Reader review
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019
30 mpw came from the New Balance 1500 v3
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
New Balance 1500 v4
Racing · Stability · Road · 8.1 oz · 6mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance 1500v5 replaced it
How it ranks
The New Balance 1500 v4 ranks among the stronger racing shoes in our data. Looks and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Cushioning scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 10 runner reviews and 5 other rated shoes in the 1500 product line. Another 2 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.
Good
86/100
Overall
86
Appearance
95
Durability
86
Value
75
Comfort
59
Cushioning
54
Confidence
83
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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
83/100
What runners say
“Running in these feels like banging two rocks together.”
“Good ground feel and sole has a bit of cushion, but not too much, to keep it responsive.”
“Real snug fit, with a heel cup that prevents sliding, almost no break-in period, and super breathable.”
“Firmer midsole isn't as cushioned initially but it doesn't break down.”
“Heavy for a flat at 8.6 ounces, and no energy return so useless for long distance.”
“Lighter and more durable than the old DS trainers.”
“Good for workout days but not for long base runs or maintenance runs.”
“RevLite foam is nothing more than basic EVA foam.”
“Feels faster and more efficient than anything else.”
“Has a wide size, which never happens for flats.”
Prefer this shoe over another
60% 6/10
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Pros
- Three reviewers race distances from 5k to the marathon in it.
- Reviewers rate durability 4.4 out of 5, and two say the firm midsole outlasts the softer shoes they came from.
- It weighs 8.1 oz in the men's version and 6.9 oz in the women's, and two reviewers value the touch of support in a light shoe.
Cons
- The nine of ten reviewers who rated cushioning give it 3.8 out of 5, and three find the ride firm with little cushioning.
- Two of ten reviewers so far record it as running small.
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.
Confidence
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance 1500
Each dot is one version of the 1500, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
73
2015
73
2017
76
2017
86
2017
83
2019
75
2019
Release year
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.1 oz
- Release
- 2017 Q4
- MSRP
- $130
- Drop Height
- 6mm
Runner reviews
Solid Race Shoe
4/5
Overall
Holds up for all races from 5k to marathon. Material does seem to stiffen in rain which can be a little uncomfortable. Overall feels fast while keeping a little cushion. Also has a wide size which never happens for flats.
Anonymous runner · Aug 12, 2019
training for a marathon came from the New Balance 1500 v2
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Reader review
4/5
Overall
nthtsk · Jul 6, 2019
35 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
best shoe I've ever owned
5/5
Overall
I absolutely love this shoe. It's the best shoe in the class "lightweight trainer with medial post". I used to run in the asics DS trainer, but they ruined that shoe. The 1500v4 is lighter and more durable than the old ds trainers. I haven't tried the 1500v5 yet. Hopefully they haven't changed it much.
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Asteria
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Best for racing and workouts
5/5
Overall
I feel faster and more efficient in these shoes than in anything else. they last a while. I would recommend using them on workout days but not for long base runs or maintenance runs.
Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2019
70 mpw came from the New Balance 1400v4
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from New Balance
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Choose a model
Best durability
Lightest
/
Newest
/
Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Daily trainer
Racing
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.1 oz M
—
7.7 oz M
Lightest
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
6mm
—
8mm
Release
2017 Q4
2019 Q1
2024 Q1
Newest
MSRP
$130
$110
Lower MSRP
$295
Best price
—
—
$142.82
Ratings
Overall
Good (86)
Decent (75)
Exceptional (99)
Best overall
Comfort
Bottom-tier (59)
Below average (66)
Excellent (95)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom-tier (54)
Bottom-tier (53)
Exceptional (97)
Best cushioning
Durability
Good (86)
Best durability
Decent (74)
Below average (64)
Appearance
Excellent (95)
Excellent (94)
Excellent (96)
Best appearance
Value
Decent (75)
Decent (78)
Good (84)
Best value
New Balance 1500 v4 In Context
More on the New Balance 1500
- New Balance 1500 V6
- New Balance 1500v5 next version
- New Balance 1500 v2 previous version
- New Balance 1500 v3
- New Balance 1500 v1
Reviewers Also Ran In
- New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4 2 runners
- Brooks Asteria 1 runner
- New Balance 1400v4 1 runner