Shoe Review: New Balance Fresh Foam Lazr Hyposkin

New Balance recently released the Fresh Foam Lazr Hyposkin and I was fortunate enough to be one of the first three recipients of this shoe in the Philippines! Watch my unboxing below… and, yes, the music you’ll hear is coming from the box! How cool is that?

New Balance Fresh Foam Lazr Hyposkin was engineered using data from New Balance’s sports research lab to provide uncompromising performance for athletes on the move.

TECHNICAL SPECS:

+ Shoe type: Neutral cushioning
+ Heel to Toe drop: 6 mm
+ Weight: Men’s – 274 grams / 9.7 oz | Women’s – 233 grams / 8.2 oz
+ Colorways: Men’s – Military Foliage Green with Phantom & Sea Salt and Phantom with Castlerock & White | Women’s – Elderberry with Daybreak & White and Phantom with Castlerock & White
+ Price: Php4,995

FEATURES:

+ Digitally-enhanced Fresh Foam via infrared laser engraving in the midsole sidewalls, footbed, and outsole
Outsole features larger hexagons that disperse impact in high pressure zones and smaller hexagons in low pressure zones
+ HypoSkin upper that adapts to the shape of the foot for a flexible and natural movement
+ Perforated upper that acts like your second skin while providing targeted flex and support through pattern density
+ Bootie construction
+ Two-way stretch sock-like collar construction
+ Lightweight solid rubber outsole
+ No-sew material application

TBR REVIEW:

PROS
+ More cushioned and flexible ride. The new Fresh Foam midsole of New Balance definitely offers a softer and more comfortable ride than the old Fresh Foam. It was also responsive and bouncy, not too soft that you’d feel your foot sinking into the soles. The laser-engraved flex grooves moved with the foot with ease!
+ Very light. Wow, this shoe was probably the lightest New Balance shoes I’ve ever tried and we can still have the new Fresh Foam to thank for that.
+ Streamlined look. This shoe veers away from the traditional running shoe of New Balance. It’s definitely more sleek and more modern keeping up with the current trends in the market. Although I recommend that you use your running shoes only for running, gym shoes only for the gym, and lifestyle shoes only for walking or travelling, I would say this shoe can be used for all that. It’s a jack-of-all-trades performing well and looking good whether working out or walking.
+ Value for money. Considering the prices of running shoes nowadays, this shoe is a pretty affordable at P4,995.

CONS
+ Awkward fit. The Hyposkin upper didn’t really conform to my foot and I didn’t feel the usual sock-like experience I have with other brands. Could it be the sizing? Perhaps. But, I’ve been a consistent women’s size 9 with New Balance for years now. I found the creases in the upper a bit awkward for one that was supposed to hug my feet. While the bootie construction made it easy to slip the shoe on, I found the heel collar a bit bothersome too.

TBR VERDICT
If you’re a neutral runner looking for a light, fast, and sleek training shoe, this may be the shoe for you. It offers a very comfortable and responsive ride that moves with your every step. Go to a store and fit instead of buying online to ensure that sock-like fit truly works for you. It’s a good purchase considering it’s sleek look, good performance, and affordable price.

WHERE TO BUY
NB ATC, BHS, Glorietta, Trinoma, SM Aura
Planet Sports ATC, GH, Glorietta, Trinoma, Powerplant Mall
Intersport Vertis North
Secondwind Ayala Malls The 30th

SOCIAL: @newbalanceph #newbalanceph