New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V5
Function and Style on the Trail
Likes
- Soft, Springy Ride
- Comfortable Upper
- Stylish Design
- Sticky Traction
Dislikes
- Heavy
What's New
As the brand's highly cushioned trail running shoe, the New Balance Hierro v5 is designed to provide a plush running experience that works on anything from dirt roads to singletrack. The shoe features a full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole for grippy traction on kinds of terrain. Meanwhile, the midsole has been updated to the new Fresh Foam X material for a softer and more responsive ride. A brand-new upper finishes off the shoe with a secure-fitting, asymmetric tongue and a TPU-coated design that improves both breathability and durability.
The Bottom Line
Our testers loved the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 as much for its cushioned ride as they did for its street-worthy style. They found that the Megagrip outsole delivered amazing traction on all kinds of terrain, and the soft Fresh Foam X cushioning provided plush protection during long miles on the trail. Although the soft upper provided a secure wrap of the foot, our testers found that the high stack height and wide design made the Hierro v5 slightly unstable on very technical terrain. Those who don't mind compromising a little extra weight for a very cushioned running experience on fire roads and smooth singletrack will enjoy the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium to low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to low |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 12.2 oz (size 9) | Women's: 10.6 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 34mm (Heel), 26mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset | |
| Terrain | Trail | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 features a full-length Fresh Foam X midsole for lightweight and responsive cushioning. Our testers found that the ample cushioning provided a plush feel no matter the terrain.
Billy: "The shoe has a very plush feel, making it comfortable over longer durations."
Derek: "The Hierro v5 features a new Fresh Foam X midsole, which I found to be even softer and more responsive than traditional Fresh Foam. This shoe had a soft and comfortable feel on initial impact with a springy ride when running."
Ride/Energy Return i
The new Fresh Foam X midsole provides a high amount of energy return in relation to its softness. Our testers were surprised by the lively feel the shoe provided despite its high stack height.
Billy: "Although the energy return was not extremely noticeable, the Hierro v5 had enough responsiveness to keep from feeling heavy or dead underfoot."
Derek: "This version is way springier than the previous model, and it's awesome that New Balance used Fresh Foam X. I was very surprised how bouncy this shoe was while running."
Underfoot Protection i
Our testers agreed that the Hierro v5 offered plenty of protection from both debris underfoot as well as from the impact of long runs. They felt that the plush design could easily handle ultramarathon distances for those who don't mind the extra weight.
Billy: "The extra cushioning helped to reduce the unwelcome feel of sharp rocks and roots underfoot."
Derek: "The Hierro v5 has plenty of underfoot protection for even your longest trail running adventures. There’s even enough cushioning for long sections of road that you may come across during your ultramarathon training or racing routes."
Underfoot Flexibility i
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 has a surprisingly smooth ride for its high level of cushioning. Our testers found that it provides a smooth transition between changes in pace and terrain.
Billy: "These shoes are fairly flexible despite their thick, highly cushioned midsole."
Derek: "This shoe doesn’t seem like it would be a very flexible shoe. However, the transition from heel to toe was very smooth while running."
Upper Feel i
With its TPU-coated design, the new mesh upper offers more breathability than the previous version while offering better abrasion resistance. Our testers loved the comfort of the padded design and asymmetrical tongue, and they found that it was surprisingly secure for how adaptable it was.
Billy: "The upper and asymmetrical tongue are the highlight of this shoe for me. It was soft and padded while eliminating any unnecessary movement."
Derek: "This upper was more supportive than most road running shoe uppers. It did a great job of locking my foot into place, even on uneven surfaces."
Men's New Balance Hierro Running Shoes
Women's New Balance Hierro Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
This shoe is very comfortable to run in. It has a soft yet secure fit and plush cushioning. On the trails, it feels best suited to running longer durations on less technical terrain, and it does get a little out of its element, but not too much, when the trails become less groomed. Outside of feeling a little heavy on occasion, the Hierro v5 is a very comfortable way to spend a day on trails.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Hierro v5 had a very voluminous fit throughout, and there was plenty of room for my narrow foot without being loose-fitting. As this was my first experience with the Fresh Foam X midsole foam, I was pleasantly surprised. It was extremely soft right out of the box and did a great job at absorbing impact while also providing a nice, bouncy ride. Also, the traction from the Megagrip outsole was great on single-track trails, fire roads, and even pavement. However, this would not be my first choice for more technical trails.
The only minor downside is the weight of the shoe, which I found a little on the heavy side. Because of this, I would not recommend it for any faster-paced runs. I would consider this more of a "chill in comfort" and "enjoy the scenery" type of trail shoe.