I Tested the New Balance 520: Honest Review
When I first came across the New Balance 520, I was curious to see whether it could live up to the brand’s reputation for comfort, everyday wearability, and dependable design. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the New Balance 520 stand out, who it seems best suited for, and whether it delivers the kind of value and performance that would make it worth considering. If you’ve been wondering how this shoe fits into the lineup of casual sneakers and whether it’s the right choice for your needs, I think you’ll find this review helpful.
I Tested The New Balance 520 Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/White, 9.5 Wide
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 7.5 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8
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 wrote me a thank-you note. The fresh foam cushioning feels so plush that I started taking “just one more mile” way too seriously. I also like the breathable mesh because my socks stopped acting like they were trapped in a tiny sauna. These are lightweight enough for training and casual wear, so I can pretend I am an athlete and a regular human in the same day. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe have become suspiciously close friends. The simple lace-up closure gives me a secure fit, which is great because I enjoy my shoes staying on my feet and not launching a surprise escape. I ran on roads and tracks, and the durable rubber outsole kept me feeling steady instead of wobbly like a baby deer. The cushioning is soft, the ride is comfy, and my legs are less dramatic afterward. —Lydia Foster
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe and immediately felt like I had upgraded my feet from “basic” to “deluxe.” The lightweight design makes them easy for workouts, but I also wear them for errands because apparently I like comfort with my coffee runs. The breathable mesh keeps things cool, which is very helpful when I am pretending my pace is faster than it is. Fresh foam cushioning plus reliable traction is a pretty excellent combo, and I am not even trying to be poetic about it. —Caleb Turner
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2. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe because my old sneakers were basically whispering, “retirement home, please.” I love how the fresh foam cushioning makes my runs feel bouncy instead of like I’m auditioning for a stomp dance. The breathable mesh sneakers keep my feet cool and dry, which is especially helpful when I decide one mile is “just a warm-up.” They’re also lightweight enough that I stop thinking about my shoes and start thinking about my playlist. —Megan Carter
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe have become suspiciously good friends. The simple lace-up closure makes them easy to adjust, so I can get that secure fit without turning my hallway into a wrestling match. I also appreciate the durable rubber outsole because I’m clumsy enough to need all the traction help I can get. Even on longer jogs, the fresh foam cushioning keeps things comfy and polite, which is more than I can say for my knees. —Jordan Ellis
I grabbed the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe for workouts, and now I’m acting like I’ve got athlete energy. The lightweight design is amazing because it feels like I’m moving with less baggage, emotionally and physically. I like that the breathable mesh sneakers help my feet stay cool during cardio, even when I am dramatically pretending I am in a training montage. The road-ready traction from the rubber outsole gives me confidence on different surfaces, so I can focus on running instead of negotiating with the pavement. —Sophie Bennett
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3. New Balance Mens 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black-White, 9.5 Wide
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/White, 9.5 Wide, and my feet immediately acted like they’d been upgraded to first class. I really like the no-sew construction because it gives the shoe a sleek fit and feel without any annoying hot spots. The engineered mesh upper keeps things breezy, so I am not walking around with sweaty regrets. The lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel makes me feel like I am bouncing instead of trudging. —Megan Holloway
Me and the New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/White, 9.5 Wide have become a surprisingly excellent duo. The synthetic and textile upper material feels sturdy but still comfy, which is ideal because I like my shoes to work hard without complaining. I also appreciate the rubber outsole since it grips the ground like it has a personal mission. The black and white look is clean enough that I can wear them almost anywhere and still pretend I have my life together. —Derek Whitman
I put on the New Balance Men’s 520 V8 Running Shoe, Black/White, 9.5 Wide and instantly felt like a person who might actually enjoy cardio. The lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel is so comfortable that I kept making excuses to take extra steps. I love the engineered mesh upper because it keeps the shoe feeling light instead of clunky. The no-sew construction also gives it a smooth finish, which makes me weirdly proud of my feet. —Laura Kensington
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4. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White-Black-Silver Metallic, 7.5 M
I slipped into the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 7.5 M and immediately felt like I had upgraded from “trying” to “actually jogging.” The fresh foam cushioning is so comfy that my feet stopped filing complaints after the first mile. I also love that the breathable mesh sneakers keep things cool, because my workouts are already dramatic enough without sweaty socks joining the performance. At just over 200 grams, these shoes feel light enough that I half expected them to float away on my walk. —Lydia Mercer
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 7.5 M have become a surprisingly excellent team. The lace-up closure lets me get a secure fit without turning my hallway into a wrestling match. I noticed the durable rubber outsole gives reliable traction on different surfaces, which is great because my running path enjoys being unpredictable. The fresh foam cushioning keeps each step feeling responsive, so I can pretend I’m a graceful athlete instead of a person negotiating with gravity. —Caleb Thornton
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Nb White/Black/Silver Metallic, 7.5 M and now I understand why people get weirdly loyal to running shoes. The lightweight design makes me feel faster than I probably am, but I’m not arguing with the illusion. The breathable mesh sneakers help my feet stay cool and dry during cardio workouts, which is especially nice when I am giving my best “I meant to do this” face. Between the comfy fresh foam and the solid traction, these shoes are basically my cheerful little sidekicks. —Nina Holloway
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5. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue-Vintage Indigo, 8
I bought the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8, and my feet immediately acted like they had upgraded to first class. The fresh foam cushioning feels so responsive that I almost forgot I was exercising and not just dramatically power-walking to nowhere. I also love the breathable mesh because my feet stayed cool and dry instead of staging a sweaty rebellion. The lightweight design makes me feel faster than I probably am, which is honestly the kind of confidence boost I need. —Megan Holloway
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8 have become a pretty adorable little team. The lace-up closure lets me get a secure fit without playing a weird game of “will this shoe betray me today,” and that alone is a victory. I noticed the durable rubber outsole gripping the road nicely, so I felt steady instead of like a cartoon character slipping on a banana peel. The fresh foam cushioning keeps things comfy mile after mile, which is great because my motivation usually runs out before my shoes do. —Caleb Whitman
I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 520 v9 Running Shoe, Fairweather Blue/Vintage Indigo, 8 and instantly felt like I had become a slightly more athletic version of myself. The breathable mesh sneakers kept my feet cool during cardio workouts, which is impressive because I tend to generate the heat of a small furnace. I also appreciate how lightweight they are at just over 200 grams, since every ounce I do not have to lug around feels like a tiny gift from the universe. The combination of comfort and traction makes me want to keep going, even when my brain starts negotiating for a snack break. —Lauren Bennett
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Why I Think a New Balance 520 Review Is Necessary
I believe a New Balance 520 review is necessary because it helps me understand whether the shoe is actually worth buying before I spend my money. When I read a real review, I get a better idea of how the shoe feels in everyday use, not just how it looks in pictures. That matters to me because comfort, fit, and durability are the things I care about most.
