I run 500 km a month, my marathon best is under 2:30, and I made these picks. This is my conclusion as of Oct 29, 2026. The New Balance I look at first is the 1080v15 (JPY 22,000, 259.6 g) for daily training. It is the only 2026 release you can order in men's D, 2E or 4E.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
If you are unsure with New Balance, pick the 1080v15. It gives you lightness, the new foam and a choice of widths in one shoe. It is 38.4 g lighter than the last generation (298 g to 259.6 g), and men's comes in three widths: D, 2E and 4E. The price is JPY 22,000, JPY 2,200 more than the v14. The other five have clear jobs, so none of them is a daily workhorse.
Key points
- No. 1: 1080v15, JPY 22,000, 259.6 g. 38.4 g lighter than the last generation, in 3 widths: D, 2E and 4E
- The SuperComp Elite v6 weighs 198 g with an 8 mm drop. JPY 31,900 is the highest of the 6 shoes
- Once a plate is added, the price per gram rises. No plate runs JPY 66 to 85, a nylon plate about JPY 108, and a carbon plate about JPY 161
New Balance running shoe names got shorter this year. "Fresh Foam X 1080 v14" became "1080v15", and "FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5" became "SuperComp Elite v6".
This article lines up official Japan prices, weights and widths and decides which to pick for each use. I narrowed it to six you can buy in Japan.
What should I use to choose among New Balance running shoes?
I used four measures: (1) official price, (2) weight (men's), (3) drop (the difference between heel and forefoot thickness) and (4) width. On top of that I asked whether the shoe works for daily training, and ranked by that. It is not a sales ranking.
At 500 km a month, training eats shoes. So I decide the training shoe before the race shoe. That is why No. 1 is a trainer.
Why this order: the numbers for the six New Balance shoes
Scroll the table sideways →
| Rank and shoe | Official price | Weight (men's) | Width (men's) | Reason (one sentence) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 1080v15 | JPY 22,000 | 259.6g | D, 2E, 4E | Light, with the new foam and a choice of three widths |
| No. 2 FuelCell Rebel v5 | JPY 16,940 | 226g | D, 2E | The second-cheapest of the six, and a light trainer |
| No. 3 Ellipse | JPY 17,930 | 273g | 2E | Built to be easy to wear, suited to new runners and everyday wear |
| No. 4 SuperComp Rebel | JPY 23,980 | 222g | D | A trainer with a nylon plate that feels closer to a race shoe |
| No. 5 SuperComp Elite v6 | JPY 31,900 | 198g | D | The lightest of the six and a race-day shoe, so not a training workhorse |
| No. 6 FuelCell Flite-R | JPY 13,970 | — | D | The lowest price of the six, but sold only at Xebio Group stores |
Best by criterion
- Lightest: SuperComp Elite v6 (198 g). It is 61.6 g lighter than the 1080v15: 259.6 − 198.
- Cheapest: Flite-R (JPY 13,970). Next is the Rebel v5 (JPY 16,940).
- Choice of widths: 1080v15 (D, 2E, 4E). The Rebel v5 comes in D and 2E. The other four come in one width only.
- Price per gram: The Ellipse is lowest at about JPY 66 (17,930 ÷ 273); the Elite v6 is highest at about JPY 161 (31,900 ÷ 198).
What the Numbers Say About Running Style and Pace
From here on it is a read from the official numbers and the build. The 1080v15 has a 6 mm drop, a build I read as carrying you from jogs to long distances. The 8 mm drop of the Ellipse and Elite v6 suits a landing nearer the heel.
New Balance gives no pace ranges. All it writes is the range of people each shoe is for: the Ellipse is for "people just starting out through experienced runners easing off after a race," and the Flite-R is for "school team members through runners who train hard."
In my read, the two plated SuperComp shoes are for days when you raise the pace and for race day. For everyday running, the 1080v15 or Rebel v5, which have no plate, fit better.
No. 1 1080v15: lighter, in three widths
Why this rank: It dropped from the previous v14's 298 g to 259.6 g, 38.4 g lighter (298 − 259.6). The midsole is the new Infinion, and men's comes in D, 2E and 4E. It is the only 2026 new release offered in three widths.
Watch out: The price rose from JPY 19,800 to JPY 22,000, up JPY 2,200. The v14 is still on the official online store.
If unsure, take the 1080v15. The reason: it is 38.4 g lighter and comes in a choice of three widths.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
New Balance 1080v15
Try shoes on in the evening, when your feet have swollen a little, and wear your usual socks. Sizing differs from brand to brand, so read the return and exchange terms on the shop's page before you buy.
Lowest new priceJPY 14,840ヒマラヤ楽天市場店
From Rakuten Ichiba search results, tax included. As of Oct 29. Check the shop's page for shipping, stock, color and size.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
The foam difference is covered in the 1080v15 review.
No. 2 FuelCell Rebel v5: a cheap, light trainer
Why this rank: JPY 16,940 and 226 g. It is 33.6 g lighter than the 1080v15 (259.6 − 226) and JPY 5,060 cheaper (22,000 − 16,940). Men's comes in D and 2E.
Watch out: The foam is FuelCell, with no new Infinion. The drop is 6 mm.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Try shoes on in the evening, when your feet have swollen a little, and wear your usual socks. Sizing differs from brand to brand, so read the return and exchange terms on the shop's page before you buy.
