- Shoes
- New Balance
- Fresh Foam X More v6
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 review
New Balance’s tallest everyday trainer: a thick, very soft Fresh Foam X platform on a low drop, refined rather than rebuilt for its sixth version.
- Drop
- 4 mm
- Heel stack
- 44 mm
- Forefoot
- 40 mm
- Weight
- 306 g
- Support
- Neutral
- Plate
- None
Our verdict
Maximum foam, minimum hurry.
The Fresh Foam X More v6 puts a very soft 44 mm heel and 40 mm forefoot on a wide, steady base, with a 4 mm drop and about 306 g of weight in a men’s US 9. It suits runners who land mid or forefoot and want protection on easy runs, recovery days and long days on their feet, and it holds back anyone who wants pace.
Strong points
- Record forefoot shock absorption in RunRepeat’s lab, 144 SA
- Wide platform that feels steady for such a tall shoe
- Plush, well padded upper and collar
- True to size, with wide and extra-wide versions
- Comfortable for walking and standing all day
Weak points
- Heavy: about 306 g in a men’s US 9
- Little pop once the pace rises
- Runs warm: breathability well below average
- RunRepeat measured a narrow, low toe box
Who it fits
- You want the most protection on easy days
- You are a heavier runner
- You spend long days on your feet
- You land on the midfoot or forefoot
Who should skip it
- You want any kind of speed
- You want a light shoe
- You are used to a high drop
- Your feet run hot
Shoe profile
Where the Fresh Foam X More v6 sits among the 395 shoes in our catalogue.
| Axis | Fresh Foam X More v6 |
|---|---|
| Cushioning | 87 |
| Lightness | 10 |
| Stability | 30 |
| Drop | 6 |
| Response | 6 |
Fig. 1 · How to read it. Each axis runs from 0 at the centre to 100 at the edge. Cushioning, lightness and drop are the shoe’s rank in the catalogue from listed figures; stability and response are scored from the support type, the plate, the rocker and the intended use. The dotted grey line is the catalogue median. Source: Strideprint catalogue (cat).
Where it sits in the catalogue
Weight306 g, heavier than 90% of shoes
Drop4 mm, lower than 91% of shoes
Heel stack44 mm, higher than 87% of shoes
Forefoot stack40 mm, higher than 96% of shoes
How it feels
Written from 9 published tests. We quote measurements, not impressions we did not have.
As soft as max cushion gets. Fresh Foam X measured at 27.5 AC by RunRepeat, with record forefoot shock absorption: plush, but not a shoe you sink through.
Wide enough to stay calm. A neutral shoe steadied by a platform measured well wider than average; reviewers find it planted, with care needed in tight turns.
Smooth, not springy. Energy return of 60.1 percent at the heel per RunRepeat, 4.1 out of 10 per RTINGS: a smooth roller for steady paces, not a springy shoe.
As soft as max cushion gets. The midsole is New Balance’s Fresh Foam X, the same compound as the v5 and the 1080 v14 according to Believe in the Run. The listed stack is 44 mm at the heel and 40 mm at the forefoot; RunRepeat measured 41.8 and 38.5 mm. Only 7 of the 205 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a thicker forefoot.
RunRepeat measured the foam at 27.5 on the AC scale, far softer than its 35.5 average, with shock absorption of 152 SA at the heel and a lab-record 144 SA at the forefoot. Believe in the Run felt plush without sinking, and Fleet Feet describes a slightly compressive foam you sit in rather than on.
Wide enough to stay calm. There is no support system: it is a neutral shoe. The steadiness comes from the platform, which RunRepeat measured at 122.5 mm across the forefoot and 102.0 mm at the heel, against averages of 115.1 and 91.1 mm. The lab considers it fine for a mild to moderate inward roll.
WearTesters, The Size 15 Runner and 21RUN all describe a planted ride, helped by sidewalls that hold the foot inside the foam. RTINGS rates lateral stability 7.4 out of 10, and Running Shoes Guru warns that the height still calls for care in sharp turns.
