Elllipse v1 Running Shoe (Men)

The Ellipses are horrible! The wide version is way too big and too bouncy; like walking around in Noah’s Ark with huge marshmallow heels, sans the animals. But the animals probably would fit! I’ve been wearing New Balance for years, and I have to say—the pairs I bought 3 years ago were noticeably better than what they’re putting out now. Back then, the shoes felt solid, supportive, and consistent. I knew my size, I knew the fit, and every pair felt reliable right out of the box. Recently, though, it’s been a completely different experience. The sizing feels all over the place—one model fits snug, another feels loose in the heel or tight in the toe, even in the same size. The biggest issue is the cushioning. The newer models are way too soft. Instead of feeling stable and supportive, they feel overly squishy and almost unstable underfoot. It might be comfortable for standing around, but for walking or all-day wear, it just doesn’t feel as secure or durable as the older designs. It honestly feels like New Balance shifted toward making everything softer at the expense of structure and consistency. That might work for some people, but if you liked the firmer, more supportive feel they used to have, the newer shoes are a letdown. I really hope they bring back more of that older, balanced feel—because right now, it’s just not the same brand I used to rely on.