New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review

Published: August 31, 2021

Stability and Cushioning That Keep Getting Better

The Vongo v5 offers incredible stability to meet the demands of daily training

Likes

Soft and protective cushion
Smooth stride transitions
Stable ride

Dislikes

Requires break-in period
Tongue design could be improved

What's New

The New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo returns with several big updates. Version 5 features a 5-mm wider midfoot platform that adds new levels of stability to this daily trainer. New Balance has also revamped the Vongo's mesh upper design to be lighter and more breathable for an elevated on-foot experience.

The New Balance Vongo v5 is a daily trainer built to deliver max stability but with a similar performance and ride to the beloved 1080 v11. The Fresh Foam X midsole is stacked high and offers super soft landings perfect for keeping runners comfortable during long training runs. New Balance's unique gradient stability design is another major highlight of the Vongo v5, providing max stability for even the worst overpronators. Due to its gradient stability system, neutral runners will also have no problems comfortably racking up mileage in this shoe.

The Bottom Line

Shop Men's Shop Women's

Shoe Performance

Shoe Softnessi

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Returni

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protectioni

LowHigh

Flexibilityi

RigidElastic

Upper Supporti

StructuredAdaptable

Specifications & Fit

How It Fits

Shoe Specs

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Pair of Shoes

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Left Shoe

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Outsole

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Forefoot

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Lateral Side

New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5 Review Toe Box

Our In-Depth Look

Shoe Softnessi

Sam: "The Vongo has the perfect amount of softness for me. I found the forefoot to be softer than the midfoot, which felt slightly firmer and more supportive. Although it feels plush underfoot, the Vongo v5 is not at all mushy, in my opinion."

Nathan: "The Vongo v5 has a Fresh Foam X midsole, similar to the one found in one of my personal favorites, the NB 1080 v11, and it is very comfortable and soft underfoot. Although, in my opinion, it did take a few runs to break in and soften up to a more comfortable level."

Jonathan: "My initial impression of the shoes leaned a bit toward the softer side of things. Oddly, the shoes felt softer walking in them than running in them."

Ride/Energy Returni

Sam: "The Vongo v5's midsole was not particularly springy or bouncy. However, this did not bother me, as the shoe still has a little life underfoot, and the midsole isn't completely dead. The Vongo does not have quite as much responsiveness as I'd like for faster paces, but at slower paces, it was more than fine for daily training runs."

Nathan: "Being a daily trainer, the Vongo v5 doesn't scream responsive, but the Fresh Foam X gives me just enough return to make the ride enjoyable, especially for a stability daily training option."

Jonathan: "The Vongo v5 doesn't sap energy like overly soft shoes, but it also doesn't return a lot of energy. It's a better shoe for slower-paced runs versus faster-paced runs."

Underfoot Protectioni

Sam: "The Vongo v5s have plenty of underfoot protection, and I really enjoy using them for long runs and recovery runs. These shoes feel protective, supportive, and comfortable thanks to the excellent Fresh Foam X cushioning."

Nathan: "Being a well-cushioned stability daily trainer, the Vongo v5 delivers superb underfoot protection. The Fresh Foam X midsole helps keep it cushioned and smooth even on the longest runs."

Jonathan: "The amount of cushioning in the Vongo v5 is adequate for longer runs. There is plenty of cushioning to keep my feet happy for multi-hour runs."

Flexibilityi

Sam: "For a stability shoe, the Vongo is relatively flexible without feeling like it lacks any structure. It doesn't feel too rigid and is definitely flexible enough to provide a smooth, comfortable transition."

Nathan: "While not an overly flexible shoe, the slight rocker design coupled with the flex grooves in the outsole made it very smooth underfoot as I transitioned through my stride."

Jonathan: "My overall impression of the Vongo v5 is that it has a stiff ride. It's not as smooth as the class-leading ASICS Kayano and left me wanting a more improved experience."

Upper Supporti

Sam: "The upper has too much stretch, in my opinion. It didn't feel snug enough around my foot, and it lacked the support I was hoping for. My foot had trouble remaining locked down in the forefoot, especially while running down steep hills."

Nathan: "The Vongo v5 was very comfortable on foot with its breathable mesh design. My favorite part of the upper was the updated heel counter, which offered a secure hold and supported my foot without irritating my old-man Achilles."

Jonathan: "I had mixed feelings about the Vongo v5's upper design. The toe-box is shallow, but it was spacious enough for me in the forefoot. Constructed with a stretch knit material, the toe-box delivers a premium feel that is accommodating and adaptable. Though the midfoot is fairly restrictive with a lower-volume fit. Overall, the upper mesh feels basic."

Men's New Balance Vongo Running Shoes

The New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo is a low offset, everyday running shoe that delivers a high level of cushioning and unique design features which provides an incredible amount of stability in an unconventional package for moderate to severe overpronators.

Women's New Balance Vongo Running Shoes

Individual Thoughts

SamOverall Score: 8/10

The only real negative I have with this shoe is the upper. I didn't feel like I had a snug fit, and the extra amount of stretch meant that I didn't feel very supported, particularly when running downhills. Apart from that, I really enjoy running in this shoe thanks to the fantastic cushioning that's neither too firm nor squishy soft. I generally run in a neutral shoe but found the Vongo a welcome addition to my lineup, especially for recovery runs.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

NathanOverall Score: 8/10

The Vongo v5 is a fantastic update from previous versions. The Fresh Foam X cushioning makes it a great daily training option for someone who also requires stability. Even as a neutral runner, I was able to do plenty of kilometers in these without any issues thanks to New Balance's gradient stability system.

The Fresh Foam X midsole, which has received a lot of love in the New Balance 1080 v11, is also utilized in the Vongo v5, offering the same soft and smooth underfoot experience. For someone who wants a cushioned daily training option that offers stability, the new Vongo v5 is a fantastic option.

Shoe Softness

FirmSoft

Ride/Energy Return

Less SpringyMore Springy

Underfoot Protection

LowHigh

Flexibility

RigidElastic

Upper Support

StructuredAdaptable

JonathanOverall Score: 7/10

When the Vongo first came out, it offered a unique take on a max-stability shoe by utilising a dramatic heel angle and a split midsole/outsole design to meet the needs of excessive pronators. The result was a very comfortable and very controlled ride. Unfortunately, the shoe had a limited audience and was best suited for severe overpronators who needed a lot of support. With version 5, we see a big departure from the original design concepts and a move toward a more mainstream stability shoe. The Vongo now draws inspiration from its very popular neutral counterpart, the 1080.

While it seems like the differences between the Vongo v5 and the 1080 v11 are subtle, the experience offered by each shoe is quite different. The 1080 is plusher and more refined overall with a sleeker, less structured upper. The 1080 also delivers a much smoother ride. The trade-off is that the 1080 does not provide the stability of the Vongo.

Compared to other stability shoes, the Vongo v5 delivers a well-cushioned ride with a generous amount of stability. I think the ride could be smoother and less rigid. The upper could also be more premium given the shoe's price point. In my opinion, the Vongo needs to be enhanced to reach the class-leading ASICS Kayano, but I think many runners will find version 5 to be a great fit for their daily training needs. It is easily on par with shoes like the Brooks Glycerin GTS 19 and the Saucony Hurricane 23.