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New Balance

Fresh Foam Zante

Fresh Foam Zante
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Bottom-tier (50/100)

Shoe details

Weight
7.5 oz
Release
2015 Q1
MSRP
$100
Stack Height
23mm heel - 17mm toe
Drop Height
6mm

Ratings & Reviews

Bottom-tier (50/100)

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

Bottom-tier (50/100)

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

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Rank

Ranks above 2% 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.

Appearance

Exceptional (97/100)

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 (97/100)

Rank

Ranks above 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Good (71/100)

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

Good (71/100)

Rank

Ranks above 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Below average (58/100)

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

Below average (58/100)

Rank

Ranks above 10% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

17%

5/30

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.

Bottom-tier (50/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 98% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

2%

New Balance

Worse than 98% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

2%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.

Cons

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante
New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4
HOKA Clifton 9
Fresh Foam Zante
Fresh Foam Zante v4
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
7.5 oz M Lightest
8.5 oz M
8.5 oz M
Stack
23/17mm
23/17mm
40/35mm
Drop
6mm
6mm
5mm
Release
2015 Q1
2018 Q1
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$100
$100
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (2%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Very good (89%)
Excellent (95%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (33%)
Above average (68%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Bottom tier (10%)
Good (76%)
Very good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Very good (82%)
Value
Exceptional (99%)
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

22 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 22 written reviews

NB Zante - love it for the TM

Anonymous runner · Jul 25, 2018

3/5

Overall

The New Balance Zante is a great lightweight trainer, most would likely describe the cushion as plush - however for me, they are some of the firmest in my lineup. The thing I love the most about the Zante is the slipper-like upper. It's super comfortable and form fitting to my foot (I have a generally wider forefoot as well). The outsole has a consistent pattern throughout and will work very well for the roads and smooth paths, I mostly use the Zante for treadmill running where the cushion is pretty perfect for anything I do 30 minutes to an hour on the mill. If there is one criticism, I'd say the laces are a little annoying with how wide they are - but they seem to stay tied, so not too bad there. I'd recommend!!
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Great All Around Shoe

Anonymous runner · Jan 10, 2018

5/5

Overall

Best combination of support and cushioning for a neutral shoe runner that I have ever seen. Can be used as a trainer on any type of run and also lightweight enough to race in (5k and up).
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Apr 4, 2016

2/5

Overall

This was my first running shoe. I bought it online w/o advice b/c I needed cheap running shoes. Initially, I loved these shoes b/c they were comfortable and light. They felt sort of like a bootie that fit nicely around my feet. I started running a lot more (45+ mpw) and kept wearing the same shoes. After way too many miles on one pair, I bought another. These shoes have horrible durability. They do not last, and they also have virtually no support. The back of the shoe does not even reach the heel. They are also very unstable. I ended up getting a fibula stress fracture in these shoes. I am very light, but even these shoes did not have enough support for me.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
1/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Neilgmiller · Mar 31, 2016

5/5

Overall

I have about 120 miles in the shoes. I have been running about 30 miles per week(slowly building from 27ish to 35). I run 3-7 miles per day at about 7 minutes per mile. These are my favorite running shoes in a long time. They are softer than average in the heel and firmer in the fore foot. They feel lighter than they really are but are pretty light for their comfort and cushioning. They are fairly neutral but they do have a mid foot hump as a few other brands use so they feel slightly supportive. I was right on the edge of 8.5-9 so these shoes run fairly true or maybe just a touch small.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Mar 6, 2016

4/5

Overall

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