Quick Answer: New Balance Rave Run v2 Review: The New Balance Rave Run v2 is a light, everyday kids’ running shoe for school, play and gym class, and it is the easiest pick for a child with wide feet. New Balance makes it in standard, wide and extra-wide in its little kid and big kid sizes, with a light injection-molded foam midsole, a breathable mesh upper and a full rubber outsole. Younger kids can get a bungee-lace version with a strap so they can put it on themselves. The trade-off is simple foam cushioning that suits play more than regular distance running. Check latest price.
The New Balance Rave Run v2 is the shoe a lot of parents end up buying for the child who wears one pair of sneakers for everything. It looks like a running shoe and it is built like one, but its real job is the school day: the walk to the bus, recess, gym class and a run around the park on the way home.
In New Balance’s kids’ range it sits between the casual lifestyle sneakers and the junior versions of the brand’s serious adult trainers. It covers three size groups, from toddlers through big kids, and the closure changes as your child grows. You can browse more of the brand’s lineup in our New Balance shoes guide.
What makes it stand out is width. Most kids’ sneakers come in one width, so parents with a broad-footed child often buy a size too long just to get enough room across the foot. New Balance sells the Rave Run v2 in standard, wide and extra-wide on its little kid and big kid pages, which solves that problem the right way.
New Balance Rave Run v2 — lace-up version — Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the New Balance Rave Run v2:
| Type | Kids’ everyday running shoe for school, play and gym class |
| Best for | Children with average to wide feet who wear one pair of sneakers for everything |
| Midsole | IMEVA, a light injection-molded EVA foam |
| Upper | Mesh and synthetic, with a no-sew toe tip and a no-sew saddle across the midfoot |
| Outsole | Durable rubber |
| Closures | Bungee lace with a hook-and-loop top strap, or traditional laces, depending on size and style |
| Widths | Standard (M), wide (W) and extra-wide (XW) in little kid and big kid sizes |
| Sizes | Toddlers and babies 0 to 10, little kids 10.5 to 3, big kids 3.5 to 7 |
| Weight | 164 g (5.8 oz) little kid lace; 216 g (7.6 oz) big kid lace (New Balance figures) |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- Standard, wide and extra-wide fittings mean a broad foot gets real room instead of a longer shoe.
- The bungee-lace and strap version lets younger children put their own shoes on in seconds.
- No-sew construction at the toe and midfoot leaves fewer stitched seams inside the shoe to rub.
- It is light, so it does not slow a child down or feel clunky at the end of the day.
- A full rubber outsole and a reinforced toe tip protect the two spots kids wear out first.
Cons
- The foam is a simple everyday EVA rather than a modern running foam, so a child who runs a mile or more regularly will want a more cushioned trainer.
- The bungee closure is easy but less adjustable than real laces when a child starts playing sports.
- Width and size availability shifts by colorway, so the exact fit you want may be sold out in some styles.
- New Balance publishes very little technical detail for kids’ shoes, so comparing it on paper is hard.
Three size groups and two closures: which Rave Run v2 to buy
The Rave Run v2 is really a small family of shoes that share the same design and foam. New Balance splits it into toddlers and babies (sizes 0 to 10), little kids (10.5 to 3) and big kids (3.5 to 7). The main thing that changes between them is how the shoe fastens.
For toddlers, New Balance sells the Rave Run v2 as a bungee-lace shoe with a strap across the top, and the same closure turns up in larger kids’ sizes too. A bungee lace is a stretchy cord in place of a normal lace, so the shoe opens up as the foot goes in and then holds an even, gentle squeeze. The hook-and-loop strap then closes over the top. It is the same idea as a Velcro shoe, but with the steadier hold of a lace.
New Balance Rave Run v2 — hook-and-loop version — Image: Amazon
In little kid and big kid sizes, New Balance also makes the Rave Run v2 with traditional laces. That version is better for an older child who plays sports, because laces let you snug up the midfoot and loosen the toes, and they hold their tension better during hard stops and starts.
Bungee lace with top strap | Traditional laces | |
Best age | Toddlers and younger kids | Older kids who can tie laces |
Getting it on | A child can do it alone | Needs tying and retying |
Fit control | Even hold, less adjustable | Adjustable from toe to ankle |
Best use | School, play and everyday wear | Gym class, sports day and running club |
Pick the strap version if independence and getting out the door on time matter most. Switch to laces once your child is playing sports or running regularly, because a fit you can fine-tune makes a real difference when the shoe is being pushed.
