New Balance Ellipse Review: A Solid Daily Trainer… With an Identity Problem

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The New Balance Ellipse is a brand-new addition to the lineup, sitting just below the popular 1080. At £130, it undercuts the 1080 by a noticeable margin—but the big question is whether this is a genuinely good value daily trainer, or a shoe that leans a little too far into lifestyle territory. After spending time in the Ellipse, the answer isn’t completely straightforward.

Specs

• Price: £130

• Category: Daily trainer

• Stack height: 38mm heel / 30mm forefoot

• Drop: 8mm

• Midsole: Fresh Foam X

• Outsole: Blown rubber

• Upper: Engineered mesh

• Weight: 286g (UK 10)

• Fit: True to size

My Impressions

Straight away, the Ellipse feels familiar. In fact, very familiar. This shoe is essentially a New Balance 1080 v14 in disguise. The Fresh Foam X midsole delivers that same soft, cushioned, and easy-going ride that many runners already know. The upper is well executed—as you’d expect from New Balance—with a comfortable engineered mesh, solid lockdown, and a plush heel that makes it an easy shoe to slip on and forget about. There’s nothing complicated going on here. It’s a simple, no-nonsense daily trainer.

On the Run

Out on the road, the Ellipse does exactly what you’d expect—and nothing more. The ride is comfortable, stable, and reliable. Fresh Foam X provides a cushioned platform that’s perfectly suited for easy miles, recovery runs, and general day-to-day use. It’s not particularly responsive or exciting, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s consistent, predictable, and gets the job done. Grip from the blown rubber outsole is solid, even in wet conditions, and there are no real stability concerns. It’s a shoe you can just throw on and head out the door in without thinking twice. A perfect example of where the Ellipse shines is a mixed-use day: running to parkrun, doing your 5K, and then heading to the supermarket afterwards. It handles all of that effortlessly.

The Bigger Picture

This is where things get more interesting. The Ellipse feels like it’s been designed with a very specific audience in mind—particularly younger runners and those who want a crossover shoe that blends running performance with lifestyle appeal. The styling leans heavily into that space, and it’s clear New Balance is trying to tap into that growing overlap between fashion and running. And to be fair, they’ve done a good job of that. But when you look purely at performance, the Ellipse starts to lose its edge. At £130, you’re firmly in a highly competitive category. There are shoes at this price point that offer more versatility, more performance, and a more dynamic ride. The Ellipse doesn’t really stand out—it’s good, but not special.

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Who Is This Shoe For?

The Ellipse makes a lot of sense for runners who want one shoe that can handle everything in a casual, low-pressure way. If you’re newer to running, mixing in gym sessions, or just want something comfortable that looks good and performs well enough, this is a strong option. It’s also ideal if you like the feel of the 1080 v14 but don’t want to pay £170 for the latest version. However, if you’re more focused on performance—whether that’s picking up the pace, adding variety to your training, or getting the most value for your money—there are better options out there.

Verdict

The New Balance Ellipse is a comfortable, versatile, and easy-to-wear daily trainer that nails the basics. It delivers a reliable ride, great comfort, and a design that clearly appeals to a more style-conscious runner. But it also sits in a slightly awkward position. At £130, it doesn’t quite offer enough to stand out in a crowded market filled with more capable and exciting alternatives. It’s a great idea from New Balance—and for the right person, it absolutely works. But for many runners, especially those prioritising performance, it may struggle to earn a place in the rotation. If you want a shoe that can take you from a run straight to the shops without missing a beat, the Ellipse does that perfectly. If you’re looking for the best all-rounder in its price range, you might want to keep looking.

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