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New Balance

Fresh Foam Vongo v4

Fresh Foam Vongo v4
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (92/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.1 oz
Release
2019 Q2
MSRP
$140
Stack Height
29mm heel - 25mm toe
Drop Height
4mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (92/100)

Better than about 89% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 89% 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

Excellent (92/100)

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 (92/100)

Rank

Ranks above 89% 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.

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 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Excellent (93/100)

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 (93/100)

Rank

Ranks above 90% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (86/100)

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 (86/100)

Rank

Ranks above 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (85/100)

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 (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

67%

6/9

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 89% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Excellent (92/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 89% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

89%

New Balance

Better than 91% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

91%

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 25% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Cons

  • Several of reviewers reported getting injured in this shoe.
  • Reviewers rate this shoe worse than the Fresh Foam Vongo v3.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v4
New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Vongo v4
Fresh Foam Vongo v5
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best appearance
Best durability / Best value
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Stability (Maximum)
Neutral
Weight
9.1 oz W
10 oz M
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
29/25mm
34/26mm
40/35mm
Drop
4mm
8mm
5mm
Release
2019 Q2
2021 Q2
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$140 Lower MSRP
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Very good (89%)
Good (76%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Exceptional (98%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (94%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (75%)
Very good (88%) Best durability
Very good (80%)
Appearance
Excellent (90%) Best appearance
Above average (66%)
Very good (82%)
Value
Good (76%)
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

Better alternatives

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98th percentile

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97th percentile

+8 percentile points vs this shoe
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97th percentile

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82nd percentile
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Reader Ratings

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

Can't imagine running in any other shoe!

Anonymous runner · Dec 16, 2023

4/5

Overall

After trying a few different shoes, I was looking for a shoe that balanced cushion with stability, as those were two factors I enjoyed in previous shoes I tried. I feel like these have a good amount of stability and a sturdy, supported feeling to them, as well as are comfy to wear, but aren't overly cushioned. I've worn them for 6+ years now and I can't imagine wanting to switch to a different shoe. They're incredibly reliable, consistent, and break in great.

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

New Balance Vongo v4

Anonymous runner · Jan 24, 2020

5/5

Overall

I absolutely love this shoe. Its a great training shoe and it’s been the only shoe I've run in that has not injured me. I feel like I’m floating when I wear these.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

This shoe goes the distance.

Anonymous runner · Dec 29, 2019

4/5

Overall

My experiences with this shoe were overall very positive. I bought it primarily for a easy day/slow long run trainer, and it has been a good option in my shoe rotation. I find myself reaching for it on most days, and right off the bat I found it to have a very comfortable immediate feel upon putting it on. Size was true. I am pretty ready (as an overpronator) to transition to shoes that do not have a medial post/conventional support systems, to more "modern"support, with the "varus wedge," and so far, this has exceeded expectations with stability. I like the cushion, they have really maximized it for this model, in comparison to prior renditions. It is not overboard (i.e. compared to HOKA Arahi, etc), nor is it too little cushioning. Currently, I am around ~200 miles and I do not even feel that I am remotely halfway through the life of this shoe, and feel like it will top out around 600 miles. Overall, it has performed up to expectation for me, and as long as they don't make too many changes I will be continuing to run in this shoe for many years.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Versatile and Fresh

Anonymous runner · Jul 29, 2019

5/5

Overall

Positives: -light -versatile -comfort Negatives: -break down quickly
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

NB Vongo excels

Anonymous runner · Jul 16, 2019

5/5

Overall

I am a former collegiate athlete working for a well-regarded small running store (non-biased, we sell every major brand). Over the last few years of running higher mileage in a wide range of shoes. Most shoes I train in would garner a very conditional recommendation - one that is highly dependent on the needs of the user. Some shoes just straight up (in my humble opinion) stink. Oftentimes they fall flat because certain features don't work well with their intended market, or they radically missed the mark in some self-sabotaging way. There is also an occasional shoe that quickly becomes a favorite, usually because of either several features that work for a wide variety of runners, a specific features that are unparalleled elsewhere,etc.. A great example of a shoe like this would be the Ghost, for its reliable standard as a comfortable, cushioned, well structured trainer with enough reactivity to please a wide range of high drop, neutral shoe runners. The Vongo is in that rare class of shoe. It is very unique - 4mm drop, highly cushioned, moderately stable, and surprisingly quick off the toe. It is not a very light shoe, but it speeds up nicely when you do, kind of like the Ghost. It is stable without a traditional medial post, and I don't feel *that* strange running in it as a neutral runner. I like the fact that it has atypically prominent forefoot cushioning as a low drop shoe, which I would highly recommend to faster midfoot strikers who prefer a more stable ride in a mileage shoe. It's low drop and sharp, rubber tread also make it a passable (though overly cushioned) cross trainer in a pinch, especially for generalists who run more than they lift. It has a narrow fitting but stretchy upper, a secure heel and tongue, and it runs a bit longer than most trainers. I would not suggest sizing down, however. It has a very noticeable offset towards the interior of the shoe, and it is much more noticeable walking in it than running in it. Overall, the Vongo rocks. I have few criticisms - it's price point is on the higher side, which I feel is justified by the quality of the shoe. However, it is not the bargain that some shoes (Hoka Rincon!) are. The only runners I would not recommend this shoe to are those who have frequent calf/achilles problems, as the drop is a bit low and will stress the rear chain more than higher drop shoes, or those who are looking for a light, low-mileage trainer to zip around in.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5