New Balance Fresh Foam X Tempo v2

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 is the second version of a shoe that replaced the New Balance Zante as a light, quick feeling shoe and this week it’s time for the review. The main difference between the two styles was the Tempo had increased firmness and stiffness compared with the Zante. I wouldn’t describe the Tempo as a stiff shoe, but the Zante was very flexible. The New Balance Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 is a lot more like the New Balance Zante Pursuit.

Fresh Foam X is the softest foam that New Balance use in any of their running shoes. It gives the Tempo v2 a very cushioned feel, especially when you consider that the midsole is quite thin, at 18mm in the heel and 12mm in the forefoot. The midsole is made up of lots of little bubbles, which are larger in the heel and get gradually smaller as you move to the toes. This gives a soft feel at the heel and a firmer more responsive feel in the forefoot. It was very noticeable in the original New Balance Tempo, but is less so in the Tempo v2. The forefoot still feels soft, but this doesn’t make the shoes unresponsive. The flexibility and the compression of the foam combine to give a very pleasantly surprising positive push off.

The big toe stays straighter in the Tempo v2 than the older version, which makes the toe box feel a bit more spacious. The upper is an engineered hypo knit that is very soft and comfortable. It is constructed to have a firm secure hold at the heel and midfoot but is stretchier in the forefoot. This adds to the feeling of space. The shoes themselves are not that broad and the toe box is a more traditional pointed shape. There is more space than in the older model, but these aren’t foot shaped like other brands. The upper is also used on the New Balance 1080v12. The tongue is gusseted with a stretchy knit. This keeps the tongue in place and adds to the slipper-like feel that the New Balance Tempo v2 has.

There is no plastic in the heel cup so the heel can take the shape of your heel to improve fit and reduce the chance of rubbing. The tongue and heel cup are lightly padded as you would expect in a lightweight shoe. The men’s UK8 weights only 221g and the women’s UK5 is 181g.

The midsole doesn’t flare out like it does on the original New Balance Tempo. This takes away the stable feel and has replaced it with a much more natural one, as the midsole just flexes with the foot. The lower 6mm heel to forefoot drop and flexibility through the midfoot makes it really easy to land on your midfoot, loading the foot to allow it to function.

On first sight, the New Balance Tempo v2 looks and sounds like a shoe designed for quick running. Tempos, steady runs, intervals, or repetitions. However, they offer enough cushioning to use them to warm up and warm down in and are comfortable at slower speeds. This is what I initially used the original Tempo’s for, then shorter morning runs, slightly longer runs and so it went on. I think the same will happen with the Tempo v2. I much prefer the higher flexibility of the shoes that allows my feet to function more. The feeling becomes addictive.

The outsole has good rubber coverage, which will be durable enough for regular training. The midsole foam does feel really soft, although this hasn’t changed in the 100 miles I’ve run in the Tempo v2. Usually, softer cushioned shoes do tend to wear out quicker than firmer ones. That said the original New Balance Tempo were quite soft and although I would have replaced them sooner (Covid-19 happened) I still happily run in my original NB Tempo.

The Fresh Foam X Tempo v2 is quite unique in that it feels soft but allows a high amount of foot function. The midsole morphs and moves with the foot, which feels very natural. Your foot isn’t guided by the shoe in any way so you aren’t ‘riding the shoes’. After a run I feel like my feet have been working, as they should. If you tend to run in stiffer cushioned shoes then it would be a good idea to gradually increase the time you spend running in the Tempo v2 to give your feet the chance to get used to functioning.

Other Considerations

Hoka Mach: These are designed as a racer trainer like the Tempo V2. They offer a lot less foot function. The rocker in Hoka shoes makes then more a shoe that you ride on than one that you run in. The cushioning is soft but, has more ground feel than other Hoka’s models. Here is a link to our review:
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-one-one-mach-supersonic-review/

Topo Fli-Lyte 4: Topo’s shoes have a broad rounded toe box to encourage foot function. The Fli-Lyte 4 has a firmer ride than the New Balance Tempo v2 which makes them less versatile as they don’t feel cushioned at slow speeds. The also don’t have the same flexibility. Here is our Fli-Lyte 4 review:
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-fli-lyte-4-review/

Brooks Hyperion: These are much firmer and stiffer with a rocker. Designed to push you upto a quicker speed yet be durable enough for everyday training. A contrast to the soft flexible New Balance Tempo v2 but, one designed for a similar use: https://www.northernrunner.com/search/hyperion

Altra Rivera: In terms of being a softly cushioning shoe that is flexible and so encourages foot function. The Altra Rivera would be a similar shoe to consider. These are zero drop and have a more rounded toe box. Although they aren’t a wide fitting shoe. The Tempo v2 is much more flexible and is easier to run quickly in. The Rivera is more of an everyday training shoes. Here is our Rivera review for more information:
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-rivera-review-zero-drop-road-running-shoes/