New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon, $120, by Cregg Weinmann, RunningProductReviews, for RunBlogRun

Cregg Weinmann has reviewed footwear and apparel for California Track & Running News since the mid 1990s, and for the RunningNetwork since 1998. If you would like to see this review on Running Product Reviews, please go to: New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon, $120. At RunBlogRun, our goal is help you find the perfect shoe for you. Our suggestions: always visit your local running stores at end of day, take a clean pair of running socks, and try on five to six different brands, and jog around in them. Real running stores allow you to check the right show for you. For more reviews, please go to www.runningproductreviews.com.

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One thousand consecutive days of testing. Eight different countries, fourteen different states. The equivalent of running from coast to coast and back to Utah (should hit the coast this spring). 40+ different shoes, dozens of other products, and reviews galore.

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New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon, $120

The Fresh Foam Beacon is a new shoe to the New Balance line, filling the slot previously occupied by the Fresh Foam Boracay.

The upper is a seamless, closed mesh, with good flexibility and is roomy enough for a variety of feet. The midsole is slightly oversized and made of a very lightweight version of Fresh Foam, which offers great cushioning with good resiliency. Unlike its other brethren of the Max Midsole fraternity, the Beacon has quite good flexibility, which makes its ride much snappier than expected and ahead of the crowd in this group. The outersole is quite minimal with a little bit of rubber in the highest wear portions of the sole at the heel and ball, the remainder toughened foam, which is sufficiently durable for all but the hardest strikers. The light weight, excellent cushioning, and reasonable price make the Beacon a versatile training shoe that works well for high mileage, recovery runs, as well as faster running or even longer races.

Testers: “My first impression was how different they felt, and I have really come to like them. They are very versatile for any distance. They are extremely light, with a very comfortable upper, and the sole has a good amount of cushion.”

New Shoe

Sizes: Men 7-13,14,15,16; Women 5-11
Weight: 8.4 oz. (men’s 11); 6.7 oz. (women’s 8)
Shape: semi-curved
Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, EVA Strobel board
Geometry: Full Contact