Smooth, not springy. RunRepeat measured energy return of 60.1 percent at the heel and 58.8 percent at the forefoot, better than earlier Mores but still unremarkable. RTINGS is harsher, with an energy return score of 4.1 out of 10, 3.2 at the heel.
The roll forward comes from the rocker and the low drop: RunRepeat measured 3.3 mm, RTINGS 4.7 mm, and just 14 of the 249 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a lower drop. Running Warehouse found it lively enough at cruising pace, and The Size 15 Runner found it a chore at times.
Read more
As soft as max cushion gets. The midsole is New Balance’s Fresh Foam X, the same compound as the v5 and the 1080 v14 according to Believe in the Run. The listed stack is 44 mm at the heel and 40 mm at the forefoot; RunRepeat measured 41.8 and 38.5 mm. Only 7 of the 205 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a thicker forefoot.
RunRepeat measured the foam at 27.5 on the AC scale, far softer than its 35.5 average, with shock absorption of 152 SA at the heel and a lab-record 144 SA at the forefoot. Believe in the Run felt plush without sinking, and Fleet Feet describes a slightly compressive foam you sit in rather than on.
Wide enough to stay calm. There is no support system: it is a neutral shoe. The steadiness comes from the platform, which RunRepeat measured at 122.5 mm across the forefoot and 102.0 mm at the heel, against averages of 115.1 and 91.1 mm. The lab considers it fine for a mild to moderate inward roll.
WearTesters, The Size 15 Runner and 21RUN all describe a planted ride, helped by sidewalls that hold the foot inside the foam. RTINGS rates lateral stability 7.4 out of 10, and Running Shoes Guru warns that the height still calls for care in sharp turns.
Smooth, not springy. RunRepeat measured energy return of 60.1 percent at the heel and 58.8 percent at the forefoot, better than earlier Mores but still unremarkable. RTINGS is harsher, with an energy return score of 4.1 out of 10, 3.2 at the heel.
The roll forward comes from the rocker and the low drop: RunRepeat measured 3.3 mm, RTINGS 4.7 mm, and just 14 of the 249 neutral road shoes in our catalogue list a lower drop. Running Warehouse found it lively enough at cruising pace, and The Size 15 Runner found it a chore at times.
Which runs it’s for
| Run | Fit | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy runs | Made for it | Its home. Every review we read puts it on easy daily miles. | RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, Running Warehouse |
| Recovery runs | Made for it | Soft, steady and undemanding on tired legs. | RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, 21RUN |
| Walking | Made for it | Fleet Feet testers wore it for a full day of standing and on a walking pad. | Fleet Feet, WearTesters |
| Long runs | Can do | RunRepeat and Running Warehouse see relaxed long runs; The Size 15 Runner would not take it long. | RunRepeat, Running Warehouse, The Size 15 Runner |
| Tempo | Not for it | RunRepeat scores tempo use 49 out of 100. Keep a lighter pair for faster work. | RunRepeat, Running Shoes Guru |
| Marathon race | Not for it | RunRepeat scores racing 34 out of 100 and RTINGS 6.1 out of 10 for a marathon. | RunRepeat, RTINGS |
Source: RunRepeat, Believe in the Run, Running Warehouse, 21RUN, Fleet Feet, WearTesters, The Size 15 Runner, Running Shoes Guru, RTINGS
What the tests say
Published reviews agree the More v6 is very soft, heavy, surprisingly steady for its height and made for slow miles. They split on how roomy it is inside, how lively the foam feels and how well it grips.
| Test | Type | Our reading | In one sentence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RunRepeat | Lab | Positive | RunRepeat scores it 86 out of 100: cloud-soft and at its best on easy and recovery runs, but heavy and snug in the standard width. | Read |
| Believe in the Run | Review | Positive | Believe in the Run ranks it A tier: the plushest of the max-cushion trainers, with weight as the one real flaw. | Read |
| RTINGS | Lab | Mixed | RTINGS rates the cushioning 8.6 out of 10 but energy return only 4.1, and prefers the Bondi 9 for rebound. | Read |
| WearTesters | Review | Positive | WearTesters gives it 10 out of 10 as a stable max-cushion trainer for easy, recovery and long runs. | Read |
| The Size 15 Runner | Review | Mixed | The Size 15 Runner likes the stability and upper but finds the ride dull and keeps it for easy days only. | Read |
They agree
- Very soft and protectiveRunRepeat measured record forefoot shock absorption and a soft 27.5 AC foam, RTINGS scores cushioning 8.6 out of 10, and Believe in the Run and Running Warehouse describe a plush ride that stops short of mushy.
