New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 review: what runners say

Fit

Runs about a half size small compared to standard sizing: recommended to size up half a size. Available in multiple widths; the wide resolves forefoot issues.

Feel

Maximum cushioning with noticeable energy return, but the shoe is stiff — closer to a carbon-plated road shoe than a traditional trail shoe. The weight (311g) is felt.

Durability

Vibram Megagrip outsole with a solid reputation; RunRepeat notes excellent durability. Precise mileage data not available from the corpus; one isolated report on the v6 GTX notes toebox wear after six months, but refers to a previous version.

Best for

Mid- to long-distance trail for heavier runners or those prioritizing joint protection on technical, muddy, and rocky terrain. Suited to midfoot/forefoot strikers. Not optimal on highly technical terrain where ground feel is needed.

Weak points

Reduced stability on very technical terrain due to high stack. Excessive stiffness for those seeking flexibility in a trail shoe.

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