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The Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is the best New Balance trail running shoe based on all our tests because it blends a grippy outsole, a stable ride, and a very comfortable and flexible midsole. This makes it the go-to shoe for running those less-beaten paths or even blazing new ones. MR”: The first two letters identify the gender and the sport activity. “M” is for MEN, “W” for WOMEN. “R” is for Running. “WW” will be Women’s Walking, “MX” will be Men’s Cross-Training and so on. The update to the More v2 is a game changer for this type of shoe in my mind, and it will continue to be a shoe I’ll keep in rotation until they wear out. The BOA closure system allows runners to experience a more customized fit. It is a unique lacing system that is made of three integral parts: a micro-adjustable dial, super-strong lightweight laces, and low-friction lace guides.
The upper fits snug and short, so that’s something to bear in mind while purchasing the Nitrel V4. The fused toe bumper, while protective, makes the ceiling narrower and the sizing at least a half size small. Its ample and soft midsole foam made our variety of runs enjoyable and therapeutic—10/10 for plushness. In the lab, durometer measurements verified that at 15.5 HA, the Fresh Foam X More v4 is 37.8% softer than the average. It's definitely the king of soft cushioning. The 860v12's midsole is firm but comfortable. It has a durometer reading of 32.3 HA, 31.8% firmer than the average of road running shoes and it only hardened by 12% after 20 minutes in the freezer (26.7% change in other road running shoes, on average). Meaning an ultra-consistent ride and ground feel—even in cold conditions. To learn more about your pronation type and whether you need extra support in running shoes, see our in-depth guide on arch support.
Additional Reviews
This design really your foot in, however it is also the portion of the shoe that needs the longest time to break in. For the first few runs, it was stiff and irritated my midfoot, but was great after about 10-15 miles. Some New Balance road and trail running shoes have waterproof features. These shoe models are equipped with a GTX membrane that keeps the feet dry in wet and rainy running conditions.
Weighing in at only 7.4 oz (211 g), the Rebel v3 is amazingly 25.6% lighter than the average road running shoes tested in our lab. Indeed, its lightweight nature allowed us to glide breezily through our mile repeats, fartlek sessions, and tempo runs. The outsole features a balanced 70.3 HC rubber — tougher than most race shoes for durability and softer than the average daily trainer for better grip. Among its racer counterparts, its 2.8 mm outsole gives more than enough rubber to last long. This shoe provides unmatched stability for the feet. The dual-density midsole foam guides our feet straight, and a stiff medial post helps correct the feet when they roll inward. During runs, the stabilizing effects were pretty noticeable and our feet were kept steady and secure.
New Balance Fresh Foam More v2 Sole Unit
The midsole’s softness is like magic. Our durometer measurements confirmed this because at a mere 9.5 HA, the Rebel v3 is the second softest we’ve ever tested in our lab! During our runs, each step felt like a luxury. Although spongy and buttery-soft, it still felt lively and springy during our speed runs. It’s not very soft though; the Dynasoft foam has a tinge of firmness – this is no Fresh Foam. And that’s not a bad thing for a trail shoe; a firmer ride equates to better stability over uneven terrain.
When we ran on different terrains, the grippy nature of the Hierro v7’s outsole definitely stood out. The combination of this reliable outsole rubber and an updated lug pattern resulted in this very grippy shoe—perfect for conquering light to moderate trails while remaining unscathed.The Rebel v3’s upper is insanely plush and breathable, which we enjoyed when running outdoors in warm temperatures. In the lab, we pumped smoke inside the shoe and watched as the smoke passed through the ultra-thin knit effortlessly. Garnering a score of 5/5, this shoe was a joy to run in, even during hot days. New Balance men’s running shoes are renowned for their sleek designs, lightweight materials and supreme cushioning. For something better suited to long-distance running, opt for the 880, which features a breathable mesh FantomFit upper with a no-sew overlay engineered for ultra-light support. Their Fresh Foam material is winning me over more and more with each offering they have, not to mention FuelCell. But really, what is setting them apart for me is the combination of sole unit materials and great uppers.
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