New Balance 1500 T2 Performance Review

Disclosure: I am not a triathlete. I have participated in one sprint tri. That is the extent of my swim, bike, run experience. The New Balance 1500 T2 is designed with the triathlete in mind, but it is still a running shoe.

The Good

Thomas: New Balance has this style of running shoe down. I guess that at least one of their designers is a fast runner that loves a low profile speed shoe. Think of the 1500 T2 as a sleeker VAZEE Pace with a touch of stability.

The 1500 T2 has a low stack height, meaning the midsole isn’t that thick which puts your foot closer to the ground and has a 4 mm drop. The midsole itself is firm like a racing flat and has a denser foam near the medial arch (inside foot) for stability. Pair that midsole with the grippy rubber on the outsole and this set up gives the 1500 T2 a fast feel through your stride.

I am into the BOA closure system. When it is worked into the shoe correctly, you can get your perfect fit with a few clicks of the dial. I spoke with the people from BOA at The Running Event in Austin; they have me convinced that we should be using BOA on every shoe. I can see the benefit for triathletes trying to gain every second they can in the transition between cycling and running.

I rarely have a problem with fit, and the 1500 v2 is no exception. The 1500 T2 fits a little on the snug size, but I think it is proper for a speedier shoe. I don’t like it when the toebox has too much room when I get moving faster. My regular 10.5 weighed in at 8.85 oz / 250 grams.

The Bad

Thomas: For some runners, the firm minimal cushioning on the 1500 T2 will be fine for daily runs and long distances. For me, they are limited to fast day workouts and max distance 13.1 races.

New Balance 1500 T2 Conclusion

Thomas: This is a fast shoe that is also fast to get on and off. This shoe is perfect for an efficient runner that wants a touch of stability. My friend Sean is a triathlete, and he swears by this shoe. He said it is the only thing he will run in. If you are worried about the BOA closure, and you shouldn’t be, you can try the New Balance 1500 v4, the same shoe with laces.