In production · trail · Trail / Recovery / Long run · $170
Max-cushion trail cruiser — the More's soft slab on dirt.
Built for trail, recovery, long run, at a target pace of 9:30–13:00 /mi on trail.
New Balance tuned this midsole very soft (5/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. At 45 mm of heel stack this sits in max-cushion territory; legs stay fresher on long efforts, but the platform is tall. Combined, the ride reads as calm at 2/5 responsiveness.
A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.
A low 4 mm drop encourages a midfoot landing and keeps the ankle working through a fuller range. The rocker is moderate — enough curve to smooth the roll-through without dictating your footstrike. The forefoot is stiff, so it rolls rather than bends — a lever, not a slipper. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.
The toe-box is wide, with space for the toes to spread late in long runs. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.38 per mile at $170.
For the foams and plates New Balance uses across its line, read the New Balance brand guide.
Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.
Weight
320 g / 11.3 oz
45 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
45 mm
9 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
4 mm
2 mm lower than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$170
10 pricier than the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
2 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
5 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Durability
~450 mi
Catalog median ~400 mi
Within the New Balance line it is heavier than the brand's median (278 g / 9.8 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (36 mm).
Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v10
290 g / 10.2 oz · 40 mm · 4 mm drop · Rock · $150
Cushioned trail cruiser with Vibram Megagrip and a roomy fit.
New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v9(2024)
297 g / 10.5 oz · 33 mm · 4 mm drop · Rock · $165
Cushioned, wide-fitting trail shoe for long, moderate terrain days.
Asics Trabuco Max 5(2025)
300 g / 10.6 oz · 41 mm · 5 mm drop · Rock · $170
Max-cushion trail cruiser, lighter than the 4, with water-repellent mesh.
Altra Olympus 7
315 g / 11.1 oz · 39 mm · 0 mm drop · Rock · $180
Max-cushion zero-drop ultra shoe with Vibram Megagrip.