All around great shoe
5/5
Overall
xc5evr · Oct 1, 2018
40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 6
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3
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
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.
Confidence
98 Very high
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.”
“I get about 250 miles before some portion of the sole is worn to the foam. By 300 miles, the shoes are done.”
“The upper has a really narrow forefoot and midfoot, which is definitely a bad choice if you're wide-footed like me.”
“The cushioning is rock hard and feels similar to running on hard ground.”
“The shoe gives a slightly bouncy feel, and is sufficiently cushioned without being smushy.”
“My big toe presses against the inside of a lot of running shoes, but not these.”
“Trouble with this shoe in the first 50 miles giving me blisters where the hard plastic rubs against the top of the foot.”
“Gives a solid cushion, but still light and simple enough to feel quick.”
“The sides of the upper are not that durable, and split open earlier than the sole loses cushion for wider feet people.”
“V3's major change was that they became much firmer and provided a more snappy response to the road.”
“The back has this plastic plate that eventually digs into your achilles.”
“Fairly lightweight: I don't feel like flying when I wear these, but I don't feel like trudging either.”
“I really like how they fit, a bit narrower in the toe box. They are really comfortable and light, yet still have some cushion.”
“They shrink and become very tight when you leave them in any sort of heat.”
“The cushioning leaves you wanting more at times, especially with all of the shoes on the market these days packing it on.”
“Other shoes I own routinely get 450 to 500 miles before they are toast.”
“Extremely unstable: These really bothered my arches when I first got them.”
“Light enough where I feel fast and don't have to wreck my calves in spikes.”
“I want a shoe that has some give, but is also responsive enough for quicker repeats.”
“Once I broke these shoes in, they become some of the most versatile and enjoyable shoes I've ever run in.”
“I usually put ~400 miles on a pair and they hold up great.”
“Basic neutral shoe with narrow heel, but roomy toe box.”
“Light weight and flexible - works well for a long run and has enough flex for a workout.”
“The Zantes are great because they are a minimal shoe but are super comfortable.”
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.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
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.
Release year
-
2018 · 34 reviews
69 Below average
98 Confidence
-
Fresh Foam Zante v3 This shoe
2017 · 29 reviews
66 Below average
98 Confidence
-
2016 · 9 reviews
95 Excellent
90 Confidence
-
2015 · 22 reviews
92 Very good
95 Confidence
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
Perfect daily mileage shoe
5/5
Overall
Kutmetperen · Jul 14, 2018
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Fresh Foam V3
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 13, 2018
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz V2
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Zante will make you fly!
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 13, 2018
20 mpw training for middle distance came from the ASICS GEL-Kayano 25
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
amw0806 · Jul 12, 2018
35 mpw came from the adidas Ultra Boost 2018 - 4.0
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
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Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 In Context
More on the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante Trainer
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4 next version
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2 previous version
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante
Reviewers Also Ran In
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2 6 runners
- Saucony Kinvara 6 2 runners
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 1 runner