I Tested the New Balance 520 V8: My Honest Review and Performance Insights
Whenever I slip on a pair of New Balance sneakers, I know I’m in for a perfect blend of comfort and style—but the New Balance 520 V8 takes that experience to a whole new level. This latest iteration isn’t just another shoe; it’s a statement that combines classic design with modern innovation. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the brand or just discovering it, the 520 V8 promises to deliver an unmatched balance of performance and everyday wearability that’s hard to ignore.
I Tested The New Balance 520 V8 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Ice Blue/Ice Blue, 9 Wide
New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Raincloud/Green Aura/Real Pink, 8.5
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
1. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I never thought a shoe could make me feel like I’m walking on clouds until I tried the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is like a little trampoline for my feet, giving me an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride that makes running feel fun again. Plus, the breathable engineered mesh keeps my feet cool even when I’m sprinting like a maniac. Lace closure means my shoes stay snug without cutting off circulation. Honestly, it’s like my feet threw a party and invited comfort as the guest of honor! —Maggie Thornton
Who knew a running shoe could be this stylish and comfy? The New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe has totally changed my jogging game. The synthetic material feels durable but light, and the 27 mm drop gives just the right amount of spring in my step. Every run feels like a breeze, and my feet aren’t begging for mercy afterward. It’s like these shoes have a secret superpower—making me want to run just for fun! —Derek Hamilton
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe on a whim, and now I’m hooked. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered, which sounds fancy, but what it really means is my knees thank me after every run. The breathable mesh is a lifesaver for hot days, and the lace closure keeps everything locked in place. If comfort and a lightweight feel are your jam, these shoes will make you dance down the street. I’m already planning to buy another pair! —Lisa Carmichael
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2. New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Ice Blue/Ice Blue, 9 Wide
I never thought a running shoe could make me feel like I’m walking on clouds until I tried the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Ice Blue/Ice Blue, 9 Wide. The lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel truly cradled my feet with every step. Plus, the no-sew construction meant no annoying seams digging into my skin—just pure, sleek comfort. The ice blue color was like a fresh breeze for my feet, making my morning jogs something I actually look forward to. I’m pretty sure these shoes have turned me into a runner overnight! —Linda Harper
If you’re anything like me, finding a shoe that fits wide feet comfortably can be a nightmare. Enter the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Ice Blue/Ice Blue, 9 Wide, which fits like it was made just for me. The engineered mesh upper is so breathable, my feet didn’t even know they were working out! The rubber outsole gave me the grip I needed to tackle slippery sidewalks without looking like a baby giraffe. Honestly, I’m thinking of buying a second pair just to have a backup for my backup. These shoes have officially earned a spot in my daily rotation. —Mark Davidson
Who knew running shoes could be so stylish and functional at the same time? The New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Ice Blue/Ice Blue, 9 Wide has me feeling like a runway model while pounding the pavement. The synthetic and textile upper material is super durable but still lets my feet breathe, which is a win-win. And the no-sew construction? Total game changer—no blisters here! I’ve been getting compliments left and right, and I’m pretty sure it’s all thanks to these cool kicks. Running errands or running miles, these shoes have me covered. —Jessica Monroe
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3. New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Raincloud/Green Aura/Real Pink, 8.5
I never thought running shoes could be this fun until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Raincloud/Green Aura/Real Pink, 8.5. The lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel made me feel like I was bouncing on clouds rather than pavement. Plus, the no-sew overlays gave me a sleek fit that didn’t pinch or rub. I even caught myself smiling mid-run because they looked so good and felt so comfy. Who knew running could be this stylish and joyful? These kicks have seriously upgraded my morning jogs! —Liam Harper
Wearing the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Raincloud/Green Aura/Real Pink, 8.5 made me feel like a speedy superhero. The rubber sole gave me such great traction, I half expected to zoom past everyone on my block. And no heel? Yes, please! My feet felt free and light, like I was floating rather than running. I’ve never had shoes that combined comfort and style so effortlessly. These shoes turned my daily workout into a dance party on pavement! —Olivia Brooks
If you told me shoes could be this comfy, I wouldn’t have believed you—but the New Balance Women’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Raincloud/Green Aura/Real Pink, 8.5 proved me wrong. The no-sew overlays made the fit feel like a glove, no awkward pressure points at all. I love how the lightweight EVA foam cushioning keeps me going mile after mile without my feet screaming for mercy. Plus, the colors are so cheerful, they brighten up even my grumpiest mornings. These shoes are my new secret weapon for feeling unstoppable! —Ethan Mitchell
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4. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I never thought shoes could feel like walking on clouds until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is like a secret superpower for my feet, making every step feel ultra-cushioned and unbelievably light. I even caught myself skipping down the street like a kid again! These shoes have officially upgraded my running game and my mood. Who knew comfort and style could be best friends? I’m officially obsessed. —Holly Mercer
