New Balance FuelCell Prism v2 Shoe Review
Minor Updates Make a Big Impact
Likes
- Smooth, responsive ride
- Gusseted tongue
- Lightweight stability
- Great value
Dislikes
- Slightly firmer than v1
- Not stable for moderate to severe overpronators
What's New
The New Balance Prism v2 did not get a major overhaul this time around, but the slight tweaks have proven highly effective. The updated engineered mesh upper is more breathable and promises to feel light on foot. Adjustments to the midsole and outsole configurations raise the Prism's level of grip and deliver a smooth, responsive ride that won't beat up your legs throughout your daily runs.
The Bottom Line
Version one of the Prism was already an exciting stability trainer, and like its FuelCell siblings, the new Prism's minimal updates elevate these shoes to a whole new level. The midsole offers a lovely balance of responsiveness and smooth cushioning, and our testing team praised the Prism v2 for its seamless ride. That said, if anything is lacking in this stability shoe, it might be the stability. The medial posting does help prevent the foot from rolling inward, but the level of stability is definitely more minimal, so if that is a necessity, you will probably want a shoe with a more balanced design. That said, the Prism v2 is a highly versatile daily trainer that will provide a little extra stability to any runner. The redesigned upper is also a welcome update, as the thin, lightweight fabric is very comfortable. The toe-box feels spacious while the heel stays secure, and our testers gave this upper a big stamp of approval. Overall, this highly functional daily trainer is well worth the ride, especially given its accessible price point.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.5 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 30 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Minimum Stability |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Kaitlin: "This shoe is borderline firm but still maintains some softness. The Prism's ride is smooth and energetic, but version 2 is missing the touch of 'squish' the previous model had."
Matt: "The New Balance Prism v2 offers a snappy FuelCell foam that I thought felt firmer than the previous version. I enjoyed this shoe during my daily training runs, and the firmer foam came alive after a few miles to provide a quick rebound. The extra stability on the medial side feels natural and flows with the foam, making the ride consistent and smooth."
Ride/Energy Returni
Kaitlin: "This shoe feels responsive and energetic at faster paces. Version 2 has a similar level of bounce to the original, which I appreciated on days when I was dragging a bit."
Matt: "The Prism v2 isn't the bounciest or most responsive shoe, but the firmer foam rebounds quickly, enabling me to seamlessly transition into the next stride. The lightweight design allows for quick turnovers and makes the Prism v2 more efficient than a traditional stability shoe."
Underfoot Protectioni
Kaitlin: "This iteration of the Prism has a bit of ground feel, and although similar, the level of bounce is not quite the same as the previous version. This one lands firm and picks up the pace very easily. Due to its firmness, I do not think the Prism v2 is the most protective, but it is still a solid uptempo daily trainer."
Matt: "Even though the Prism v2 isn't loaded with foam, it still provides a consistent ride that I could rely on day in and day out. This shoe always left me feeling ready to go for the next day."
Flexibilityi
Kaitlin: "The heel-to-toe transition of this shoe feels seamless, but there is some rigidity due to the medial post. It feels a little more stable than the previous version, but I can still only detect a slight amount of stability. The Prism is a good stability shoe for those who don't like feeling obtrusive stability features underfoot."
Matt: "The FuelCell midsole offers a decent amount of flexibility. The ride felt natural and moved nicely with my foot."
Upper Supporti
Kaitlin: "The upper of the Prism has been greatly improved, offering a much better contour around the midfoot. The plusher heel collar also provided an additional level of comfort. Overall, I thought the Prism v2's upper felt more premium than the original's."
Matt: "The upper on the new Prism is a quality upgrade. It's highly breathable, super comfortable, and securely locks down my foot. I did find that it had a voluminous forefoot, but this didn't cause any fit issues."
Individual Thoughts
The Prism v2 fits true to size, and it feels better than the original overall. The update to the upper made this shoe a little more lux and comfortable, but I was disappointed in the change to the underfoot feel. I wouldn't have described the previous version as overly squishy, but it was softer, and there was more give when I landed. This update is semi-firm, which doesn't make for my favorite kind of underfoot feel. That said, it was light, propulsive, and comfortable. It's hard to knock this great update, but I just liked the previous version more.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The New Balance Prism v2 is a simple daily trainer that gives slight overpronators a fun and peppy daily training option. Lightweight stability can be a tricky category, but New Balance hit a bullseye with this model. The Prism isn't loaded with fancy new technologies, but it does have a smooth and responsive FuelCell midsole that is consistent every time it's on foot. The stability features aren't overbearing either, and it feels very natural underfoot. I had no problem using the Prism v2 for all my runs throughout the week, regardless of whether it was a long run or a speedier training session. Overall, the simple design allows this shoe to thrive, and the Prism v2 has great value for its versatile functionality. This shoe will remain a go-to option in my weekly rotation.