New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V4 Running Shoe Review

You want one pair of shoes that walks the dog, survives the gym, and handles a light jog. You do not want to spend $130 to get there.

The Fresh Foam Arishi V4 sits at that budget sweet spot, promising soft cushioning and all-day comfort for a price most of us can justify.

But budget shoes cut corners somewhere. The question is where.

I put this pair through daily wear, gym sessions, and a few easy runs. Here is the honest breakdown, including the flaws New Balance would rather you skip past.

In a Nutshell

• Best for: Casual walkers, gym-goers, and light joggers who want comfort over speed. This is a lifestyle shoe first, a runner second.
• The cushioning: A soft Fresh Foam midsole with a plush 33 AC durometer reading. It feels pillowy underfoot but lacks the bounce for fast miles.
• The fit: Runs true to size with a slightly narrow build. Broad feet will feel pinched, so grab a wide width if that is you.
• The weight: A featherlight 6.9 oz in a women’s 6.5. You forget you are wearing them by hour eight.
• The catch: The stiff heel collar rubs, and the low forefoot stack offers little protection on longer runs.
• The value: For roughly $65, the traction and comfort punch well above the price. Just know its limits.

First Impressions Out of the Box

The unboxing is plain, and that is fine at this price. No tissue paper, no frills, just the shoes in a standard New Balance box.

Pick them up and the first thing you notice is how light they are. They barely register in your hand.

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The gum rubber outsole catches your eye immediately. It looks more like an indoor court shoe than a runner, and it gives the pair a clean, retro-casual look. No strong chemical smell, which I appreciated.

New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V4

This is the version I tested, and it is the one most people should buy. The breathable mesh upper, soft midsole, and grippy outsole make it a genuine do-everything sneaker.

The shoe carries a 6mm to 8mm drop depending on the size, sitting in mid-drop territory. That range suits most foot strikes, whether you land on your heel or midfoot.

At its core, this is a neutral shoe with no stability features. If your foot rolls inward as you run, this pair will not correct it. Keep that in mind before buying.

How the Cushioning Actually Feels

New Balance calls the Fresh Foam midsole “ultra-cushioned.” That is half true.

The foam is genuinely soft and pillowy for walking and standing. Lab testing measured it softer than average, and your feet feel that pampering during all-day wear.

But the stack is low. The forefoot sits at roughly 20mm, well under the average running shoe. On easy jogs that thin forefoot leaves little between your foot and the pavement.

So it is plush where you stand still and thin where you push off. That trade-off defines this shoe.

The Fit and Sizing Truth

The Arishi V4 runs true to size based on hundreds of buyer votes. Order your normal size and you will likely be fine.

The build leans narrow, though. The forefoot measures slightly under average width, so runners with broad feet will feel hotspots.

If that is you, New Balance offers this shoe in wide widths, and I strongly suggest that option. The removable insole is another win here, since it fits custom orthotics with no fuss.

The toebox height is generous, so your toes get vertical room even if the sides feel snug.

Top 3 Alternatives for New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V4

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New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Roav

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Who This Shoe Is Not For

Let me be direct about who should walk away. Serious runners logging real mileage will find this pair underbuilt.

The forefoot cushion is too thin for long runs. Your feet will feel beaten up after a few miles on hard pavement.

Overpronators should also skip it. There is almost no torsional rigidity and no arch structure, so the shoe offers zero correction for rolling feet.

And if you have wide feet and cannot find the wide width, look elsewhere. The standard build will pinch.

The Heel Collar Problem

Here is the flaw nobody in the marketing photos mentions. The heel collar is stiff and unforgiving.

For casual wear this is not a dealbreaker, and many buyers never notice. But push into longer distances and that firm collar starts to rub.

The heel padding is thin, and testing showed weak lockdown back there. Your heel can slip slightly and grind against the collar.

Translation: this is a blister risk on long runs. Wear proper socks and never run in these sockless.

