At first glance, the New Balance CT-Rally v2 looks so different from the previous version that it might belong to a completely different line. 

The original CT-Rally (and its predecessor, the LAV) built a loyal following by delivering on its promise: a dependable, cushioned, stability-focused court shoe designed for long matches and aggressive movement. It wasn't flashy, but it was predictable, supportive, and remarkably comfortable once broken in. And most importantly, people loved it.

The V2 isn't just a cosmetic redesign; nearly everything about how this shoe fits and moves on court has changed, from the upper materials and midsole geometry, to how the shoe interacts with your foot when you're cutting.

Whether that’s a good thing or not depends entirely on what you want out of a CT-Rally. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room. This shoe does not look like the old CT-Rally.

The previous version was a logical continuation of the LAV line with a similar aesthetic, last and overall playability. The v2 looks more like the 996 and to put it bluntly: it looks a bit cheaper.

But that's just aesthetics – what we really care about is performance and that's very different to the slightly lacklustre look on the outside.

What’s Changed?

Before getting into how it feels on court, it’s worth outlining just how extensive the changes are:

Upper: It now has a full rubber upper instead of a primarily mesh construction.

Heel: It has a much more substantial external heel counter.

Midsole: The midsole has a redesigned Fresh Foam X platform with a dramatically different shape (more on that later).

Fit: It's a lower-volume, snugger fit throughout.

Tongue: It features a significantly more padded tongue

Weight: It now weighs about 419 grams in a 9.5 US which is about 30 grams heavier than v1.

Despite what seems to be a more bulky design, this is not simply a more stable or more supportive version of the old Rally. In fact, in a lot of ways, it’s less traditionally stable but makes up for that in other areas.

A Snugger, Lower-Volume Fit

One of the biggest surprises with the CT-Rally v2 is the fit. Typically, when brands add bulk and structure to a shoe, they also make it roomier to accommodate more materials. New Balance went the opposite direction here.

The forefoot is noticeably narrower than the previous Rally, and the toe box sits lower over the top of the foot. The first time you step into the shoe, it almost feels like your foot can’t sink down into it as deeply as before.

Initially, this took some getting used to, especially around the front of the foot, but after a short break-in period, it started to make a lot more sense.

The lower-volume fit improves responsiveness and creates a more connected feel between your foot and the shoe, which becomes especially noticeable once you start moving aggressively. And if it does feel too snug at first, it does break in very well after minimal time on court.

Heel Lockdown

The heel is also significantly snugger, largely thanks to the redesigned external heel counter. As I mentioned earlier, there is more plastic back there compared to the previous model, and while the internal padding hasn’t changed much, the structure has.

The result is excellent heel lockdown without unwanted pressure points, so you feel held in place rather than squeezed into the shoe.

Upper & Tongue Comfort

Switching from mesh to a full rubber upper sounds like it should make the shoe stiffer, but surprisingly, it's the opposite.

The rubber upper on the CT-Rally v2 is softer and more adaptive than the mesh used on the previous version. That mesh was never uncomfortable, but it had a certain rigidity out of the box that took time to soften. This new upper molds to the foot much more quickly and naturally.

If you have slightly irregular foot shapes or you appreciate an upper that conforms to your foot rather than boxes it in like a cage, this is one of the best full rubber uppers currently on the market. I found it most comparable to the rubber that was used on the previous Gel-Resolution 9.

And then there's the tongue which is thick, plush, and padded with foam strips allowing you to cinch the laces down without worrying about lace bite. Combined with new internal ribbon-style lace loops, the lacing system does an excellent job of compressing the upper down on your foot evenly for good responsiveness and lockdown without discomfort.

Cushioning & Ride

As expected from a shoe that has the Rally name, there’s plenty of cushioning here. Fresh Foam X provides a softer ride than FuelCell, which is used in models like the 996 and the Coco, and there’s slightly more cushioning than in the previous CT-Rally.

