← Back home
New Balance

Fresh Foam Beacon

Fresh Foam Beacon
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (99/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.5 oz
Release
2018 Q2
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
29mm heel - 23mm toe
Drop Height
6mm

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (99/100)

Better than about 99% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?

This score rates better than 99% of 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 score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?

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 score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Exceptional (99/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (99/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above >99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Exceptional (99/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (99/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (99/100)

Rank

Ranks above 99% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Exceptional (98/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Exceptional (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 98% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (67/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 28% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

53%

20/38

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 99% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Exceptional (99/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 99% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

99%

New Balance

Better than 99% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

99%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on cushioning.

Cons

  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon
New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Beacon
Fresh Foam Beacon v3
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Lightest / Best comfort / Best appearance
Newest / Best overall / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.5 oz M Lightest
7.8 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
29/23mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
6mm
—
5mm
Release
2018 Q2
2020 Q3
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$120 Lower MSRP
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (99%)
Excellent (90%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Cushioning
Exceptional (99%)
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (28%)
Below average (28%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Very good (87%)
Very good (82%)
Value
Exceptional (98%) Best value
Excellent (95%)
Good (74%)
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

HOKA Clifton 9

Clifton 9

Daily trainer

$164.99

99th percentile

+1 percentile points vs this shoe

More from New Balance

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

Daily trainer

$139.88

82nd percentile
New Balance Calia

Calia

Daily trainer

$149.99

6th percentile
New Balance Fresh X 880

Fresh X 880

$149.95

6th percentile

Reader Ratings

32 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 32 written reviews

Solid Trainer

EPMD · Feb 15, 2020

4/5

Overall

Pros: Upper feel, Heel/tongue and entry into the shoe, low weight with high stack height cushioning Cons: Lack of rubber on outsole, cushioning is ample but not especially soft, laces are a bit short for me I liked these enough to buy a second pair. These have spoiled me for running in anything heavy. The heaviest I can go now is an Adidas Boston, and even that's heavier than I'd like. I do still want a softer option for long runs, but Beacons work great for marathon pace and easy pace runs.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Ran marathon PR

Anonymous runner · Jan 20, 2020

5/5

Overall

Wore for trading, track and race and great for all, but treads wire after 3 runs. Super comfy!
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5

Great Every Day Trainer

Anonymous runner · Jan 6, 2020

5/5

Overall

The Beacon is a versatile every day training shoe. Light enough for speed work and repeats, durable enough to last a reasonable workload of daily wear, and comfortable enough to wear during long runs. The shoe is not ideal in cold weather, but it doesn't claim to be. I ended up with a hole in the top of the big toe area, which usually happens with my shoes, but it would be nice if more models had a little extra fabric there to prevent that. However, this is not an issue that should influence your decision on these shoes. Overall, this is a great trainer, and can be found for relatively cheap online.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

New balance beacon volume 1

HarrierStu · Jan 4, 2020

5/5

Overall

I have wide feet so I am always looking for new light weight neutral shoes with a wide option. New balance always has something to offer in this category and I believe that the beacon is one of the best options available. I have used this shoe from 5k races, recovery days and for steady long runs. Initially the beacon has quite a bit of pop for the first two hundred miles and would be a good option for faster efforts and races from 5k to marathon. IMO after 200 miles the shoe loses some responsiveness but the cushioning remains premium. The upper secures your foot but is not too constricting. The tread is a combination of exposed foam and dense rubber tread on the big toe side of the forefoot and on the back outer heel. For me it was perfect placement for my foot strike. My only complaint is that the heel collar will run in your Achilles the first few times you run in it. I spent some time stretching the heel collar back and this fixed the problem. If you are looking for a neutral do-it-all trainer that is light weight give the beacon a shot!!
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Best Shoe Ever

Anonymous runner · Jan 2, 2020

5/5

Overall

I love the NB Beacon V1, I've been through more pairs than I can count and as much as I want to try the V2, it's hard to pass up grabbing the old version for $60-80 as I rotate 2-3 pairs and need new ones every 2-3 months at around 300-350 miles. I'll eventually have to try the V2 but my experience with V1 has been amazing. I guess I'm considered a heavier runner at 5'6" 180lbs but I think I'm above average speed, running 3:05-3:30 marathons. I love that it's a super light weight shoe and provides plenty of cushion without having to go for a clunky heavy shoe. As stated above I only get 300-350 miles out of them which could be because I'm a little heaver or possibly because of the exposed Fresh Foam that keeps them light weight. Lighter runners may be able to get more mileage. Only problems I've had is the on humid, wet days, the insole can slide and bunch up.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5