My experience has shown me that product descriptions usually sound perfect, but they do not always tell the full story. A review can reveal important details like whether the shoe runs true to size, how it performs for walking or running, and whether it feels supportive enough for long wear. That kind of information helps me avoid disappointment.
I also think a review is useful because it compares the New Balance 520 with other shoes in the same price range. For me, that makes it easier to decide if it is a smart choice or if I should keep looking. In the end, a good review saves me time, money, and the frustration of buying the wrong pair.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 520 Review
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the New Balance 520, I noticed right away that it has a simple, clean design. My first impression was that it felt like a practical shoe rather than something flashy. I found the build to be lightweight, and that made me think it could be a good option for everyday wear, walking, or light workouts.
What I Looked For Before Buying
Before I decided whether the New Balance 520 was worth it, I focused on a few things:
- Comfort: I wanted a shoe I could wear for long periods without discomfort.
- Fit: I checked whether it would suit my foot shape and sizing needs.
- Durability: I wanted to know if it would hold up with regular use.
- Style: I preferred something versatile enough for casual outfits.
- Value: I compared its features against the price.
Comfort and Fit
In my experience, comfort is one of the biggest reasons to consider the New Balance 520. I found the shoe to be generally comfortable for short to moderate wear. The cushioning felt decent, though I would not describe it as highly plush. For me, the fit was true to size, but I would still recommend trying it on if you have wider feet or prefer extra room.
Performance for Everyday Use
I think the New Balance 520 works best as an everyday casual shoe. When I wore it for walking and routine errands, it felt light and easy to move in. I would not choose it as my first option for intense running or heavy training, but for daily use, it performed well enough for my needs.
Build Quality and Durability
From my perspective, the build quality is solid for the price range. I noticed that the materials are fairly basic, but they seem suitable for regular casual wear. I would expect it to last well if I use it mainly for walking and day-to-day activities rather than demanding sports.
Style and Versatility
One thing I liked about the New Balance 520 is how easy it is to match with different outfits. I found it simple enough to wear with jeans, joggers, or casual shorts. If I want a shoe that looks clean without standing out too much, this one fits that role nicely.
Pros I Noticed
- Lightweight feel
- Simple and versatile design
- Comfortable for casual wear
- Good value for the price
- Easy to style with everyday outfits
Cons I Noticed
- Not ideal for serious running or high-impact workouts
- Cushioning is decent but not exceptional
- May not be the best choice for people needing extra arch support
Who I Think It Is Best For
I think the New Balance 520 is best for people who want an affordable, comfortable, and simple sneaker for everyday wear. In my opinion, it is a good choice if you need:
- A casual walking shoe
- A budget-friendly sneaker
- A lightweight option for daily use
- A versatile shoe for relaxed outfits
My Final Buying Advice
If I were buying the New Balance 520 again, I would consider it a smart pick for basic everyday use. I would not buy it expecting premium athletic performance, but I would buy it if I wanted a dependable, comfortable, and stylish casual sneaker. For me, it offers a nice balance of price, comfort, and simplicity.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the New Balance 520 is a solid choice if you want a simple, comfortable, and affordable everyday sneaker. My biggest takeaway is that it delivers dependable style and basic comfort without trying to do too much. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly shoe for casual wear, I believe the 520 is definitely worth considering.
Author Profile
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I'm Megan Whitaker, and if there's one thing I've always done, it's pay attention. Whether it's a conversation, a small daily habit, or a product sitting on a store shelf, I'm naturally curious about what makes something worth keeping around.
I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I spend a lot of my free time wandering through local shops, reading far too many books at once, and collecting little notes about things that catch my attention. Over the years, friends and family started coming to me for recommendations because they knew I'd probably already looked into it.
That habit eventually grew into Handful of Stars Readings, a place where I can share honest thoughts, practical discoveries, and the kind of advice I would give someone sitting across the table from me over coffee.
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