New Balance Vs Brooks (Complete Comparison)

Having wore both New Balance and Brooks for many training runs and races, they are some of the most popular running shoe brands available but have distinct differences. 

The major differences is that New Balance has a wider toe box and is a lighter shoe, Brooks is durable and will last for more significantly more miles than New Balance. 

Sure, both companies are widely known as some of the most reliable shoe companies on the market that satisfy the needs of elite athletes and weekend joggers alike. 

New Balance Vs Brooks

Both brands offer some similar features, but they each present themselves in different ways, which could be deal breakers for some of you.

I conducted some extensive and detailed research for Brooks vs New Balance running shoes.

In case you are wondering which shoe brand you will want to settle for, here are some quality features you should refer to while selecting.

New Balance vs Brooks Running Shoes: The Biggest Differences:

When comparing pretty much any brand against each other, there are some obvious differences in midsole foam quality, upper mesh, and shoe width. With this in mind let’s take a dive into those qualities and see what we have here.

Brooks vs New Balance... let's dig in! 

New Balance is well known for featuring its Fresh Foam midsole in many of its shoes. This foam is known for its soft, bouncy, and lightweight feeling as it cradles your foot for greater comfort.

However, something to note that I uncovered is that Fresh Foam is not known for its durability, as it is often exposed on the bottom of the shoe and just turns flat faster than other brand’s signature midsoles. 

I ended up getting about 300-350 miles our of my New Balance Fresh Foam shoes. 

The Brook’s DNA Loft midsole foam is a newly updated version of Brook’s standard DNA foam. This is what they are featuring in many of its shoes nowadays. It is revamped to provide a feeling of “just right” softness as your daily trainer, but it is also well known to be a little responsive and plenty durable in the long run.

Although both New Balance and Brooks implement engineered upper mesh materials to hold your foot down, they definitely perform differently in terms of comfort, weight and lockdown.

New Balance features an engineered upper mesh that feels more like a knit upper when you feel how it performs.

I love how it is very breathable and lightweight, but the lockdown is not too great when you are trying to take tight turns or stay locked-in while picking up the pace.

Brooks engineered upper mesh is known to be very comfortable over the top of your foot and in the heel collar area. It provides ample protection, breathability, and lockdown.

However, the upper mesh is not well known for being lightweight, so that is something to consider if thats where you draw a line. It's rather sturdy and bulky. 

The heel-to-toe drop, or slope, of these shoe brands are generally a little different as well.

For some of you this may not be a big deal, but it was for me as the about the drop of your shoe then its wise to consider that New Balance usually has about a 6mm to 8mm drop and Brooks features a 10mm to 12mm drop. 

If you have been known to have calf or achilles problems, then you might consider going with the higher drop.

For many of you the width of the shoe can make a big difference as well. New Balance usually makes a nice and wide toe box to accommodate for wider feet, while Brooks tends to have a bit of a narrower toe box. I like the wide toe box as I have rather wide feet.

This is something to consider if you often have fit problems in the front of your shoes.

Durability

When deciding upon a show brand, the durability reputation definitely matters when you want something that is providing reliability and value for the dollars you are spending. Thankfully, both brands have a good reputation when it comes to durability.

However, lately New Balance has been underperforming in this section, as its Fresh Foam midsole has been known to wear down earlier that most runners would like. As I mentioned above, 350 was the max I got out of my Fresh Foam. 

It loses its bounce faster than most Brooks shoes and because the midsole is often exposed on the bottom it gets scrapped up early on in the shoes lifespan.

That being said, not all New Balance shoes have this issue so just make sure to take a look at the kind you’re getting before investing in a pair you are unsure about.

Like we covered a little earlier, Brooks is well known for its durability and very well may offer the best on the market today.

This has a lot to do with the liberal amount of outsole rubber placed on the bottom of the shoe and the long lasting DNA Loft foam protecting your feet.

Bottom line is that both brands can offer some reliable durability, but for New Balance you will want to choose more carefully to find the right model, while Brooks can pretty much guarantee a long lasting pair of shoes for any model.

Comfort

When it comes to picking out a daily trainer, for most comfort can be the most important feature. If you are going to spend a lot of time in these shoes then they should very well be comfortable on and round your feet!

There is no two ways about it. Brooks nailed it when it comes to comfort. Between a secure and comfortable upper and a soft yet responsive midsole you should pretty much be in heaven wearing a good paid of brooks trainers. It was a great snug feel while feeling supported. 

One of the most popular shoes from the Brooks lineup in the Ghost, which is known for being a great value for all of the comfort, durability and traction you’re getting for your hard earned money. 

New Balance does offer some very good comfort as well, especially if you have a wider foot and need more spance for your toes. It will give you plenty of breathing room and give your feet some rest.

Cushion

We have gone over this just a little bit earlier, but its worth diving into further because of how important cushioning is in a daily trainer.

Brooks offers a comfortable combination of plush and responsive cushioning. The DNA and DNA Loft midsoles provide with a soft landing and a smooth toe off without getting in your way.

The extra stack height offered from Brooks does give you bit of extra forgiveness if your biomechanics aren’t perfect, but it won’t get in your way.

At its best, New Balance offers a comfortable combination of bounce and softness. The Fresh Foam will give you a really solid energy return for a daily trainer and it is pretty lightweight so that will give you a nice option if you’re a runner who enjoyed something a little less cumbersome on your legs.

Over the course of a long run those extra ounces can add up, so its nice to get a cushioning system that won’t hurt you.

A New Balance daily trainer that offers some great cushioning in a lightweight package is the Fresh Faom Beacon, its even pretty durable as far as the Fresh Foam lineups go, so its worth the time to check it out.

New Balance and Brooks give you some valuable cushioning. Brooks can be considered as a more reliable cushioning system, but when New Balance gets it right then you’ll find ample comfort from a pair of those trainers.

New Balance Vs Brooks Wrap Up

Brooks and New Balance are some of the post popular brands on the market, and thats for good reason. They both bring a lot when it comes to reliability and comfort. It is really hard to go wrong when picking between these two brands, but there are some small differences to review.

Brooks will offer a super comfortable upper and a plush yet responsive midsole foam. The drop on the shoe (10mm-12mm) will accommodate those who have problems with calves and achilles tightness and if you have a standard or narrow foot then Brooks will fit great.

New Balance will provide a lightweight upper, but may sacrifice some lockdown. The midsole foam will be bouncy and comfortable for as long as it lasts and the drop (6mm-8mm) will give you a little extra stretch on your calves and achilles of you want to work on your mobility without risking too much in the way of injury.

If you have a wider foot, New Balance is definitely worth taking a look at because they accommodate for those who need some extra room.

As always, it really does depend on personal preference and your individual gait cycle. You could really find comfort with either New Balance or Brooks because there is a lot of upside for both brands when it comes to comfort and support.

If you want something with a really great combination of comfort and support, then go for Brooks. If you have a winder foot and are seeking a more lightweight and bouncy running experience, then opt for a pair of New Balance.