Customer Reviews New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5

I use this shoe to trail run. It's so comfortable, lots of cushion, feels like running on a cloud. These shoes are super stable on trails with roots and wet rocks. I was using my NB Vongos on the trail before I bought these and the difference is substantial. The Vongos are meant for the road and I was slipping all over the place on the trail. I even fell in the mud one day. These, not a chance. The only drawback is the laces are set wide apart so there's a little less control over the fit throughout the foot. But I rank that as pretty minor compared to what you get out of the shoe. Toebox is roomy. Feels like the normal NB fit. If you know your size in another pair, I think it's safe to buy these online without having tried them on first.

I'm 5.7, about 125lbs, a personal trainer/group fitness instructor, running for about 30 years. I run mostly roads, my treadmill and occasionally trails, averaging about 20-35 miles a week. I have high aches and I prefer a roomy toe box and lots of cushioning. I usually wear a size 9 in other NB shoes and this shoe fit true to size for me. I tried the Fresh Foam Hierro v5 and the Brooks Caldera 4 for trail running. I chose the Fresh Foam Hierro v5 because it felt much more flexible during my runs. It also felt like it had more toe box room. It did well on grass, packed trail, loose gravel/scree and uneven surfaces in dry and wet conditions. It had good traction on those surfaces. No blisters or sore/tender spots. I haven't run on larger stone/boulders yet. *My only recommendation for the next model/version would be to add more arch support. Please keep the cushioning, toe box room and flexibility!

Love the shoe because it's extremely comfortable. I received the shoe on April 11, 2020 and have worn them 5 times and I noticed that the left shoe has 2 areas that the stitching is unraveling. Please let me exchange them for a new pair.

I didn't think I was going to like the shoe when I first put it on. It seemed hard. However, as I walked in it for the first time, I found that it was not at all. In fact the shoe is very comfortable. I like that rocks don't get stuck in the soles, too. My biggest complaint is the shoe strings, however, this complaint is for most of my shoes. The shoe strings are barely long enough. They are fine if you do not have to use the heal snugging hole. However, I do. I can just barely get the shoe tied with one loop, forget about two.

The maiden voyage went well. 22 miles and were still as comfortable in the final miles as the first. Great cushion. The wing/fin thing on the sole of the heel does need to go though. I will probably cut it off. Otherwise, I was very happy with these as replacement for 910's that i had in the past.

These shoes have a strange extra flap of outsole material off the back that is really not noticeable in the pictures. It is odd looking but I wore them anyway, until I realized that the extra material collected sand, gravel, and leaf bits and brought them in the house. I was able to cut off the fin and all is good. What was NB thinking? IDK but I think the sole design was a fail, the rest of the shoe is BEAUTIFUL and so cushiony that I just love them. Very comfortable, lots of room in toe box. I usually wear a 7.5 or 8 and the 7.5 is plenty big even with thick socks. I get lots of compliments on the shoes, and tell people I helped design them since I did adjust the original weird heel flap. Great shoes!

I bought the women's pair because I liked the the color way better than the men's. I got a wider shoe too. Fits great. Very comfy.

I loved the shoes, but when I started to tie them the shoe lace ripped out and they broke so I couldn't wear them again even if they were fixed it was impossible. They didn't seem quite secure and I wasn't pulling hard at all. I only had them for a week. I was pretty bummed because they were the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever had.

I find that some socks bunch under one foot, and other socks bunch under the other foot. Some socks don't bunch at all, so trying to find the right combination. I have never had this problem before. I'm not sure if it is because they are wide. I have never worn a wide shoe before, but as my last two pair of shoes were Altra Lone Peak, (that have a wide toe box), I ordered the wide. The Altra Lone Peak were perfect for me, but they are no longer made in my size. Thanks New Balance for selling size 5.

I love the way these shoes look! For me the shoes were too stiff and were uncomfortable for me. I'm sorry to say, I had to return them.

The shoe fit was good, but the color indicated in the description was "torro red", while in fact it is a bright coral color. Gotta go back

I've had New Balance running shoes for years, and I find the older models are truly a D width in the toe box. This latest shoe, yes going off road this time, is not. Before I even put it on I could see the difference. Sure enough, my toe joints were begging for room, bulging at that part of the shoe. This is a really cool looking shoe and with regret I returned it. The toes need freedom to move.

For some people these might be a great shoe but for me they were too stiff and the arch support was in the wrong place. Didn't fit like any other Fresh Foam New Balance shoe I've had. Might work great for others but not this was not the shoe for me. Had to return both pairs, still waiting on my refund. Everybody stay safe out there and please wear a mask for your health and others!

It's OK. I'm only making due with this model because my reliable 1080's (v9) wore out and tried the updated 1080v10 but it became a painful mess. So the only NB shoes they have to help with stability and motion control was bulky non-breathable trail shoes (when I only need running shoes). Hey NB, please trash v10 of the 1080 and give us back our reliable shoe!

Although I've worn NB shoes for several decades this is the first shoe with a boot too narrow. It is a wide but still rubs across the bridge at my big and little toe. I can wear for a few hours but then I'm done. With previous shoes I've never encountered this problem. Obviously still a good quality shoe but too narrow for my wide foot, even in the wide size.

Given the difficulty of shoe-shopping under covid, I don't hold NB responsible for my errors in purchasing these shoes. 1) I got wide because of bunions, but Medium would have been better. Likewise, I got 9.5 when 9 might have been enough, but again did not have the luxury of trying on several shoes til we got it right. So I'd say they run a little large. Definitely comfortable, I wore them all day the first day, and walked about five (flat, neighborhood) miles. Support? Very good, but not super duper. I'll just need orthotics for my high arches. well made, attractive, etc.

I've been a loyal NB fan for decades. Every pair out of box perfect in every way.. comfort, fit, and performance. This is the very first pair I can say none of the above apply. They are uncomfortable, even at std width, the laces can't cinch down enough to take up the gap, so they are loose, which is detrimental on technical terrain. The inner sole does not cradle my foot in that oh so familiar way that I love NB for. The top is stiff and distracting. I thought I'd done enough research before selecting this new model, evidently not, because I just found a review by RW that summed my experience with these. They are for general surface use with extra features for trail, but not enough to be true trail shoe, which is what I sought. In other words, not great at anything, ok for everything. Under the covid conditions I had to buy online, vs trying first at a local store. Didn't expect that'd be an issue- given my history with NB. Everyone's feet are different so I can't imagine the challenge for designers. Lesson learned- I won't be buying a new model untried again. NB- still love your road models, maybe trail just isn't your thing.

I've been a loyal NB fan for decades. Every pair out of box perfect in every way.. comfort, fit, and performance. This is the very first pair I can say none of the above apply. They are uncomfortable, even at std width, the laces can't cinch down enough to take up the gap, so they are loose, which is detrimental on technical terrain. The inner sole does not cradle my foot in that oh so familiar way that I love NB for. The top is stiff and distracting. I thought I'd done enough research before selecting this new model, evidently not, because I just found a review by RW that summed my experience with these. They are for general surface use with extra features for trail, but not enough to be true trail shoe, which is what I sought. In other words, not great at anything, ok for everything. Under the covid conditions I had to buy online, vs trying first at a local store. Didn't expect that'd be an issue- given my history with NB. Everyone's feet are different- so I can't imagine the challenge for designers. Lesson learned- I won't be buying a new model untried again. NB- still love your road models, maybe trail just isn't your thing.

I've been wearing 880's for running and need the forefoot cushioning. This shoes does not hav enough overall cushioning. Shoe felt flat in the forefoot.