- HeavyRunRepeat weighed 302 g and RTINGS 302.3 g, close to the 306 g listed for a men’s US 9. Believe in the Run and The Size 15 Runner both name the weight as the main drawback.
- Steady for its heightRunRepeat measured a platform much wider than average, WearTesters found it stable without being a stability shoe, and The Size 15 Runner even found it a little too stable.
- True to sizeRunRepeat’s reader poll, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet, WearTesters and Running Shoes Guru all report a normal length.
They split
- Roomy or narrow inside?RunRepeat measured a narrow, low toe box and calls the interior low in volume. Running Warehouse found room for the toes to splay, and WearTesters says the standard width takes wider feet.
- How lively is the foam?RunRepeat measured better energy return than earlier Mores, 60.1 percent at the heel. RTINGS scores energy return 4.1 out of 10, and The Size 15 Runner found the ride one-dimensional.
- GripRunRepeat measured a traction coefficient of 0.44, below its 0.53 average. Running Shoes Guru rates grip 9 out of 10 and found it reliable in the rain.
How it’s built
A single thick slab of Fresh Foam X on a very wide base, a padded engineered mesh upper with a semi-gusseted tongue, and a thin rubber outsole with broad coverage.
A single slab of soft Fresh Foam X on a very wide base, a padded mesh upper that runs warm, and a thin but slow-wearing rubber outsole.
| # | Part | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UpperEngineered mesh | Breathability 58 BR |
| 2 | Tongue | 7.4 mm |
| 3 | Heel | Stiffness 3 / 5 |
| 4 | MidsoleFresh Foam X | Hardness 27.5 AC |
| 5 | Insole | 3.5 mm |
| 6 | Outsole | 1.9 mm |
Fig. 3 · Side profile. Stack heights to scale (listed: 44 mm heel, 40 mm forefoot; measured: 1.9 mm outsole); the split between the two foams is not measured and is drawn at mid-height. Dashed: insole, hidden. Sources: Believe in the Run, RunRepeat, 21RUN, The Size 15 Runner, Fleet Feet. BR: RunRepeat’s breathability scale (not a score out of 100).
Upper. A padded, dual-layer engineered mesh that Believe in the Run and 21RUN found comfortable from the first step. It traps heat: RunRepeat scored breathability 58 against a 75 average.
Tongue. Semi-gusseted on both sides and well padded, 7.4 mm thick against a 5.8 mm average in RunRepeat’s lab. Testers report it stays in place.
Heel. A medium-stiff counter, 3 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, with a thickly padded collar and no finger loop. Fleet Feet testers found the collar soft.
Midsole. One full-length layer of Fresh Foam X, measured at 27.5 AC. Despite its size it twists like an average shoe, 14.7 Nm in RunRepeat’s torsion test, and bends with 17.7 N, a little stiffer than average.
Insole. A removable 3.5 mm insole, thinner than the 4.4 mm average, which leaves the foam to do the cushioning.
Outsole. Rubber with broad coverage but only 1.9 mm thick in RunRepeat’s cut, against a 3.1 mm average. Believe in the Run found it tackier than the v5’s; RunRepeat measured slightly less grip than before.
Read more
A single thick slab of Fresh Foam X on a very wide base, a padded engineered mesh upper with a semi-gusseted tongue, and a thin rubber outsole with broad coverage.
1. Upper. A padded, dual-layer engineered mesh that Believe in the Run and 21RUN found comfortable from the first step. It traps heat: RunRepeat scored breathability 58 against a 75 average.
2. Tongue. Semi-gusseted on both sides and well padded, 7.4 mm thick against a 5.8 mm average in RunRepeat’s lab. Testers report it stays in place.
3. Heel. A medium-stiff counter, 3 out of 5 in RunRepeat’s test, with a thickly padded collar and no finger loop. Fleet Feet testers found the collar soft.
