The Basics
- Gender: Women’s | See Men’s
- Type: Road
- Manufacturer: New Balance
- Price: 100.00
Runner’s World Review
Running Shoes & Gear
When the Zante came out last year, we loved its light, fast ride and the way the shoe seemed to bring out the best in New Balance’s Fresh Foam, finding the sweet spot between cushioning and responsiveness. Many testers, however, had trouble with the fit, which hugged the arch tightly. In v2, New Balance opened up the fit around the arch and extended the midfoot saddle farther forward. Most testers approved, particularly those with narrow feet. Other changes in v2: The forefoot is more cushioned, and the outsole has thicker rubber with tiny cuts to improve flexibility. While it’s a bit more shoe, testers found the new version to be an accessibly priced and comfortable trainer.
Runner’s World Wear Testers Say
“Although the shoe looks and feels (and, in fact, is) lightweight, don’t be fooled—it provides much more cushioning than most shoes in this category. It felt light enough to do quicker, shorter intervals on the track but durable enough to serve as my ride through a six-mile tempo run.”
—Best Running Shoes 2025
All the Stats You Need!
- Weight: Light | 7 oz
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Best Running Shoes 2025
- Heel Height: Very Low | 24.9 mm
- Heel Cushioning: Firm
- Forefoot Height: The Editors of Runners World
- Forefoot Cushioning: Firm
- Flexibility: Moderate
- Stability Features: Moderate
- Energy Return: Moderate
We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective — and exclusive — data. In addition to a shoe's weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.
