New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi - Women's Review

This 8 mm drop shoe is a worthy choice from a budget standpoint. Its durable rubber outsole offers strong traction, flexibility, and the levity many fitness enthusiasts seek for high-intensity workouts.

Performance Comparision

Landing Comfort

Minimalist-feeling shoes are not known for their landing comfort, so the Arishi v4 is already slightly deficient in this arena. The entire stack of this shoe is 26 mm at its highest, and with an 8 mm drop, the forefoot rides incredibly low. There isn't much cushion in the forefoot, further decreasing the Arishi's landing comfort. The Fresh Foam midsole isn't especially robust, though the insole offers a comfortable amount of support. Because of how scant the landing cushion of the Arishi is, I have a tough time recommending it as a true running shoe. Instead, I recommend the Arishi to runners who want a comfortable daily trainer that is equipped for some running.

Responsiveness

The Arishi v4 offers a modest amount of bounce, though it falls short when compared to top-tier performance shoes. New Balance's Fresh Foam midsoles generally deliver a solid level of responsiveness, and even in this pared-down design, the energy return holds up well. The flexible outsole and thin forefoot enhance ground feel, allowing runners to push off smoothly with each stride, adding a touch of lightness to the shoe's overall performance. The Arishi certainly isn't built to be a responsive powerhouse, but its modesty allows it to be suitable for a few spontaneous pick-ups.

Stability

The stability of the New Balance Arishi is a tale of two extremes. The shoe's highly flexible design provides minimal guidance for pronating runners who need structured support, making it a less suitable option. The midsole and forefoot offer little in the way of arch or stability features, leaving the responsibility of alignment and support largely to the runner's natural mechanics. However, what the Arishi lacks in built-in stability, it compensates for with its low-to-the-ground profile. With just 26 mm total underfoot, this design enhances proprioception, giving wearers a greater sense of connection to the ground. The low stack height minimizes the risk of instability, and its rubber outsole grips well, ensuring a secure feel even when running around corners. So, while this is not a stability shoe by any stretch of the imagination, it is a nice departure from the towering chonkers that make up a sizable portion of the market.

Upper Comfort

The upper mesh of the Arishi is incredibly breathable, making it an awesome choice for warmer weather outings. The single-layer forefoot mesh is minimal and easy to wear all day. The non-gusseted tongue is plush enough to maintain comfort without weighing the upper down. In stark contrast, the heel collar of the Arishi is rather firm and unforgiving. In a sense, this is the main structure that keeps the shoe in place during movement, but it isn't a universally comfortable design. While our testers never had issues with the heel collar rubbing or creating discomfort, quite a few online reviews cite the rubbing of the stiff heel collar as a dealbreaker when it comes to this shoe. If the Arishi feels comfortable, it is worth purchasing as a daily trainer because of how easy-breezy its upper is overall.

Weight

The Arishi falls on the lighter side of the spectrum, with a women's size 6.5 shoe weighing just 6.9 ounces. While it's not the lightest shoe in its class, it's certainly on its way there. Typically, lighter shoes come at a premium, as manufacturing ultra-light textiles and foams drives up costs. The Arishi strikes a balance between affordability and reduced weight, making it a budget-friendly option without feeling overly bulky. All of that said, the shoe's minimal weight comes at a trade-off — it offers virtually no cushioning in the forefoot. This lack of padding contributes to its lightweight design but limits its comfort and performance for longer runs or high-impact activities. In the end, the weight of the Arishi doesn't significantly influence our overall recommendation.

Traction

Finally, a metric where the Arishi v4 knocks it out of the park. Comprised of rubber with what could only be described as a blotchy traction pattern, the outsole of this shoe grips incredibly well. In fact, the traction of the Arishi and its similarly-tractioned New Balance relatives offer some of the best road running shoe grip out there. I've already discussed what I like and don't like about the stability of the Arishi, and the traction definitely plays into its overall security. The grippy rubber and outsole pattern inspire confidence on twisty routes even without side walls, sole flares, or a well-shaped upper.

Should You Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4?

Fitness enthusiasts seeking a versatile shoe for some running should buy the Arishi. Through a strictly running lens, I don't recommend it. Sure, it has a moderate midsole bounce and great traction, but other shoes are more impressive. The Arishi makes a great daily shoe for walking and gym-going, aesthetically and comfort-wise. I don't recommend it as a daily running shoe, but it is a lightweight option for traveling, walking, and working out.

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?

The Arishi is quite a budget buy, but its running prowess doesn't quite meet our demands. For just a bit more cash, runners can snag one of our favorites, the Saucony Kinvara 15. The Kinvara is an ultra-lightweight superstar when it comes to daily running. With a bit of a responsive kick and a 5.44-ounce weight (women's size 6.5), the Kinvara is a versatile and easy top contender. The Altra Vanish Tempo has a minimal feel to it, as well, but in a completely different way. The Vanish Tempo is a zero-drop runner, which won't appeal to all, with understated underfoot cushioning to spare. Though by no means a budget buy, the Vanish Tempo offers a similarly flexible underfoot feel that is perfect for cross-training efforts. Finally, if versatility is what you're after, the Asics Novablast 5 comes with our highest praise. Incredibly well-cushioned, propulsive, and well-suited for nearly all running occasions, the Novablast is a runner's one-stop-shop when it comes to finding the perfect running mate.