A new model from New Balance has seen the light of day. That in itself is always really exciting, and when I heard the first whispers about which direction would take, I became really curious to test the shoe. Ellipse v1 is modern, it's new, it's crisp. But is there also life behind the beautiful exterior, or what's really at play here? That's what we'll explore in this article, so read on if, like me, you're curious to learn more about New Balance Ellipse v1.
New Balance Ellipse v1 - A fresh start
New Balance doesn't sleep on the job. They're at the forefront across all categories when it comes to running shoes. Maybe they're even first with this type of shoe? New Balance Ellipse v1 speaks directly to the time we're in right now. The shoe draws clear references from the lifestyle universe and can in many ways resemble a sneaker, but it holds much more than that. It's not just decoration for decoration's sake. It has plenty to offer.
The lines were truly drawn after the launch of Ellipse v1, where Action Bronson (known American rapper) appears as the front figure with the comment “Ellipse v1, it’s a vibe”. I actually think it's quite spot on from New Balance's side. is a kind of state. A state that many runners find themselves in in 2026, but which also reflects the running sport as a whole.
We are in the midst of a new era in the sport. There have been incredibly many new runners, and it's nothing short of fantastic. It pushes the boundaries. Not just in terms of how we fill more on the roads, but also how social media looks, and not least how the individual brands think about the sport.
appeals to the newer runners. To those who want a shoe that's cool on the run, but also when strolling around the neighborhood afterward. It's for the streets and the cafes, but most importantly, it's also for the roads. Because it is indeed a really good running shoe.
New Balance Ellipse v1 - An eye-catching upper
The upper is made in classic engineered mesh, where the focus has been on creating a comfortable running shoe. They succeeded. The shoe is TTS (True To Size), but fits on the wider side. I had plenty of room for my feet, while the length fit exactly as it should.
It's rare that I comment on the design of a running shoe, as it will always be a matter of taste. But I think you can see on Ellipse v1 that New Balance has tried to do something different here, and they should be praised for that. I could easily see myself sitting in a pair of Ellipse v1 and drinking a smoothie, a coffee, a soda, or a beer. There's room for it all here.
New Balance Ellipse v1 - An old favorite returns
This will make many of you out there really happy. Because in the midsole, we find a familiar material again: Fresh Foam X. The material you couldn't find in the new 1080 v15.
Fresh Foam X comes in many variants, but I would still claim that this version is one of the softer ones. And that says a lot for a material already known for being among the softest on the market.
Soft is not only good. It's comfortable, but not necessarily super fast. In New Balance Ellipse v1, Fresh Foam X is clearly tuned towards comfort rather than speed. You sink well into the foam, which feels really nice, without necessarily being catapulted into the horizon.
But is also a volume training shoe. A shoe you wear on the days after some more intensive sessions. Or if you're a newer runner who can manage with just one pair of shoes (spoiler: you'll end up with more pairs in your wardrobe soon).
The shoe has a heel drop of 8 mm and feels softest around the heel when you land. The midsole itself is relatively flexible in its geometry without any significant rocker. The feeling is therefore that you primarily get your bounce from the soft midsole.
New Balance Ellipse v1 - How does it fit into the New Balance lineup?
I think it's really smart of New Balance to use Fresh Foam X in a new shoe launch. That in itself will attract many users. The audience is large.
The 1080 model was updated with Infinion material, which is slightly more responsive. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we find New Balance 880, which is the more classic type that gives a closer contact to the ground.
Between the two shoes, you find Ellipse v1, which also stands out with its own modern vibe.
turned out to be a fresh breeze and an interesting push to the industry. A solid volume training shoe that will make many runners happy.
In this context, it can be mentioned that if you previously ran in 1080 v14 and loved it, you can safely go for Ellipse v1, the two shoes are quite similar. Ellipse v1 also comes at an attractive price compared to the 1080, which also has great value, in times when running shoes generally do not drop in price.
New Balance Ellipse v1 is not just a new running shoe – it's a take on how running shoes can look for a new generation of runners.