Lowest new priceJPY 10,164ヒマラヤ楽天市場店
Lowest used priceJPY 6,897ブランド古着 ライフ楽天市場店
From Rakuten Ichiba search results, tax included. As of Oct 29. Check the shop's page for shipping, stock, color and size.
Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
More in the Rebel v5 review.
No. 3 Ellipse: an easy first shoe for new runners
Why this rank: JPY 17,930, and at about JPY 66 per gram it is the lowest of the six. A rocker shape (a sole curved up at toe and heel), stretch laces and a cushioned tongue make it easy to wear.
Watch out: At 273 g it is the heaviest of the five with a listed weight, and it comes in only one width, men's 2E. The foam is still Fresh Foam X.
The Ellipse review covers the weight gap to the 1080v15.
No. 4 SuperComp Rebel: a trainer with a nylon plate
Why this rank: JPY 23,980 and 222 g. It has a nylon plate and Infinion, built on the same idea as the Elite race shoe but made for daily use. The weight gap to the Rebel v5 is only 4 g (226 − 222).
Watch out: It costs JPY 7,040 more than the Rebel v5 (23,980 − 16,940), and the only men's width is D.
The SuperComp Rebel review explains how the plate works.
No. 5 SuperComp Elite v6: the race-day shoe
Why this rank: 198 g with a carbon plate along the full length. It is 17 g lighter than the v5's 215 g (215 − 198). The 8 mm drop is a strength other makers' race shoes lack.
Watch out: JPY 31,900 is the highest of the 6 shoes, about JPY 161 per gram. Men's comes in 1 width only: D.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
New Balance SuperComp Elite v6
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 31,900 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 284,800 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaOfficial store (US)Buying from outside Japan? Sign up free for Rakuten Global Express (Rakuten's official forwarding service) and check out with its Japan warehouse address → full guide
The SuperComp Elite v6 review compares it with the ten thick carbon shoes.
No. 6 FuelCell Flite-R: a team-sport shoe sold at Xebio
Why this rank: JPY 13,970 is the lowest price of the 6 shoes, with a FuelCell midsole and a nylon shank. It went on sale on Jun 5, 2026.
Watch out: It is sold only at Xebio Group stores nationwide and their online store, and the New Balance official online store has no product page for it. Men's comes in D only.
Which New Balance suits you? When unsure, choose by purpose
- Daily training in 1 pair, and width matters: 1080v15 (JPY 22,000)
- A cheap, light trainer: FuelCell Rebel v5 (JPY 16,940)
- A first shoe that doubles as everyday wear: Ellipse (JPY 17,930)
- Plate rebound for training, plus a race-day shoe: SuperComp Rebel (JPY 23,980), Elite v6 (JPY 31,900)
For picking wide shoes across makers, see the wide running shoe article; for comparing thick cushioning, see the thick-soled running shoe article.
New Balance running shoe prices and where to buy
| Model | Official price | Per gram | Rakuten price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080v15 | JPY 22,000 | About JPY 85 | JPY 14,840–22,000 |
| FuelCell Rebel v5 | JPY 16,940 | About JPY 75 | JPY 10,164–16,940 |
| Ellipse | JPY 17,930 | About JPY 66 | — |
| SuperComp Rebel | JPY 23,980 | About JPY 108 | — |
| SuperComp Elite v6 | JPY 31,900 | About JPY 161 | JPY 31,900–284,800 |
With a plate, the price per gram steps up. The three plateless shoes run JPY 66 to 85, a nylon plate about JPY 108, and a carbon plate about JPY 161. The Elite v6 costs about 2.4 times the Ellipse (161 ÷ 66).
Width options differ by color, so before buying, check on the product page that your width is offered.
About the writer and sources
I run about 500km a month, have a sub-2:30 marathon, and also race trail runs and triathlons. I am a shoe nerd.
I re-read the numbers in New Balance Japan's announcements and on the official online store pages on Oct 13, 2026. Updated Oct 29, 2026.
FAQ
Which New Balance running shoes come in wide?
Only the 1080v15 comes in three widths. Men's is D, 2E and 4E, and the 4E covers 25.0 to 29.0 cm. The Rebel v5 comes in D and 2E, and the Ellipse only in 2E. The two SuperComp shoes and the Flite-R come only in men's D.
How does the New Balance 1080v15 differ from the v14?
Weight fell from 298 g to 259.6 g, 38.4 g lighter, and the midsole changed from Fresh Foam X to Infinion. The price rose JPY 2,200, from JPY 19,800 to JPY 22,000. Both come in men's D, 2E and 4E.
What is the sizing of New Balance running shoes?
Width options differ by color, so I do not go by one number. With my usual 25.0 cm, I would confirm my width on the size chart of the product page and pick a store where I can try both 25.0 cm and 25.5 cm.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- New Balance announcement (Jan 8, 2026: 1080v15)
- New Balance announcement (Mar 5, 2026: Ellipse)
- New Balance announcement (Jun 5, 2026: FuelCell Flite-R)
- New Balance announcement (Aug 4, 2026: SuperComp Elite v6/SuperComp Rebel)
- New Balance Japan official online store: 1080v15
- New Balance Japan official online store: SuperComp Elite v6
- New Balance Japan official online store: SuperComp Rebel
- New Balance Japan official online store: FuelCell Rebel v5
- New Balance Japan official online store: Ellipse
Read next
- To compare within the same brand, read this too.Comparing 5 New Balance 2026 New Shoes by Official Numbers
- For another pick from the same line, read this.New Balance 1080v15 Review
- To widen the choice within the brand, read this.FuelCell Rebel v5 Review