Who should buy the New Balance Rave Run v2
Buy it first and foremost if your child has wide feet. If shoes always look squeezed at the sides, or your child keeps asking to take them off, the wide and extra-wide fittings give their foot room to spread without adding length. That matters, because a shoe that is too long can catch on steps and trip a child up.
It is also a smart choice for the one-pair household. A child who wears the same sneakers to school, the playground and gym class needs something light, breathable and tough underneath, and that is exactly how this shoe is built.
Younger children learning to dress themselves are another good fit. The bungee-and-strap version takes the morning shoe battle off the table, and there are no loose laces to come undone on the playground.
Finally, it suits families who want a dependable, plain sneaker rather than a flashy one. It is not trying to be a performance shoe, and for most kids that is the point.
Who should probably skip it
Skip it if your child runs seriously. A young runner on a cross-country team or at a weekly running club covers real distance, and the Rave Run v2’s simple foam is built for play rather than for mile after mile. A youth version of a cushioned adult trainer will feel kinder on longer runs.
Skip it too if your child spends a lot of time on trails, muddy fields or wet grass. This is a road and playground shoe with a tread made for pavement and gym floors, and it has no weather protection. And if your child has persistent foot or leg pain, talk to a pediatrician or podiatrist before you shop, because a new shoe is not a fix for an underlying problem.
These are better picks for those kids:
- Hoka Clifton 10 Youth: a youth version of Hoka’s soft, cushioned daily trainer for children who run longer distances (check price)
- Adidas Terrex Agravic BOA Junior: a kids’ trail shoe with an off-road tread and a dial closure for children who play off pavement (check price)
Still not sure what suits your child’s feet? Our Free Shoe Finder can help you narrow it down.
The Rave Run v2 fits as expected, with real width options
Start with your child’s current size. New Balance rates the Rave Run v2 as fitting as expected for most people, and its fit profile describes an average foot width, average arch height, average heel width and a high foot height. That last point means there is a bit more room over the top of the foot, which helps children with a high instep and makes the shoe easier to slide on.
Width is where this shoe earns its reputation. In little kid and big kid sizes you can choose standard (M), wide (W) or extra-wide (XW), and New Balance publishes a size and width chart for each size so you can match your child’s foot measurements. If your child’s feet have always looked cramped at the sides, try the wide before going up a size. Sizing up only adds length, and a too-long shoe flops at the heel and makes tripping more likely.
As with any kids’ shoe, leave about a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe, and check the fit every couple of months. Children’s feet grow in spurts, so a pair that fit in September can feel tight by the holidays. Our kids shoe size calculator and New Balance’s printable measuring tool make this easier at home.
The upper is a soft mesh with synthetic reinforcements. New Balance uses no-sew construction, meaning the overlays are bonded on instead of stitched, so there are fewer seams inside the shoe to rub a heel or a little toe. For a child who complains that shoes hurt, that detail can matter more than any cushioning claim.
Light and easy underfoot, with cushioning built for play
The midsole is IMEVA, short for injection-molded EVA. Foam is injected into a mold to form the sole, which makes it light and long-lasting. New Balance describes it as lightweight cushioning for everyday comfort and calls the shoe plush. For your child, that should mean a comfortable, cushioned step that takes the sting out of blacktop and gym floors. It is not the thick, springy foam you find in modern adult running shoes, which is why it suits short bursts more than long runs.
That is a sensible setup for most children. Kids are light, they run in short bursts and they rarely log long distances, so they do not need the thick, soft foams found in adult marathon shoes. A simpler foam also tends to hold its shape well over a school year of hard use.
The no-sew saddle across the midfoot is there to help hold the foot in place when your child changes direction. It adds a little security rather than true support. This is a neutral shoe, which means there is no built-in structure to guide how the foot rolls, and nothing in it changes or corrects the way a child walks or runs.
Parents often ask whether a child needs arch support. Many children have flat-looking feet when they are young, and arches usually develop as they grow. If you have concerns, or your child has pain, a pediatrician or podiatrist is the right person to ask. Our guide to the best kids’ shoes for flat feet covers more structured options.
