Article by Jeff Beck
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 ($155)
Introduction
New Balance’s biggest road shoe’s fifth iteration reclaims its spot as a real max cushion shoe among a sea of max cushion shoes on the market. I personally missed out on the v4, but reviewed the v3 a few years ago, and while it was a massive 29/33 stack height in 2021, that’s borderline racing flat status now. The behemoth v5 has gained about an ounce, though it’s also substantially wider and taller (+6mm back and front), now riding a full 40mm under the forefoot and 44mm under the heel. Even if you don’t like super soft and comfortable shoes, if you’d like something that makes you almost two inches taller, look no further.
Pros:
- This version of Fresh Foam X is incredibly soft.
- Extra wide platform keeps the shoe surprisingly stable.
- Engineered mesh upper has a relaxed fit without being sloppy.
- Rocker geometry helps the shoe from feeling too sluggish, despite its cushioning.
- Those of us 5’11” folks can legitimately hit 6’ tall.
- Outsole gives enough durability and grip.
- Toebox width is ample.
Cons:
- Not much flex or give with that thick of a midsole.
- The laws of physics exist, so a shoe with this much girth is going to tip the scales pretty hard.
- I’m a sucker for a heel pull tab, and there isn’t one.
- Makes an odd squishing noise on some harder surfaces.
Stats
Spec Weight: 11.3 oz / 321g US9.5
Sample Weight: men’s 11.74 oz / 333g US 10.5,
Prior Version Weight: men’s 10.86 oz / 308g US 10.5
Stack Height: men’s 44mm heel / 40mm forefoot ( 4mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 107mm heel / 94mm midfoot / 130mm forefoot (v3 103mm heel / 88mm midfoot / 121mm forefoot)
$155 available now US
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The Fresh Foam More v5 almost looks like a photoshopped image in real life - it looks like a normal shoe, just bigger proportions. The overall volume of the midsole puts just about everything else on the market to shame, and pictures really don’t do it justice. Step in feel is outstanding, as this version of Fresh Foam X is among the softest midsoles around, or at least it is when there’s this much of it.
The fit isn’t quite performance-centric super dialed in, nor is it loose and sloppy for a dedicated easy day shoe, though I have slightly-wider-than-average width feet, so narrow-footed runners may find them a little loose. The toebox has a little bit of give, but it’s wide enough on its own merits that most runners will probably have zero consideration either way.
The engineered mesh upper is borderline plush. It’s got a soft feel to the touch, and not much give to it, so it holds the foot well despite a lack of overlays. The tongue is gusseted so it isn’t going anywhere, and it’s got plenty of soft thickness to prevent any kind of lace bite. You can crank down on the laces without feeling individual pressure, and the laces have good grip on themselves. There’s not much of a heel counter to speak of, just a little internal reinforcement, but the shoe doesn’t feel flimsy. The collar has some subtle padding to help keep the foot planted, and it does it’s job without digging into the ankle. I wouldn’t mind a heel pull tab, but the shoe opens up enough it’s not hard to get on without one.
Ultimately it’s one of those uppers that’s like a top notch offensive lineman in the NFL. If you aren’t thinking about it and it doesn’t stand out in any way, that’s the hidden indication it’s actually great. But ultimately this shoe is all about the midsole.
Midsole & Platform
I haven’t taken a math class in about two decades so I can’t run the numbers to calculate the actual volume of the midsole, but it’s safe to say that if it isn’t the single biggest overall midsole of any road shoe on the market, it’s in the top five. There’s so much cushioning underfoot, and it’s incredibly soft cushioning as well, if it wasn’t for the supremely wide platform they’d be some level of unstable. Fortunately, New Balance did make the shoe wider than before, so while there’s plenty of give, I didn’t find I was fearful of rolling an ankle or something similar.
There’s a little chart/diorama on the insole detailing the icon change for Fresh Foam, showing the five iterations dating back to its inception, along with the caption “Reshaping cushioning since 2014”. New Balance hasn’t given any information on what changes have been made to Fresh Foam/Fresh Foam X over the years, but this is definitely the softest flavor they’ve made.
The forefoot rocker helps the shoe’s performance quite a bit, keeping it from feeling like running in sand. It’s not as pronounced as others, but there’s just a little bit of geometry to help your feet get through the gait cycle - but more on that below.
Outsole
New Balance split the outsole into two large patches, leaving plenty of exposed midsole in an attempt to try to save some weight. They kept nearly full coverage along the medial and lateral sides, which I appreciate as a supinator. Durability of the rubber is fine, and even the durability of the exposed midsole is better than expected. It’s been exceptionally dry so I haven’t had an opportunity to try them in wet conditions, but the type of rubber seems like traction would be adequate in the wet.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
With so much ultra soft Fresh Foam X, you likely have an idea of exactly how the shoe rides, and you probably aren’t wrong. The ultra soft and stable platform has an exceptionally soft landing, but there’s not too much energy return to speak of. The rocker geometry helps a little, as I mentioned above it’s not a sluggish shoe, but it’s likely too far on the soft side of the spectrum to be a regular daily trainer for just about anyone. I appreciate an ultra plush ride as much as anyone else, but there’s a time and place for it when there’s just so much plush to be had, making this exclusively an easy day or all day type of shoe. I could also see folks who spend all day working on their feet gravitate toward the Fresh Foam More v5, or as the goto travel/run shoe. Regardless of intention, you’re going to need to want ultimate cushioning or you’re missing the strength of the shoe. It’s not remotely the fastest shoe around, but it could be the most comfortable out there.
