Review: New Balance 510v4

Written by

Athena Farias

Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.

This expert review is written by

Athena Farias

Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.
Athena has been running for 31 years. She ran her first race, which was a marathon in 2002. She has run everything from a 5K to Ultras and 7 consecutive years of a 223 mile relay.

She is an Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Run Coach.

Running is her safe haven and it is also her passion, which she loves to share with her community.

Weight

We usually consider 10 ounces a "medium" weight for a running shoe: less than 10 and we are entering the lightweight category and above 10 the shoes start to be heavy.

Heel-to-toe drop

Heel drop is the measurement in mm of the difference between the height of the heel and the toe of the sole.

A lower drop (0mm - 5mm) promotes running on mid-foot and fore-foot, while higher drops (8mm - 12mm) are more traditional and meant to support a heel-striking gait.
Expert score
5/10

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Quick overview

Best for
Regular training
Terrain
Best for moderate trails
Grip
The 510v4 provides good traction on most types of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Average Traction
Provide Traction
Cushioning
The 510v4 offers little cushioning
Little cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Weight

12

 oz
340 g
Heel to toe drop
Drop

2

 mm

Pros and cons according to our running expert

Pros and cons according to our running expert

  • Color
  • Affordability
  • Good grip
  • Stiffness
  • Heavy feel

Our verdict

The New Balance 510 v4 was not the ideal trail shoe for my feet. The shoes were extremely stiff and felt heavy compared to the Speedgoat 3 and Speedcross that I have been training in. I didn’t feel as smooth on the trail and they felt very clunky.

Introduction New Balance 510v4

The New Balance 510v4 price point ranges from $39.95-49.95. The shoes are considered a low-price trail shoe.

To be completely honest these shoes were one of the heaviest trail shoes I have run in thus far.

Cushioning Type
The 510v4 is extremely responsive: provides... Read more energy return and speed over softness and
Responsive
Plush
Cushioning Amount
The 510v4 offers little cushioning
Little cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
The 510v4 is quite rigid and does not flex... Read more easily
Rigid
Flexible
Stability
The 510v4 has some inherent stability and... Read more support
Not particularly stable
Very stable

Impressions New Balance 510v4

These shoes were uncomfortable from the start. I wore them on 4 different trail runs ranging from 10-18 miles, in which I had to head back to the car and change out the shoes because my feet hurt so much.

My first run was a 10 miler and by mile 7 I decided to go from trail to asphalt to reduce the pain in my feet but that made it worse. So I jumped back on the dirt trail and hurriedly finished the run.

The shoes we stiff and tights around the toe box on the left foot. I got blisters on the top of my last 2 toes on both sides.

I waited a week to try again and it was the same feeling. I was smart this time and brought my Speedgoat 3’s with me and about 30 minutes into my run I turned around and headed back to the car to switch them out.

I gave them 2 more attempts thinking that they just really need to be broken in but I just could never get to a point of comfort in these trail shoes.

Protection New Balance 510v4

The outside of the shoes still looks pretty good considering the 4 trail runs getting a little over 50 miles in them. The toe box was on the narrow side and the heels were very rigid.

Rockplate
The 510v4 does not have a rock plate.
Not present
Solid protection
Lugs
The 510v4 provides good traction on most... Read more types of terrains and surfaces
Lack Traction
Provide Traction
Water resistance
The 510v4 performs badly in wet weather... Read more conditions, getting wet rapidly and taking
Poor
Water Resistant

Durability New Balance 510v4

There were no signs of wear and tear but I couldn’t even get to the most technical part of the trails before I had to turn back and switch out shoes.

I do not think these would hold up on steep switchbacks with rocks and roots throughout the trail.

Responsiveness & Speed New Balance 510v4

I stayed on soft dirt terrain as much as I could in these. There were some rocky parts that I had to transverse through and these shoes just didn’t glide over rocks like my other trail shoes.

Comfort and Fit New Balance 510v4

The shoes were stiff from the beginning and after putting a little over 50 miles they feel just as stiff as day one.

They felt tight on my left foot around the toe box and I could feel pressure in and around my achilles.

Sizing
The 510v4 has average sizing: buy the usual... Read more size
Buy size smaller
Buy size bigger

Conclusion New Balance 510v4

I had high hopes for a lower priced shoe, but these were not the ones for my foot and running style.

It was a little disappointing when you are 30-40 minutes into your run and the bottom of your feet begin to burn. Not so good when going the distance.

Price comparison:
New Balance 510v4

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