In production · trail · Trail / Long run · $120
New Balance Fresh Foam X Garoe v2: 38 mm heel stack, 8 mm drop, 269 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Built for trail, long run, at a target pace of 8:30–12:00 /mi on trail.
The midsole is Fresh Foam, tuned soft (4/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is above average: the midsole rebounds well without feeling unstable. 38 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 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 8 mm drop is the mainstream middle — familiar to almost anyone coming from a standard trainer. The geometry is fairly traditional and flat, so the shoe follows your foot rather than steering it. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. It is a neutral platform with no built-in correction.
The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It runs small; most runners size up a half. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.27 per mile at $120.
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
298 g / 10.5 oz
23 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g
Heel stack
38 mm
2 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm
Drop
8 mm
2 mm higher than the catalog median of 6 mm
Price
$120
40 cheaper than the catalog median of 160
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Catalog median 3 / 5
Cushioning
4 / 5
Catalog median 4 / 5
Energy return
4 / 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.
Merrell Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX
300 g / 10.6 oz · 38 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $185
Waterproof Agility Peak 6 for wet, cold and sloppy trail days.
Merrell Agility Peak 6
287 g / 10.1 oz · 38 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $160
Cushioned technical trail workhorse on Vibram Megagrip with a rock plate.
Under Armour Infinite Pro
300 g / 10.6 oz · 36 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $135
Cushioned trail version of the Infinite platform for mixed terrain.
Salomon S/Lab Ultra 4
265 g / 9.3 oz · 36 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $200
Precision-fit ultra racer built around Kilian's mountain requirements.