New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 Review
More Cushion, Less Bulk
Likes
- Versatile cushioning
- Smooth ride
- Simple upper
Dislikes
- Heavier than previous version
- Fresh Foam X wasn't a huge upgrade
What's New
Featuring a new Fresh Foam X midsole, the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 is a refinement on a fan favourite, making subtle improvements without changing its core. The new cushioning technology provides a slightly softer feel but doesn't sacrifice the responsiveness of the previous version. New Balance's Ground Contact Fresh Foam outsole is both lightweight and durable while giving the shoe a fast and poppy feel. The knit upper design presents an adaptable fit, while the moulded heel cup creates a secure lockdown. Finished off with an Ultra Heel tab, the Beacon v3 is easier to get on and more secure while eliminating any irritation of the Achilles tendon.
The Bottom Line
Our testers loved the subtle changes New Balance made to the Beacon v3. They thought the new cushioning technology provided a smoother and softer ride underfoot. Similar to the previous versions, the Beacon v3's cushioning offered a great balance of comfort and responsiveness that worked well for a wide variety of speeds and distances. Runners who enjoyed previous versions of the Beacon or those looking for a versatile, lightweight trainer with an adaptable upper will love what New Balance offers with the Beacon v3.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Mens: Medium to Narrow | Women's: Medium to Wide | |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.8 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.1 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 29 mm (Heel), 23 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Road | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The Beacon v3 utilises New Balance's Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. Our testers thought that this new foam gave the Beacon a softer feel than previous versions without sacrificing responsiveness.
Connor: "The Beacon definitely lies more on the soft side, and the new Fresh Foam X midsole is a bit softer than before. I wouldn't classify the shoe as squishy soft, but it does offer a slight sink-in feel that feels good over longer miles."
Jasmine: "At first step-in, this shoe felt firmer than I expected underfoot. I was a little disappointed, as version 2 had a very soft step-in feel. After the first run, I was pleasantly surprised by how the cushioning settled in, creating a softer and bouncer ride than v2."
Ride/Energy Return i
Despite having a relatively thick midsole underfoot, the Beacon v3 provides a perfect blend of energy return and soft cushioning. The subtle updates improve the shoe's feel while maintaining the bouncy energy return the previous model is known for.
Jasmine: "The Fresh Foam X midsole leans slightly on the responsive side of the spectrum, allowing for an energetic run."
Connor: "The Beacon has always offered a semi-responsive ride, but it's not nearly as springy as some of New Balance's FuelCell counterparts. While v3 gets a slightly bouncier Fresh Foam X compound, most people won't notice too much of a difference from the past version. There's enough responsiveness to pick it up on tempos but nothing out of this world."
Underfoot Protection i
Our testers thought the Beacon v3 provided plenty of cushioning to keep them protected at a variety of distances, making the Beacon v3 the perfect versatile, lightweight trainer for just about any adventure.
Jasmine: "I was impressed by how substantial the underfoot cushioning felt for such a lightweight shoe. I supinate, so forefoot protection and cushioning are essential for me. With 23 mm in the forefoot, I could see myself easily running a half marathon in these."
Connor: "The Beacon's stack height isn't crazy high, but it's just enough to feel well protected over nearly any distance. You feel a distinct separation from the ground, and the large slab of ground contact EVA offers excellent protection on the hard roads."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The design of the Fresh Foam X midsole gives the Beacon v3 more flexibility than we would normally expect from a shoe with such substantial cushioning underfoot. Our testers agreed that the flexibility contributed to the shoe's smooth and comfortable ride.
Jasmine: "The new Beacon offered slightly improved flexibility."
Connor: "This shoe offers decent flex in the forefoot. Sometimes shoes with a little more stack can be as stiff as a board, but the Beacon does an excellent job of offering the right amount of flex, creating a smooth ride at toe-off."
Upper Feel i
Our testers gave mixed reviews regarding the Beacon v3's upper. Runners who prefer a flexible and adaptive upper will appreciate the Beacon's soft fit, while those looking for something more structured and secure may not find enough support for their needs.
Connor: "The Beacon's upper continues to be relatively thin and adaptable. I enjoyed the lightweight design and found that even though there isn't a large heel counter or excessive overlays, it still had enough structure to tackle longer miles without an issue."
Jasmine: "The upper felt too unstructured for me. With no overlays in the mid-to-forefoot area, I could see possible slipping on faster runs. The area above the toes was slightly too stretchy for my liking, as I prefer a lower-volume fit."
Men's New Balance Beacon Running Shoes
Women's New Balance Beacon Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
With its simple and effective design, it's no surprise that New Balance's Beacon line has developed a loyal following. As the follow-up to a popular and reliable shoe, there really wasn't much that the Beacon v3 needed to change. It continues to feel ultralight on foot and has enough cushioning and responsiveness to be used for a wide variety of runs. I've worn it for everything from daily training to long runs, tempo runs, and even faster intervals. This shoe is versatile and can handle nearly anything thrown in its way.
The upper continues to feature the ultra heel that cradles your Achilles, and I found the overall fit very natural to the point that it disappears once I start running. While the Fresh Foam X midsole is the most significant change for this update, I didn't notice too much of a difference. It's slightly softer and more responsive, but if you like the past versions, you're going to get a similar experience out of v3.
While I don't think the Beacon is best-in-class in any category, I think it does many things well, and v3 continues to be a lightweight, versatile workhorse.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
My biggest complaint about the Beacon v3 is the arch structure, which felt high when walking. Runners who midfoot or heel strike may be able to feel it. As a runner who supinates, I found that the issue resolved itself as I picked up the pace. Additionally, the upper felt too flexible for my narrow foot, without any added structure to keep things stable. For me, however, the pros outweigh the cons, and the overall experience was one that I found myself enjoying more and more as I kept piling on the miles. As to whether or not I would consider repurchasing this shoe, the answer is that I'd happily buy it again.