New Balance More v6 Review | More of That Cushion We Love

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 continues New Balance’s tradition of giving you exactly what the name states; More cushion. It’s not a shoe that you’ll wear in search of a new PR, but it’s a shoe you can train in leading up to that PR effort.

From top to bottom the More v6 has been built up to make running enjoyable, especially when running on tired legs. You won’t get any ground feel or a light and nimble running experience, but you’ll get plenty of cushion that is gentle on your legs from short to long runs.

This is an ideal shoe for those seeking a well cushioned long run or recovery day shoe that’s stable and at 40mm, not as tall as many of the other max cushioned running shoes we see.

We will also continue to recommend this as one of the best New Balance Walking shoe options!

New Balance More v6 Overview

As someone who ran quite a few miles in the More v3 and v4, the subtle energy return was a nice surprise, as those two shoes didn’t offer much in return. That doesn’t mean I would take the More v6 out for 400m intervals, but it makes those easy and recovery efforts just a bit more fun. It also makes it so strides at the end of a run are an option.

Transitions are very smooth no matter where you land, even if they are a little slower. The combination of the low drop and the massive amount of foam makes transitions slower for heel striking.

Yes, the landings are soft and forgiving, but there is a subtle rebound after that soft landing that gets you out of the depths of the midsole and through your stride.

As a midfoot striker I noticed my cadence was down by about 5-6 steps per minute compared to most other easy run shoes. When heel striking I noticed it was down by about 10 steps per minute.

Stability shouldn’t be an issue with the More v6, despite its stack height. The base of the shoe is wide, and the midsole sidewalls cup your heel and midfoot to offer some stability and guidance through your stride.

And we can’t believe we’re saying this, but at 40mm it’s actually not as high as the average 45mm max cushioned shoe we’re testing, yet it feels every bit as cushioned and comfortable. Plus, the 4mm drop is a big win as so many others are 10mm which can lead to knee pain for many runners.

On top of these elements, the massive slab of Fresh Foam X has what feels like a dense core that keeps you from sinking too far into the soft midsole.  This is a key component that Coach Amanda points to for cushioned shoes because that sinking in over time is what can lead to lower back pain while running.

New Balance also added some molded elements to the lace eyelets and around the “N” logo that offer some structure to the shoe.

Cheers to New Balance for adding reflective elements to the heel and tongue. As someone who does a lot of running before the sun comes up I appreciate the help with being more visible to passing cars in the early morning hours.

I received the “NB 103 white with blue agate and reflection” colorway, which translates to white with blue and a pale grey. Visually it’s a very striking look, but you might have to enjoy it while you can. The shoe runs hot, which leads to a damp upper that attracted stains very quickly.

The segmented outsole coverage, as we’re seeing in so many shoes today, has rubber where it’s needed most. Two pods cover the heel while a trident-shaped piece covers the forefoot area. The Fresh Foam X in the midfoot is exposed, but it’s been bulletproof so far and is showing no signs or wear, outside of being dirty.

New Balance More v6 Fit

If someone stuck a live microphone in my face and asked me for a quote of my first impression when stepping into the More v6 I might have said, “the heel is so soft I might tip over backwards”.

As is often the case with running shoes, they behave differently while running, and luckily in this case that soft step-in feel is not entirely indicative of the running experience, which was smooth and comfortable. As mentioned above, the shoe is really stable on the run, but something about standing around in it just didn’t feel solid.

Lengthwise these fit the same size as I am in other brands. The midfoot here and toebox feel more roomy than the v4, but Coach Amanda says the V5 was fairly roomy so I think it’s just a year I missed where that improved.

The fit in the forefoot and toebox of the More v6 removes any doubt about being a tight fit. The toebox could use a couple additional millimeters of height just for the breathing room.

The soft upper made it so the rubbing didn’t cause any blisters, however. The pliable heel counter was comfortable and helped keep my feet in place without having to use a runner’s knot. Lengthwise the shoe fit comfortably in my men’s size 11.

In my experience I’ve noticed that breathability is the first thing to go with the max cushion shoes that prioritize comfort. The upper of the More v6 does run quite hot, but it’s most noticeable on hotter runs.

When I was able to get out the door before 6:00 a.m. the lack of airflow wasn’t noticeable. When I went out at around 8:30 for a 14-miler, I came home with soggy socks.

The tongue is gusseted and very padded, which adds more comfort while turning up the heat.

Looking for more running talk?

• Best Shoes for Walking Long Distances
• Are Max Cushioned Running Shoes Good for Us?
• NordicTrack 2450 Review (Our top at home treadmill pick)