New Balance - Fresh Foam X Hierro Series
Models:
Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Gore-Tex®
Fresh Foam X Hierro V7
Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
Fresh Foam Hierro v6
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 10, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
12
7
"My longest day in them was 32 miles with 10k gain and not a hotspot to write about. And this was over East Coast muddy rooty rocky wet."
"struggling to find a trail shoe I could wear for long miles ... long runs and ultra made me need more protection for long days ... I'm an older runner so my feet require more than my old Lone Peaks could offer. ... Buying another pair for AC100 in August. :)"
"I put them through bearings and have had pairs hold up nearly to 1000 miles."
6
7
"struggling to find a trail shoe I could wear for long miles ... long runs and ultra made me need more protection for long days ... I'm an older runner so my feet require more than my old Lone Peaks could offer. ... Buying another pair for AC100 in August. :)"
"its overall protective qualities are excellent. The integrated Toe Protect feature also adds robust front-foot defense against rocks and roots. ... the Hierro feels a bit sturdier and its TPU Toe Protector is genuinely effective. ... The Hierro’s construction feels more solid and confidence-inspiring on harsh terrain ... Feels very stable on moderate terrain"
"The Fresh Foam X in the Hierro delivers a truly plush and bouncy ride. It feels protective and offers good rebound, maintaining a consistent feel over long distances. ... However, the Fresh Foam X feels much more plush, and that sensation is fast becoming one of my favorites. ... I think the Hierro has a more modern, luxurious, and plush feeling to it. ... Dual-density midsole feels protective and plush without being mushy ... Less bottoming out than Hierro v7"
23
6
"Heiros have been the best fit wise that i've found outside of Altra."
"I bought the Hierro V9 from new balance in x-wide and I love them!"
"I have what would be considered a wide foot. I tried on the normal size 10.5 and they where too skinny so I got the wide an they fit so damn good."
9
3
"The Vibram Megagrip outsole on the Hierro v9 is simply outstanding. Its 4.5mm lugs provide excellent, reliable traction across various surfaces, from dry dirt to slick roots and muddy patches. I've always felt incredibly secure, and it consistently inspires confidence in diverse conditions. ... Great Vibram outsole grip, even on mud and wet rocks"
"I was quite impressed with its comfort and trail capabilities, and truly believed I had found an excellent shoe for my long runs and hikes. ... the New Balance Hierro v9 remains my top choice for comprehensive trail running. Its superior comfort and, crucially, its consistently reliable grip in varied and challenging conditions make it a more dependable partner on the trails I typically encounter. ... I feel more secure in the Hierro, and that confidence is key. In fact I will be using it for my upcoming races and that says it all."
"Hierro V9’s grip on wet roots/wood is deadly in comparison to Hoka’s SG5."
27
5
"My longest day in them was 32 miles with 10k gain and not a hotspot to write about. And this was over East Coast muddy rooty rocky wet."
"I weigh 253 lbs (115 kg) and had been searching for a long time for a trail shoe with strong cushioning, suitable for forest and light path running. ... I couldn’t find any with both high cushioning and a sole that performs well even in muddy conditions. New Balance really filled that gap perfectly"
"struggling to find a trail shoe I could wear for long miles ... long runs and ultra made me need more protection for long days ... I'm an older runner so my feet require more than my old Lone Peaks could offer. ... Buying another pair for AC100 in August. :)"
Disliked most:
3
9
"I was really disappointed when just after half a year they started showing tears on the toebox and collar."
"I had New Balance Hierro v8, which i had to send into early Pension After approximately 500km."
"Really the only thing I want from them is for the bottoms to not wear noticeably thin after 250 miles or so"
4
9
"High stack does mean they're not the most stable shoes. Not for unstable terrain."
"Hierro V9’s grip on wet roots/wood is deadly"
"First run i almost rolled one ankle then the other but saved it. ... Yesterday i went over quite hard on my right ankle."
5
10
"That said, I did find it a little heavy and clunky for road running."
"While comfortable enough for short road sections, the Hierro's weight and robust build can make it feel a bit cumbersome for extended pavement use, especially given my preference for lighter, snappier road shoes."
"not great on anything technical because of the stack height"
1
2
"Hierro V9’s grip on wet roots/wood is deadly"
"the Pegasus handles wet, mud better"
3
8
"It does feel snug, and I actually found it a bit tight at first, but after 100 miles it feels perfect now – I guess it molded to my foot or the foam compressed a bit. I have narrow feet though, so I can definitely see how it would feel too tight for wider feet, especially with that firm toe cap."
"the toe cap does limit toe room, to the point i have runner’s toe on my second toe."
"The toe cap presses into the foot."