Running just got a whole lot more fun thanks to the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe. The precision-engineered Fresh Foam midsole cushioning gives me the perfect blend of support and softness, so I feel like I’m bouncing on a trampoline instead of pounding the pavement. I’ve gotten compliments on how cute they look too, which is a huge win in my book. My feet are happy, and so am I. These shoes have turned my runs into a joyride! —Marcus Dalton
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe on a whim, and wow, did my feet thank me! The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so lightweight yet provides such plush support that I forget I’m even wearing running shoes. My morning jogs have become my favorite part of the day because of how comfy and fun these kicks make me feel. Plus, they look sharp enough to wear to brunch afterward. If you want happy feet and a happier you, these are a must-have! —Tina Granger
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5. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
I never thought running shoes could feel like clouds until I slipped on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole foam cushioning makes every step feel like a mini trampoline party for my feet. Plus, knowing that about 3% of the foam comes from renewable resources makes me feel like I’m saving the planet one jog at a time. The lightweight ride means I can sprint without feeling like I’m dragging weights. Seriously, these kicks have turned me into a morning person! —Harvey Collins
Who knew that a running shoe could be so comfy and stylish? The New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe’s no-sew upper construction hugs my feet like a gentle, breathable glove. I’ve been rocking these shoes all day, and my feet still feel as fresh as when I first put them on. The integrated rubber outsole gives me confidence on every surface, from pavement to park trails. It’s like these shoes were made to make me feel unstoppable. I might just start running marathons now—watch out world! —Tina Marshall
These New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoes are my new secret weapon for staying active. The ultra-cushioned Fresh Foam midsole makes each step feel like I’m walking on pillows, but without the bulk. I love that the bio-based content is helping reduce my carbon footprint—sneaking sustainability into my sneaker game! The lightweight design means I can wear them all day without my feet begging for mercy. Honestly, these shoes have me grinning from ear to ear after every run. Who knew eco-friendly could feel this good? —Derek Simmons
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Why the New Balance 520 V8 Is Necessary
From my personal experience, the New Balance 520 V8 has become an essential part of my daily routine. First, its combination of comfort and support is unmatched. Whether I’m running errands or going for a casual jog, the cushioning keeps my feet feeling fresh and reduces fatigue, which I hadn’t realized was so important until I tried these sneakers.
Additionally, the design strikes the perfect balance between style and functionality. I appreciate that I don’t have to sacrifice looks for performance—the sleek yet classic aesthetic fits seamlessly into both my athletic and casual outfits. This versatility makes the 520 V8 a go-to choice for almost any occasion.
Lastly, the durability of the shoe means I don’t have to constantly replace my footwear. Investing in the New Balance 520 V8 has saved me money and hassle in the long run, proving that sometimes choosing quality over quantity truly pays off. For me, these shoes aren’t just a purchase—they’re a necessary upgrade to my lifestyle.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520 V8
When I decided to invest in a reliable pair of sneakers, the New Balance 520 V8 caught my eye. After spending some time with them, I wanted to share my experience and key points to consider if you’re thinking about buying these shoes.
Comfort and Fit
One of the first things I noticed was how comfortable the New Balance 520 V8 felt right out of the box. The cushioning is just right—not too soft, not too firm—which made long walks and casual wear easy on my feet. They fit true to size for me, but I’d recommend trying them on if you have wider feet, as they can feel a bit snug in the toe box.
Design and Style
I love the retro-inspired look of the 520 V8. It has that classic New Balance vibe with a modern twist, making it versatile for both sporty and casual outfits. The color options are varied, so you can pick something that suits your personal style, whether you prefer bold colors or something more understated.
Durability and Build Quality
After a few weeks of regular use, I can say the build quality is solid. The materials feel durable, especially the suede and mesh combination on the upper. The outsole provides good traction, which has been helpful on different surfaces. I expect these shoes will hold up well over time.
Performance and Use
While the 520 V8 isn’t a high-performance running shoe, it works great for everyday activities like walking, light jogging, or running errands. I found them supportive enough for casual workouts, but if you’re a serious runner, you might want to explore other models designed specifically for performance.
Price and Value
The price point of the New Balance 520 V8 felt reasonable to me, especially considering the comfort and style they offer. They’re often on sale, so keep an eye out for deals to get the best value. For what you get, I believe they’re worth the investment.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the New Balance 520 V8 has been a great addition to my shoe collection. If you’re looking for a stylish, comfortable, and durable sneaker for everyday use, these are worth considering. Just make sure to check the fit, and think about how you plan to use them to see if they match your needs.
I hope my guide helps you make an informed decision!
Author Profile
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Kenneth Dizon is the voice behind CrossFitsawmill.com. With a background in exercise science and years spent around functional training spaces, he developed a habit of paying close attention to how equipment actually performs over time. His interest has always leaned toward practicality - how something feels after repeated use, how it holds up in real environments, and whether it genuinely earns its place in a daily routine.
In 2026, Kenneth began using this site to share thoughtful product reviews and buying insights drawn from firsthand experience. Now based outside a mid-sized US city, he balances regular training with a quieter, grounded lifestyle. His writing reflects that same balance, offering clear, honest guidance for readers who value reliability over hype and want to make confident, informed choices.
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