New Balance Venym

As a trail running lover, having the opportunity to try trail running shoes is always good news. When you are going to try a model that has been on the market for some time or that has previous versions, it is easier to learn about it, either because you have read about the shoes or because someone else has shared their experience and sensations with you. This way, you can start testing them with a preconceived idea. However, when I was approached to try the New Balance Venym, I knew I would be one of the first people to do so, and this made me very excited.

This new release of the Boston brand has come to complete its catalog of trail running shoes, positioning itself as a high performance model, ideal for my training and competitions at intermediate or faster paces.

First impressions of the New Balance Venym

When I took the New Balance Venym out of the box, the first thing that caught my attention was their design, the shape and materials of which reminded me a lot of some of the new asphalt models of New Balance, such as the New Balance Rebel v4.

When I put them on, the first sensation was of comfort, and the sole is really comfortable and soft, very soft. They offer outstanding cushioning, which is a plus from start to finish. Something that also stood out to me as soon as I picked them up was their lightness. But enough of first impressions, let's get into the details of what I thought of these New Balance Venym.

Type of runner they are aimed at

The New Balance Venym are aimed at runners looking for a versatile shoe for distances up to marathon or 50 kilometers, and in case you want them for short distances, you will need to have a good running technique. I, being a slim build runner who tends to run fast, have found the reactivity of the FuelCell foam to be a strong point, offering an agile and dynamic stride on easy terrain. While they are comfortable enough for intermediate paces, they also allow you to maintain a good pace in longer competitions, making them suitable for the most demanding workouts and races.

The combination of lightness and rebound makes it easy to maintain a steady pace, and although they are oriented to less technical terrain, they also allow some looseness on mixed dirt and asphalt roads. What I have noticed is that on more technical or hilly terrain, their flexibility can be a drawback, especially on steep descents or areas where you need more control over your stride. However, on trails and not so demanding routes, the fit and responsiveness is natural and comfortable.

What I liked the most about the New Balance Venym

Versatility

After testing the Venym on different surfaces, what surprised me the most was their versatility. They perform incredibly well on both asphalt and simple trail terrain, something that is not easy to achieve in a shoe that is not exclusively for trail running. I felt comfortable running on asphalt and dirt roads without noticing a big difference in the performance of the shoes.

Breathability

As far as breathability goes, I would give them a pretty high score. Even running on warm days, I noticed that my feet stayed cool, which is critical to prevent blisters from forming, as well as reducing discomfort on longer runs.

Midsole

The FuelCell midsole is very soft and offers plenty of cushioning. It may seem excessive at first, but nothing could be further from the truth. It provides a nice bouncy feel with each step, which has helped me maintain a steady pace without fatiguing my legs too much. For that reason, I would say they are ideal for short to medium distances; they offer comfort without sacrificing performance.

In summary, I really liked these shoes for their good performance on different surfaces, comfort and durability.

Possible areas of improvement for the New Balance Venym

There are few downsides that I found to the Venym, as it is a shoe made of very good quality and sturdy materials. However, one aspect that could be improved is the area of the reinforcements, both in the toe and on the sides of the shoe. Despite the "Toe Protection", on more technical terrain I felt that the front part could benefit from more protection against bumps with stones or roots. Also, the sides could be reinforced to better resist wear.

Possible competing shoes

Conclusions

All in all, I found the New Balance Venym to be a great option for those looking for a shoe with soft cushioning, good fit and performance. They have surprised me with their lightness and comfort; plus, why not say it, they look great. Although there are some areas where they could improve durability, overall they have offered me a very satisfactory performance. They are perfect both for running on trails and not too technical terrains as well as for everyday use. So I must say that they are definitely worth considering as a reliable option.