Ayrton Oneill
New Balance has been producing solid basketball shoes for the last few years, with a limited but high-quality lineup. The brand's current marketing strategy focuses on releasing premium models designed for elite performance. Notable shoes include the TWO WXY V3, which was named one of the best shoes of 2023, and its successor, the TWO WXY V4, which offers excellent performance at a reasonable price. The Fresh Foam BB V2 stands out for its cushioning, while the NB Hesi Low is a great option for beginners due to its lightweight, stability, and durability. The NB 550 is another standout shoe, offering softness, durability, and a secure fit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | New Balance |
| Shoe Type | Basketball Shoes |
| Models | TWO WXY, OMN1S series, Fresh Foam BB V2, NB Hesi Low, NB 550, TWO WXY V3, TWO WXY V4, FuelCell Rebel v4, Kawhi 3, Fresh Foam BB |
| Features | Stability, traction, cushioning, comfort, durability, responsiveness, impact protection, court feel, ground feel, grip, lightweight |
| Materials | Real leather, Fresh Foam X, Fuel Cell, FuelCell, Energy Arc shank plate, translucent rubber |
| Price | $120-$160 |
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What You'll Learn
New Balance TWO WXY V3
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is a basketball shoe engineered for flash sprints, sudden stops, and pivots. It features a moulded textile no-sew overlay upper, which is paired with a FuelCell midsole amplified by ABZORB cushioning. The midfoot TPU clip provides torsional rigidity and lateral stability. The shoe is available in a variety of colours and is designed to fit a range of foot sizes, accommodating wide footers.
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is part of the brand's limited lineup of basketball shoes, which includes the NBA All-Star Kawhi Leonard signatures, the OMN1S series, and the previous iterations of the TWO WXY. The brand's current marketing strategy focuses on releasing premium quality models that are well-crafted and designed for elite performance.
The V3 has received positive reviews for its comfort, with one user describing it as having a "really good step-in comfort". However, the same reviewer noted that when actually playing basketball, the cushioning felt "a bit thin to the point where it's almost bottoming out". This may be due to the wearer's body type, as they mention that they are a 6'4" powerlifter who plays basketball on the side.
The New Balance TWO WXY V3 is available for purchase on the New Balance website, as well as through other retailers such as GOAT.
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New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2
The New Balance Fresh Foam BB V2 is a basketball shoe that offers a high level of comfort and protection. The shoe has a full-length, dual-density Fresh Foam X midsole, which provides a soft and comfortable feel. The TPU shank in the midfoot offers a slight bounce to the step. With a durometer measurement of just 13.1 HA, the midsole is on the softer side, ensuring a comfortable fit right out of the box.
The Fresh Foam BB V2 also provides excellent impact protection and shock absorption. The shoe's upper is durable and reinforced, with a double heel counter and rubberized lateral walls that wrap comfortably around the feet. This design offers great support and protects the feet from damage during jumps.
One standout feature of the Fresh Foam BB V2 is its attention to the forefoot. The shoe offers ample cushioning at the ball of the foot, which is often neglected in favour of heel cushioning. This extra forefoot cushioning protects the knees and helps regain balance, making it a great choice for extended wear.
Despite the high level of cushioning, the Fresh Foam BB V2 has a higher-than-average forefoot height of 9.3 mm, but this does not affect the overall feel of the shoe. The shoe still feels natural when walking or running, and users don't need to adjust their gait.
While the Fresh Foam BB V2 offers excellent cushioning and protection, it is important to note that it is not a lightweight shoe. During wear tests, it was noted that the shoe did not feel overly heavy, but it may not be the best choice for players who rely on quick footwork. Instead, it could be more suitable for bigger players or those who play a more stationary position.
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New Balance Hesi Low
The New Balance Hesi Low is a great shoe for beginner players who are quick on their feet. It is lighter and more pliable than the average hoop shoe, offering freedom of movement and flexibility. The shoe is also stable, grippy, and durable (as long as you don't play outside). It provides a good mix between ground feel and cushioning, with an essential amount of cushioning that enhances flexibility and freedom of movement for the foot.
The Hesi Low has a low heel-to-toe drop, which provides a more sure-footed experience and helps the player feel more in control. The shoe features a small but stiff shank on top of the FuelCell foam in the midfoot, adding rigidity to the shoe's platform along with the firm carrier foam and thick rubber outsole. These features create a sufficiently rigid platform that prevents the foot from buckling easily. However, the shoe loses some stability points in the rearfoot, as the heel counter is more forgiving than expected.