Jeff's Score: 9.55/10
Ride (50%): 9.5 Fit (30%): 10 Value (15%): 9 Style (5%): 9
Smiles Score: 😊😊😊😊😊
6 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
New Balance Fresh Foam More v3 (RTR Review)
The v3 is almost comical; its platform is so much lower, narrower, and firmer - and only 3 years ago it was pretty beefy and soft. The Fresh Foam X variance is noticeably different as well. The v3 is a little more versatile than the v5, but ultimately I’ll take the ultra cush v5, despite the 25g weight jump.
New Balance 1080v13 (RTR Review)
Easily the clearest Big Brother/Little Brother pairing of a shoe I’ve seen, these two have tons in common - except for the stack. It feels like it’s the same, or at least very similar, execution of Fresh Foam X, there’s just much more in the More. Upper fit is about the same, with the 1080 having a little more stretch to it. If you like the 1080 but want a staggering amount of extra squish, the FFMv5 is exactly what you want. Solid daily trainer/easy day combination.
Saucony Triumph 22 (RTR Review)
Major paradigm shift, the Triumph 22 used to feel soft and massive, but when worn A/B against the FFMv5, it feels almost firm and low slung. I’m still a big fan of the Triumph, and with PWRRUN PB it’s far more performance focused than the Triumph has been in a decade, but for pure comfort the New Balance takes the cake. Every day trainer? Triumph no question.
Brooks Ghost Max 2 (RTR Video Review)
Similar stack heights, the FFMv5 is noticeably softer and wider underfoot, with a much more dialed in fit upper. The GM2 doesn't have nearly the sink in, but it does have much more bounce, and even though the platform is much more narrow (almost a centimeter at the forefoot and midfoot) it fits much wider and is only 8g lighter. Similar rocker geometry on each shoe. DNA Loft v3 continues to be a more performance based midsole, making the GM2 much more versatile, but the FFMv5 is much more comfortable.
Mizuno Neo Vista (RTR Review)
About the only thing that feels like a similar stack height, the Neo Vista is much more performance focused with an embedded plate, narrower platform, and more energetic ride. They have very similar ultra soft landings, but the plate (and nearly 2 ounces of less weight) make for a much more energetic response than the New Balance. If you’ve tried the Mizuno and would like the easier day version of it, the FFMv5 could be your shoe.
Hoka Bondi 8 (RTR Review)
The king is dead, long live the king. While the Hoka is similar in stack and platform width, the difference in midsole feel is substantial. The Hoka is borderline firm, while also having some very unflattering narrow parts around the arch and midfoot, just begging to give you some blisters after only a few miles - and it’s more than a full ounce heavier than the New Balance. The Bondi was the pioneer in this space, but the FFM is the much better execution.
Tester Profiles
Jeff Beck is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails around Denver, CO (and sometimes on the treadmill when the weather gets too much for a Phoenix native). Jeff only got into running in his 30s, as a result his career PR's are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has finished several ultra marathons, from 50K up to 50 miles, and is still debating if he wants to go down that road again.
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6 comments:
Ask away if you have any questions.
Hey Jeff. I had "best in many years" success with the v3. Older jogger, with many mechanical imperfections. V4 softer gap-heel seemed too squishy & unstable for me. Wondering if you feel like v5 is too soft & squishy to rival the stable & rockered feel of the v3. I do tend to feel better controlled with the wide platforms, and an extra ounce doesn't bother me.
Hi. Was hoping you could advise.
I can't even run a bath so this is not a serious athlete question but my physio told me to buy some stability running shoes to help my knee and rolling ankle. Could you advise on some good stability shoes that also look ok to wear for work rather than sport.
Many thanks.
Hey, I am not Jeff and maybe you need something else, but the stability version of the FFMore is called: Fresh Foam X Vongo v6. Maybe that's what you would like, very much like this one but with stability features.
First Anonymous,
It's hard to say without having spent miles in the v4. I did run and review the FFM Trail v3, which looks like it has a fair amount in common with the road v4, but my pair was massive (a half size big and a 2E) so it was hard to see the forest for the trees in regards to stability. That said, I've put enough miles in my road v3 that it's pretty beat compared to a fresh pair of v5, so that could exasperate the issue of how different the v3 and v5 feel. Ultimately if the v3 resonated with you but the v4 didn't, I'd lean toward thinking the v5 wouldn't either. The v3 has a "well cushioned but not gargantuan and super soft" vibe while the v5 is the exact opposite. You could always pick them up from a retailer that allows easy returns or find them locally - I'd imagine you'll be able to tell from the first step in if the v5 has the same magic the v3 did for you. If the v5 is too soft for you, maybe give the 361 Eleos a shot. It's a very well cushioned shoe without being quite as big or soft, and there's a bounce to it that's impressive. Either way, I wish you good luck.
Second anonymous,
The third anonymous is 100% correct, the Vongo is effectively the More with stability. That said, it looks like it may be one generation behind, so the current Vongo looks like a version of the More v4 with stability. You mentioned rolling your ankle, which typically means rolling in (which is some level of normal) while I'm on the opposite end of things, you pronate, I supinate, so most stability shoes make my issues worse, which is why I rarely review them. That said, I did review the Puma ForeverRun Nitro, which is a stability shoe, and I absolutely loved it. Incredibly comfortable while being stable in a way that wasn't over the top. There's also a handful of stability shoes in the Brooks lineup, and one of my favorite Brooks shoes, the Glycerin, is a well cushioned neutral shoe that they also make a stability version of - check out the Glycerin GTS 21. Similarly, Saucony makes what's effectively a stability version of one of (in my opinion) the best shoes out there (the Triumph, current version is 22, I started in the 10), and it's called the Hurricane, though the most recent versions of the Guide and Tempus could be up your alley. My apologies that I can't speak with more firsthand experience.
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