New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Review: Soft and Broad

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Review

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Quick Verdict

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is a very soft, very broad max-cushion neutral trainer built for relaxed road running. New Balance's regional exact-model page confirms the Fresh Foam X construction, approximate 4mm drop, and 11.0-ounce men's reference; independent sources commonly report a 43mm heel, 39mm forefoot, 10.7-ounce men's US 9, 9.2-ounce women's US 8, and MSRP: $155 launch price. Its documented general release was August 2024. The old page's 36/32mm, MSRP: $165, and fixed durability claims did not fit the exact model.

The broad base, sidewalls, and stiffness keep the high, soft platform more centered than expected, but the upper is not as roomy as the exterior looks. It is best for easy and recovery-pace use, not quick turnover. TrainingPlan has not hands-on tested it; this review combines several exact-model wear tests with a cut-open lab test and current successor data.

Key Specifications

Running Warehouse lists 43/39mm, 10.7 and 9.2 ounces, and 4mm. Doctors of Running reports 11.0 and 9.2 ounces with the same stack. RunRepeat measured 10.9 ounces, 42.1/34.3mm, and a 7.8mm derived drop in its sample. These are method and sample differences, not interchangeable numbers.

What Changed

Version 5 substantially increases underfoot material versus More v4 and changes the Fresh Foam X formulation for a softer feel. New Balance broadens the base and uses higher sidewalls and greater torsional structure to manage that softness. The upper and rocker are also refined.

The shoe has since been replaced. New Balance now sells More v6 at MSRP: $159.99, with a 4mm approximate drop and men's 10.8-ounce brand weight. Version 5 therefore needs a meaningful closeout advantage.

Ride and Intended Use

The More v5 feels soft, protective, and deliberately slow. The rocker and wide platform help move the large shoe forward, but independent testers consistently place it in easy, recovery, and comfortable long-run use. RunRepeat measured below-average energy return despite exceptional softness.

This is useful when a runner wants to keep effort relaxed and enjoys a lot of compliant foam. It is a poor match for fast workouts, sharp direction changes, or strong ground feel. For a lighter neutral daily shoe, see the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14; for guided cushion, compare the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14.

Fit and Sizing

Doctors of Running found true-to-size length and secure lockdown. RunRepeat and OutdoorGearLab found the shoe slightly short or small, with a surprisingly tapered and low-volume toe box in standard D. Those impressions can coexist because foot shape and sample sizing differ.

Do not infer internal width from the enormous sole. Start at normal size, then compare wide or extra-wide options if toe pressure appears. Use a half-size change only when length is also insufficient, and confirm heel security after the change.

What Works Well

• Deep, soft cushion: Fresh Foam X supplies a distinctly plush underfoot experience for relaxed effort.
• Broad neutral stability: A wide sole, sidewalls, and structural stiffness limit side-to-side movement.
• Strong width range: Standard, wide, and extra-wide options can solve fit when the correct last is available.

Tradeoffs

• Heavy and bulky: Around 11 ounces plus a 124.6mm lab-measured forefoot platform limits agility.
• Low-volume standard toe box: Exterior width does not translate directly to space around the toes.
• Muted speed: Softness and modest energy return make pace changes laborious.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

• Runners who prefer soft, high-stack cushioning for easy road use.
• Heel strikers or neutral runners who appreciate an unusually broad landing platform.
• Buyers who find the correct width at a substantial discount below More v6.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

• Runners wanting a light, lively, or flexible do-everything shoe.
• Feet that remain cramped in the correct wide or extra-wide build.
• Anyone selecting footwear as treatment for joint pain or expecting a guaranteed mileage lifespan.

Cross-Brand Comparison

The HOKA Bondi 8 offers a firmer, more controlled high-cushion concept. The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 is plush with a higher-drop transition, while the Karhu Mestari Run 2.0 uses Fulcrum geometry for a more structured roll. More v5 is the softest and broadest-feeling proposition of this group.

Same-Brand Comparison

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 is lighter and more versatile. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 adds dedicated guidance. More v6 is the direct successor and the essential current-price comparison.

Value

At MSRP: $155, More v5 launched competitively for a max-cushion shoe. In 2026, paying near MSRP makes little sense when More v6 costs MSRP: $159.99. Closeout value is real only when the exact width fits and the discount is large enough to offset older inventory.

The retained Amazon ASIN returned an exact women's More v5 title in the saved listing audit. Verify gender, width, size, and seller rather than assuming every variation is the audited one.

Final Verdict

The More v5 is a 4mm-brand-drop, roughly 43/39mm max-cushion trainer with a broad, stable-neutral platform and a soft but muted ride. It is far taller and slightly less roomy inside than the old page suggested.

Choose it for relaxed, highly cushioned road use when fit and discount align. Choose a lighter shoe for versatility and More v6 when the prices are close.

Sources consulted

New Balance's exact-model regional page and release material; exact-model reviews from Doctors of Running, Running Warehouse, RunRepeat, and RoadTrailRun; and New Balance's current More v6 product page. Links are retained in metadata and cited with specifications, measurements, and successor facts.