Ellipse: soft, bouncy shoe
New Balance’s Ellipse running shoe is getting rave reviews for a ‘trampoline‑like’ bounce and plush cushioning — reviewers say it’s ideal for runners chasing comfort plus energy return (nj.com). The spring running‑shoe market is buzzing with similar comfort-forward innovations, making this a strong pick for easy runs and recovery days (nj.com).
New Balance launched the Ellipse on March 5, 2026 through its retail stores and newbalance.com, and the brand’s product pages list the shoe at $144.99 MSRP. (newbalance.com) The model is built around a reworked Fresh Foam X midsole with a deliberately rockered profile, matched to a multi‑layer engineered mesh upper and a gusseted tongue intended to lock the foot in place. (newbalance.com) Official specs show a men’s weight of 273 grams (9.6 oz) and an 8 mm heel‑to‑toe drop on New Balance’s site, while independent testing reports stack heights of roughly 38 mm at the heel and 30 mm at the forefoot. (newbalance.com) New Balance positions the Ellipse as a mid‑tier daily trainer that slots between its Fresh Foam X 880 and the more cushioned 1080 offerings, targeting runners seeking an everyday, comfort‑forward ride. (runningmagazine.ca) Early coverage flagged modest MSRP inconsistency—brand materials noted a $140 suggested price while several retailers and reviews listed $145 or $144.99—and the line launched in multiple colorways (headline “Deep End” among them) with some additional drops later in March. (webwire.com) Multi‑tester reviews described the Ellipse as a plush, “fun comfort” daily shoe but recorded that its cushioning can compress under harder efforts and does not aim to match the responsiveness of carbon‑plate racers. (roadtrailrun.com)
