New Balance 510v3 Trail

Editor rating: 8.0 / 10

User's rating: based on 13 user ratings

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By Stacey O'Connor

All New Balance Shoes

New Balance 510v3 Trail Review Facts

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The New Balance 510v3 Trail is a great choice for the runner looking for a solid, durable shoe that can easily go from the pavement to the trail, and keep the runner safe and comfortable on both. Runners commented on the overall comfort and advanced cushioning of the shoe. This is not a shoe for the runner who is looking for a lightweight speed shoe. At 12 ounces with a 12-millimeter heel drop, this shoe is designed to carry the runner over difficult terrain with maximum comfort and protection. The higher heel drop and the thicker cushioning through the midsole unit and outsole mean that this shoe does not have the responsive feel that some runners are looking for, but instead offers the stability that runners with pronation issues need. The upper has added comfort and support features from 510v2 Trail, but it still maintains the breathability through a mesh material that runners liked. The midsole comes with a cushioned IMEVA midsole foam. The outsole features New Balance‘s signature Ndurance rubber and AT tread to provide traction and durability to the runner. The women’s model does offer one bright color option, but for the most part, runners can expect to find this shoe is darker, more serious color options. Runners described the style of the shoe as “rugged” in more than one review. The price is perfect for the runner on the budget, and with the added durability features, this shoe lasts a lot longer than others on the market today.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Versatile
Affordable
Durable
No need to buy a separate trail and road shoe

Cons

Not lightweight
Not designed for speed work
Some runners described the shoe as “bulky”

Outsole

The outsole of this shoe features two unique technologies. The first is New Balance’s signature outsole material, Ndurance. This is a highly durable rubber that is used to not only protect the runner from the elements of the trail but also to protect the entire shoe from wear and tear. The particular rubber helps keep the shoe looking and feeling newer for longer. The other unique technology is the AT Tread design. This gives the shoe its signature versatility. It provides enough traction and protections for the shoe to tackle both trail and pavement, but the lug system isn’t so aggressive that it makes road running impossible. The lugs on the outsole have a unique hexagon design that provides great traction for on and off-road running. This provides a slip-resistant traction that runners said kept them safe in slippery conditions.

Midsole

The midsole of this shoe features a traditional IMEVA midsole foam. This foam is known to provide a springy, more cushioned ride than other midsole foams. It is also lighter than some other traditional midsole foams too. Runners found this midsole to be supportive for a longer, slower race or run as opposed to a faster, shorter race like a 5k or a 10k.

Upper

The upper of the shoe is where New Balance made some of the key changes from the 510v2 Trail. The upper has been redesigned to take the original breathable mesh and increase the ventilation. Runners can see the ventilation openings around the upper of the shoe. Reviewers commented that their feet were able to remain dry and cool regardless of the weather conditions. For added support and durability, the shoe features leather overlays. These not only help lock the foot in place, creating a more stable ride which runners found helpful while on the trails, but also provides a durable additional layer to the upper of the shoe. Runners reported that this upper didn’t fray or rip like other mesh uppers, due to the leather overlays. The tongue and collar of this shoe features added padded to keep the foot safe from irritation. Finally, to increase the comfort of the shoe, New Balance included a removable, super plush and comfortable insole. This insole is designed to give the runner added comfort during their run, but it also allows for customizable comfort because it can easily be removed. Finally, New Balance added some padding to the tongue and the collar of the shoe to reduce irritation.

Breathability

One of the key changes made to the upper from the 2nd version was the addition of more visible ventilation. The newer model comes with larger and more plentiful ventilation holes along the upper, particularly in the forefoot and the heel of the shoe. This provides the runner with a breathable ride that keeps the foot cool and dry regardless of the temperature outside. The temperature control helps to eliminate the risk of blisters and hot spots.

Weight

This shoe is a solid, heavier shoe. It weighs in at 12.3 ounces for a men’s size 9 and 9.9 ounces for the female size 9. This is not the shoe for the runner looking for a speedy racing companion. Instead, this is a solid shoe that provides a lot of support and cushioning to runners who are looking to go longer and slower and need the added protection of a thicker sole while they traverse a more difficult terrain.

Comfort

The word comfortable came up over and over in reviews of this shoe. Runners liked the ample cushioning. The 3rd version made some key changes to ensure that runners were given a comfortable ride. One of these small updates is added padding to the tongue and collar of the shoe. Another update that accomplished this is more ventilation in the upper of the shoe and an ultra soft removable insert along the inside of the shoe.

Style

This shoe has a rugged look. It is offered in very few bright color options. It mostly comes in dark tones like black, gray, and charcoal. The leather overlays of the shoe give it a more aggressive look. Runners noted that this shoe did not look great as a casual wear shoe for everyday use.

