New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3

Name: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3
Brand: New Balance
Rating: 4.4 (29 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.8 oz · 6mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v4 replaced it

How it ranks

The New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v3 trails most daily trainers in our data. Value and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 29 runner reviews and 3 other rated shoes in the Fresh Foam Zante product line.

Below average

65/100

Overall

Below average 65

Value

Exceptional 99

Appearance

Very good 92

Durability

Decent 76

Cushioning

Decent 71

Comfort

Decent 70

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

94/100

High 94

What runners say

“They provide just enough cushion for the long haul, but are VERY responsive when you ask them to go up-tempo.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

“I get about 250 miles before some portion of the sole is worn to the foam. By 300 miles, the shoes are done.”

4/5 Full review 45 mpw training for a marathon

“The upper has a really narrow forefoot and midfoot, which is definitely a bad choice if you're wide-footed like me.”

3/5 Full review 50 mpw

“The shoe gives a slightly bouncy feel, and is sufficiently cushioned without being smushy.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Kinvara 5

“The cushioning is rock hard and feels similar to running on hard ground.”

3/5 Full review 50 mpw

“My big toe presses against the inside of a lot of running shoes, but not these.”

4/5 Full review 10 mpw training for middle distance came from the Nike LunarTempo 2

“Trouble with this shoe in the first 50 miles giving me blisters where the hard plastic rubs against the top of the foot.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

“Gives a solid cushion, but still light and simple enough to feel quick.”

4/5 Full review 35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

“The sides of the upper are not that durable, and split open earlier than the sole loses cushion for wider feet people.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for a half marathon

“V3's major change was that they became much firmer and provided a more snappy response to the road.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

Prefer this shoe over another

31% 16/52

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Light at 8.8 oz on a 6mm drop, and reviewers use it for tempos, track sessions and long runs alike.
Value draws 4.7 out of 5, the highest mark of any dimension, with reviewers repeatedly buying it on clearance.
Runners with narrow heels report a secure fit with a roomy toe box.

Cons

Reviewers with wider feet often find the forefoot too tight, one calling the upper a bad choice for wide feet.
Several reviewers report the stiff plastic heel piece rubbing or causing blisters, one digging into the Achilles.
The Zante and Zante V2 before it score 98 and 99 against its 64.

Fresh Foam Zante v3 rates 65. This shoe has high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante

Each dot is one version of the Fresh Foam Zante, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

98 2015 99 2016 65 2017 70 2018

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Fresh Foam Zante v4

2018 · 34 reviews

70 Decent

95 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante v3 This shoe

2017 · 29 reviews

65 Below average

94 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante V2

2016 · 9 reviews

99 Exceptional

96 Confidence
Fresh Foam Zante

2015 · 22 reviews

98 Exceptional

96 Confidence

Reader Ratings

29 ratings

5/5 15

4/5 12

3/5 1

2/5 1

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 8.8 oz
Release: 2017 Q3
MSRP: $110
Drop Height: 6mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

I love Zante

4/5

Overall

Great shoe. Gives a solid cushion, but still light and simple enough to feel quick. I use this shoe for all of my daily training, speed work included. I usually put ~400 miles on a pair and they hold up great. I have a narrow-ish foot and they fit well.

Anonymous runner · Jul 12, 2018

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

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

Great All-Purpose Trainer once it's broken in

5/5

Overall

I had trouble with this shoe in the first 50 miles giving me blisters where the hard plastic rubs against the top of the foot. And when running on treadmills - and I NEVER get blisters. HOWEVER: Once I broke these shoes in, they become some of the most versatile and enjoyable shoes I've ever run in. They were unbelievable. I used them for speed workouts (200s & 400s) on the track, mile repeats, all the way up to 14 mile long runs. They provide just enough cushion for the long haul, but are VERY responsive when you ask them to go up-tempo. I started to like them better than my racing flats :O

BYU Student · Jul 8, 2018

35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Newton Energy NR

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

Not the biggest fan

3/5

Overall

There definitely are people who would like this shoe, but I wasn't one them. The cushioning is rock hard and feels similar to running on hard ground; You may as well have just made a racing flat instead of making a shoe that makes you feel like you're hitting the pavement barefoot each step. The upper has a really narrow forefoot and midfoot, which is definitely a bad choice if you're wide-footed like me. I might have enjoyed the shoe if the upper wasn't so tight on my foot (probably should've gotten the 2E version online), though even keeping in mind that a 2E version exists I still don't like the shoe. If you like the cushioning and the shape fits you well, then it could be a good buy for you. It just wasn't for me. Also, it's worth mentioning that the heel counter on this is low and pretty non-intrusive. If you're someone who has Achilles problems, this also might be a good shoe for you.

slowmsrunner · Jul 2, 2018

50 mpw

Comfort: 1/5
Cushioning: 1/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 2/5

Similar to previous versions

5/5

Overall

If you liked the previous versions, you will probably like the v3. I use this as a daily trainer and was able to put 700+ miles on the shoe. It's not the most durable out there, as I have put almost double the mileage on other New Balance shoes, but this was a great value for the price. I like how this shoe doesn't have any unneeded features and is a straightforward running shoe.

Anonymous runner · Jun 29, 2018

55 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante V2

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

Zante-solid shoe for solid miles

5/5

Overall

A comfortable shoe without excessive cushioning for an injury free neutral runner. The solid base allows for ground feedback without being a minimalist shoe. Solid durability, at 250 miles there is little sign of wear on heel or ball of the foot.

Anonymous runner · Feb 15, 2018

30 mpw came from the ASICS GEL-DS Trainer