4. Midsole. One full-length layer of Fresh Foam X, measured at 27.5 AC. Despite its size it twists like an average shoe, 14.7 Nm in RunRepeat’s torsion test, and bends with 17.7 N, a little stiffer than average.
5. Insole. A removable 3.5 mm insole, thinner than the 4.4 mm average, which leaves the foam to do the cushioning.
6. Outsole. Rubber with broad coverage but only 1.9 mm thick in RunRepeat’s cut, against a 3.1 mm average. Believe in the Run found it tackier than the v5’s; RunRepeat measured slightly less grip than before.
Durability. Better than the thin rubber suggests. The outsole lost 0.8 mm in RunRepeat’s wear test, less than the 1.1 mm average, and the toe box and heel lining scored 3 and 4 out of 5. Believe in the Run saw little wear after about 48 km.
Durability. Better than the thin rubber suggests. The outsole lost 0.8 mm in RunRepeat’s wear test, less than the 1.1 mm average, and the toe box and heel lining scored 3 and 4 out of 5. Believe in the Run saw little wear after about 48 km.
Specs, listed and measured
Every figure carries its source.
Drop, mm
Heel stack, mm
Forefoot stack, mm
Weight (men’s), g
| Spec | Listed | Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Drop |
|
|
| Heel stack |
|
|
| Forefoot stack |
|
|
| Weight, US M9 |
|
|
| Support |
| – |
| Plate |
| – |
| Surface |
| – |
| Release year |
| – |
Fig. 4 · Listed vs measured. Bars start at zero. Sources: Believe in the Run, RunRepeat, RTINGS, Running Warehouse.
Lab measurements
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Midsole hardness |
|
| Energy return (heel) |
|
| Torsional rigidity |
|
| Heel counter stiffness |
|
| Traction coefficient |
|
| Breathability |
|
| Spec | Measured |
|---|---|
| Toe box width |
|
| Toe box height |
|
| Outsole thickness |
|
| Insole thickness |
|
| Tongue thickness |
|
| Flex force |
|
BR: RunRepeat’s breathability scale (not a score out of 100).
Sizing and fit
Take your usual size; the question is volume, and the widths answer it.
Length
True to size
Widths
standard, wide, and extra wide
Toe room
RunRepeat measured a 71.3 mm toe box, under its 73.2 mm average, and a low 24.4 mm height against 27.0. Running Warehouse and The Size 15 Runner still found plenty of room to splay the toes, so foot shape decides.
RunRepeat, Running Warehouse, The Size 15 Runner
Full sizing notes from testers
RunRepeat’s reader poll, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet, WearTesters, Running Shoes Guru and 21RUN all report a true-to-size length.
Volume is where opinions split. RunRepeat finds the standard width snug, with a narrow and low interior. Running Warehouse and The Size 15 Runner found plenty of toe room, and a narrow-footed Fleet Feet tester found it slightly wide but locked down well. Fleet Feet testers also found that heel lock lacing reduced heel slip.
Widths settle most cases. RunRepeat lists narrow, standard, wide and extra-wide versions, and Fleet Feet lists 2E and 4E for men, D and 2E for women. Availability of each width varies by country and retailer.
RunRepeat, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet, WearTesters, The Size 15 Runner, Running Shoes Guru, 21RUN
Vs Fresh Foam X More v5
A refinement, not a rebuild: same foam and same listed stack, a slightly wider base, a few grams less and a more padded upper.
The changes are small enough that a Believe in the Run tester sees the v5 as a sound choice if you can still find it. Keep it if you prefer its airier mesh; move to the v6 if you want a steadier base and a more padded fit.
