We always hold our breath when an updated version of a shoe is released: Will it feel the same? worse? better? If you’ve been a long time fan, I hate to say it, but they decided to shake things up quite a bit with the New Balance Hierro v9.
I’m sure you can tell from looking at the New Balance Fresh Foam x Hierro v9 that there’s going to be a little more oomph feel underfoot. We don’t hate having a little extra cushion, especially after spending long hours on the trail; your feet may actually thank you.
Some shoes are very much in the love it or hate it category and this is one. While our tester wasn’t a fan, we heard from those who did enjoy it and those who agreed it just wasn’t what they hoped to find.
Keep reading to see what our team thought about the recently launched New Balance Hierro v9.
Our Verdict
We like this shoe for heavier runners, but it has really mixed reviews depending on the tester. Available on Newbalance.com for $155
Who Is It Good For?
Who is New Balance Fresh Foam x Hierro v9 a good fit for? Let’s break it down by some common categories:
- Wide feet: more room in the toe box, and even comes in a wide and x-wide for a roomier fit
- Technical Trails: not ideal for super technical trails due to the lack of stability
- Long runs: extra cushioning will support you through lots of miles
- Front of the Pack: keep it reserved for easy and recovery efforts
This shoe is great for the runner who desires extra cushion but with a stiffer feel underfoot. If you’re a heavier runner, the Hierro v9 is going to be a perfect trail shoe that is going to support and keep you comfortable through many miles.
New Balance Fresh Foam x Hierro v9 Overview
When I opened the box my first thought was what a nice blend of colors. The Hierro v9 has undergone some significant changes that runners are either going to love or not be to sure about.
Don’t let the Fresh Foam x in the name fool you.
While it has a chunkier midsole, since it is a trail shoe, the feel is a firmer cushion for stability. You don’t want a super plush feel underfoot running on the trails, so this kind of meets you in the middle of providing support but taking away some of that ground feel like you’d have with a pair like Saucony Peregrine.
In previous models, the sole of the shoe was super duper flat. But now, with the Hierro v9, both the forefoot and heel feature a rocker flaring up just a tad.
This rocker is going to help guide your stride to give you a little extra momentum on the trails when you need it the most.
Another big change to the Hierro is the ultra-rigid torsional structure of the shoe. Which is just a fancy way to say how much you can twist and bend a shoe. Trail and hiking shoes are normally designed to be highly resistant to a lot of twisting, providing greater stability and support so that you don’t wind up twisting your ankle on rocks and debris!
While some may not like this updated feel, the New Balance Fresh Foam x Hierro v9 is going to provide a little extra protection to help your body feel good whether you’ve spent two or ten hours on the trails.
The stack height increased to 42 mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot, which provides cushion but sacrifices ground feel. Another change is the heel to toe drop from 6mm in the previous version to 4mm. If you prefer a shoe with lots of ground feel and responsiveness, this may not be the fit for you.
Typically, when we see a higher stack height, our concern is immediately whether or not the shoe is going to feel stable. New Balance was a few steps ahead and made the base a little bit wider so that you honestly won’t even notice the height.
If you are looking for stability and cushion, then look no further.
New Balance Hierro v9 Specs
- Weight: 10.3 oz Men’s, 8.3 oz Women’s
- Stack Height (heel/forefoot): 42mm / 38mm
- Heel drop: 4mm
- Available in 3 colors
- Available in wide and x-wide
- Available on Newbalance.com for $155
The color here is calcium with dark juniper, which describes the shoe perfectly. The shoe is a light cream color with a mint green mixed in, a darker green on the sole, and a few pops of orange. The colors come together nicely and are meant to be in nature.
New Balance Hierro v9 Fit and Feel
Honestly, with all of the changes that New Balance made to the Hierro, we highly recommend trying on the v9 to see how it fits and feels. Our biggest piece of advice is to go into trying the shoe with an open mind because it’s very different.
The midsole in Hierro v9 provides a firm, rigid feel with a touch of comfort. It uses dual-density Fresh Foam X, featuring a softer top layer and a firmer bottom layer.
When running downhill, my toes hit the front of the shoe on steeper descents. The extra room is great for when your feet swell, but it’s not ideal a few miles into a run.
I may try to change up the lacing on the Hierro v9 to see if it helps with the fit of the shoe. They upgraded the lacing system, so now you can make a more personalized fit, especially in the midfoot area.
The upper is pretty traditional synthetic mesh but provides breathability as there are many groupings of holes that also are pleasing to the eye and surprisingly are pretty durable.
The semi-gusseted tongue stays in place while you run, so you won’t need to stop and adjust it mid-run. The soft, comfortable material doesn’t ride up or cause irritation.
The best part is that there were no stowaways from the trails in my shoes afterward. I always hate it when rocks or other debris sneak into a shoe and ruin the run.
The outsole is made from Vibram Megagrip with 4.5mm traction lug technology. It’s a big upgrade to the tread pattern in hopes of improving the grip from the previous model. I do feel the traction was adequate on rocky surfaces, it did slip with deep mud.
You can see from the image that there’s the combo of the Megagrip and the tooth-edged lugs to give extra traction on a variety of terrains. While we may not recommend taking these on super slippery rocks or in thick mud, they’ll keep you upright on the trails!
The New Balance Hierro v9 will provide a stable yet comfortable run for easy trail days with nice protection underfoot.
Similar Shoes to New Balance Hierro v9
- Brooks Caldera 8– (DNA Loft v3 foam for a more responsive feel)
- Topo Ultraventure 4– (an option to pick up the pace on the trails)
- Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 – (lightweight and more ground feel)
Who tried it?
Hello, I am Charity, a mom of 2 boys and a PTA who loves to get lost on the trail and work out all of life’s problems! I have been running for 28 years. (wow that means I am a little crazy! Or sane depending on who you are.) I do live in an area where most of my runs occur on technical terrain with tight turns and lots of rocks; and depending on weather there could be snow, ice, mud or a dry trail depending on the time of the year.
I typically run 25-30 miles a week with a few friends and my faithful springer spaniel Maggie!
Ready to run? You can find the Hierro v9 at Newbalance.com for $155
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