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New Balance

Fresh Foam Vongo

Fresh Foam Vongo
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Good (73/100)

Shoe details

Weight
10 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$130
Stack Height
25mm heel - 21mm toe
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (73/100)

Better than about 43% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 57% 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

Good (73/100)

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

Good (73/100)

Rank

Ranks above 43% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (95/100)

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

Excellent (95/100)

Rank

Ranks above 92% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (89/100)

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

Above average (89/100)

Rank

Ranks above 83% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (86/100)

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

Above average (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 78% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (82/100)

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

Above average (82/100)

Rank

Ranks above 69% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (75/100)

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 (75/100)

Rank

Ranks above 45% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

13%

1/8

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Worse than 57% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Good (73/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 57% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

43%

New Balance

Better than 68% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

68%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Fresh Foam Vongo v2.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo
New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Vongo
Fresh Foam Vongo v5
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Best durability / Best value
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability (Maximum)
Neutral
Weight
10 oz M
10 oz M
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
25/21mm
34/26mm
40/35mm
Drop
4mm
8mm
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2021 Q2
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$130 Lower MSRP
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (43%)
Good (76%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (78%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (92%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (84%)
Very good (88%) Best durability
Very good (80%)
Appearance
Average (45%)
Above average (66%)
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Above average (69%)
Very good (84%) 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

8 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 8 written reviews

3rd iteration of owning these shoes

Anonymous runner · Feb 28, 2019

5/5

Overall

Having moderate pronation and running over 30-40 miles a week, I've owned these pairs for the past 3 years. Extremely durable and the low heel-toe drop ratio allows me to run comfortably on my midfoot or forefoot. Have not been injured with these and I find them very light for a support shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great shoe for moderate support

Anonymous runner · Jul 11, 2018

4/5

Overall

Bought a pair of Vongos at a discount to try them out. Found a great shoe with just the right amount of support for my moderate pronation and a fantastic amount of cushioning. Some wear noted on the soles after about 100 miles, but holding up well beyond that. Will try an updated version when it's time to replace these beauties.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Apr 25, 2018

4/5

Overall

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

Vongo: A Wide Foot's Best Friend

Anonymous runner · Feb 18, 2018

5/5

Overall

Toe box is large. Generally can get them for 65 dollars Nice amount of padding for distance/long runs, but still responsive enough for tempos Long life (800+ miles before you start feeling the road) Slight arch support is there, but not obtrusive Downside is longer than normal to break-in
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Great, unique shoe

Spaghettimonster · Feb 6, 2018

4/5

Overall

The Vongo is a great shoe for people in need of a stability shoe, but who also prefer a low drop shoe. Most stability/overpronation shoes have a 10mm+ drop, very few go below 8mm. The vongo is a 4mm drop which makes midfoot striking much easier to achieve. The shoes hold up relatively well, around 400 miles. I've had 4 pairs over the last 2 years. I think they look really nice too, I have no problem walking to class with them on without feeling silly. Really good shoe.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5