Inside the midsole, New Balance’s famous ENCAP cushioning pairs a soft EVA core with a tough polyurethane rim. Translation: plush in the middle, sturdy on the edges—so you get comfort and long-day stability instead of choosing one like it’s a streaming plan. If you’re on your feet a lot (teachers, retail warriors, travelers, dog-walkers of energetic floofs), ENCAP is that quiet safety net you feel every time your heel lands.