REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic underfoot cushion
Maintains a mild responsiveness
Mid-range price
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Very heavy
Lacks versatility
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 - Women's Review
With luxurious underfoot cushioning and well-rounded comfort, this shoe is perfect for recovery runs
The resilient stack of this shoe makes it perfect for mellow recovery runs.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ February 1, 2025
RELATED: Best Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
Runners seeking a plush, recovery day shoe built for ultimate landing comfort will be obsessed the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5. This model edges into the territory of maximalist cushioning, featuring a 37 mm stack height at the heel. While it doesn't quite cross the threshold of 40 mm typically associated with maximum cushioning, its ride delivers the same cloud-like softness you'd expect from a true high-stack shoe. Everything about this shoe is designed to keep feet comfortable, from its fluffy and light Fresh Foam X midsole to its well-padded shell. Of course, this comfort comes at the expense of speed, so runners seeking a snappy race day shoe should look elsewhere.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Top Pick for Serious Cushion |  Best Overall |  | ||
| Price | $154.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $150.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $94.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $70 List $64.95 at Amazon | $70 List $69.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Designed for ultimate landing softness, this road runner is a plush shoe ideal for slow, comfortable miles | Even with a few minor updates, this shoe shines as one for runners seeking a do-it-all road running companion | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | This affordable, low-profile running shoe is a good choice for beginners, offering a moderate stack, traditional drop, and a touch of bounce | While not suited for specified running, this shoe offers versatility and reliability for daily activities and moderate workouts |
| Rating Categories | New Balance Fresh F... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | New Balance Fresh F... |
| Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Traction (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | New Balance Fresh F... | Asics Novablast 5 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Asics Gel-Contend 9... | New Balance Fresh F... |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 13 US, regular, wide, & extra-wide | 5 - 12 US regular, wide |
5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 37 mm | 40 mm | 27 mm | 30 mm | 26 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5 mm | 9 mm | 3 mm | 9 mm | 8 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | None |
| Rocker Angle | 28.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 25.0 deg | 28.0 deg | 26.5 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 55.3% | 61.9% | 64.7% | 58.7% | 54.5% |
| Measured Weight | 8.58 oz | 7.30 oz | 5.44 oz | 7.26 oz | 6.90 oz |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | Fresh Foam X | FF BLAST MAX | PWRRUN | AMPLIFOAM+ | Fresh Foam |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | None |
Our Analysis and Test Results
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.
Performance Comparision
The Move v5 quickly became a recovery-focused mainstay in our running shoe rotation.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
Landing Comfort
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.
Just look at the royal stack of this shoe. Its pillowy softness is well-suited for recovery runs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The rocker angle and shape of this shoe helps one footfall roll into the next, though it is far from a truly responsive ride.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The outsole splay helps create a wide base of support for stability.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
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.
The upper runs a bit warm, but it is otherwise a comfortable upper designed for easy going efforts.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The weight distribution of the More v5 helps make it feel light underfoot - even though it weighs notably more than many of the shoes tested this season.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The double-decker blotches and wide outsole help provide traction on sketchy or damp terrain.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
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.
The More v5 may not be the most versatile option on the market, but it will certainly inspire more mellow miles.
Credit: Laurel Morrow
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.
—Ally Arcuri
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