Version history: Fresh Foam X More v5 to Fresh Foam X More v6
Same foam, retuned feel. The Fresh Foam X compound carries over. Fleet Feet finds the v6 softer underfoot, while WearTesters and Carreras de Montaña find it less squishy and more controlled than the v5. (Believe in the Run, Fleet Feet, WearTesters, Carreras de Montaña)
Wider, steadier base. Running Warehouse and Carreras de Montaña both describe a slightly wider platform, and reviewers find the v6 more stable than the v5. (Running Warehouse, WearTesters, Carreras de Montaña)
A touch lighter. RunRepeat measured about 3 percent less weight than the v5, and 21RUN cites a saving of about 5 g. (RunRepeat, 21RUN)
More padding up top. The upper adds padding at the tongue and collar. A Believe in the Run tester found it warmer than the v5’s airier mesh. (Believe in the Run, The Size 15 Runner, Carreras de Montaña)
A rocker reviewers read differently. Running Warehouse and Fleet Feet describe a stronger rocker with more toe spring, while RunRepeat finds it less pronounced than on the v5. (RunRepeat, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet)
Alternatives compared
Each one fixes one thing the Fresh Foam X More v6 does not do.
| New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 |  Hoka Bondi 9 |  Brooks Ghost Max 3 |  ASICS Novablast 5 |  New Balance 1080 v15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick it for | This page | More stable | Firmer | Lighter | Less cushion |
| Drop | 4 mm | 5 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm |
| Heel stack | 44 mm | 43 mm | 39 mm | 41.5 mm | 40 mm |
| Weight | 306 g | 297 g | 318 g | 252 g | 261 g |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Questions runners ask
Does the New Balance More v6 fit true to size?
Yes. RunRepeat’s reader poll, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet, WearTesters and Running Shoes Guru all report a true-to-size length. Volume is the debate: RunRepeat measured a narrow, low toe box while most testers found enough room, so wider feet should look at the wide versions.
More v5 or More v6: which should I choose?
The two are close. The v6 keeps the same Fresh Foam X and listed stack, adds a slightly wider base, a more padded upper and a few grams less. Choose the v6 for a steadier, plusher fit; a Believe in the Run tester considers the v5 still worth it if you can find it.
Does the New Balance More v6 come in wide?
Yes. RunRepeat lists narrow, standard, wide and extra-wide versions, and Fleet Feet lists 2E and 4E for men and D and 2E for women. Availability varies by country. Given RunRepeat’s narrow toe box measurement, the wide version is worth trying if your feet are broad.
Is the More v6 good for walking or standing all day?
Reviewers think so. Fleet Feet testers wore it through a full day standing on concrete and on a walking pad, Believe in the Run suggests it for long days on foot, and WearTesters recommends it to walkers who want a steady shoe. Expect warm feet: breathability is below average.
Is the More v6 good for heavy runners?
Reviewers say yes. RunRepeat names heavier runners among its best matches, and a 95 kg WearTesters reviewer found it stable and protective on his easy runs. The wide platform helps; the trade-off is a shoe of about 306 g in a men’s US 9.
New Balance More v6 or Hoka Bondi 9?
Both are max-cushion neutral trainers with low drops. RTINGS found more rebound and a firmer, steadier forefoot in the Bondi 9, and sees the More v6 as the pick for extra room and a plusher feel. Fleet Feet rates the More v6 the softer of the two.
Is the More v6 good for flat feet or overpronation?
The More v6 is a neutral shoe with no support system. RunRepeat considers its wide base fine for a mild to moderate inward roll. Flat feet do not always mean overpronation, so look at how your foot actually moves first. It is a cushioned shoe, not a treatment.
Sources
- RunRepeat, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 lab review (Carlos Sánchez, updated June 2026). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Believe in the Run, New Balance Fresh Foam More v6 Review (August 2025). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Running Warehouse, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Fleet Feet, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Review: The More, The Merrier. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- RTINGS, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 running shoe review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- WearTesters, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Performance Review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- The Size 15 Runner, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Review: Less Is More?. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Running Shoes Guru, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 review. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- 21RUN, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Testbericht. Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Carreras de Montaña, New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 (Sergio Mayayo). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- Strideprint, Strideprint running shoe catalogue (ranks computed on 2026-10-13). Accessed Oct 13, 2026.
- goat.com · Release year, listed
- cat: Strideprint catalogue, 395 shoes
How we review. We read published tests, brand and retailer pages and lab measurements, cross-check the figures and flag where they disagree. We did not test this shoe ourselves. Last updated October 13, 2026.