New Balance 890
Every version of the 890 we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The score is the median Better Shoes Rating of the line's shoes, out of 100. The average product line scores 76, and the 890 scores above 5% of the lines we track.
New Balance 890 vs. Other Shoes
Each dot is one rated shoe: the 890 in gold, all other shoes in gray.
Rating by version, oldest first
Each dot is one version of the 890, placed by its rating and release year.
Release year
See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.
| Version | Released | Weight | Stack | Score | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Balance 890 v8 | 2020 | 7.8 oz | — | 56 | -32 | 1 | — |
| New Balance 890 v7 | 2019 | 6.4 oz | 24/17mm · 7mm drop | 88 | +30 | 9 | $120 MSRP |
| New Balance 890 v6 | 2018 | 8.9 oz | 27/21mm · 6mm drop | 58 | -1 | 8 | $120 MSRP |
| New Balance 890 v5 | 2015 | 7.9 oz | 23/15mm · 8mm drop | 59 | +10 | 4 | $115 MSRP |
| New Balance 890 v4 | 2014 | 11.0 oz (men's) | 23/15mm · 8mm drop | 50 | -13 | 57 | $120 MSRP |
| New Balance 890 v3 | 2013 | 9.1 oz (men's) | 28/21mm · 7mm drop | 63 | -7 | 27 | $110 MSRP |
| New Balance 890 v2 | 2012 | — | — | 70 | — | 5 | — |
7 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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New Balance
890 v856 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier · 2 reviews · Confidence 70/100
v8 (2020) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.8 oz
Averaging 7.8 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale.
Durability 53Overall56Appearance67Value65Cushioning60Comfort53Durability53Confidence70Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Averaging 7.8 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale.
One of two reviewers finds the cushioning and responsiveness well judged.
Cons
That reviewer says the outsole wears quickly, and durability averages 3.5 out of 5 across the two reviews.
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New Balance
890 v788 Good Good · 9 reviews · Confidence 85/100
v7 (2019) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 6.4 oz · 7mm drop · 24mm stack
At 6.9 oz, reviewers use it for both workouts and long runs.
Durability 58MSRP $120
Overall88Value86Appearance80Comfort74Cushioning70Durability58Confidence85Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
At 6.9 oz, reviewers use it for both workouts and long runs.
Reviewers praise the roomy toe box and the well-ventilated upper.
It is the highest-rated 890 version we cover, well clear of the v6's 58 and the v8's 56.
Cons
Durability is its lowest-rated dimension, with three reviewers marking it 3 out of 5.
Two reviewers find the cushioning light, one calling the foam minimal.
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New Balance
890 v658 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier · 8 reviews · Confidence 84/100
v6 (2018) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.9 oz · 6mm drop · 27mm stack
Comfort averages 4.4 out of 5 across eight reviews.
Durability 55MSRP $120
Overall58Appearance68Value60Durability55Comfort54Cushioning53Confidence84Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Comfort averages 4.4 out of 5 across eight reviews.
Two reviewers value the roomy toe box, one of them the extra-wide sizing.
Two reviewers call it a dependable, no-frills trainer that handles easy miles and workouts alike.
Cons
Cushioning averages 3.6 out of 5, the lowest of its dimensions, and two reviewers describe it as firm or minimal.
One reviewer sees noticeable wear by 200 miles and calls the pair dead at 300, and another says it lacks the durability of past versions.
One reviewer has the upper stretch until they stop on long runs to tighten the laces.
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New Balance
890 v559 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier · 4 reviews · Confidence 75/100
v5 (2015) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 7.9 oz · 8mm drop · 23mm stack
Comfort and value both average 4.5 out of 5 across four reviews.
Durability 55MSRP $115
Overall59Value72Appearance67Cushioning63Comfort60Durability55Confidence75Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Comfort and value both average 4.5 out of 5 across four reviews.
Averaging 8.0 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale, and one reviewer races marathons in it for the cushioning it keeps at that weight.
One reviewer uses it for easy runs, long runs and tempo work, and finds the forefoot improved over the v4.
Cons
Durability and appearance both average 3.8 out of 5 across those four reviews.
One reviewer finds the heel collar rubs their Achilles, and another says it breathes less than earlier versions.
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New Balance
890 v450 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier · 57 reviews · Confidence 98/100
v4 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 11.0 oz (men's) · 8mm drop · 23mm stack
Three reviewers call it cushioned enough for long runs while still light on foot.
Durability 50MSRP $120
Overall50Cushioning63Value57Appearance52Comfort50Durability50Confidence98Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Three reviewers call it cushioned enough for long runs while still light on foot.
Two reviewers use it on both roads and dirt trails.
Cons
Reviewers rate durability 3.5 out of 5, its lowest dimension, and several report fast outsole wear.
At 11.0 oz it is well above the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale.
The 890 v3 before it scores 63 on twenty-seven reviews and the 890 v7 scores 89 on nine, against this version's 50.
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New Balance
890 v363 Below average Below average · 27 reviews · Confidence 88/100
v3 (2013) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.1 oz (men's) · 7mm drop · 28mm stack
Six reviewers call it light, one adding that the cushioning is enough for logging road miles.
Durability 59MSRP $110
Overall63Value78Appearance72Comfort66Cushioning63Durability59Confidence88Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Six reviewers call it light, one adding that the cushioning is enough for logging road miles.
Five reviewers use it for everything from intervals to marathons.
Three reviewers get over 1000 miles from a pair, one of them 1250.
Cons
Durability averages 4.0 out of 5 and the file splits, one reviewer seeing it break down by about 300 miles.
One reviewer finds it stiff and narrow in the front, another that the sole picks up gravel, and a third that the laces come untied.
Ten of the twenty-six reviewers who answered report an injury while running in it.
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New Balance
890 v270 Decent Decent · 5 reviews · Confidence 67/100
v2 (2012) · Daily trainer · Neutral
Reviewers call it light and responsive yet cushioned enough for easy runs through tempos.
Durability 55Overall70Value79Appearance78Cushioning60Comfort60Durability55Confidence67Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers call it light and responsive yet cushioned enough for easy runs through tempos.
One reviewer ran a 50k trail race in them and rates durability 5 out of 5.
Cons
Durability draws 4.0 out of 5 across five reviewers, the lowest mark of any dimension, and one says the sole does not hold up well.
The 890 v7 later in the line scores 89 on nine reviews against its 70.