Mountain shoes
Product 2020
Woman, Man
Ah, if only the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 designers had kept an eye on the scales when they were designing them… Because if these shoes weighed a few grams less, they would be a must-have for trail running. At 350g in size 42.5, we pushing the upper limit.
Even if you get used to them, the extra weight means more expending effort.
For the rest though, what a joy to run with this sole. New Balance has managed to combine assertive cushioning with control and a fine feel for the ground. The cushioning is well distributed between the shoe’s front and heel, the difference is coherent, except when you heel strike: you get “spongy” feedback. As you can see there is a prominent rear end, very “trendy” in several brands. This protruding sole can possibly play a role on the road as on the Hoka One One Clifton Edge https://www.test4outside.com/produit/hoka-one-one-clifton-edge/), and yet, it needs to be proved. But in trail running, downhill, on cobbled stone paths, be careful that this extra piece of sole does not catch the heel and destabilize the runner. For our part, a quick slice with a cutter allowed us to remove this appendage and also lose a few grams!
On a scale of 1 to 10, the cushioning is estimated to be 7.
There is an appreciated soft feeling in the stride. The energy doesn’t dissolve and the spring is effective (despite the extra weight). The shoe doesn’t roll, it remains stable in technical passages and you can go across angled slopes.
This “softness” is throughout the shoe: foot envelopment, generous ankle foam, and a thick tongue. The toe box is roomy for your foot.
The stone guard is well designed: neither too rigid nor too soft. Overall, these New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 seem tough and has many reinforcements (hence its weight?).
The grip is very effective on wet and technical trails but lacks bite when it gets really muddy (the lugs are not designed for this use). But the quality of Vibram gum is indisputable.
They are easy to put on thanks to the heel strap and the shoe’s opening. The tongue is thick. The upper covers the tongue (double thickness, extra weight). The top of the tongue can’t decide if it goes under or over the cover layer, but it doesn’t interfere with your stride.
Some of the seams are a bit hesitant and there are some protruding threads but overall this is a well-made product.
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 have a very developed cushioning sole. Its grip and comfort are also very consistent. Only their weight could give you a reason to question depending on the distances you tackle.
8 mm 
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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