Become a New Balance Tester: My Guide to Free Shoes (2025)

How the New Balance Product Testing Program Works

The New Balance Wear Test Program or Test Club, often searched as the New Balance wear test review by curious runners, is pretty straightforward

New Balance needs real-world feedback on their prototype products to evaluate everything from durability and performance to appearance and comfort.

From real testers’ experiences online, you can get a sense of what it’s like in practice.

For example, one Reddit user shared:

“I used to get a pair of shoes to test every 30-60 days. One day New Balance sent me a test package and it never showed up. I emailed them multiple times and they never responded… then they just stopped having tests to sign up for.”

This shows the real-world side of being a tester, while it’s a great opportunity, sometimes there are delays or changes in availability.

Anyway, here’s what you can expect.

Requirements for Becoming a New Balance Product Tester

If you want to become a New Balance Product tester, then you need to make sure that you meet the criteria.

New Balance has separate requirements for adult and junior testers.

The applications are broken down by shoe size (I know, it’s kind of funny but it does make sense actually!):

Requirements for Adult Testers

• Adults are applicants that wear men’s size 8-14 or women’s 6-12 size shoes, so if you are under 18 years old, but wear adult size shoes, you would apply in this category too.
• To become an adult tester you’ll need to be a resident of the United States, with a valid email address. You’ll also need to be able to read and write in the English language and be able to meet deadlines, offer detailed feedback and follow specific instructions.
• You should also be over 18, and if you’re not, then your legal guardian must complete part of the application with you, and sign the test program agreement on your behalf. Your guardian must also agree to you testing the products, and assist you when necessary.

Requirements for Junior Testers

• Applicants that wear footwear between infant size 3 and grade school size 6 are eligible to become Junior Testers. This category is generally for child testers, but it’s also open to adults who wear those sizes too.
• Minor applications must work alongside a legal guardian during the testing process. The legal guardian of the applicant must have a valid email address and internet access, and be a resident of the United States.
• The guardian must also be able to proficiently read and write in the English language, be able to follow specific instructions and be willing to provide assistance during the test process.

The 4-Step Process: From Application to Feedback

The entire product testing process follows a clear, four-step path:

1. Apply & Get Accepted: You fill out an application with your profile details. If you’re a good match for an upcoming test, your account will be activated and you’ll receive an acceptance email with your login info.
2. Receive & Test the Product: Once you’re selected for a specific test, New Balance will send you an item along with detailed instructions. You’ll need to wear the item for the required duration, which is usually four to six weeks.
3. Give Your Feedback: During the test period, you have to keep detailed logs and document your experiences with the product. This is the most crucial part of the process.
4. Return the Product: At the end of the test, the prototype product must be sent back to New Balance for their engineers to analyze, using the prepaid shipping envelope they provide.

Will I Get Free New Balance Shoes?

So do you get a pair of free New Balance shoes at the end to keep for yourself?

Well, yes and no!

Let me explain…

When it comes to most product testing programs like New Balance’s, you only get to keep the shoes for the duration of the test.

You see, companies like Under Armour, New Balance, Nike, Adidas or any other company for that matter, create product testing programs so they can evaluate how their products perform in the real world environment.

The test normally takes a few weeks. And once the test period is over, their lab people will look at the tested product – a shoe, T-shirt, Jeans, or in the case of Apple product testing, an electronic item) so they can analyze it.

That means they’ll need to examine the actual product that was tested. The only way to do that is to have you (the tester) send the product back after the test period.

As the company states, there is no other compensation or free product provided beyond getting to use the test product for the duration of the test.

So, you get a free shoe, but only for the duration of the test.

While it’s more like a “free rental,” it’s still a fantastic opportunity to try out some of their best new gear for a month or two for free.

That said, with all similar programs, usually they do give you something more in return. For example, while you have to send the shoe back, in some cases, they may actually send you a brand new pair to keep.

How to Apply & Become a New Balance Product Tester (Step-by-Step)

Ready to get started?

The first step to becoming a New Balance product tester is to fill out an application.

It’s pretty simple process, but it’s important to be detailed and accurate.

Step 1: Go to the Official New Balance Product Testing Portal

The only legitimate place to sign up is on their official website.

There are a lot of fakes out there, so make sure you use this link to get to the right place: product.testing.newbalance.com.

Step 2: Create Your Account and Fill Out the General Profile

You’ll need to create an account with a valid email address and password.

The first part of the application will ask for your basic details, like your name, date of birth, and shoe size.

It’s important to get the measurements correct, so be sure to follow their instructions carefully.

Step 3: Complete Your Detailed Profile Surveys

This is the most important part of the application.

Once your basic account is set up, you’ll be asked to complete more detailed surveys about your activities.

