New Balance Ellipse v1 brings style to everyday running

Some shoes are all about performance. Others are about style and comfort. The new Ellipse v1 aims to deliver both. New Balance has long established its credentials in running with iconic models such as the 1080. But the American brand is also known for its famous dad-shoe aesthetic, now more popular than ever. Retro and comfortable, these sneakers have become some of the most popular in the world. In recent years, New Balance has moved between these two worlds with a distinctive, forward-thinking vision. The Ellipse opens a new door. It is built for everyday runs with Fresh Foam X cushioning, yet its vintage look makes it a pair you could almost wear all day at the office without ever feeling like you are wearing a highly technical running shoe.

New Balance opens a new chapter

The Ellipse marks a turning point for New Balance. The brand says so itself: “This is the brand’s biggest running innovation in ten years.” Quite a claim. The idea behind the Ellipse is simple: to bring running back to its purest form. Less data, less pressure, more feel. Running for the pleasure of it, to get a little lost, to forget about the clock.

Kevin FitzPatrick, New Balance’s Global Vice President of Running, sums up the thinking nicely: “The Ellipse celebrates everyone who runs, whether they are logging their first miles or recovering from a competition, offering a premium cushioned experience and a curved profile that helps protect the body.” This is not a carbon-plated super shoe. It is an everyday trainer: accessible, thoughtfully designed, well built and, above all, enjoyable for easy runs.

New Balance launches the Ellipse v1, a new running shoe with a lifestyle look and Fresh Foam X cushioning. Comfortable, versatile and accessible to all runners, it brings fresh enjoyment to everyday runs.

Fresh Foam X keeps the New Balance DNA intact

While the 1080 franchise is moving towards a new feel with Infinion foam, the Ellipse stays true to one of the brand’s core technologies: Fresh Foam X cushioning, highly regarded by runners.

Fresh Foam X delivers:
✔ Generous cushioning
✔ Controlled weight
✔ A clean, springy feel
✔ Smooth transitions

The result is premium comfort without feeling overly soft. There is some snap, but not too much. It is a shoe that can handle daily mileage without needlessly tiring your legs or encouraging you to run faster.

Specifications – ELLIPSE v1

Category: daily trainer
Use: easy runs, recovery runs
Cushioning: Fresh Foam X foam
Surface: road
Level: all runners
Weight: 273 g (men’s) / 218 g (women’s)
Stack height: 38 mm / 30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Price: €150
Available March 5, 2026

A lifestyle silhouette with running technology underneath

Visually, the Ellipse clearly taps into New Balance’s lifestyle codes. Technically, though, it means business:
✔ Breathable, seamless Hypoknit upper
✔ Bootie construction for a precise midfoot hold
✔ Gusseted tongue and stretch laces
✔ Heel counter for added security
✔ Carbon-reinforced Ndurance rubber outsole

This is not a sneaker disguised as a running shoe. It is a proper running shoe with plenty of style.

Who is the Ellipse for?

That is probably where this model is most interesting. The Ellipse is not aimed solely at elites, shoe obsessives or runners chasing personal bests. It is also for:
➜ Beginners
➜ Sunday joggers
➜ Marathoners running easy during recovery
➜ Athletes looking for a simple, enjoyable shoe

It will be right at home on:
✔ Easy runs
✔ Relaxed outings
✔ Recovery runs
✔ Easy long runs

Depending on your level, you can certainly pick up the pace a little. Fresh Foam X is lively enough, but for speed workouts, you will still want to reach for something more performance-oriented.

Bridging culture, performance and running

The clever part is that the Ellipse has been embraced by elite athletes and cultural figures alike, including American rapper Action Bronson and football player Josh Allen. Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas and middle-distance specialist Parker Valby have also made the Ellipse their favorite running shoe. This is exactly where New Balance excels: creating products that belong as much in sport as they do on the street. The Ellipse may be the clearest expression yet of that forward-thinking vision. For the shoe’s launch, Action Bronson stars in a promotional video with a distinctly vintage, highly stylized feel.

The key takeaway

The Ellipse v1 is not a technological revolution. But it is a New Balance shoe that earns its place in the daily trainer category. At €150, the price is hard to argue with for what you get underfoot. With Fresh Foam X, it is an accessible, fairly premium daily trainer without any elitist baggage. The Ellipse says something about running today: you can want to perform without taking yourself too seriously. You can want comfort without giving up style.

New Balance already has its established models, and the Ellipse is not trying to replace them. It opens a new page for the brand, making running even more accessible. For those heading out early in the morning, and for those who prefer to get moving during their lunch break. With its polished vintage style, the Ellipse will make you want to run simply, without checking your watch, but always in comfort and style. Sometimes, that is exactly what you want from a shoe.

✔ The Ellipse v1 will be available for €150 on newbalance.com from March 5, 2026.