New Balance

Fresh Foam Boracay

Fresh Foam Boracay
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Below average (52/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9 oz
Release
2015
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
22mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (52/100)

Better than about 2% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse 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.
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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

Below average (52/100)

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

Below average (52/100)

Rank

Ranks above 2% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (84/100)

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

Above average (84/100)

Rank

Ranks above 69% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (80/100)

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

Good (80/100)

Rank

Ranks above 65% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (70/100)

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

Good (70/100)

Rank

Ranks above 32% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (66/100)

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 (66/100)

Rank

Ranks above 22% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (64/100)

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

Below average (64/100)

Rank

Ranks above 17% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

8%

1/12

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Worse than 98% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Below average (52/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 97% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

3%

New Balance

Worse than 98% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

2%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average on comfort.

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9 oz M
9.3 oz M
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
22/18mm
24/20mm
40/35mm
Drop
4mm
4mm
5mm
Release
2015
2017 Q3
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$120
$120
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (2%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Above average (65%)
Average (52%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (69%)
Average (57%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (22%)
Below average (34%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (32%)
Bottom tier (14%)
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (17%)
Above average (65%)
Good (74%) Best value
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

More from New Balance

Reader Ratings

10 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 10 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 29, 2016

4/5

Overall

Went well. Very cushioned and grippy despite how the sole looks; still grips well when worn down. Not very durable, however. I feel it dying after ~250 miles.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 21, 2016

4/5

Overall

Comfortable but wears quickly
Comfort
4/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 4, 2016

4/5

Overall

Excellent for any type of base training miles. Only downers are that the fresh foam is kind of hard when cold and the shoes doesn't maintain comfort after about an hour at a time. I've got about 400 miles on them.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015

4/5

Overall

This is my second pair of Boracays, I got around 450 in my first pair before the cushioning became too worn out (my form is lopsided so one pair was significantly more damaged than the other), but this is the normal distance I would expect from any pair of running shoes. 100 miles in this pair and they are great. Cushioned enough for 13 mile runs but surprisingly light enough for whenever I forget my workout shoes to still do some fast running.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015

5/5

Overall

Great trainer. I love the low drop, and how it has a flat chunk of foam on the bottom. No BS acceleration boost gel crap that messes with your mechanics. It's also relatively light. Keeps my turnover quick, and footstrike is always stable and solid. I remember it taking a day or two to get used to the feel, but it's now become my main trainer. Has enough cushioning for long runs (17-18mi), but is light and responsive enough for progression runs where you might drop down to around 6min/mi. Would highly recommend.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5