The Lerato is more relaxed so better for recovery runs or when trying to go slow, and importantly, more comfortable and warmer. I think a lot of my enjoyment of the Lerato was because it was winter and I cared more about just getting out the door and having an enjoyable run than about speed, so I didn’t mind the weight.

The New Balance Lerato came in a bit under the covers for most of us. It was treated very cautiously because it was definitely a behind-the-scenes-style project where New Balance wanted to really launch something new. And once we receive the shoe there is no question that this is clearly hitting a new area that a number of brands will be trying to touch on. Who will be the first to make a carbon plated, high cushioned, stable road shoe, that normal people can use instead of elite athletes or performance enthusiasts. I think the plastic frame around the heel is a little much for me, but I completely agree with Nils, and could see runners that want more stability and structure not complaining a bit about it. If you on the other hand are a fairly new runner or exerice runner, Lerato is a completely amazing choice for all of your weekly runs. Ivan: The TC is lighter and feels even more cushioned. It’s without doubt more versatile and I use it for all kinds of runs. No matter the pace I prefer for the TC. With that being said, I’m not a big fan of the fit in the TC, which feels somewhat sloppy to me. The Lerato conforms better to my footshape. I am going to use it myself for my long runs regardless if I am cruising or will do pacy stretches during the workout. As it is quite a heavy shoe, it won´t work as a shoe for intervals or racing for me but instead it will certainly be my preferred shoe for long runs thanks to its ultimate comfort, responsiveness and stability.Nils: I highly appreciate what New Balance did with the Lerato. The shoe is a unique blend of soft and energetic cushioning with an outstanding level of stability. What I actually don’t need in a running shoe is the weird focus on the Lerato being a premium shoe. Taking away the fancy stuff and replacing the materials with a more athletic upper would save some weight and making it a far more versatile running shoe. I for myself will keep the Lerato in my rotation for days when I want to just comfortably cruise along. At the steep price I can just recommend the Lerato for people who have at least some stability needs and additionally run a lot of miles. Anyone else will get a comfortable easy day shoe for far less money. One more sidenote: The Lerato is the most comfortable walking shoe I ever put my feet in. Nils: Usually I can’t run in shoes as soft as the Lerato. They are just not stable enough especially at more relaxed paces when my form isn’t as powered up like at competition pace. Time has moved on and with the evolution of materials it was time to “update” the concept of the ultimate deluxe gray trainer. The shoe comes in 2 colors for men and women and it definitely evokes some varying levels of response. Some folks thought it felt very old and overdone, while others saw it as more upscale, but not many felt it was sporty. More like something to wear with jeans than something to run in.

Sam: I concur with Derek’s take for easy runs, Lerato. After all that is the focus of its design. As a more general daily trainer the Invincible is a blast of bouncy fun. New Balance Lerato is a competition shoe with an integrated carbon plate in the midsole which makes it an obvious choice when you are working on your pace on longer distances where you need a soft and comfortable shoe which also works well for racing. New Balance Lerato Specifications Heavy at 11.78 oz /334g men’s US9, 9.98 oz /283 g women’s US8 Sam/Jacob/Derek/Ivan/Nils/Jeff/Sally/AdamThe resulting feel is one of bottomless soft bouncy cushion that is never mushy or sloppy in feel thanks to the combination of the carbon plate, rear clips, and outsole.The cushion feel is soft but never bottoms out. Sam: New Balance set out to create an underfoot platform that combines their softest, highest energy returning low compression set, autoclaved (yup all of that) FuelCell foam with a carbon plate. Yet while incorporating race shoe oriented components, the combination here has a very different purpose and as always we must consider the outsole and its effect on cushion and ride. The premature wear of collar fabrics seen by several of us was a note of caution (I had slight wear where the ridged tongue rubs lining of top eyelet) when we first posted the review several months ago but New Balance listened and immediately went to work on a fix for production and sent us 2 pairs to retest. The fix appears successful!

Adam: Jacob and Derek describe the construction and behavior of the Lerato midsole very well. It’s unlike any other carbon plated shoe I’ve tested. The supercrital EVA/TPU blend from the RC elite V1, V2, and Rebel V2 shows up here again and is remarkably bouncy and plush. Jeff: With so many voices on this review, I won’t beat a dead horse too hard. Reflectivity is off the charts, tongue is definitely high (not quite ASICS Evoride 1 levels of high, but close), and the toebox is...adequate. Jacob: The Lerato is brand new release in New Balance’s FuelCell line which uses the same soft, light, midsole formula as in the RC Elite and Rebel v2, and it includes a carbon plate! Exciting stuff. The Lerato is dramatically different from the plated FuelCell TC and RC Elite as well as every other shoe in the FuelCell line. The midsole uses New Balance’s highest rebounding foam and you get 37mm of cushion in the shoe along with an aggressive 10mm drop. You also get a carbon plate in the forefoot to help with toe-off and responsiveness making the midsole highly performant, but also nice and stiff. The outsole features a mix of blown-in solid rubber but there is a ton of it down there and that has to be where a significant portion of this weight is coming from. The Lerato midsole is engineered in FuelCell-foam which you may also find in other New Balance competition shoes. At the same time it is produced with a carbon plate which along with the FuelCell ensures a responsive running experience helping you to get the full benefits of your speedy workout. Outsole

New Balance Running Shoes: The History

Jeff: I agree with Ivan, the Ride doesn’t have the same level of comfort and squish, but it is far more versatile in my running shoe repertoire. For pure comfort, Lerato, for anything else, Ride.