The V7 has been updated with a dual-density Fresh Foam midsole, so the ride is smoother than the V6. The articulated outsole complements the EVA midsole to produce a cushioned yet supportive ride for daily runs. Its 9.5-ounce (270 gram) weight is respectable for a shoe with an EVA midsole. This trail running shoe carries forward the Nitrel name from the V3 but has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Don’t get us wrong. The Nitrel V4 is a nice enough trail shoe that gets its basics down pat. The foam midsole provides decent levels of ride comfort, and the full-coverage outsole does its job. The upper, while narrow, delivers a trail-worthy fit. Perhaps for your marathon long runs, or you’re just wanting more protection from the road, I’d suggest these. In this case, the price is worth the pay out. With the outsole being 44% thinner than average, we were pleasantly surprised with the incredible traction. We ran on dry and wet pavement, even on snow or slush—yet the outsole’s grip remained exceptionally adherent to any surface we challenged it to.

This article has been updated with current models for May 2022. The Shando and the Pro Knit have been removed.This design really your foot in, however it is also the portion of the shoe that needs the longest time to break in. For the first few runs, it was stiff and irritated my midfoot, but was great after about 10-15 miles. Designed without compromise, New Balance running shoes are guaranteed to provide a responsive ride that fuels your run - in other words, get ready to feel faster-than-fast. Speed-seeking, breathable, conforming fit, optimal cushioning - New Balance has something for every run and every man. The lab numbers had the proof, but our feet lived to tell the tale. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12’s cushion felt like we were running on clouds. Our durometer measurement confirmed this with the midsole cushion scoring 12.5 HA—49.7% softer than the average road running shoe. While it felt ultra-plush, it was abundantly springy and provided us with a forgiving and exciting ride. These numbers were not exactly customer friendly – but I have to admit that once you know the logic, it actually makes a lot of sense. Running Shoes Buying Guides To give credit where it’s due, New Balance offers multiple widths on their entry-level products – a benefit that most brands do not offer.

The upper fits snug and short, so that’s something to bear in mind while purchasing the Nitrel V4. The fused toe bumper, while protective, makes the ceiling narrower and the sizing at least a half size small. The ‘Fresh Foam’ midsole unit on the Roav v2 is the highlight of this shoe as it is both comfortable and responsive. We measured the midsole to be 8.1% firmer at 26.5HA using our durometer test, but it never felt overly firm. In fact, it felt soft enough to provide ample protection and responsiveness for our feet during our runs. When we ran on different terrains, the grippy nature of the Hierro v7’s outsole definitely stood out. The combination of this reliable outsole rubber and an updated lug pattern resulted in this very grippy shoe—perfect for conquering light to moderate trails while remaining unscathed.Thus it makes sense for the 680V7 to be a comfortable neutral shoe with a smooth ride – because that’s exactly what it is.