New Balance Ellipse v1

The New Balance Ellipse v1 is an entry-level running shoe designed for comfort. Priced at $145, it features a basic foam and a streetwear-inspired design aesthetic, and competes with shoes like the Brooks Ghost 17 ($150) and the Nike Vomero 18 ($155). The Ellipse is all about comfort. It has a big, thick padded tongue, a lot of padding around the heel, a fantastic step-in feel, and fits perfectly. New Balance recently moved to their new Infinion foam in the 1080 series, but they are bringing back their Fresh Foam X EVA blend foam in the Ellipse for a softer feel. Unfortunately, out on the run we found the ride to be incredibly lackluster. There is no roll or bounce. The combination of no rocker and an 8mm drop results in a very thin and not very protective feeling in the forefoot. There is something about the foam and how soft it is that makes the shoe feel oddly sluggish and heavy. If you are looking for a 30 minute jogging shoe that looks really nice at a good price point, Ellipse v1 might fit your needs, but for high mileage training, there are many better choices.