New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 running shoes

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Running Shoe is a very cushioned, soft, comfortable running shoe that is best suited for slower, even recovery runs. Its high cushioning and good stability for its height make it a good choice for longer runs, but if you’re looking for a shoe with maximum comfort for shorter runs, it’ll do the trick. The high midsole and comfortable upper come with a higher weight, but it’s not just the higher weight that will keep you from breaking speed records in this shoe. It doesn’t have much energy return, so while it’s soft and has good shock absorption for kicks, it doesn’t give off much energy. If you have a neutral foot position, they may be a good choice for standing work or running, but if you pronate or supinate, they may not be a good choice for those activities. For many people with a non-neutral foot position, running shoes with a high-cushioned soft midsole can be a particularly bad option not only for running, but also for everyday wear.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 upper

The upper of the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 running shoe is all about comfort. The upper is made of a mesh material that has good breathability, but it also has an inner liner that starts at the tongue. The tongue of the shoe is gusseted and this anchoring strap continues as an inner insert. The tongue is thick and cushioned and fits comfortably around the foot. The heel collar is also padded, keeping the foot comfortable and secure, yet minimally rigid. The upper is true to size and has a wider construction, but a narrow version of the shoe is also available. Although wide, the upper is not as tall, but because it is soft, it is not as noticeable or distracting. It’s rare that such a comfortable, soft upper can be paired with good breathability, especially when you consider that there is an inner sock-like lining.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 midsole

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Running Shoe Midsole is made with Fresh Foam X foam, which has an amazing amount of volume. Not only is the midsole tall, but it’s also wide. At the heel, the midsole is 44mm high with a small 4mm drop, so there is 40mm of foam under the toes. Because the midsole is wider than average, the shoe is stable. Soft and comfortable, but not fast, it is best suited for slow or recovery runs. If comfort is all that matters for your longer runs, it’s still good for long runs, but the low energy return means you may tire a little sooner in a soft shoe. Besides stability, the other surprising thing about this shoe is that it’s flexible, with very good torsional flexibility. This is not the case with high and wide midsoles.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Outsole

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 running shoe outsole is made from a medium-hard rubber compound, which is good news because you’d expect it to provide good traction and wear less quickly. Grip is good even on wet surfaces thanks to the medium soft compound and the well grooved outsole design. The outsole does not cover the entire midsole, which is another reason why the midsole has good torsional flexibility. The outsole is of medium thickness, and since it has above average wear resistance, it should be more durable.

Who should I wear the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 running shoe for and what kind of running? Summary

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Running Shoe is a high-cushioned running shoe that provides maximum comfort and is best suited for light, slow, even recovery runs. Not only is it tall, but it also has a wide midsole for good stability compared to high-cushioned running shoes. Despite the comfortable and soft double-layered upper, it also has good breathability. The outsole has good traction and wears more slowly than average. We recommend it for advanced runners on slower runs, it’s a good choice for beginners looking for a neutral running shoe, and it can also be a good choice for runners with heavier body weights.