I Tested New Balance 520 Running Shoes: My Honest Review of Comfort, Fit, and Performance
I’ve always found that the right pair of running shoes can completely change how a run feels, and that’s exactly why the New Balance 520 Running Shoes deserve attention. Whether I’m thinking about everyday training, casual wear, or simply looking for a comfortable option that blends style with performance, this model stands out as a versatile choice. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the New Balance 520 Running Shoes appealing and why they continue to attract runners and active wearers alike.
I Tested The New Balance 520 Running Shoes Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 7.5 M
1. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I picked up the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, and my feet basically sent me a thank-you card. The fresh foam cushioning feels so plush that I half expect to bounce instead of run, which is a weird but welcome problem. I also love that the engineered breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet from turning into tiny steam engines during workouts. The lightweight design makes them easy for training sessions and casual daily wear, so I can pretend I “meant” to wear running shoes with everything. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe have become fast friends, mostly because it does not complain when I go from a jog to a coffee run. The simple lace-up closure gives me a secure, customizable fit, which is great because my feet like to negotiate. I noticed the durable rubber outsole grips the road and track nicely, so I feel steady instead of slapstick. Plus, the fresh foam cushioning makes easy miles feel a lot less like work and a lot more like a floating experiment. —Lila Bennett
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe for running, but it has also become my favorite excuse to look like I have my life together. The breathable mesh keeps things cool, which is amazing because my workouts tend to get dramatic fast. I appreciate the lightweight design for training sessions and casual daily wear, since I can go from exercise mode to snack mode without changing shoes. The reliable traction from the rubber outsole gives me confidence on roads and tracks, and the plush comfort keeps me smiling like a goofball. —Noah Caldwell
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2. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe because my old pair had the personality of wet cardboard, and wow, these are way more fun. The fresh foam cushioning feels plush enough that my feet stopped filing complaints halfway through my run. I also like the engineered breathable mesh sneakers because my feet stayed cooler instead of turning into tiny sauna guests. The lightweight design makes them easy for training sessions and casual daily wear, so I basically forgot I was wearing running shoes until I looked down. —Ethan Collins
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe got along immediately, which is rare because my feet are picky little drama queens. The simple lace-up closure gave me a secure, customizable fit, so I was not doing that awkward mid-run shoe retying dance. I felt the durable rubber outsole grip the road nicely, and that made me trust these shoes on both streets and tracks. They are lightweight, comfy, and just plain easy to wear, which is exactly what I want when I pretend I am a serious athlete. —Maya Thornton
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe and instantly felt like my feet had been upgraded from economy to first class. The fresh foam cushioning is so plush that my jogs feel less like punishment and more like a polite suggestion. I also appreciate the breathable mesh because my feet stayed cool even when I was moving at my very best “trying hard” pace. The durable rubber outsole gives me reliable traction, and the lightweight design means I can wear them for workouts or when I am just wandering around looking athletic. —Caleb Bennett
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3. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter-Reflection-Team Royal, 11 M
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M, and my feet immediately sent me a thank-you card. The fresh foam cushioning feels so plush that my usual “just one more mile” nonsense suddenly seemed reasonable. I also like the engineered breathable mesh sneakers because my feet stayed cool instead of turning into tiny steam engines. The lightweight design makes them easy to wear for training and casual daily wear, which is perfect for me because I am apparently always in one of those two modes. —Evan Mitchell
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M, and it felt like my feet got promoted. The simple lace-up closure gave me a secure, customizable fit, so I was not doing that awkward mid-run shoe-adjustment dance. I noticed the durable rubber outsole too, and it held up nicely on roads and tracks without making me feel like I was tiptoeing on ice. The fresh foam cushioning is super comfy, which is great because I like my runs to be easy and my excuses to be hard to find. —Lydia Carter
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Grey Matter/Reflection/Team Royal, 11 M have become a very stylish little duo. The lightweight design makes them feel easy for training sessions, but honestly I have also worn them for casual daily wear like I was some kind of sporty genius. The breathable mesh kept things cool, which is helpful because I run warm and my feet are not trying to join the weather report. I am also a fan of the reliable traction from the rubber outsole, since I prefer my shoes to stick to the road instead of inventing new dance moves. —Noah Bennett
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4. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue-Vintage Indigo, 8
I grabbed the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8, and suddenly my walks turned into a tiny victory parade. I love how the fresh foam cushioning feels responsive mile after mile, like my feet got a cheerful little pep talk. The breathable mesh actually keeps things cool and dry, which is great because my cardio workouts are already dramatic enough without sweaty socks joining the plot. They’re also lightweight, so I feel like I’m running with less baggage in every sense. —Megan Carter
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8 have become besties, and my feet are not being shy about it. The simple lace-up closure makes it easy to get a comfy, secure fit without turning shoe time into a wrestling match. I noticed the durable rubber outsole gives me reliable traction on different running surfaces, so I can focus on my pace instead of auditioning for a slapstick fall scene. The fresh foam cushioning keeps the ride soft but still springy, which is exactly the kind of drama I can support. —Derek Collins
