New Balance Rave Run v2 Bungee Lace with Top Strap review
Light, comfy, easy to put on, and available in genuinely useful width options, this is a toddler everyday shoe that makes busy days more fun.
Hello again, I’m Sebastian. I’m 2 years and 8 months old now, which means I’m very busy doing important things like sprinting toward snacks, climbing things I probably shouldn’t, and testing how fast I can get away when someone says, “Seb, wait!”
So yes, I need shoes that can keep up.
The New Balance Rave Run v2 Bungee Lace with Top Strap has been one of my main adventure shoes lately, and I can tell you right away why they work so well for toddler life: they’re easy to get on, comfy all day, nice and light, and they don’t make my feet feel trapped.
My dad likes them because they’re practical. I like them because I can run around in them, my way.
What makes these especially good is that they balance a few important toddler-shoe things really well. They feel soft and comfy without being floppy, they let my feet move naturally, and they come in widths that actually work for more foot shapes.
That matters more than grown-ups sometimes realise, because if shoes are annoying, stiff, or too hard to put on, mornings get grumpy fast.
These are not magical forever-shoes, because toddler life is rough on everything, especially Velcro, more on that in a moment... but for everyday play, little runs, riding my bike, school chaos, family hikes, park missions, and general mini-human mayhem, this is a very strong option, and I have tried a lot; my dad is a professional running shoe reviewer after all...
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Key specifications
- Price: $49.99–$54.99 at New Balance
- Weight: Approximately 3–5oz, depending on size
- Upper: Breathable mesh-and-synthetic upper with no-sew overlays
- Midsole: Lightweight IMEVA cushioning
- Outsole: Rubber outsole for grip and durability
- Closure: Bungee lace with hook-and-loop top strap
- Fit options: Standard, wide, and extra-wide
- Best for: Everyday wear, play, light running, and active toddler adventures
Performance review
Easy on, easy off, easy for everyone
This is one of the biggest wins with the Rave Run v2.
The opening is stretchy and wide, and there's a nice big finger loop at the heel, big enough for mom or dad to use if they need to help me.
So getting my feet in is much less of a battle than with some toddler shoes that look cute but act like they don’t actually want feet inside them.
My dad can get them on quickly when I’m in one of my “no thanks, I’m busy” moods, and when I’m feeling cooperative, the design helps me feel more involved too.
That matters. Toddler independence is a serious business!
The bungee laces give the shoe a secure feel without fuss, and the top strap finishes the lockdown nicely.
Once they’re on, they stay put well for everyday running around, climbing, jumping, and dramatic direction changes.
For busy parents, that quick-on, quick-off setup is not just convenient, it can genuinely make mornings smoother.
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Sebastian
Soft enough for comfort, structured enough for zooming
I really like the way these feel underfoot.
The cushioning is soft and plush, but not in a way that disconnects me from the ground.
For little kids, I think that’s important. I still want enough structure to feel stable when I’m wobbling, turning, or landing from tiny jumps, but I also don’t want a harsh shoe that feels stiff and bossy.
That’s where the Rave Run v2 gets it right.
The flex starts off in a nice middle ground. It doesn’t feel too rigid out of the box, but it also doesn’t collapse into a floppy little pancake.
Then, as the IMEVA foam softens with wear, the shoe gets more flexible in a really natural way. I like this a lot, and my dad does too, because it means the shoe starts supportive, then gradually works even better with how little feet naturally move.
That softer flex helps foot muscles do their thing instead of just being carried around by an overbuilt shoe.
It’s still stable enough for toddler speed sessions, but it moves with me, not against me.
That’s a clever balance, and not all kids’ shoes manage it.
Roomy, breathable, and kind to chunky toes
Another reason these work so well is the fit.
Some toddler shoes seem to assume all little feet are narrow and tidy, they're not always.
The Rave Run v2 does a much better job here, especially because New Balance gives parents more width options than most brands.
These come in a standard, wide, and extra wide fit, and that makes a real difference.
The upper has a breathable mesh feel, so my feet don’t get hot and stuffy during long days out.
And because the shoe is so light, I never get that heavy, stompy feeling that can make kids move awkwardly.
The inside feels comfy too, and the removable insole is a useful touch for kids who need orthotics or braces, or parents who need to give them a proper wash when we do an oopsie on them.
That won’t matter to every family, but when it does matter, it really matters.
They also have TPU overlays to improve the durability of the toe box and key areas of the upper.
Traction has been great so far
Not had one slip in these yet, thanks to their proper outsole with great rubber compound coverage.
They look fun, which definitely helps
I know grown-ups like to pretend this isn’t important, but it is.
These shoes look cool.
The Rave Run v2 has that sporty New Balance look, with fun colorways that feel playful without looking too babyish. That means they still feel like proper little running shoes, not just generic toddler sneakers.
And when toddlers like how their shoes look, life gets easier. That’s just facts.
If I feel like my shoes look fast, I am more likely to put them on and go do fast things. That’s toddler science.
The honest bit about the Velcro strap
Now for the bit the grown-ups will want to know.
The main weakness here is the same one you get with loads of toddler shoes: the Velcro top strap can lose strength over time. I know this because I have owned 2 pairs of Rave Runners previous to this pair.
If a shoe gets opened and closed constantly, dragged through dirt, and generally treated the way toddlers treat things, the strap may start to lose some of its grip after a 6 months or so.
That’s not ideal, but it also isn’t something I’d call a unique flaw with this shoe. It’s more like the normal reality of toddler Velcro.
The important thing is that the lockdown feels strong when the shoes are new, and for a lot of parents that convenience is still absolutely worth it. The bungee laces tend to hold up great, and the rest of the shoe, including the upper and outsole, does a solid job for the price.
So yes, it’s worth knowing about. But no, it’s not enough to cancel out everything else these shoes do well.
My verdict
The New Balance Rave Run v2 is one of those toddler shoes that makes a lot of sense very quickly.
It’s comfy, light, breathable, easy to get on, and available in widths that help more kids like me, get a proper fit.
I also really like the way the flex softens over time, because it helps the shoe feel more natural rather than more worn out. That’s a subtle thing, but it’s one of the smartest parts of this design.
Most importantly, this is a shoe that works with toddler life instead of fighting it.
For around $50, they offer very good value, especially when you consider the comfort, the fit options, and how much easier they make getting out the door - there are surprisingly few good running shoe options for toddlers.
So if you’re a fellow mini explorer, or the parent of one, these get a happy little thumbs-up from me.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some very urgent running to do. I’m not sure where I’m going yet, but I’m definitely going fast. – Sebastian, out!
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