Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Fresh Foam X More v5newer model: Fresh Foam X More v6
Model timeline
Neutral-cushioned running shoes
More about it ↓Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Claude (avg #2.0), weakest on Gemini (#11.3)
Reviewers agree this is an ultra-thick, marshmallow-soft max-cushion shoe built for recovery runs and all-day comfort, with a wide stable platform, though a newer model exists and some feel the ride is heavy and less lively than its predecessor.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
About
What it is.
Fresh Foam X More v5 sits in New Balance's neutral cushioned running line, built around a full-length Fresh Foam X midsole with a honeycomb-patterned sole for landing cushioning and push-off response. A rocker profile curves the sole to guide the foot from midfoot to forefoot, easing calf load through the stride. The Engineered Mesh upper reinforces the midfoot while staying breathable through the forefoot, with a gusseted tongue attached on both sides to block debris and hold its position. A Rubber NDurance outsole handles grip and wear in high-contact zones.
It fits runners who want a daily-mileage shoe from an established maker, something that works straight out of the box without adjustment, and consistent cushioned comfort over long runs rather than a specialized racing tool.
The verdict
The Fresh Foam X More v5 ranks among the top wide-fit running shoes and delivers exceptional comfort and cushioning that buyers confirm works for both daily wear and foot conditions, though premature mesh deterioration in the toe box undermines its durability claim.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on Claude (avg #2.0), weakest on Gemini (#11.3) Averaging across the AI panel, Fresh Foam X More v5 sits around #9.0 this snapshot.
Gemini
#11.3
3 appearances · best #8
Grok
—
Didn’t rank Fresh Foam X More v5 this snapshot.
GPT
—
Didn’t rank Fresh Foam X More v5 this snapshot.
Perplexity
—
Didn’t rank Fresh Foam X More v5 this snapshot.
AI Mode
Didn’t rank Fresh Foam X More v5 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#13 of 30)
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Aug 2026
Reviewers agree this is an ultra-thick, marshmallow-soft max-cushion shoe built for recovery runs and all-day comfort, with a wide stable platform, though a newer model exists and some feel the ride is heavy and less lively than its predecessor.
What they praise
- Extremely soft, plush underfoot cushioning
- Wide, stable platform that inspires confidence given the tall stack height
- Comfortable, well-padded upper with true-to-size fit and good lockdown
- Smooth rocker geometry that suits heel strikers and easy-paced running
- Works well as an all-day comfort or recovery shoe, not just for running
What they knock
- Noticeably heavy compared to other cushioned shoes
- Outsole rubber coverage is minimal, raising durability concerns for high mileage
- Firmer, more stable tuning versus the prior version makes it feel less exciting to run in
- Rocker can feel awkward at walking pace despite being marketed for all-day wear
Synthesised from: Ben Parkes · Seth Fowler · kofuzi · Flawless Physio | Shoe Reviews · Hes Kicks
New Balance MORE V5 (100% Honest Review) - Is this the MOST comfortable running shoe EVER MADE?!
Ben Parkes
The NEW MOST COMFORTABLE Sneaker Of 2024: New Balance Fresh Foam X More V5
Seth Fowler
New Balance More v5
kofuzi
New Balance More V6 Review | 5 Major Changes from the More V5
Flawless Physio | Shoe Reviews
The MAX CUSHION Champion! New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 Review
Hes Kicks
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The disagreement
Where the juries actually split.
Claude
#2avg rank
ranks it highest of the panel
Gemini
#11avg rank
the most sceptical model
critics 4.2/5 sits outside the models' split.
critics 4.2/5Per-model average ranks from this week's panel?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #2 pick in Running Shoes. Critics back it at 4.2 / 5.
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You need a proven, low-risk running shoe from an established maker with broad consensus.
New Balance is a mature brand, 745 ratings show broad consensus, and the v5 iteration signals a settled, tested product line.
You want a well-reviewed neutral cushioned shoe without overpaying for brand prestige.
Mid-range street price with strong 4.4/5 rating and solid comfort/cushioning/support aspects deliver good value; no premium markup evident.
You want a neutral cushioned shoe that works out of the box without fiddling or special setup.
Neutral cushioning and high comfort/fit marks suggest straightforward, ready-to-wear performance; no complex tuning or configuration implied.
You seek an objectively top-of-class running shoe with few compromises.
Strong rating and comfort/support aspects are solid, but mid-tier durability and catalog confidence (2/3) indicate it's not best-in-class; alternatives like Bondi 9 or Clifton 10 may edge it.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 13.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Paradigm 7AltraNew Balance leads 4–0 · 4 sharedRead
- Paradigm 8AltraNew Balance leads 4–0 · 4 sharedRead
- Triumph 23SauconyNew Balance leads 3–1 · 4 sharedRead
- Clifton 10HokaEven 2–2 · 4 sharedRead
- Gel-Nimbus 27ASICSEven 2–2 · 4 sharedRead
- Bondi 9HokaEven 2–2 · 4 sharedRead
- Glycerin 22BrooksEven 2–2 · 4 sharedRead
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
Is the Fresh Foam X More v5 comfortable?
Buyers consistently rate comfort and cushioning at 4.8 out of 5, even those with foot pain conditions that flare up in most shoes. The Fresh Foam X midsole delivers the cushioning the brand claims, with owners reporting it works well for everyday wear and long walks without foot pain.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 durability 300km - dead?r/beginnerrunning
Durability and material quality score only 3.5 out of 5 from buyers. Several owners report the mesh at the toe box buckles and deteriorates after just a few wears, which contradicts the shoe's durability claims. The outsole grip appears to hold up, but the upper mesh is the weak point.
Who is this shoe for?
It fits runners who want a daily-mileage neutral cushioned shoe from an established brand that works out of the box without adjustment. Buyers with foot conditions that cause early pain find it especially helpful. It is less suited to those seeking a top-tier shoe with no compromises—alternatives like Bondi 9 or Clift…
How does the fit and upper construction hold up?
Buyers rate fit and upper construction at 4.5 out of 5, and the gusseted tongue and engineered mesh midfoot provide good support and hold. The problem is mesh durability in the toe box rather than how it fits or supports the foot initially.
Is this a good value running shoe?
The shoe has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from over 700 buyers across two retailers, with strong marks for comfort, support, and responsiveness at a mid-range street price. There is no premium markup, which makes it a solid choice if you are willing to accept the mesh durability trade-off.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 [forum: r/beginnerrunning]r/beginnerrunning
This is a neutral cushioned shoe that delivers ready-to-wear comfort without fiddling or special setup—beginners will find it straightforward to use. The high comfort and fit ratings work well for starting out, though the mesh durability issue means you may need to replace it sooner than expected.
Source-tagged questions come verbatim from public forum threads · answers are ours
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #2 across 4 intents tracked (climbed 2 this week).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#2). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#13).
- TraitsMost often described as “broad base”.
- Closest rivalParadigm 7 (4–0 across 4 shared intents).
- Generation★Superseded by Fresh Foam X More v6 — the newer model in New Balance’s lineup.
- MakerBy New Balance — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
browse Fresh Foam X More v5 in these categories