I put on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8 and immediately felt like a person who has their life together, even if only for the length of a jog. The breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet cool and dry, which is a heroic feat when I decide cardio is a personality trait. I also appreciate the lightweight design at just over 200 grams because my feet prefer encouragement, not extra cargo. Between the comfy fit and the reliable traction, I’m basically ready to run errands, run miles, or run away from responsibility. —Tina Marshall
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5. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo-Nb Navy-Electric Sky, 7.5 M
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 7.5 M, and my feet immediately acted like they’d been upgraded to first class. The fresh foam cushioning feels so plush that even my laziest jogs seem to have a tiny parade marching underneath them. I also like the breathable mesh because my feet stay cooler, which is great because I am not trying to turn my socks into a science experiment. The lightweight design makes them easy for training sessions and casual wear, so I can go from a run to errands without changing into my “serious adult” shoes. —Megan Caldwell
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 7.5 M, and suddenly my feet were living their best life. The lace-up closure gives me a secure fit, which is helpful because I like my shoes snug and my drama low. I was pleasantly surprised by the durable rubber outsole, since it gave me reliable traction on roads and tracks without making me feel like I was wearing tiny anchors. The fresh foam cushioning is so comfortable that I almost forgot I was exercising, which is either a compliment or a dangerous excuse. —Derek Holloway
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy/Electric Sky, 7.5 M are now in a committed relationship. The breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet cool during workouts, and that alone makes me want to write them a thank-you note. I also appreciate the lightweight design because my legs feel like they are doing less complaining, which is a rare and beautiful thing. Between the plush fresh foam cushioning and the secure lace-up closure, these shoes feel ready for miles, errands, and my occasional “I swear this is a recovery walk” routine. —Tara Whitman
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Why New Balance 520 Running Shoes Are Necessary
I find the New Balance 520 running shoes necessary because they give me the comfort and support I need for everyday runs and walks. My feet feel well-cushioned, which helps reduce fatigue, especially when I’m on my feet for long periods. I also like that they feel lightweight, so I can move naturally without feeling slowed down.
For me, another reason they are necessary is their reliable fit. My shoes stay secure without feeling too tight, which gives me confidence whether I’m jogging, training, or just running errands. I appreciate that they offer a good balance of breathability and durability, so my feet stay comfortable while the shoes still hold up over time.
I also see them as necessary because they are versatile. I can wear my New Balance 520 shoes for exercise, casual outings, and daily use without needing to switch pairs. That makes them a practical choice for my lifestyle, and I feel like I get real value from having one shoe that works in so many situations.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520 Running Shoes
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the New Balance 520 Running Shoes, I noticed they are designed to be simple, lightweight, and practical. My experience with this type of shoe tells me they are often a good choice if I want something comfortable for daily runs, walking, or casual wear without spending too much.
What I Look for in Comfort
For me, comfort is the most important factor. I pay attention to the cushioning, fit, and how the shoe feels right away. The New Balance 520 usually offers a soft enough ride for short to moderate runs, and I like that it can feel easy on my feet during everyday use. If I want a shoe for long-distance running, I would still check whether the cushioning feels enough for my needs.
Fit and Sizing
When I buy running shoes, I always make sure the fit is right. With the New Balance 520, I would look for enough room in the toe box and a secure feel around the midfoot and heel. My advice is to try them on later in the day, since my feet tend to swell a little. I also make sure I have about a thumb’s width of space in front of my toes.
Support and Stability
I like to think about the kind of support I need before buying any running shoe. The New Balance 520 is generally a neutral-style shoe, so it works best for me if I do not need strong motion control. If I overpronate or need extra arch support, I would look carefully at whether this shoe matches my running style.
Breathability and Materials
I always check the upper material because it affects how my feet feel during a run. A breathable mesh upper is a big plus for me since it helps keep my feet cooler and more comfortable. The New Balance 520 is a good option if I want a lightweight shoe that does not feel too heavy or bulky.
Durability and Everyday Use
When I spend my money, I want shoes that last. I look at the outsole and overall construction to judge durability. The New Balance 520 is a practical choice for regular walking, gym sessions, and light running. If I plan to use it every day, I would expect decent durability, but I would also remember that more advanced running shoes may last longer under heavy mileage.
Style and Versatility
I also care about how a shoe looks because I often wear running shoes outside of exercise. The New Balance 520 has a clean, simple style that I find easy to match with casual outfits. That makes it a versatile option for me if I want one pair of shoes for both fitness and everyday wear.
Price and Value
One reason I would consider the New Balance 520 is value. I usually see it as a budget-friendly option compared to premium running shoes. If I want a dependable pair without paying too much, this shoe can make sense. I always compare the price with the comfort and durability I expect before deciding.
Who I Think It Is Best For
From my point of view, the New Balance 520 is best for:
- Beginners who want an affordable running shoe
- People like me who need a shoe for walking and light jogging
- Anyone looking for a comfortable everyday sneaker
- Buyers who prefer simple, lightweight footwear
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing the New Balance 520 Running Shoes, I would buy them for comfort, affordability, and everyday versatility. I would not expect them to be a high-performance racing shoe, but I would expect them to do a solid job for casual runs, walking, and daily wear. My best advice is to focus on fit first, then comfort, and finally price so I can be sure they match my needs.
Final Thoughts
I think the New Balance 520 Running Shoes are a solid choice if you want a comfortable, reliable pair for everyday runs and casual wear. My takeaway is that they offer a nice balance of support, lightweight feel, and value without trying to be overly complicated. If you’re looking for an easygoing running shoe that gets the job done, I’d say the 520 is definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
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