New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

Name: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3
Brand: New Balance
Rating: 4.4 (29 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.2 oz · 6mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4 replaced it

How it ranks

The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 trails most daily trainers in our data. Value and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Cushioning scores well below its other sub-ratings. Most runners who compared it with another shoe preferred the other shoe. The rating is based on 29 runner reviews and 3 other rated shoes in the Fresh Foam Zante product line.

Below average

Overall

Below average 66

Value

Exceptional 99

Appearance

Good 88

Durability

Decent 72

Comfort

Below average 69

Cushioning

Below average 65

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

98 Very high

Very high 98

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Product line track record
Our ratings
External ratings

What runners say

“They provide just enough cushion for the long haul, but are VERY responsive when you ask them to go up-tempo.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

“I get about 250 miles before some portion of the sole is worn to the foam. By 300 miles, the shoes are done.”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a marathon

“The upper has a really narrow forefoot and midfoot, which is definitely a bad choice if you're wide-footed like me.”

3/5 Full review 50 mpw

“The cushioning is rock hard and feels similar to running on hard ground.”

3/5 Full review 50 mpw

“The shoe gives a slightly bouncy feel, and is sufficiently cushioned without being smushy.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

“My big toe presses against the inside of a lot of running shoes, but not these.”

4/5 Full review 10 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

“Trouble with this shoe in the first 50 miles giving me blisters where the hard plastic rubs against the top of the foot.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

“Gives a solid cushion, but still light and simple enough to feel quick.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

“The sides of the upper are not that durable, and split open earlier than the sole loses cushion for wider feet people.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

“V3's major change was that they became much firmer and provided a more snappy response to the road.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

“The back has this plastic plate that eventually digs into your achilles.”

2/5 Full review 45 mpw 196 miles in this shoe training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

“Fairly lightweight: I don't feel like flying when I wear these, but I don't feel like trudging either.”

4/5 Full review 10 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

“I really like how they fit, a bit narrower in the toe box. They are really comfortable and light, yet still have some cushion.”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a marathon

“They shrink and become very tight when you leave them in any sort of heat.”

2/5 Full review 45 mpw 196 miles in this shoe training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

“The cushioning leaves you wanting more at times, especially with all of the shoes on the market these days packing it on.”

4/5 Full review 55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 33

“Other shoes I own routinely get 450 to 500 miles before they are toast.”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a marathon

“Extremely unstable: These really bothered my arches when I first got them.”

4/5 Full review 10 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

“Light enough where I feel fast and don't have to wreck my calves in spikes.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for middle distance came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 25

“I want a shoe that has some give, but is also responsive enough for quicker repeats.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

“Once I broke these shoes in, they become some of the most versatile and enjoyable shoes I've ever run in.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

“I usually put ~400 miles on a pair and they hold up great.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

“Basic neutral shoe with narrow heel, but roomy toe box.”

4/5 Full review 30 mpw training for a half marathon

“Light weight and flexible - works well for a long run and has enough flex for a workout.”

5/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a marathon

“The Zantes are great because they are a minimal shoe but are super comfortable.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 6

Prefer this shoe over another

31% 16/52

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Light at 8.8 oz on a 6mm drop, and reviewers use it for tempos, track sessions and long runs alike.
Value draws 4.7 out of 5, the highest mark of any dimension, with reviewers repeatedly buying it on clearance.
Runners with narrow heels report a secure fit with a roomy toe box.

Cons

Reviewers with wider feet often find the forefoot too tight, one calling the upper a bad choice for wide feet.
Several reviewers report the stiff plastic heel piece rubbing or causing blisters, one digging into the Achilles.
The Zante and Zante V2 before it score 98 and 99 against its 64.

Fresh Foam Zante v3 rates 66. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante

Each dot is one version of the Fresh Foam Zante, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

92 2015 95 2016 66 2017 69 2018

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Fresh Foam Zante v4

2018 · 34 reviews

69 Below average

98 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante v3 This shoe

2017 · 29 reviews

66 Below average

98 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante V2

2016 · 9 reviews

95 Excellent

90 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante

2015 · 22 reviews

92 Very good

95 Confidence

Runner Ratings

29 ratings

5/5 15

4/5 12

3/5 1

2/5 1

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 8.2 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 8.8 oz · Women's 7.5 oz
Release: 2017 Q3
MSRP: $110
Drop: 6mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Lightweight, well-cushioned, very unstable

4/5

Overall

I've got about 100 miles on these so far. The pros: * Fairly lightweight: I don't feel like flying when I wear these, but I don't feel like trudging either. * Well-cushioned: No complaints here. The foam is soft and comfortable. * Anatomical toebox: My big toe presses against the inside of a lot of running shoes, but not these. * Decent looking: Sometimes I wear these with casual outfits. They aren't particularly stylish, but they're a lot better than many other running shoes. The cons: * Extremely unstable: These really bothered my arches when I first got them. I run exclusively and neutral shoes and typically only have arch problems when a shoe restricts my big toe. These didn't restrict my big toe, so I was confused. I think it's just because they're so dang soft. I ended up replacing the factory insole with a Superfeet Carbon insole, which cured the arch problems. I used the Carbon insole because it's Superfeet's thinnest, meaning I wouldn't lose too much volume. But after putting in the insole, I started twisting my ankle a bunch. The ankle collar on this shoe is pretty low, and I think the insole slightly raised my foot, and I ended up almost stepping out of the shoe a bunch, even when the laces were tied super super tight. I have since discovered the runner's loop, which has fixed the instability for the most part. But still, running on anything besides pavement/asphalt/rubber is pretty treacherous. I avoid running on grass or trails with these.

x days without injury · Jul 9, 2020

10 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

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

Zante Good Shoe

5/5

Overall

The shoe is flexible, light, and fast

FreeYourself · Jan 2, 2020

35 mpw training for a marathon came from the New Balance Vazee Pace

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Nice neutral trainer

4/5

Overall

Fits my narrow fit foot great. Basic neutral shoe with narrow heel, but roomy toe box. I wore Zante 2 and the Zante 3 is similar.

Anonymous runner · Jul 22, 2019

30 mpw training for a half marathon

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

You get how much you pay

4/5

Overall

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Anonymous runner · Jul 11, 2019

90 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35

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

Great Shoe for an Ancient Marathoner

5/5

Overall

Being an older guy who can't put in heavy miles anymore, I like these shoes because they are light on my feet and make me feel faster than I really am.

Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019

15 mpw