Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
4 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• NEW Vibram brand MegaGrip Outsole• Deep, spaced out outsole lugs• Fresh Foam midsole cushioning• 3mm added midsole thickness• Hexagon midsole design• Meta Lock upper technology for a snug fit• Fantom Fit technology for support and ventilation• Toe Protect toe bumper• Padded heel and tongue• Stretchy laces• 2mm added to drop
Upper
The V2’s upper stays about the same save for some minor aesthetic changes. The upper features Meta Lock technology to ensure a secure fit. This technology is paired with a Fantom Fit design which adds support and keeps wearers’ feet well-ventilated. What about trail-specific features? There is a Toe Protect bumper at the front of the shoe, which helps to shield against trail debris. A standard padded tongue and heel are paired with stretchy laces. Reviewers liked the flexible design of the upper and the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2’s true to size fit. The majority of those who tested the shoe liked the toe box fit but a few found it a bit too narrow. Many reviewers also pointed out their delight when they discovered the Hierro V2’s upper was exceptionally quick to dry when exposed to water.
Midsole
The New Balance sneaker features a new and improved midsole, too. The updated midsole has more cushioning thus adding more protection. Not convinced that the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 is more padded? New Balance has actually increased the midsole thickness by 3mm. This added thickness is a nice touch considering the trail shoe lacks a traditional rock plate. The midsole is made of impressively responsive Fresh Foam with a Hexagon midsole design (visible from the side profile of the shoe). Reviewers agreed that the added cushioning was noticeable and helped to improve the shoe’s feel. The cushioning sits somewhere at a happy medium between too soft and too hard. One drawback, though, is that reviewers noticed the cushioning lost its bounce fairly quickly. Some reviewers also lamented the missing rock plate element. The added cushioning makes up for this a bit, but more cushioning doesn’t provide the same protection as a hard midsole plate. Enough with the negatives, though! Despite these two shortcomings, reviewers were incredibly impressed with the new New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 features a nice amount of forefoot cushioning, which is great news for forefoot strikers.
Outsole
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 has received an outsole makeover for its second edition. A new Vibram MegaGrip outsole provides better traction and is made with more durable materials for a longer lasting, grippier sole. The shoe also features lugs that are spaced far apart to help prevent mud build up. Deeper lugs encourage better and more precise control on various surfaces. Reviewers appreciated that the outsole design helped to keep out mud and particularly liked the extremely grippy outsole. Some users did mention that the outsole provided slightly less control on wet surfaces, though.
Breathability
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 is made of breathable material and with a Fantom Fit design, the upper conforms just right to the foot. This helps ensure air circulates without limiting support. Reviewers had no glaring issues in terms of breathability and many pointed out that they were happy with the upper’s ability to dry very quickly when wet.
Comfort
Reviewers really enjoyed the fit and feel of the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2. The comfortable new Fresh Foam cushioning is wonderfully balanced. It’s not too firm or too soft. The cushioning is thicker than before, with an added 3mm of height, so the trail shoe is a good choice for longer training sessions. The fit of the upper also helps to ensure a comfortable fit. The Fantom Fit construction is snug and supportive but flexible enough that your feet won’t feel constricted and suffocated. The upper’s breathable material helps to circulate air, too. Small details like a padded heel and tongue up the comfort factor and the flexible overall design of the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 results in a natural feeling ride. The generous forefoot cushioning makes for a comfortable landing pad for forefoot strikers, as well.
Style
This shoe features a bright, stylish design in several ombre colorways. Contrasting midsole coloring adds some interest to the shoe. Both the men and women’s versions are offered in colorful styles with bright accents.
Durability
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 has received a few updates that have made it more durable. Most notably: the addition of a Vibram brand outsole. The outsole not only provides better traction but it’s much longer lasting than before. Overall, the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 is a quality shoe that can handle some rough and tumble outings on the trails. Reviewers had no significant issues with the lifespan of the shoe.
Protection
The New Balance shoe provides decent protection but it’s not the most protective trail shoe on the market. If you’re looking for a shoe with a rock plate, look elsewhere. The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 doesn’t have one. For some reviewers, this was a dealbreaker. No rock plate, though, means that the shoe is lighter than options with one. Before making a final decision on whether the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 is for you, consider your priorities: weight or protection? Other than a missing rock plate, the shoe is a good choice for non-technical trails thanks to a quick-drying upper. It’s not waterproof but an accidental (or unavoidable) encounter with a puddle won’t ruin your run. The shoe also features Toe Protect, which is a fancy way of saying the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 has a thick rubber toe bumper.
Responsiveness
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2’s new Fresh Foam cushioning is mega responsive. There’s a reason it’s called ‘Fresh’ Foam. The plush yet supportive cushioning allows wearers to get a bit of spring in their step. That, paired with a flexible design really accentuates the shoe’s ability to provide a smooth ride. Reviewers liked the combination of the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2’s lightweight design and responsive midsole cushioning.
Support
This shoe is a neutral trail shoe but that doesn’t mean it’s completely unsupportive. The new Fresh Foam cushioning provides a nice amount of support underfoot. The upper, too, brings a supportive element to the shoe. The Fantom Fit and Meta Lock technologies wrap the foot like a burrito. The result is a snug as a bug feel that still promotes proper ventilation.
Terrain
The Hierro V2 is meant to be taken off-road. It’s a trail shoe after all. It doesn’t have a rock plate to protect from hard, sharp debris but the thicker midsole material adds a bit of distance between the runner’s foot and the ground. The shoe also features a new outsole that’s both better able to tackle repeated stress and provides good grip on more types of surfaces. The outsole also features a specific lug pattern that’s particularly good at keeping mud out. There are no tight crevices where mud can get trapped, larger spaces ensure mud is shed quickly as it’s picked up by the shoe.
Price
Reviewers did find the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 a little expensive but most found the price they paid well worth it. The V2 is a solid update to the previous version of the Hierro. It’s more durable and each new feature is a definite improvement.
Drop
The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 features a 4mm drop from heel to toe. This second version of the shoe actually has a higher drop that before. An added 2 mm creates a larger incline, though, nothing too drastic. Reviewers didn’t seem to have any qualms about the change in drop. It’s likely to do with the change in midsole thickness. With an added 3mm of cushioning, something’s got to give.
Stability
A neutral trail runner, the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 doesn’t have your traditional stability features. But neutral runners will still be able to land confidently as they traverse off-road trails. The outsole’s improved traction really helps to bring stability to the wearer. Deeper lugs make grippy the ground easier, resulting in more solid footing even on uneven surfaces.
Flexibility
There’s no specific technology that enhances the flexibility of the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 but reviewers seemed to be quite impressed with the shoe’s ability to move smoothly and flex naturally. This highly flexible design is made possible thanks to the omission of a rock plate. If there were one, there’s little doubt that the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 would lack flexibility.
Traction
The Fresh Foam Hierro V2 provides a great deal of solid traction. That’s mostly thanks to the new Vibram MegaGrip outsole. The new outsole is made of a grippier material (that’s also more durable). Reviewers were impressed with the added traction but did note that wet conditions were still a bit hit or miss in the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2. The deeper lugs allow users to confidently attack trails without worrying about missing a beat.
Bottom Line
Overall, the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 is a great option for trail runners who don’t need maximum protection. Are you heading out to well-groomed, nontechnical trails? A shoe like the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 should work just fine. Don’t let the lack of rock plate dissuade you from purchasing this shoe. It’s a great update with generous cushioning and improved traction. The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2 has a fresh look and responsive design. The shoe’s comfortable fit shouldn’t be forgotten either. With very few issues, there are very few reasons not to consider the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V2.
