New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 - Women's Review

At 37 mm tall with a 5 mm drop, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 combines plush underfoot comfort with key stability features, making it a standout choice for runners who want to run confidently and comfortably.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

The queen of landing comfort has arrived — long may she reign. The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is as majestic in performance as it is aptly named. Designed with New Balance's reworked Fresh Foam X midsole, this shoe is a dream come true for recovery runs and easy-going paces.

Its ultra-cushioned build cradles your feet in softness while maintaining just enough bounce to keep you moving smoothly without feeling bogged down. With a GearLab-measured 37 mm total heel stack, the More v5 offers a luxurious ride that rivals more maximalist options but avoids the common pitfall of feeling overly squishy. Instead, the stacked undercarriage strikes the perfect balance of plush support and responsive resilience. With only a 5 mm drop, even the forefoot floats high above the ground, maintaining well-rounded landing comfort during runs of all lengths.

Responsiveness

The More v5 might reign in comfort, but when it comes to responsiveness, it's more of a court jester than royalty. As expected from a shoe with such a chunky underfoot design (even if it is relatively lightweight), it's not built to amplify leg turnover or encourage rapid strides.

That said, the More v5 knows its role and stays firmly in its lane as a shoe dedicated to comfort and long-distance support. The insole maintains its structure well underfoot, avoiding feeling mushy with every footfall. It doesn't offer much in the way of energy return or propulsion, making it best suited for easy recovery miles and leisurely runs rather than performance-focused efforts. The overall ride doesn't hinder energy return but provides more of a smooth, rolling sensation. If comfort is queen, the More v5 sits comfortably on its throne, even if it doesn't bring much speed to the royal court (I'll stop with the monarch puns now). Runners who want a reliable and sturdy recovery shoe will appreciate what the More v5 offers, though runners who want to see what their legs can do will prefer peppier options.

Stability

The More v5 earns high marks for stability, thanks to its 28.0-degree rocker angle and impressively wide outsole splay. Despite its towering stack height, the shoe's design ensures a secure and grounded feel. The rocker angle promotes a natural stride, seamlessly rolling one footfall into the next for an effortless ride.

What truly sets the More v5 apart is its wide 4.7-inch platform — the broadest base among all the road shoes we've tested. This generous width provides unparalleled stability, giving runners confidence in their footing. While the extra width might seem like a stylistic choice at first glance, it's a functional feature that transforms the More v5 into a true stability superstar. The heel collar and lateral walls of this shoe are thicker than some, adding an additional element of stability in the rear half of the shoe. The balance of cushion and rigidity on the interior, including the insole, allows runners who need support to feel comfortable in the More v5.

Upper Comfort

The upper of the Fresh Foam More v5 is comfortable, though its comfort leans more towards tactical support than sheer coziness. Constructed from tightly woven engineered mesh, the upper provides a secure fit.

Though the forefoot mesh is a single layer, it runs a bit warm, which can slightly detract from its overall comfort depending on the climate you typically run in. The tongue is plush and soft, adding to the More v5's appeal for sustained efforts. It features minimalistic bilateral tongue gussets to help keep the plush padding centered across the top of the foot, ensuring a snug yet comfortable fit throughout the run. Despite its tendency to run warm, the upper is designed with lasting comfort in mind. The toe box isn't particularly wide, but New Balance offers the shoe in wide and extra-wide options, making it an excellent choice for runners who need a little extra space up front.

Weight

Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs 8.58 ounces. While this isn't particularly heavy for the level of cushioning it provides, it is not exceptionally light either.

It isn't surprising that a well-cushioned shoe weighs more than most. What is surprising is how the weight of the More v5 feels in motion. The shoe's weight is evenly distributed, and its undercarriage feels light and airy as you run. Most weight is concentrated around the tongue and heel collar, enhancing its stability and contributing to the balanced, secure ride that defines this shoe. If you're looking for a durable and reliable recovery shoe, don't be discouraged by the More v5's weight — its heft comes with a purpose.

Traction

The flared outsole design of the More v5 helps it become a road-gripping superstar.

The width and shape of the More v5 wouldn't be as functional without New Balance's signature blotchy outsole. While the design is slightly different from other New Balance shoes, it still employs the same science to deliver confidence and grip. The rubber provides solid traction, while the dual-surfaced outsole effortlessly handles torsional changes, ensuring stability and control throughout the run.

Should You Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5?

If you want a shoe that is perfect for long, slow distance runs or recovery days, I definitely recommend the More v5. This durable shoe is ready to show up mile after mile, so long as you are not relying on it for speedy leg turnover. This shoe makes a great addition to a collection of running shoes, though it isn't great as a solo artist since it lacks versatility. The More v5 is fantastic for what it is, so long as runners know what they are in for.

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?

The Hoka Skyward X is another high-stack shoe that emphasizes stability. The Skyward stands at a towering 43 mm, but is comprised of a similar-feeling resilient midsole. The Skyward is noticeably more responsive since it includes a two-piece carbon plate, making it a more versatile option. The More v5 offers less versatility, but its price tag is significantly lower. For combined comfort and versatility, I recommend the lightweight and peppy Hoka Mach 6. The Mach 6 is equipped for tempo runs as well as distance days, making it a prime one-stop shop for runners seeking a single shoe. The Asics Novablast 5 outscored nearly every other shoe in our lineup this season because of its balance between function and comfort. With a comfortable and energetic midsole, the Novablast is another fantastic choice for runners who want to prioritize comfort.