New Balance Women's FuelCore Transform V2 Cross Trainer

Product Information

Upon unboxing, it’s obvious that the FuelCore Sonic is a very different-looking shoe. Without traditional laces—and the laces’ necessary accoutrements—the shoe resembles something a little more velcro-y than what we’re used to. The good news? With less “stuff”, there’s less opportunity for rubbing and chafing—super important for barefoot running and for keeping the shoe at a thrifty advertised 8.5oz weight with a small dial. The bad news? They’re not exactly fashion-forward, though to be honest, I actually did get a few compliments, so what do I know? The Fit: For me, the New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 became a great addition to my shoe collection. I felt New Balance had produced a very ‘honest’ shoe—one that delivered on what it is designed to do. Since there is no tongue, tightening the laces bunches up the fabric in between the lacing eyelets were the tongue should be. This caused initial discomfort as the crinkled fabric poked and pressed into the top of my foot. This will provide added support and comfort around the ankle and allow you to ‘dial-in’ the laces to ensure a secure fit. But as you can see, it is not a gusseted tongue and therefore could potentially let in debris. After manually manipulating the upper to relieve this discomfort, I set out on my first run in the shoes and was pleased to discover how light yet responsive they were.

This is a great shoe, tailor-made for triathletes. Yes, Zoot has had a BOA-enabled option for a few years, but now that big shoe brands are on board, BOA has made some necessary upgrades to their system. I loved the low-profile dial with a rubberized coating for wet-triathlete T2 paws, and I loved the low-seam, highly breathable upper that the BOA system allowed for. It also goes without saying that the tightening system was great at getting the laces super tight, super loose (duathletes take note!) or anything in-between. These numbers were not exactly customer friendly – but I have to admit that once you know the logic, it actually makes a lot of sense. Running Shoes Buying Guides Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! New Balance has given the Nitrel v3 a Toe Protect to protect the toes against loose or sharp stones and a Pull Tab to assist with easy on/off. Would it be a ‘do what it says on the tin’ type shoe? Or would it be one of those shoes that take you by surprise and perform at levels you didn’t expect? New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 – How they performed

Running Shoes Buying Guides

It's a wrap! And it feels good on the foot. I especially enjoyed the height of the upper surrounding the ankle which offered great support on the trails and reduced the potential for rolling ankles where the terrain got loose. The midsole is equipped with an innovative foam compound providing the same responsiveness and durability of New Balance foams 30% heavier. REVlite offers a lightweight ride without minimising construction or sacrificing underfoot cushioning or stability. Added underfoot cushioning and comfort comes from the NB Response 2.0 performance insert. This material aims to provide the runner with a seamless and comfortable running experience. Improved responsiveness is encouraged by IMEVA which also offers additional underfoot cushioning. AT Tread Rubber Outsole

I have a race coming up that is 55 miles and is mainly canal pathways from Glasgow to Edinburgh—you may have heard of it; it’s called the G2E. The Fuelcore midsole employs a combination of EVA foam densities to achieve the optimal balance between responsiveness and softness. The midsole is a REVlite Midsole aimed at providing a lightweight experience without sacrificing the underfoot cushioning. The Fuelcore Coast 4 runs a half to full size big, so I definitely recommend trying these shoes on before purchasing.The laces are quite long for a trail shoe, and on one occasion the loop of the lace caught a twig, and I nearly went down—again not a big deal, but shorter laces or laces that can be hidden away would make the shoe even better. The Nitrel v4 has grown into a nice crossover shoe where it fits well wearing it for casual use. However, don’t let its subtle aesthetics fool you. The off-road tread is enough to take off the tarmac and will get the job done on the trails. Who should buy the Nitrel v4

The New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3 is designed as a ‘crossover’ trail shoe. This means it’s a shoe that can take you over both light, non-technical trails, and roads.So there you have it—the New Balance FuelCore Nitrel v3. Nothing flamboyant or fancy; just what sounds like a good old authentic and honest shoe.