Jamal Murray walks into the photo studio we’ve rented in Denver and puts on the yet-to-be-released New Balance TWO WXY v4. Let me get right to it. J. Cole is thumping on the speakers. Murray instantly starts posing for his flicks in the V4.

As the name suggests, this is the fourth iteration of New Balance’s premier performance basketball silhouette. The NB design team amped up the volume on this one. The v4 marks the first time they have integrated their high-quality cushioning technology. FuelCell and Fresh Foam weave and blend on the v4. When the pair is released later this year, things will become really plush.

Beginning with FuelCell, New Balance took foam cushioning and injected it with nitrogen. Infusing it with a periodic table element unlocks some real softness. The FuelCell cushioning, which is packed with nitrogen, was included on the v3, but it was not accompanied with Fresh Foam. It is now. Fresh Foam was created through a 3D motion capture study. The engineers who worked on it gathered data from pressure mapping and force application and then used it to achieve optimal comfort.

The FuelCell was found in the lateral forefoot and medial heel of the final v4 model. Fresh foam appeared in the medial forefoot and lateral heel. The v4’s outsole demonstrates how the sets integrate. It’s impressive engineering to get several substances to interact with one another. FuelCell’s function is to give dynamic response. Fresh Foam’s primary goal is to provide comfort. The upper portion of the v4 is then covered in breathable mesh. There are also mid-foot webbings for securement and a large exterior heel counter.

“Smooth,” Murray comments of the v4. “It’s lightweight. Comfy.”

He’s been a member of the New Balance team for nearly three years. As one of their most essential athletes, the brand relies on his feedback to guide the TWO WXY franchise’s path.

“Just comfort, first and foremost,” he says of what he requested New Balance to deliver with the v4.

“And I enjoy colors. I enjoy being able to distinguish the colors. I just want to have more say in how things play out on the court. Even the black and white, which is so plain, reminds me of the classic T-Macs. Just recalls back memories. And I see possibility in what we can do this season.”