New Balance

Fresh Foam Vongo v2

Fresh Foam Vongo v2
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Very good (82/100)

Shoe details

Weight
11.5 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$135
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Very good (82/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 67% 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

Very good (82/100)

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

Very good (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 67% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Excellent (94/100)

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

Excellent (94/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Very good (83/100)

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

Very good (83/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 70% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (76/100)

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

Good (76/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 55% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (73/100)

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 (73/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 39% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

33%

3/9

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 67% of 2,617 running shoes.

Very good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 65% of 1,872 daily trainers.

65%

New Balance

Scores better than 80% of 255 New Balance shoes.

80%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Fresh Foam X Vongo v6.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • Rated below average overall.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability (Maximum)
Neutral
Weight
11.5 oz M
10 oz M Lightest
Stack
34/26mm
Drop
4mm
8mm
7mm
Release
2017 Q3
2021 Q2
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$135 Lower MSRP
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Above average (67%)
Good (75%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (91%)
Very good (85%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (88%)
Very good (82%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Above average (70%)
Very good (88%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (39%)
Above average (66%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Average (55%)
Very good (85%)
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

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

Fresh foam vongo 2

Anonymous runner · Jul 10, 2019

4/5

Overall

This is the second pair of Congo’s I’ve bought—loved my first pair and put over 500 miles on them. Second version is just as good so far.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Soft but stable

Anonymous runner · Jul 2, 2019

4/5

Overall

I like this shoe for it's unobtrusive stability and good amount of cushion. I strike midfoot so the 4mm drop feels comfortable and natural.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Sep 25, 2018

5/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Vongos: Fast and Comfortable

contiferous · Jul 3, 2018

4/5

Overall

The Vongos have faired me well on roads and well-maintained trails. The cushioning is minimal enough to make the shoe feel fast, but not so minimal that you can't do an easy run. The fresh foam has a nice feel to it. I alternated this shoe with the Brooks Ravenna and found myself running faster and feeling better in this shoe. Have not done much track work in these but wouldn't hesitate to.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 11, 2018

5/5

Overall

Soft like a Hoka, roomy like an Altra. I love these
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5