You’ll answer questions about what sports you play, how often you work out, and what kind of surfaces you typically run on.

This is how New Balance matches you with the right products, so the more detailed you are, the better.

Step 4: Submit and Wait for an Invitation

After you submit your profile, they review your application.

New Balance accepts new testers on an “as-needed” basis, which means they might be looking for someone with your exact shoe size and activity profile for an upcoming test.

If you’re a match, your account will be activated and you’ll get an official acceptance email.

Then, you just have to wait for your first test invitation!

Saeed’s Pro Tips: Ways to Increase Your Chances of Being Chosen

Just filling out the application is one thing, but you want your profile to stand out from the thousands of others.

From reading the experiences of other users on Reddit and online forums, I’ve found a few common themes and tips that can help your application stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting approved.

Tip 1: Timing Matters

New Balance typically runs their biggest test cycles around spring and fall when new lines are being developed.

Applying just before these seasons can increase your chances.

Tip 2: Be Extremely Specific About Your Foot Shape and Gait

Here’s a little secret: New Balance is famous for making shoes in a huge variety of widths and for different types of runners.

This means they are looking for very specific types of feet for their tests.

If you know that you have a wide foot, a narrow heel, or that you tend to overpronate when you run, include that information in your profile!

The more specific data you can give them about your feet and running style, the easier it is for them to match you to the perfect test.

Tip 3: Don’t Lie About Your Activity Level (They Need All Kinds!)

A lot of people think they need to pretend to be a marathon runner to get accepted.

That’s a huge mistake.

New Balance makes shoes for everyone, from elite athletes to people who just want a comfortable pair for walking their dog.

They need real feedback from all types of users.

Be completely honest about how much you actually exercise. They are just as likely to need a casual walker for a test as they are a serious runner.

Tip 4: Check Your Email Frequently for Test Invitations

If you get accepted into the program, you won’t just start getting boxes in the mail.

You will receive an email invitation for each specific test, and you usually have a very short window of time to accept it.

Make sure you are checking the email address you signed up with on a regular basis (including the spam folder!) so you don’t miss out on an opportunity.

Tip 5: Profile Updates Can Help

If your shoe size or activity level changes, update your profile immediately.

Testers who keep their profiles accurate often get more invites.

Tip 6: Quality Feedback Counts

Detailed logs, photos of wear, and clear descriptions can put you on New Balance’s radar for future tests.

Some testers have reported being invited multiple times for different shoe lines just by consistently providing high-quality feedback.

What Happens If You’re Selected for a Test?

So, you got the acceptance email, congratulations!

Now the real fun begins.

Here’s what you can expect as an official New Balance product tester.

Receiving Your First Test Package

Once you accept an invitation for a specific product test, New Balance will mail you a package.

Inside, you’ll find the prototype product along with a set of specific instructions.

These instructions are important. They will tell you how long the test period is (usually four to six weeks) and might include details on how often you need to wear the item or what activities to do while testing.

Your Responsibilities as a New Balance Tester

Your main job is to use the product as instructed and to keep detailed records of your experience.

New Balance expects its testers to be diligent and provide high-quality, honest feedback.

They actually grade you on the quality of your feedback, how well you followed instructions, and whether you met your deadlines.

Doing a great job is the key to getting invited to more tests in the future.

Submitting Feedback and Sending the Product Back (It’s Free)

When the test period is over, you’ll need to submit all of your documented feedback and answer a final questionnaire on their website.

After that, you must return the used product to their labs.

Don’t worry about the cost, New Balance will provide you with a prepaid shipping envelope or label, so the entire process is completely free for you.

FAQ: Your New Balance Testing Questions Answered

I know you probably have a few more questions.

Here are answers to the most common questions people ask about the New Balance product testing program.

Final Thoughts: Is the New Balance Test Program Worth It?

So, what’s the final verdict?

If you genuinely like New Balance gear and don’t mind providing detailed feedback, then their Wear Test Program is 100% worth your time.

It’s a legitimate opportunity to be an insider and help shape the future of their products.

Let’s be real, the main thing to remember is that this is more like a “free rental” than a “freebie,” since you almost always have to send the products back.

But getting to test out a brand-new, often pre-release, pair of running shoes for a month or two without paying a dime is still a pretty sweet deal.

It costs nothing to apply, and it all starts with creating a detailed, honest profile.

And if you want to increase your chances of being selected by a program, my best advice is to apply to more than one!

You can check out my other detailed guides on the product testing programs from these great brands:

• Nike Product Testing
• Adidas Product Testing
• Under Armour Product Testing
• Reebok Product Testing

At the end of the day, if you’re a fan of the brand and want to be part of their process, I definitely recommend applying for the New Balance product testing program today.