New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 review
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New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Verdict
The pros
- Comfortable
- Great traction
- Stable
The cons
- Long laces
- Upper absorbs water
Rating breakdown
Facts / Specs
Size/Fit
Cushioning & ride
Trail specs
Best for these distances
Best for these terrains
Who should buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 ?
The ideal situation for this shoe is a hard one to pinpoint. I can honestly say it could work for anyone. The perfect scenario would be, for the runner who takes them out on various terrains. These terrains would include dirt paths, gravel paths, roots, and technical downhills.
Who should not buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 ?
It’s not for the individual with a wider foot. The upper material makes them snug but does offer some room for breathability. I would not recommend them for very rocky terrains.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Introduction
This trail shoe New Balance brings to the table is one of my favorite new trail shoes.
It provides you with everything you would need and want in a daily trail shoe. You’ll find that it’s comfortable enough to wear just for strolls down a nice path but rugged enough to take off the beaten path. It can handle all types of terrain. But like I said, not my first choice for boulders.
New Balance has put a ton of new technology into the Fresh Foam X Hierro v8. Starting with the Fresh Foam X midsole foam, it’s New Balance’s softest foam that gives you incredible comfort.
Jumping on board with all other big companies, New Balance has made this foam with approximately 40% bio-based materials. They state that their bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint.
One of my favorite features of this shoe is the Vibram® Eco-Step Natural Outsole with the same Micro-Traction Lug by Vibram®. This superior outsole provides an impressive grip. And lastly, they have given the Hierro v8 a superb lightweight upper.
They weigh in at 8.9 oz and have a 6mm drop. You can get yourself a pair of them for $149.99. This is a typical price for trail shoes on the market. I have tested out many over the past year and I can say that these are very well-made and worth every penny.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Impressions
When comparing the previous model to the Fresh Foam X Hirrro v8 you’ll notice not much has changed. This can be a good thing for those who don’t like much change or it can be a disappointment. I have not had the pleasure of testing out the past versions but I did get to experience my first New Balance trail shoe with this one.
Using them for the past few weeks on various surfaces has helped me realize what running scenarios I love to wear them for. The majority of my runs have been on rugged/rocky terrain because those are the trails I enjoy running on.
They performed decently well but at times I felt like they were too soft and not sturdy like some of the trail shoes I have.
They are ideal for gravel and dirt paths. I love them for those types of runs. I could just keep going and logging those miles. My feet stay perfectly in place and extremely comfortable.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Protection
The protection of this shoe would be in the middle. It has some protection but not a ton.
It wouldn’t be my first choice to grab this shoe for a very rocky trail.
In the midsole, you have New Balances signature Fresh Foam X which works well when you’re on dirt but isn’t the best choice when it comes to thinking about rock protection.
It does offer New Balance’s Toe Protection technology, which is a thin layer of rubber that runs around the edge of the shoe and helps to guard your feet from whatever you might kick.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Durability
Durability wise? They seem to be holding up just fine. I have tested them close to 100 miles now and other than the midsole visually looking like it has some wrinkles
In the foam, they have looked remarkably untouched. That’s even after a few heavily muddy runs.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Responsiveness & speed
These are a pair of shoes that I do feel comfortable running at top speeds. They are far from being bulky and allow me to make quick foot placements on technical landscapes.
I wouldn’t say it’s a shoe that propels me forward but it has a stable ground feel to it that makes you feel confident enough to push your pace without a few at of a misstep or rolling your ankle.
Pushing off from different elements such as sand, dirt, mud, and snow has been not an issue. They have performed well in all conditions except on mossy rocks. That’s one of those things that there might not be a shoe that wouldn’t slip.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Comfort and fit
When thinking about what makes the Hierro v8 stick out from all my other trail shoes? The first thing that comes to mind is their comfort.
It’s like no other trail shoe I have worn. From the upper to the midsole, they are overall a very plush feeling shoe. They fit perfectly and give your foot the right amount of breathing room. I would say they do fit more on the snug side and wouldn’t recommend for anyone with a wider foot.
I have worn them for almost a full day and they gave me no problems. The upper just melts onto your foot, while the midsole absorbs any impact thrown at it.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Conclusions
The Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 is a great update.
It will not disappoint.
If I had to pick them for an ideal situation, it would be a not-very-technical trail or a road-to-trail run. The comfort is superb and I have loved wearing them.
New Balance is on to something and they have a new trail shoe fan.
How does the Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 compare?
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
Brooks Catamount 3
Why you can trust us
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.We purchased this pair of New Balance at Running Warehouse with our own money.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Reviewed by Olivia
Lives in Marietta, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and dog. Olivia is a personal trainer and soccer coach. She has been running for 10 years and competes in various distances. For the past few years she has been concentrating on the ultra distances. She never would have thought that one sport would change her whole outlook on life like running has.
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