Cut in Half: Inside the Materials and Cushioning of New Balance's Slimmest Sneaker
By James H. Sterling
Taking an industrial bandsaw to the upper reveals a cross-section that looks alien compared to traditional New Balance runners. Our digital calipers measured a heel stack height of just 14.5 mm, coupled with a forefoot stack height measuring 9.2 mm. That produces a heel to toe drop of 5.3 mm. To put those dimensions in context, traditional heritage runners from the 990 series hover around a 34 mm heel stack with drops exceeding 10 mm.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
A midsole cushioning test using a Shore A durometer explains why the shoe feels remarkably firm straight out of the box. The compressed EVA carrier clocked a foam durometer softness rating of 31.5 HA. In the lab, lower numbers indicate squishy, cloud-like foam; higher numbers mean dense, responsive material. Most modern casual sneakers land between 20 HA and 24 HA. At 31.5 HA, the 240L provides stable footing without compression roll, but it lacks the rebound energy return found in modern lifestyle trainers.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
