New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7

Review Score
79%
πŸ… Highly Rated
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New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7: Review

β€œA comfortable and durable trail running shoe for neutral pronators.”

Overview


The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is a trail running shoe designed for neutral pronation. This shoe is known for its Fresh Foam X midsole, providing improved comfort and impact absorption. The Hierro v7 also features a technical mesh upper for stability, support, and protection, and is made with up to 50% recycled materials. The outsole has deeper lugs for better traction and durability, making it ideal for rough terrain. The Hierro v7 is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize comfort and protection for trail running. Its durable design offers longevity, making it suitable for long-distance races.

With an average review score of 79%, it's rated just below the median rating of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just above the median price of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7


The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is a solid choice for daily running on less technical trails. It's lighter than its predecessors and offers a good balance of comfort and stability. However, it may not be the best choice for more technical and rocky terrain due to its lack of a rock plate. The shoe's upper is tightly woven and durable, but it may not be the most breathable option available. The Hierro v7 is a versatile shoe that performs well on moderate trails and is ideal for flowy trail sessions. Overall, it's a reliable trail running shoe that offers good value for money.

Comparable Shoes


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Compared to the Nike Wildhorse 7, the Hierro v7 offers similar comfort and stability. However, the Wildhorse 7 may provide better traction on technical terrain.

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The ASICS Trabuco 9 and the Hierro v7 both offer good cushioning and durability. However, the Trabuco 9 may offer better breathability.

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The Hierro v7 and the Brooks Cascadia 16 are both suitable for trail running. However, the Cascadia 16 may offer better foot protection on rockier terrain.

7 New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 Pros & Cons


4 Pros

Lighter than previous versions
Eco-friendly upper
Stable and comfortable
Durable design

3 Cons

Upper is not the most breathable
Less cushioning in the forefoot
May struggle on technical and rocky terrain

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is made of a technical mesh material that provides stability and support. It's also made with up to 50% recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly choice. However, some runners may find the upper less breathable and warm, especially during longer runs. The upper is also tightly woven, contributing to the shoe's overall durability.

Midsole

The Hierro v7 features a Fresh Foam X midsole, known for its comfort and impact absorption. This makes the shoe suitable for daily running on less technical trails. However, some runners may find the cushioning in the forefoot area to be less than ideal, especially for longer distances.

Outsole

The outsole of the Hierro v7 has deeper lugs for better traction and durability. This makes it ideal for trail running. However, the shoe may struggle on rockier or technical terrain, especially when wet. The Vibram outsole shows hardly any wear, even after extensive use, indicating good durability.

Size/fit

The Hierro v7 has a true-to-size fit with ample room in the toe box, making it a good choice for runners who prefer a wide toe box. However, the design of the rear tongue and the thin midsole in that area may cause instability for runners with pronation or supination tendencies.

Comfort

The Hierro v7 is known for its comfort, thanks to its Fresh Foam X midsole and ample room in the toe box. However, the shoe has a firmer midsole up front, which some runners may find less comfortable, especially during longer runs.

Who should buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7?


The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is a great choice for runners who prefer trail running on less technical terrain. It's ideal for those who value comfort and stability in their running shoes. The shoe's durability makes it suitable for runners who frequently run long distances. Additionally, its eco-friendly upper may appeal to environmentally conscious runners.

Who should not buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7?


The Hierro v7 may not be the best choice for runners who frequently run on rockier or more technical terrain, as it lacks a rock plate for foot protection. Runners who prefer a more breathable upper may also want to consider other options. Additionally, runners with a narrow forefoot may find the upper wrinkling and causing discomfort.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7: What's it good for?


The Hierro v7 is good for daily running on less technical trails. Its comfort and stability make it suitable for moderate distances and trails. The shoe's durability also makes it a good choice for long-distance races. However, it may not be the best choice for more technical and rocky terrain.

4 New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 FAQs


Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 suitable for technical terrain?

The Hierro v7 is ideal for less technical trails. However, it may struggle on rockier or more technical terrain, especially when wet, due to its lack of a rock plate.

How does the Hierro v7 fit?

The Hierro v7 has a true-to-size fit with ample room in the toe box, making it suitable for runners who prefer a wide toe box.

Is the Hierro v7 breathable?

The Hierro v7's upper is made of a technical mesh material that provides some breathability. However, some runners may find it less breathable and warm, especially during longer runs.

What is the weight of the Hierro v7?

The Hierro v7 weighs 298g, making it lighter than its predecessors.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 alternatives

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Released
Jun 2022
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Weight
Weight
298 g
303 g
281 g
M: 264 g
W: 224 g
M: 252 g
W: 218 g
M: 286 g
W: 249 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
21 mm
27 mm
20 mm
29 mm
26 mm
30 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
6 mm
5 mm
9 mm
Heel
Heel
29 mm
27 mm
26 mm
29 mm
31 mm
38 mm
Terrain
Terrain
Trail
TrailMudTrailTrailTrailTrail
Usages
Usages
RacingSpeed training
Daily runningRacingSpeed trainingRacingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed training
Brand
Brand
New Balance
AltraDynafitAltraHokaNike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
Low dropZero drop
Low dropZero drop
ComfortableMaximalist
Breathable
Breathable
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plate
Techs
Techs
New Balance Fresh FoamVibram
VibramVibram
Vibram
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableSustainable
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New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7: what the experts say (1 review)

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7: 3 Expert video reviews

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+2049)
TerrainTrail (+533)
UsagesRacing (+183)Speed training (+302)
BrandNew Balance (+125)
Support TypeNeutral (+1603)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1578)
Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike (+1116)Heel strike (+1097)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1525)
FitWide toe box (+273)
FeaturesOrthotic friendly (+456)Removable insole (+439)
MaterialsMesh (+942)
TechsNew Balance Fresh Foam (+63)Vibram (+84)
Events10k (+711)5K and 10K (+135)Half marathon (+711)Marathon (+711)Obstacle course racing (+168)
ColorwaysBlack, Black / Black, Black / Red, Blacktop / Dragonfly, Blue, Brown, Castlerock / Raisin, Concrete / Teal / Hot Marigold, Covert Green / Fatique Green, Deep Olive Green / Black
Specificationsvs Average
Model
v7
Released
Jun 2022
Measurements
Weight
298 g
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
Heel
29 mm
Forefoot
21 mm

Evolution of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro product family

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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