I had Hierro v6 GTX. They were very plushy and quite lightweight for a well padded and cushioned trail shoe. They also did well on paved roads, where I used them on bad weather days. I was really disappointed when just after half a year they started showing tears on the toebox and collar. I ditched New Balance for Hoka Speedgoats. Much more fun to run in, due to more springy foam and the rocker. One and a half year later, the outsole (also a Vibram Megagrip) is missing half of the lugs, so I switch to another pair.
r/RunningShoeGeeks • New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 | 50+ Mile Review ->I use goretex running shoes as my daily walking / running shoes on rainy and snowy days. It used to be Adidas Supernova, which had amazing grip and survived for a long time until the midsole snapped in half. Then Hierro v6 which were super comfy, but started showing wear and tear of the upper after only 6 months. I moved to hoka speedgoats, which are not known for their durability, but I found 2 pairs in price of 1, so I thought a set would last me long enough. Indeed the vibram lugs after 18 months of using mostly on hard surfaces were destroyed on one side. And that may happen in general to trail shoes with big lugs instead of more asphalt oriented outsole. Despite some opinions, their traction on wet or icy asphalt is very good. The only specific situation when they turn into slipgoats is when I come from very low temperature and step on wet concrete like puddles of melted snow in a garage. There is yet another option. Couple of years ago my wife bought herself Reebok Work n Cushion. They were quite comfy, ridicuosly cheap and simple oldschool shoes. There are other brands making shoes for work. Something like Hoka transport, which can have interesting upper with its cordura lining plus the rich midsole.
r/AskRunningShoeGeeks • Durable and Grippy running shoes ->Hi all, Just wanted to ask for an assessment (opinion) on the sole wear on my NB Hierro V9s after 285km...
r/trailrunning • Hierro V9 sole wear ->Cheers. Yes, road to trail then road to home. They're wearing pretty quickly but there's some life left. One issue I have with this shoe is I 'fall off' them on occasions, they can twist under my foot. I'm considering the Gel Trabuco as a replacement when they're done even though I've been a long term NB fan.
r/trailrunning • Hierro V9 sole wear ->Yes, resoling is an option. I find that the upper on these is less snug. On tramlines the shoe feels like it rolls whilst my foot remains upright. It's disconcerting. My older V7s were a completely different shoe.
r/trailrunning • Hierro V9 sole wear ->These have more cushioning but less 'feel' for the trail I sense.
r/trailrunning • Hierro V9 sole wear ->Midsole is holding up well. They ride really nicely, very good job of cushioning rocks and stones.
r/trailrunning • Hierro V9 sole wear ->I normally wear SG wide size. Went with NB Hierro 9, it’s a much softer ride but a bit heavier.
r/trailrunning • Recommendations for wide & flat feet trail runners ->I have always worn Speedgoats in wide (2e) the past but moved to a NB Hierro 9 this year. It’s a softer, more comfortable ride. Gonna try the Norda 005 when they arrive in a few days.
r/trailrunning • Recommendations for wide & flat feet trail runners ->5'10 and 210 and I dig the New Balance Hierro series, my 8s are going strong at 250 miles and 9s are quite nice in the rotation as well.
r/trailrunning • Heavy runner looking for some new shoes ->5'10 and 210 and I dig the New Balance Hierro series, my 8s are going strong at 250 miles and 9s are quite nice in the rotation as well.
r/trailrunning • Heavy runner looking for some new shoes ->new balance hierro ftw (lowkey shocked to see it as high as 15)
r/trailrunning • The 25 most recommend trail runners on Reddit (in the past year as of Jul 2025) ->Came here to say this. I used mine for mixed road trail running all week and for walks around town. Very durable outsole
r/trailrunning • Looking for train running shoes that can be used for regular streetwear ->For affordable running shoes new balance Hierro are under appreciated. I put them through bearings and have had pairs hold up nearly to 1000 miles.
r/trailrunning • Shoe advice ->I find the higher the stack leads to more rolling ankles. Shoes that have not worked for me: Brooks Cascadia, New Balance Hierro Shoes that have worked for me: La Sportiva Bushido, Topo Terraventure. Also would like to find a more cushioned shoe but they have been directly correlated to rolled ankles for me and I'm sick of spending money on shoes for now. I'll see how far I can go in the Bushidos, I did a 50 miler in them and it was good, although I was definitely hurting at the end!! The more you do the more you adapt though!
r/trailrunning • Trail shoes for weak ankles ->New balance makes some 4e trail runners . I have used the fresh foam more trail version though I don’t see that available now, not sure if it’s coming back. I haven’t tried the hierro, but if the fresh foam more doesn’t come back in the next few months that’s what I will try. I haven’t found the Alta’s wide enough for me. I’ve had little luck with any kind runners, trail or road if a 4e version isnt available.
r/Ultramarathon • Wide fit trail shoe options ->New Balance Hierro comes as wide as 4E for men and 2E for women. Topo is also legit wide. I wear a women's D width and their wide shoes are TOO wide for me. That never happens with my hobbit feet 😂
r/trailrunning • Need help finding extra wide shoes ->Hey, anyone already rocking the new Asics Gel Trabuco 13? I want new trail running shoes as I don't like my current Nike Pegasus Trail 5 because of wobbly/unstable feeling and sore feet/ankles/ankle tendons after 20km+ runs. I simply think they're "unstable" for my running style so I was thinking about getting the Trabucos instead as I read the 12s are quite stable shoes. Previous trail shoe was NB Hierro V7 and I was quite happy with it. I was also considering Saucony Peregrine 15 but I don't have any experience with the Peregrine line. Or if can somebody recommend any other shoes I'm all ears. Thanks! https://preview.redd.it/k9cgxvgapkee1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aec2385635945ff6bbfd792b4b0c52a86883cc3d
r/trailrunning • Asics Gel Trabuco 13 experience? ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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