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New Balance

Fresh Foam Beacon v3

Fresh Foam Beacon v3
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Shoe details

Weight
7.8 oz
Release
2020 Q3

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (93/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 2 runner ratings.

Review a shoe.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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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

Excellent (93/100)

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

Excellent (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 90% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (98/100)

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 (98/100)

Rank

Ranks above 97% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Exceptional (97/100)

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 (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (96/100)

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 (96/100)

Rank

Ranks above 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Excellent (92/100)

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

Excellent (92/100)

Rank

Ranks above 87% 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 28% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

50%

1/2

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3
New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v2
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Beacon v3
Fresh Foam Beacon v2
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Reference 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
7.8 oz M
6.5 oz W Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
26/20mm
40/35mm
Drop
—
6mm
5mm
Release
2020 Q3
2019 Q2
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
—
$120 Lower MSRP
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (90%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (97%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (28%)
Below average (31%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Very good (87%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Very good (82%)
Value
Excellent (95%)
Exceptional (99%) Best value
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

2 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–2 of 2 written reviews

Nice neutral shoe

Anonymous runner · Jul 3, 2023

4/5

Overall

I favor light, flexible shoes that don't interfere with my mechanics.   The Beacons are light and have nice cushioning and bounce. I use them as everyday trainers, mostly for easy and steady pace runs.  For workouts, I feel like the cushioning is too mushy -- like I am having to push/work through that thick slab of Fresh Foam.  My wide feet appreciate the generous toe box width and height.  Although they come in wide widths, the normal width is ok for me.  I'm 51yo, 5'4" and range 110-115lb. For context, other shoes that I have liked a lot include Kinvara (v4, v10-v13), NB Zante v1-v2, Skechers Razor v1-v3, Saucony Tempus, Adidas Takumi Sen v8.

Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Boilerplate, reliable trainer - but being discontinued

whid · Jun 5, 2023

5/5

Overall

I have put 9,000+ miles on 10 pairs of the NB Fresh Foam Beacon V3s. Only around the 800 mile mark do they start to feel "flat" compared to a new pair. They are a very light, zero drop trainer that doesn't try to be anything more than they are - just a good fit with a wider toe box, relatively simple but good looking colorways, and a longevity that not many other trainers I've worn can boast. They are good for easy runs, durable enough for easy long runs, and are light enough for quick 100-200m strides without you missing your flats. Plus, the reliable outsole grip is a welcome departure from other NB shoe treads such as their racing flats where traction is an issue. I even wear my retired pairs of Beacon V3s on short, non technical hikes since their fit and grip is pretty good.

I rated the cushioning 9/10 since I acknowledge the firmer, not-thin-not-thick sole may not be preferable to other athletes even though I myself prefer it. I would not buy this if you want a "cushioned" feeling shoe, but I would buy it if you want a responsive and reliable trainer.

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