Traction and Grip on Real Surfaces

This is where the Arishi V4 genuinely shines. The gum rubber outsole grips beautifully.

On dry pavement it locks in. On damp sidewalks it still held confidently during my testing, with no sketchy slips around corners.

The traction pattern covers the high-impact zones well. For a budget shoe, this grip rivals pairs costing far more.

If you want a sure-footed everyday sneaker for wet-weather commutes and errands, the outsole alone makes a strong case.

Breathability for Warm Weather

Hot feet are miserable, so I paid attention here. The mesh upper breathes well.

Smoke testing showed air escaping almost instantly through the perforated tongue and upper. In real wear, my feet stayed cool and dry on warm afternoons.

The only weak spot is the reinforced front of the toebox, which vents less. It is a minor issue you likely will not feel.

For summer walks and gym sessions, this shoe keeps things airy. It is a genuine warm-weather asset.

Weight and All-Day Wearability

Featherlight is the honest word here. At around 6.9 oz for a women’s 6.5, this is one of the lightest shoes in its class.

Combine that low weight with the flexible sole and the pair almost disappears on your feet. It bends easily and needs zero break-in.

That flexibility is a double edge, though. It makes the shoe comfy and forgiving but also wobbly at faster paces.

For standing, walking, and travel, the lightness is a clear plus. You genuinely forget they are on.

Durability and Long-Term Value

Budget shoes worry me on durability, so I dug into the testing. The outsole is the strong point.

Lab wear tests suggest the outsole should survive roughly 400 miles of use, on par with pricier shoes. That is solid.

The upper is more fragile, though. The toebox material and heel padding wore through quickly under stress testing, so treat them gently.

One quirk: the foam stiffens noticeably in the cold, more than average. Winter runners will feel a firmer, harder ride.

Rewriting the Manufacturer Claims

New Balance leans on a few marketing phrases, so let me translate them honestly.

They say “ultra-cushioned.” Reality: soft for walking, thin for running. Great standing still, modest on the move.

They call it a “versatile athletic shoe you can wear anywhere.” Fair, but anywhere really means the gym, the sidewalk, and short jogs, not serious training.

They highlight “all-day comfort.” That one holds up. For lifestyle wear, this shoe delivers exactly what it promises.

My Final Verdict

The Fresh Foam Arishi V4 is a very good budget lifestyle shoe and a mediocre running shoe. Judge it for what it is.

Buy it if you want a light, comfortable, grippy sneaker for walks, errands, gym days, and the occasional easy jog. At its price, that value is hard to beat.

Skip it if you run real distance, overpronate, or have wide feet without access to the wide width. You will want more shoe.

For most casual wearers, this pair earns its spot in the closet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Arishi V4 good for running?

For short, easy jogs, yes. For serious training or long distances, no. The forefoot cushion is too thin and the shoe is best treated as a lifestyle sneaker with light running ability.

Does the Arishi V4 run true to size?

Yes. Hundreds of buyers confirm it fits true to size. The build runs slightly narrow, so choose a wide width if you have broad feet.

Is this shoe good for wide feet?

Only in the wide width version. The standard build is narrower than average and will cause hotspots for broad feet. Check for the wide option before buying.

Can I use custom orthotics with this shoe?

Yes. The insole is fully removable, so you can swap in custom orthotics easily. This helps since the built-in arch support is minimal.

Is the Arishi V4 good for flat feet or overpronation?

Not really. This is a neutral shoe with no stability features or arch structure. Overpronators should look at a dedicated stability shoe instead.

How long will these shoes last?

The outsole should handle around 400 miles. The upper is less durable, so avoid rough treatment and never run in them sockless to protect the heel padding.

Are these shoes good for standing all day?

Yes. The soft midsole and featherlight weight make them comfortable for long hours of standing, walking, and everyday wear.

Do they run hot?

No. The mesh upper breathes well and keeps feet cool, making these a solid pick for warm-weather wear and summer walks.