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New Balance is continuing to blur the line between footwear and everyday style with the AC Runner, a training-focused silhouette designed for the in-between moments that actually define an athlete’s routine. Not quite a pure running shoe and not strictly a lifestyle model, the AC Runner lives in the grind: conditioning runs, drills, warm-ups, and all the reps that happen long before game day
Positioned as a do-it-all trainer, the AC Runner balances technical support with a streamlined, fashion-forward profile. At its core is New Balance’s Fresh Foam X midsole, delivering the brand’s most cushioned Fresh Foam experience to date. The midsole is built using three different foam firmnesses, allowing the shoe to adapt to a wide range of movements. Firm durometer foam rails wrap the midsole for added stability, reinforcing both linear and side-to-side motion without sacrificing comfort.
Visually, the AC Runner leans modern and sculptural. A sleek mesh upper with printed dotted wave-like graphics gives the shoe a clean, contemporary look. The sculpted midsole design adds a sense of motion even at rest, underscoring the shoe’s hybrid identity as something meant to transition seamlessly from training sessions to off-field wear.
The AC Runner is also getting its first-ever collab with Klutch Athletics, which was teased by Klutch founder Rich Paul. This collaborative edition keeps the performance-centric DNA of the AC Runner while adding a distinctive Klutch touch. A monochromatic black-and-white palette with the same wave-like graphic overlays on the mesh upper and subtle co-branding. Although New Balance hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, we can expect it to drop in February for NBA All-Star Weekend.
The New Balance AC Runner is available now in four launch colorways: Tangerine Heat, Pink Heat, Black, and White. Catch them on the New Balance website and at select retailers.
New Balance AC Runner
Color: Tangerine Heat/White Peach
Style Code: MACR16P7
Release Date: February 1, 2026
Price: $150 USD
Photos via Eddie Win:
New Balance AC Runner
Color: Pink Heat/Black
Style Code: MACR16H1
Release Date: February 1, 2026
Price: $150 USD
New Balance AC Runner
Color: Black/Afterglow
Style Code: MACR15LG
Release Date: February 1, 2026
Price: $150 USD
New Balance AC Runner
Color: NB 103 White/Afterglow
Style Code: MACR16KS
Release Date: February 1, 2026
Price: $150 USD
