The New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 provides a serious amount of Fresh Foam underfoot, and its wide base enhances the shoe’s stability. As the first running shoe I donned after entering the sport a mere three weeks after spinal surgery, there’s no denying that the New Balance More V4 helped keep my body safe from further injury. In our review of the New Balance More V4, we discuss our initial impressions, our thoughts having now tried a plethora of other shoes, and provide our opinion on who this shoe is suited for.
Specifications
- Fresh Foam X midsole with approximately 3% bio-based content
- Mesh upper
- 34mm heel stack / 4mm drop
- 295g
Overview of the New Balance More V4
Starting running is no easy feat (excuse the pun). In fact, that’s often the hardest part. But, with the right shoe, it can feel a whole lot easier. The New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 offers a stable and supportive solution ideal for new runners, heavier runners, and anyone in need of maximal cushioning for easy days on the road.
As the name suggests, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 (OK, we’re shortening that to New Balance More V4 from hereon) utilises more Fresh Foam, specifically Fresh Foam X in the midsole, of any shoe in the New Balance line up; distributed across the length of the shoe for a reasonably low 4mm drop. According to New Balance, the outsole is “data driven”, with cushion and flex zones promoting a natural stride, and a rocker profile helping to effortlessly roll the foot forward on landing to make running feel easier and more efficient. The upper is constructed of engineered mesh to keep you locked in and ensure breathable comfort and support, or so New Balance say.
On first donning the New Balance More V4, I was seriously impressed. Coming to this shoe as both a new runner and having undergone spinal surgery a mere 3-weeks earlier, I was in desperate need of a shoe with maximal cushioning to help protect my healing body. What’s more, with an out-of-shape cardiovascular system, I needed something that would almost carry me. With all this in mind, I wasn’t expecting much from my first foray back into running, but I was pleasantly surprised. Astonishingly, I ran without stopping for 42 minutes (at an admirably slow pace). Whether this would have happened without the New Balance More V4 is up for debate, but there’s a few reasons why I think they certainly helped.
Key Features of the New Balance More V4
First, there’s the maximal cushioning. This helps foster a feeling of supportiveness which is essential for any runner, but particularly those new to the sport. Even experienced runners can suffer poor form, so a shoe that softens the impact caused by said form is essential in our book. The sheer amount of cushioning also provides a psychological advantage. It imbues a degree of confidence, something that’s always ideal in a sport that’s largely mental.
Next, there’s the rocker profile. There were certainly times during the run where I thought about stopping, but the rocker seemed to do its job of keeping me moving forwards – again, always useful when your mind is telling you to stop.
The mesh upper is certainly comfortable and supportive, but I’m not entirely convinced of its breathability. While I wouldn’t say the shoe is overly warm, I’m not sure I’d want to be doing any particularly long runs in them. I’ve taken the New Balance More V4 up to 10 kms without any issue, but this is likely the furthest I’d want to run in them. After that, the sheer bulk would become a tad disadvantageous.
I wear a men’s size 8 in the New Balance More V4, and I’ve no complaints about the fit. It’s true to size and I’ve not felt any heel slippage – a runner’s knot has not been necessary.
While I’ve not done mega miles in these shoes just yet, I’ve put approximately 50 kms on them and the durability is as you would expect from New Balance – excellent. I’ve used them on a mix of gravel, road, and the odd dirt path (with 95% of the distance on road and gravel). They’ve performed well on all surfaces, even in heavy rain and after plodding through countless puddles. No concerns here. However, be prepared to slide a little if you step onto a patch of grass to avoid walkers (not from personal experience, of course). With all that in mind, I expect I’d be able to put a few hundred miles on these with little issue. The question is, do I really want to?
Concerns with the New Balance More V4
I continued to run in the New Balance More V4 for most of my runs, from recovery and base to the weekly long run. The one exception was an interval session where I christened the Adidas Takumi-Sen 8 (you’re going to have to work extremely hard to pick up any pace in the New Balance More V4). There’s no doubt that these shoes have contributed positively to the routine I’m currently in with running, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect.
The biggest negative for me is how chunky (and/or clunky) they are. They’re big, reasonably heavy at 295g, and the wide sole feels akin to wearing breeze blocks (or cinderblocks for any US readers) on the feet. In their defence, though, that’s literally the point. If they weren’t big or wide, they wouldn’t be able to accommodate the amount of foam they pack, and both support and comfort would be compromised. Essentially, I’m complaining that the shoe is doing exactly what it’s intended to do. Stupid, eh?
However, I don’t think my build is ideally suited to the More V4. I weigh around 68KG (~149lbs) and think a heavier build would benefit more from the quantity of Fresh Foam packed into this shoe. I’ve seen others talk about how soft the shoe is, and while I’ve had some experience of this, they feel on the firmer side at my weight. I imagine I’d be more suited to the New Balance 1080v13, which is essentially a lighter, more streamlined version of the More V4. Hopefully I’ll be able to test a pair in the not-so-distant future when New Balance decide to sponsor me…
Conclusion
Running shoes have certainly evolved since I last purchased a pair, and the New Balance More V4 is no exception. Heaps of Fresh Foam in tandem with a rocker profile harmonise to keep you well-supported and moving forward in comfort. Although meaty, they never claimed to be anything but, and the clunkiness only serves to achieve the shoe’s purpose – slow recovery miles. The New Balance More V4 will always have a special place in my heart. Without it, I’m not sure I would have found that first run as enjoyable as I did, and I’m positive I wouldn’t have made it as far. For this reason, I think the New Balance More V4 is ideally suited to the new runner who isn’t, or at least shouldn’t be, moving quickly. It’s equally at home in the seasoned runner’s rotation as a recovery shoe, or for anyone like me who needs a safe and supportive shoe.
Like what you see? Get your New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 here!
Alternatively, here are a few similar shoes to the New Balance More V4. We’ve not personally reviewed them, but they’re well known for offering similar (or in some cases more) protection, stability, and return.
Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3
Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 (or last season’s 25)
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