Protection

This shoe has key protective features along the upper and the outsole. The upper features leather overlays that protect the shoe from wear and tear. Additionally, the leather overlays protect the foot from unwanted movement by locking the foot in place. The outsole of the shoe is made using AT Tread which makes the shoe adaptable enough for the road or the trail. The lug system along the bottom keeps the runners safe from slipping. The added cushioning in the heel protects the runner from injury by absorbing the shock of each footfall.

Durability

This shoe received high marks for durability from reviewers. Many runners commented that the Ndurance outsole holds up against aggressive miles and this shoe needs to be replaced much less frequently than other shoes runners had previously purchased. The leather overlays in the upper also add to the overall durability of the shoe. Runners also found the midsole material to hold its shape and bounce back easily from long miles.

Responsiveness

Runners commented that the thickness and cushioning of the outsole and midsole keep this shoe from having a high responsiveness. This is not a shoe for the runner looking to go fast. It is designed to for the longer distance and slower paced runner. This shoe provides cushioning over responsiveness.

Support

This shoe provides support for the runner in two key areas. The first is in the overlays that cover the upper. These overlays help to keep the foot in place by locking the foot down. The overlays keep the foot from unwanted side to side movement. Additionally, the midsole features support elements that assist the runner with underpronation issues.

Terrain

The unique thing about this shoe is that it is specifically designed to handle the trails or the road. It features an outsole with AT Tread that provides a lug system that is aggressive enough to handle the trails, but also perfect for the roads too. This is a great choice for the runner who is running on pavement as much as she is running on trails because it eliminates the need to purchase two separate shoes for these different activities.

Price

Runners loved the all-around value that this shoe provides. This is certainly a smart purchase for the runner on a tight budget. For starters purchasing this shoe saves the runner money because there is no need to buy a separate road and trail running shoe. The cost is also very low. It is almost half as much as the average trail and road running shoe on the market today. Finally, runners gave this shoe very high marks for durability. Because it needs to be replaced less frequently than other similar shoes, the overall value is extremely high.

Traction

One of the star features of this shoe is the high level of traction it provides to the runner. Due to the AT Tread found on the outsole of the shoe, the 510 V3 Trail has enough traction to be considered a great trail or road running shoe. The hexagon shape of the lugs provides the runner with enough grip for the trail and provides protection even on slippery pavement. Runners found this shoe to be a good choice for rainy runs, or runs through slick trails.

Flexibility

This shoe is not designed to be flexible. The upper and the outsole provide support to the runner and are specifically designed to protect the foot. This is a heavier shoe with a higher heel drop and is not a flexible, natural feeling shoe.

Stability

This shoe is marketed as a neutral running shoe, but runners commented that due to the full-length IMEVA midsole foam, this shoe worked as a support for runners with higher arches and runners who need assistance with overpronation. This shoe doesn’t provide enough support for the runner who suffers from severe overpronation. But for a runner who is looking for a light level of support, this shoe does the trick.

Drop

This shoe features a traditional heel drop of 12 millimeters. This means that the heel height is considerably higher than the height of the shoe at the forefoot. The added cushion in the heel acts as a shock absorbing element to keep the runner safe on the trails and the roads. It helps propel the runner forward during their runs. Additionally, the outsole and midsole are thicker, providing better durability and protection.

Key Features

- IMEVA midsole foam provides a thicker level of cushioning
- Leather overlays support the foot and lock it in place to prevent unwanted movement
- NB ultra-cushioned and soft removable insert provide customizable comfort
- AT Tread on the outsole gives this shoe its versatile fit and feel, making it a good choice for the roads or the trail
- Ndurance outsole rubber creates a very durable, protected fit.

Bottom Line

The New Balance 510v3 Trail is a versatile shoe for the runner who is looking for a running companion that can easily and safely switch between the trail and the road. The added cushioning in the midsole, especially the heel, provides superior comfort and helps to protect the foot against the harmful shock of each footfall. The AT Tread is the outsole design that is responsible for providing the versatility. It comes with a lug system that provides enough traction and protection to carry the runner across the off-road terrain, but it is also sleek and adaptive enough to make a great road running shoe too. This is not a lightweight shoe for the runner looking for a natural feeling, speedy companion. The shoe weighs over 12 ounces and has a heel drop of 12 millimeters. This is a traditional feeling shoe for the runner who wants more cushion and less flexibility. The style is rugged and the price is perfect for the runner on a budget. The dual design of the shoe eliminates the need to purchase a separate road and trail shoe because the 510v3 Trail can handle both.