Grip and durability hold up to recess
Underneath is a durable rubber outsole, which is more than you get on many cheaper kids’ sneakers that rely on foam with rubber patches. Rubber grips better on playground asphalt, sidewalks and gym floors, and it wears much more slowly than bare foam.
The no-sew toe tip is the other durability win. Kids drag their toes when they skid, kneel and brake on scooters, and a reinforced toe keeps the front of the shoe from wearing through early. Most children will outgrow a pair of Rave Run v2s before they wear them out, which also makes a well-kept pair a good hand-me-down.
New Balance Rave Run v2 — additional product detail — Image: Amazon
Is the New Balance Rave Run v2 good for walking?
Yes. Walking is what most children do in their sneakers all day, and a light shoe with a breathable upper and a grippy rubber sole is well suited to school days, field trips and afternoons at the park.
The simple foam is less of a drawback for walking than it would be in an adult shoe, because children are light and rarely walk long distances at a stretch. For a full day of family sightseeing, a more cushioned youth trainer may feel better on tired feet. For everyday walking and standing, though, the Rave Run v2 is a solid choice, and the width options make it a better one than most. Parents shopping for themselves can start with our best walking shoes guide.
New Balance Rave Run v2 Alternatives
If your child does not need extra width and you mostly want a playful everyday runner, the Nike Cosmic Runner is worth a look. It fills the same school-and-play role with a different style, so it comes down to which design your child will actually wear (check price).
Families shopping on a tighter budget can compare the Saucony Cohesion 14 Kids. It is Saucony’s everyday kids’ running shoe and does a similar job for school and play, so it is a sensible second option when your child’s size or width is sold out in the Rave Run (check price).
For a child who is starting to run more and wants more structure, the Asics GT-1000 14 GS is a step up. It is a youth version of Asics’ stability trainer, with more built-in steadying than the neutral Rave Run, which some children whose ankles roll inward may find more comfortable (check price).
Price and value
The Rave Run v2 delivers the features that matter in a kids’ sneaker: a full rubber outsole, a reinforced toe, seam-reducing no-sew construction, a breathable upper and a choice of three widths. Those are real differences you will notice against a bargain-bin sneaker, especially in how long the shoe lasts.
The value question with any kids’ shoe is growth. A pair that fits for a few months is a short-term buy, so it makes the most sense when the fit genuinely solves a problem. If your child has broad feet and has been squeezing into standard shoes, the wide and extra-wide options are worth paying for. If your child has average feet and goes through sizes quickly, any well-made, comfortable sneaker will do the job.
Final verdict
Best for: everyday school and play, children with wide or extra-wide feet and younger kids who want to put on their own shoes.
Avoid if: your child runs long distances, plays mostly on trails or wet grass or needs a more structured shoe.
Fit: fits as expected, with extra room over the top of the foot; standard, wide and extra-wide in little kid and big kid sizes.
Verdict: The New Balance Rave Run v2 does the unglamorous things well. It is light, easy to put on, hard-wearing where kids are hardest on shoes and comes in more widths than almost any rival. It is an everyday shoe first and a running shoe second, and for most children that is exactly the right balance. Check the latest price.
Frequently Asked Questions for New Balance Rave Run v2
Yes. New Balance lists standard (M), wide (W) and extra-wide (XW) for the little kid and big kid sizes. Availability varies by colorway, so check the width in your child’s size before you order.
New Balance sells it in toddler and baby sizes 0 to 10, little kid sizes 10.5 to 3 and big kid sizes 3.5 to 7. That roughly covers toddlers through the end of elementary school, depending on the child.
New Balance says it fits as expected for most people, so start with your child’s current size. Leave about a thumb’s width of room in front of the longest toe.
New Balance lists 164 g (5.8 oz) for the little kid lace version and 216 g (7.6 oz) for the big kid lace version, so it is light for an everyday sneaker.
The bungee version uses a stretchy cord and a top strap so children can slip it on without tying anything. The lace-up version lets you adjust the fit more precisely, which helps older kids who play sports.
It is a neutral shoe without built-in arch support, which suits most children. If your child has foot pain or you are worried about their arches, ask a pediatrician or podiatrist before choosing a more structured shoe.