The Hesi Low has a narrow fit, so wide-footed players may need to size up or choose a different shoe. The toebox has a spacious rounded shape with plenty of room for the toes to breathe. The insole is well-cushioned, adding a touch of underfoot comfort. Overall, the New Balance Hesi Low is a great choice for entry-level players who want a lightweight and flexible shoe that provides a good ground feel and sufficient cushioning.
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New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 is a basketball-inspired sneaker made of real leather, which provides a unique next-to-skin feel and is also durable. The shoe is said to be comfortable and secure, with the leather upper and heel padding achieving a 4 out of 5 rating for durability in Dremel tests. The New Balance 550 is a good choice for those seeking a durable and comfortable shoe with a unique look.
While the New Balance 550 has received positive reviews for its comfort and durability, some users have commented that they find the shoe aesthetically unappealing. One user on Reddit described the shoe as "heavy and clunky", while another user stated that the comfort was "some of the worst I've ever had". However, other users have defended the shoe, stating that it is a "classic you can't go wrong with".
The New Balance 550 is just one of the many basketball shoes offered by the brand. New Balance's current marketing strategy focuses on releasing premium quality models designed for elite performance, rather than saturating the market with a large quantity of basketball footwear. Other popular New Balance basketball shoes include the NB Hesi Low, which is a great option for beginners, and the Fresh Foam BB V2, which offers the best cushioning among the brand's basketball shoes.
The NB Hesi Low is a lightweight, stable, and grippy shoe that is perfect for those just starting out in basketball. It offers a good mix of ground feel and cushioning, allowing users to perform basic dribbles, cuts, shots, and layups with ease. The Fresh Foam BB V2, on the other hand, provides excellent impact protection with a 34.9/25.6 mm stack height and a wonderful underfoot experience.
Overall, the New Balance 550 is a durable and comfortable basketball-inspired sneaker that offers a unique look and a secure fit. While opinions may vary on its aesthetic appeal, it is a classic shoe that has received positive reviews for its comfort and durability.
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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is a lightweight and stable shoe designed for runners. The shoe features FuelCell technology, which provides a responsive underfoot feel and adapts to both long, steady runs and shorter, more spontaneous runs. The shoe has a low-stack midsole, which boosts fit and stability while maintaining the fun ride the Rebel series is known for.
The FuelCell Rebel v4 has a redesigned toebox that is significantly roomier than previous versions, addressing criticisms of the shoe being too snug. The big toe area, in particular, has been transformed with a wider midfoot and softer midsole, allowing for more conformity. The midsole is composed of 20% PEBA and 80% EVA, an improvement from its predecessor, although it still doesn't match the pure-PEBA FuelCell found in the Elite v4. The midsole remains pillowy-soft, with a durometer measurement of 8.5 HA, but feels slightly firmer underfoot due to the inclusion of PEBA.
The insole of the FuelCell Rebel v4 is thin at just 2.5 mm, maximising the foam over the insole to enhance energy return. The shoe also introduces a rocker, with a curved shape in both the heel and forefoot, promoting forward motion and smoother transitions. However, this design shift may not appeal to those who enjoyed the racing-flat vibe of the previous models.
The FuelCell Rebel v4 has received positive reviews for its stability, softness, and responsiveness. Some users have noted that the shoe is ideal for speed sessions and daily training, although it may not be suitable for longer runs due to the foam feeling compressed after about 10 miles. The shoe is priced at $140, making it an affordable option for runners.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular New Balance basketball shoes include the TWO WXY series, the OMN1S series, the Hesi Low, the Fresh Foam BB series, and the Kawhi series.
New Balance basketball shoes are known for their high-quality construction and elite performance features. They often include technical features such as blended gel inserts, heel counters, and a wide range of sizes. New Balance shoes tend to be more expensive than their competitors, but the company claims that their shoes are worth the price due to their focus on premium quality and performance.
The NB Hesi Low is an excellent option for beginner basketball players. It is light, stable, grippy, and durable, offering a good mix of ground feel and cushioning. It provides a responsive midsole that allows for basic dribbles, cuts, shots, and layups, making it a stable choice for those new to the game.
