← Back home
New Balance

Fresh Foam Beacon v2

Fresh Foam Beacon v2
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (99/100)

Shoe details

Weight
6.5 oz
Release
2019 Q2
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
26mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height
6mm

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (99/100)

Better than about 98% of shoes

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

This score rates better than 98% 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 98% 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.

Value

Exceptional (99/100)

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 (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 (98/100)

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 (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 (69/100)

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 (69/100)

Rank

Ranks above 31% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

71%

12/17

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 98% 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

  • A majority of 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 below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v2
New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Beacon v2
Fresh Foam Beacon v3
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Lightest / Best appearance / Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
6.5 oz W Lightest
7.8 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
26/20mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
6mm
—
5mm
Release
2019 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%)
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Exceptional (98%)
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (31%)
Below average (28%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Very good (87%)
Very good (82%)
Value
Exceptional (99%) 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

+2 percentile points vs this shoe
HOKA Mach 6

Mach 6

Daily trainer

$114.97

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

14 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 14 written reviews

Great relatively low cost trainer

DoItForHim91 · Nov 24, 2020

5/5

Overall

This shoe replaced the peg 36 for me and it felt like a way better version. The cushioning was great for hour+ runs but it was still light and quick enough on my feet to be worth using for tempo work. I would say sometimes I had trouble with the tongue but I also was tying my laces too tight at that time so I'm not sure. One thing of note is that when this shoe dies there's a sudden and immediate drop in usability. I think because the stack height is so low the instant this shoe hit 350 or so miles it became almost unusable. Other than that though this shoe was really great and I had fun running in it.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Lightweight, stable, fast

x days without injury · Jul 9, 2020

5/5

Overall

Wow, these are great shoes. The pros: * Very lightweight: These feel lighter than their listing IMO. Almost like a racing flat. * Well-cushioned: The foam is fairly firm but in a good way. Has good give and pop when I run. * Stable: Unlike the Zante v3, which had a vendetta against my ankles, these feel very stable. I think the higher ankle and firmer foam both help a lot. * Anatomical toe box: My big toe presses against the inside of a lot of running shoes. But not these ones. * Fast: I love picking up the pace in these. The cons: * Nothing at all major, but... * I'm slightly concerned about durability since the ankle/heel area is so thin and light. * I would've preferred a slightly taller toebox. * These ran sliiiightly small for me, so I tried running sockless in them. Despite the very minimal upper, I didn't have much luck. The medial logo kind of dug into my foot and caused a nasty cut. So I'm wearing my thinnest socks instead, which works fine.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Very comfortable and relax experience...

https://www.noinsurancemedicalsupplies.com · Mar 23, 2020

5/5

Overall

The shoe was very light weight and the cushion was very comfortable. I preferred a slightly more responsive shoe for faster days but the beacon was perfect for slower recovery days. The upper fit well and was very comfortable. Overall a great value for a great running shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Improved v2

mpbp · Jan 26, 2020

5/5

Overall

I found v2 to be better for me. More snug in the midfoot and more comfortable in the toebox. This is a Swiss army knife shoe for me - a great trainer and suitable for racing 10K- half distance. Not sure it would be kind enough to my feet for the full marathon distance.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Cushion and bounce

Anonymous runner · Dec 28, 2019

5/5

Overall

So nice to find a trainer that's both well cushioned and responsive. Plus, the Beacon has a roomy toe box.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5