New Balance Foam X More v5

Who Are New Balance Foam X More v5 For?

The Fresh Foam X More v5 is built for neutral runners who prioritize comfort and mileage over speed — daily trainers logging long, easy kilometers and marathoners who want maximum protection underfoot. It suits those building endurance or recovering from harder sessions; if you're chasing 5K personal bests or want a snappy, low-slung racer, look elsewhere in the lineup.

Feelings and Experience

Underfoot this is one of the plushest rides New Balance makes: the foam feels soft and cushioned, swallowing road impact on long runs. It's comfortable rather than springy — energy return is moderate, so the shoe rewards a steady rhythm and feels a little dull if you try to sharpen the pace. The tall platform is more grounded than its height suggests, though at very slow, shuffling paces the sheer stack can feel slightly ponderous.

Performance Specs

• Drop: 4mm heel-to-toe offset — a low drop that promotes a natural, midfoot-leaning stride

• Cushioning: Maximum — Fresh Foam X, a soft plush midsole with a very tall stack (~44mm heel)

• Responsiveness: Moderate — soft foam and no plate, so it cushions more than it propels

• Stability: Moderately stable — neutral shoe with a wide platform that steadies the tall stack

• Pace: Optimal for 5:30–6:30 min/km (8:51–10:27 min/mile) — easy and long-run territory

Best Distances and Maximum Speed

This shoe shines on the half marathon and marathon, and on long training days where cushioning matters most; the sweet spot is a comfortable, sustainable long-run effort. Its fastest effective zone sits around 5:00–5:30 min/km (8:03–8:51 min/mile) — push harder and the soft foam starts to feel vague.

Technologies and Materials

The midsole is New Balance's Fresh Foam X, a soft EVA-based foam tuned for plushness rather than bounce, with no plate. An engineered knit upper wraps the foot comfortably for long distances. Note the trade-off: all that cushioning adds weight and mutes ground feel, so it's a protector, not a racer.

Comparisons with Other Shoes

New Balance Foam X More v5 vs Mizuno Wave Sky 9

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New Balance Foam X More v5 vs New Balance Foam X More v6

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