This Rally feels plush without being overly bouncy — nowhere near as intense as something like a GP Turbo for example. It's also important to note that it takes some time to soften up this midsole. Out of the box it does feel quite firm, but after barely five minutes of running and jumping around, it develops that signature Rally softness.

The X-Factor: Midsole Geometry... or... Topography?

The biggest change coming from the previous model is the shape of the midsole.

There is this very unique mound-like protrusion in the heel that creates one of the strangest step-in feels of any court shoe I’ve tested. At first, it feels too aggressive and even slightly unstable, almost like you’re standing on a small hill.

The forefoot is less extreme but still angled, with a higher medial side that tilts you inward. This is actually quite common on tennis shoes because it makes the shoe feel more responsive during split steps, especially when you're returning.

But let's circle back to that strange mound in the heel. Yes, it's weird at first, but this changes dramatically after break-in.

Once the Fresh Foam softens, the midsole begins to mold to your foot and that mound mellows out. Once it's fully broken in, it cups your arch and increases the amount of contact your foot has with the midsole which creates a personalized sensation that I've only really felt when I use custom footbeds. This will be especially beneficial for players with higher arches.

Now if you normally use custom insoles and you want to try this CT-Rally, I’d recommend starting without them. This textured midsole already provides a very personalized feel, and adding an orthotic could overcorrect.

Support & Stability

Despite the heavier weight and reinforced heel counter, the CT-Rally v2 is not a traditional brick-like stability shoe. New Balance have clearly taken this model in a different direction.

Compared to something like a Gel Resolution, Court FF, or a Barricade, this shoe feels more adaptive and less grounded. The combination of plush cushioning, the uniquely molded midsole, and the narrower last means you don't sit as flat and wide on the court.

With that said, it’s not unstable. Heel lockdown is the most important part of a shoe for stability and because it's so good here, you'll still feel very confident during lateral cuts, and the shoe never feels sloppy. But of you’re coming from very rigid, wide stability shoes, this may too big of a step in the wrong direction.

Lockdown: A Huge Improvement

Lockdown is where this shoe makes up for any stability concerns you might have. Stability and lockdown aren't interchangeable, but if a shoe has good lockdown, that means it's responsive so aggressive movers can still use it. We see this a lot with lightweight shoes that aren't traditionally stable but make up for that with lockdown.

The Rally's snug fit, adaptive upper, and effective lacing system work together to create a vacuum fit around the foot which is responsive, one-to-one, and gave me tons of confidence during my play test.

This is a massive improvement over the previous Rally, which felt a little stiff so the shoe didn't move that naturally with your foot and that lead to some slippage. Here, the shoe moves with you, not a split second after you.

Movement on Court

For a shoe with this much cushioning and this much structure, the CT-Rally v2 moves exceptionally well. Push-offs are efficient, lateral cuts feel progressive, and there’s no rollover despite the higher stack height.

The molded midsole and improved lockdown make the shoe feel quicker than its weight suggests. In fact, it actually feels lighter on court than many technically lighter shoes.

Movement was arguably the weakest aspect of the previous Rally. Now, it’s one of this shoe’s biggest strengths.

Traction & Sliding

In true New Balance fashion, traction is on the stickier side, thanks to the translucent gum rubber outsole. It's possible to slide with this shoe but it's certainly not the best for that which is similar to the previous Rally.

If sliding is a priority for you, I'd probably avoid. It's consistent throughout the slide but still quite limited compared to what other brands have on offer.

Who Is the CT-Rally v2 For?

This is a very different shoe from the previous CT-Rally, and that’s the most important thing to understand.

You’ll likely enjoy this shoe if you:

• Want a personalized, close-to-the-foot feel
• Appreciate plush cushioning with responsiveness
• Value lockdown and moving efficiently
• Don’t rely on rigid, traditional stability platforms

It's an interesting modern take on what was once a much more traditional line, and Rally/LAV purists may take some time to appreciate that, but I think it's technologically impressive and that's backed up by its playability on-court.