Prices verified Aug 11 · Always confirm at the retailer before buying.
Quick answer
For US shoppers, New Balance 608 V5 is listed at $59.95 and Under Armour Charged Assert 9 at $69.99, making New Balance $10.04 lower in the current registry snapshot. They are not the same shoe type: New Balance positions the 608 as a casual comfort cross trainer, while Under Armour positions Assert 9 as a neutral running shoe. New Balance's official page lists ABZORB cushioning, a rubber outsole, and Standard, Wide, and X-Wide widths. Under Armour's official page lists Charged Cushioning, an EVA sockliner, a 10mm offset, mesh upper, and Regular fit. Choose by activity and foot width. No gait, mileage, comfort, traction, or durability test was performed, so neither is a universal best sneaker.
New Balance is $10.04 cheaper and better aligned with training/casual use; UA Assert 9 is the running-specific option. Check width, activity, and return terms before buying.
Mubboo Verdict
Best for most people
New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer
Scoped to buyers seeking a lower-priced cross-trainer for walking, casual wear, and general training.
Pick the Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes instead if
- You run regularly and want a neutral running-shoe design.
- The UA Regular fit suits your foot.
- The running-specific features justify the higher current price.
New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer vs Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes, side by side
New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer
Pros:
- $10.04 lower current snapshot price
- Training and casual-wear positioning
- Official page lists Standard, Wide, and X-Wide options
Cons (honest weight):
- Not positioned as a dedicated running shoe
- Exact Amazon width variation must be checked
- No independent comfort or training test here
Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes
Pros:
- Official running-shoe positioning
- Charged Cushioning and EVA sockliner listed by the brand
- 10mm offset listed on the official page
Cons (honest weight):
- $10.04 higher current snapshot price
- Regular fit on the cited official page
- No independent gait or mileage test here
Where each one wins
7 dimensions scored head-to-head. New Balance takes 3; Under Armour takes 1.
| Dimension | New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer | Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current US priceNew Balance is $10.04 lower in the current registry snapshot. | $59.95 | $69.99 | New Balance |
| Product roleThe categories overlap for everyday wear but are not interchangeable for every workout. | Casual comfort cross trainer / training shoe | Neutral running shoe | Tie |
| Cushioning evidenceBoth brands describe cushioning systems; no lab or wear test was performed. | Official page lists ABZORB midsole and dual-density collar foam | Official page lists Charged Cushioning midsole and EVA sockliner | Tie |
| Width and fit evidenceNew Balance offers more width choices on the cited model page, but personal fit still needs checking. | 608 official page lists Standard, Wide, and X-Wide options | Assert 9 official page lists Regular fit | New Balance |
| Running-specific evidenceChoose the UA model for the running-specific design intent, not simply its price or rating. | Not positioned as a dedicated running shoe on the cited page | Official page identifies it as a neutral running shoe and lists a 10mm offset | Under Armour |
| Captured marketplace signalNew Balance has the larger captured review pool at the same rating. | 4.6 / 5 from 89,926 reviews | 4.6 / 5 from 56,551 reviews | New Balance |
| Independent comfort or running test hereNo gait, mileage, impact, fit, traction, or durability test was performed. | Not performed | Not performed | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 win | New Balance |
These shoes are for different activity priorities
New Balance is listed at $59.95 and Under Armour at $69.99, so New Balance is $10.04 lower in the current US registry snapshot. The New Balance 608 V5 is positioned as a casual comfort cross trainer; UA Charged Assert 9 is positioned as a neutral running shoe. The right choice depends on walking, gym, daily wear, or running—not on a universal sneaker ranking.
New Balance's 608v5 page lists ABZORB cushioning, a rubber outsole, dual-density collar foam, and Standard, Wide, and X-Wide widths. Under Armour's Assert 9 page identifies a neutral running shoe and lists a mesh upper, Charged Cushioning midsole, EVA sockliner, 10mm offset, and Regular fit. These are manufacturer descriptions, not independent performance or comfort tests.
Pick the shoe by the job
For walking, casual use, or general gym work, the 608’s training positioning and width choices may be the more relevant starting point. For regular road running, the Assert 9’s neutral running design intent is more directly aligned. Neither description proves that the shoe is suitable for a particular injury, gait pattern, mileage, or surface.
Width matters more than a star rating
New Balance lists multiple widths on the cited 608 page, while the cited Under Armour page lists Regular fit. Confirm the exact Amazon variation, foot width, sock choice, and return policy. A wide option is not a guarantee of the right shape, and a regular-fit label is not proof that a shoe will feel narrow.
Both products are recorded at 4.6 stars; New Balance has 89,926 captured reviews and Under Armour has 56,551. Marketplace volume does not measure gait comfort, impact response, traction, breathability, or outsole life.
Alternatives
Skechers Energy Afterburn is another men’s lace-up sneaker, while New Balance 515 V3 is a more lifestyle-oriented New Balance alternative. They are comparison leads, not silent replacements; verify their exact activity positioning and fit.
What this comparison does not test
No gait analysis, mileage test, treadmill run, impact test, traction test, fit session, or long-term durability test was performed. Recommendations are limited to current registry facts and linked manufacturer information.
Which should you buy?
| Your situation | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Current price | New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer | Lower by $10.04 in the current snapshot. |
| Walking and casual training | New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer | Cross-trainer positioning. |
| Running intent | Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes | Neutral running-shoe positioning. |
| Width choices | New Balance Men's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer | More listed widths. |
| Verified fit | Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoes | No independent test. |
Lower by $10.04 in the current snapshot.
Cross-trainer positioning.
Neutral running-shoe positioning.
More listed widths.
No independent test.
What if neither is right?
Skechers Men's Energy Afterburn Lace-Up Sneaker
$55.99
A separate Skechers model with its own fit and use case; verify exact materials, weight, and activity fit.
New Balance Men's 515 V3 Sneaker
$69.95
A related New Balance lifestyle sneaker, not a silent replacement for the 608 training shoe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, New Balance 608 or UA Charged Assert 9?
New Balance 608 is the scoped pick for lower-priced walking, casual wear, and general training. UA Charged Assert 9 fits buyers who specifically want a neutral running shoe. They are not interchangeable for every activity.
Which athletic shoe is cheaper?
New Balance is listed at $59.95 versus $69.99 for UA, a $10.04 difference in the current snapshot. Verify live pricing.
Is New Balance 608 a running shoe?
The cited New Balance page positions the 608 as a classic trainer/cross-trainer. It may work for some everyday activities, but this comparison does not recommend it as a universal running shoe.
Is UA Charged Assert 9 good for every runner?
No. Under Armour identifies it as a neutral running shoe with a Regular fit and 10mm offset, but individual gait, foot shape, mileage, and surface still matter.
Which shoe has more width options?
The cited New Balance 608 page lists Standard, Wide, and X-Wide options. The cited Under Armour page lists Regular fit. Check the exact Amazon variation before ordering.
Did Mubboo test these shoes?
No. There was no gait, mileage, treadmill, comfort, traction, fit, or long-term durability test.
Primary sources: Current price, rating, review count, stock, and product images use the exact US listing records for Amazon US product listing (B079FFDS4Y) and Amazon US product listing (B08MVDS1MQ). Product positioning and specifications are linked from Manufacturer product page and Manufacturer product page. Manufacturer descriptions are not independent tests.
Who wrote this and where's the data from?
Author: Mubboo Editorial Team. Independent US-market consumer research using current registry records and linked manufacturer information. Last verified: 2026-08-04.