
The Ellipse V1 is best for lighter, neutral runners. Taller or heavier runners will tend to compress the soft Fresh Foam X midsole too quickly and won't get the durability they need out of the shoe. Runners who pronate noticeably will also want to look elsewhere, since the soft foam can let the medial side collapse. The New Balance 860 or 880 are better calls in either of those cases.
How does the New Balance Ellipse compare to the Mizuno Neo Zen?
The Mizuno Neo Zen is the closest comparison to the Ellipse in the daily trainer category. Both sit at a similar price, both offer a soft cushioned ride, and both are pitched at the easy training to daily wear runner. The Neo Zen feels a touch more grounded thanks to its nitrogen infused EVA, while the Ellipse leans further into the lifestyle plus running crossover. Read our full Mizuno Neo Zen 2 review for the deeper comparison.
Is the New Balance Ellipse V1 good for long runs or marathons?
Not really. The Ellipse V1 is at its best on easy runs up to around 10km, daily wear and shorter aerobic efforts. For long runs, marathon training or anything fast, a shoe with more structure and energy return is a better fit. Look at our Men's race shoes or Women's race shoes collection for race day options.
What are the downsides of the New Balance Ellipse V1?
The Fresh Foam X midsole is on the very soft side, which won't suit every runner. There's some medial and lateral movement underfoot, so it's not a stability shoe. It's also not built for heavier runners, taller frames, or anyone chasing pace. If you fall into any of those buckets, the 860, 880 or a more structured shoe will serve you better.
Where can I buy the New Balance Ellipse V1 in Wollongong?
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks the New Balance Ellipse V1. You can try it on our in-store treadmill alongside other options in the same category, or shop online at runhavoc.com.au.
Watch the Full Video
Got questions? Drop them in the comments on our YouTube review or come in and chat to the team.
Riley Kilham
Riley is the General Manager at Run Havoc and brings hands-on experience from years of triathlon, running events, and coaching. He writes about training, performance, and finding the right gear, combining real-world insight with a passion for helping others get the most out of their movement.
