New Balance XC5K v5

Name: New Balance XC5K v5
Brand: New Balance

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 4.8 oz

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance XC 5K v6 replaced it

How it ranks

The New Balance XC5K v5 trails most daily trainers in our data. Looks and value are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 1 runner review and 1 other rated shoe in the XC5K product line. Another 11 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Current estimate: Below average

65/100

Overall

Below average 65

Appearance

Decent 79

Value

Below average 69

Durability

Below average 66

Comfort

Below average 64

Cushioning

Bottom-tier 60

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

9/100

Very low 9

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 1 runner rating.

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

At 4.8 oz, very light, and the one reviewer so far says it is comfortable straight out of the box with a secure, glove-like fit.
That reviewer rates appearance 5 out of 5.

Cons

That reviewer got horrible heel blisters from a square of fabric pressing into his Achilles during a workout.
He also reports the spike plate showing wear after a single session.

XC5K v5 rates 65. This shoe has very low certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance XC5K

Each dot is one version of the XC5K, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

65 2019 68 2023

Release year

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

XC 5K v6

2023 · 1 review

68 Below average

6 Confidence
XC5K v5 This shoe

2019 · 1 review

65 Below average

9 Confidence

Reader Ratings

1 rating

5/5 0

4/5 1

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 4.8 oz
Release: 2019 Q3
MSRP: $110

Runner reviews

Write a review

Great spike but causes blisters

4/5

Overall

This spike is great and is so comfortable right out of the box. They fit like a glove and are secure. The bootie like constructions sits on top of your foot very comfortably and I have had zero problems with the upper. I ran a workout in these spikes but they caused horrible blisters on my heels. A little square piece of fabric in the heel pushed into my Achilles which was very uncomfortable. Thankfully some good ol' moleskin did the trick and never bothered my heels again. I would go up a full size, and if you you have wide feet these are an amazing option since New Balance makes wider shoes and spikes. One other thing is that the PeBax spike plate was worn down after the first session but the rubber triangle lugs were not even scratched so I think you these could last any where from a 80 miles to 100 miles which is a lot for spike. So two thumbs up from me!

Kenenisa Kipchoge · Feb 9, 2021

40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante Pursuit