New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Review: The More, The Merrier
As our reviewers can attest to, the New Balance More v6 is just as comfortable for running as it is for walking and even standing for long periods of time.
Gear
All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.
The more cushioning under my feet, the merrier I run down the streets! As a big fan of max-cushioned shoes, I was very excited to test the More v6. I’m trying to log more miles than I ever have before during my current marathon training cycle, which means I need something comfortable and reliable for the bulk of my easy running.
At The Running Event 2024, New Balance teased this shoe as a top pick for walkers and runners. But what does that really mean? Can the More v6 keep up when it’s time to run, or is it best reserved for coffee runs and strolls around the block? Read on to find out.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6
Tech Specs
| Weight |
8.5 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height |
36 mm/32 mm
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
4 mm
|
| Experience |
Smooth
|
| Surface |
Road
|
| Price |
$155
|
| Comparable to… |
Brooks Ghost Max 3, HOKA Bondi 9
|
| Ride | 4/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 4/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Fresh Foam, Fresh Feel
The New Balance More v6 uses Fresh Foam X cushioning, which first debuted in 2019 and has become a staple amongst their comfort-focused running line. You can find Fresh Foam X in the 880, the 1080 and the 860. While all three shoes technically use the same foam, the way the compound feels depends on its durometer — a standardized measurement of the density of the foam (how soft or firm the foam feels). But wait — don’t fall asleep. We’re just about to dive into the good part.
I’ve tested the More v4, v5 and v6 and I can honestly say that this version is my favorite. The foam feels soft and slightly compressive, but doesn’t allow your feet to fully sink into the cushioning. New Balance enhanced the rocker profile of the v6 to create smoother heel-to-toe transitions, which can sometimes feel clunky in highly cushioned shoes.
As for New Balance’s emphasis on walking, I actually haven't done much walking in the More v6. I’ve put 25 easy-paced miles on my pair and they’ll continue to be a staple in my weekly rotation for easy runs.
Mandy has ran, walked and stood in the More v6 and can attest to its comfortability and versatility:
“The More v6 came into my life at exactly the right time,” she says. “My daughter had a swim competition where I dropped her off at 6 a.m. and we didn’t leave until 8:30 p.m. I was standing on concrete, but the shoes felt comfortable from the first step all the way to the fourteenth hour.
I also did a lot of walking on my walking pad during meetings in the More v6. Oftentimes, max-cushioned shoes don’t work well on my walking pad because they feel too soft on the soft surface of the belt — not so with these. They provided cushion without feeling overly soft.
I love the adaptability of the cushioning in the More v6. While I was walking or standing in the shoes, my feet would sink into the cushion. While running, my feet would just bounce along the road.”
Kate luckily did not have to stand for 14-hours at her child’s swim meet, but she also enjoyed the More v6 for runs and walks — despite typically disliking ultra-plush, cushy running shoes.
“I’ve worn the More v6 for an 8-mile training run, a short recovery run and a few walks,” she says. “The cushion feels soft on the run, but it’s nice and peppy. It even felt like it got more energetic as I ran, or maybe it just took me a while to warm up. It also feels really comfortable to walk and stand in. While I wish there was a bit less stack height [the measurement of height between your feet and the ground], I like that the shoe still feels stable.”
The More v6 feels stable because your feet aren’t just sitting on top of all that Fresh Foam X cushioning, they’re inside of it. The shoe’s high sidewalls encompass your feet and, combined with a broad base, create an ultra-smooth and supportive ride.
Engineered for comfort
The cozy comfort continues up top in the More v6. New Balance uses a buttery-smooth engineered mesh material to provide a structured fit. Most of our reviewers felt it fit true-to-size, although our narrow-footed reviewer Maxmentioned it felt quite spacious.
“Although it’s a bit wide, it was easy to get a nice lockdown fit with the standard lacing system,” he says. “ In terms of length, it fits true to size.”
Mandy and I both used the extra eyelets on the side to tie the marathon loop, a lacing technique that reduces heel slippage and something I do in most of my shoes since I have narrow heels.
The shape of the More v6 feels perfect on my feet — snug in the heel and midfoot and slightly spacious in the toe box. The upper material feels luxurious but still breathable, and I had no issues on my 90-degree runs (this definitely had something to do with my Feetures socks). The heel collar is soft and padded, providing comfort without any irritating rubbing.
While we all found the More v6 to feel spacious enough, those with wide feet may want wide sizing. If that sounds like you, you’re in luck — the More v6 is available in wide (D for women, 2E for men) and extra-wide (2E for women, 4E for men).
Not sure about the width of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.
New Balance More v6 versus More v5
Tech Specs | New Balance More v6 | New Balance More v5 |
Weight | 8.5 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 8.6 oz (W), 11.3 oz (M) |
Stack height | 36 mm/32 mm | 44 mm/40 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 4 mm | 4 mm |
Price | $155 | $155 |
The More v6 retains its position amongst the New Balance line-up as a maximally cushioned shoe that provides a level of inherent support thanks to its wide base and high sidewalls. New Balance says they lowered the sidewalls slightly in the latest version, but it still provides the same foot-hugging feel.
While it appears that the More v6 is less cushioned than the More v5, it doesn’t feel less cushioned on foot (at least, in my opinion). The foam in the More v6 feels so much softer than the v5, which drastically changes the underfoot sensation. I know I said “the more, the merrier” at the beginning of this review, but I actually prefer the More v6!
How does the New Balance More v6 compare?
We took a look at some comparable models to see how the More v6 stacks up. Here’s what we found:
Tech Specs | New Balance More v6 | Brooks Ghost Max 3 | HOKA Bondi 9 |
Weight | 8.5 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 9.7 oz (W), 10.8 oz (M) | 9.3 oz (W), 10.5 oz (M) |
Stack height | 36 mm/32 mm | 39 mm/33 mm | 42 mm/37 mm (W), 43 mm/38 mm (M) |
Heel-to-toe drop | 4 mm | 6 mm | 5 mm |
Experience | Smooth | Smooth | Smooth |
Price | $155 | $160 | $170 |
What do the New Balance More v6, Brooks Ghost Max 3 and HOKA Bondi 9 all have in common? Quite a lot, actually. They’re all max-cushioned shoes with relatively low heel-to-toe drops (the difference in height between your heel and forefoot) designed to give you the ultimate comfort experience. All three shoes use gentle rocker shapes to help you transition from heel to toe quickly and efficiently and wide, broad bases for stable landings.
To me, the More v6 is the softest of the three — making it a winner in my book. If you’re like Kate and you enjoy a firmer feel, the Ghost Max 3 might be your jam, while the Bondi 9 sits in between the other two shoes when it comes to softness versus firmness.
Who is the New Balance More v6 best for?
As our reviewers can attest to, the New Balance More v6 is just as comfortable for running as it is for walking and even standing for long periods of time. With a thick, broad base of cushioning and high sidewalls, it feels just as supportive as it does smooth.
Those who enjoy a plush, cushy experience will likely enjoy the ride of the More v6. And, since it’s available in extended widths, it’s easier than ever to find your perfect fit.
