New Balance

Fresh Foam Boracay

Fresh Foam Boracay
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Below average (52/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9 oz
Release
2015
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
22mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (52/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 3% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Below average (52/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (52/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 3% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Very good (85/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 72% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Very good (80/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (80/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 66% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (70/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (70/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 32% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Average (67/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (67/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 25% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Average (64/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Average (64/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 16% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

8%

1/12

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 3% of 2,617 running shoes.

Below average

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 3% of 1,872 daily trainers.

3%

New Balance

Scores better than 7% of 255 New Balance shoes.

7%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average on comfort.

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9 oz M Lightest
9.3 oz M
Stack
22/18mm
24/20mm
Drop
4mm
4mm
7mm
Release
2015
2017 Q3
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$120
$120
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (3%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Above average (66%)
Average (53%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (72%)
Average (59%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (25%)
Below average (35%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (32%)
Bottom tier (13%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (16%)
Above average (70%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from New Balance

Reader Ratings

10 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 10 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 29, 2016

4/5

Overall

Went well. Very cushioned and grippy despite how the sole looks; still grips well when worn down. Not very durable, however. I feel it dying after ~250 miles.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 21, 2016

4/5

Overall

Comfortable but wears quickly
Comfort
4/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 4, 2016

4/5

Overall

Excellent for any type of base training miles. Only downers are that the fresh foam is kind of hard when cold and the shoes doesn't maintain comfort after about an hour at a time. I've got about 400 miles on them.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015

4/5

Overall

This is my second pair of Boracays, I got around 450 in my first pair before the cushioning became too worn out (my form is lopsided so one pair was significantly more damaged than the other), but this is the normal distance I would expect from any pair of running shoes. 100 miles in this pair and they are great. Cushioned enough for 13 mile runs but surprisingly light enough for whenever I forget my workout shoes to still do some fast running.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015

5/5

Overall

Great trainer. I love the low drop, and how it has a flat chunk of foam on the bottom. No BS acceleration boost gel crap that messes with your mechanics. It's also relatively light. Keeps my turnover quick, and footstrike is always stable and solid. I remember it taking a day or two to get used to the feel, but it's now become my main trainer. Has enough cushioning for long runs (17-18mi), but is light and responsive enough for progression runs where you might drop down to around 6min/mi. Would highly recommend.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5