New Balance Fresh Foam Evoz V2 Running Shoes (2E Width) - AW22

Product Information

While the Nitrel V3 was more of a ‘regular’ trail runner with a please-all character, the V4 is quirky in comparison. Instead of the Nitrel v3’s full-length Revlite midsole (of the 1500 fame), the V4 uses a Dynasoft midsole and a high toe-spring that promotes a forward-rolling motion.

MR”: The first two letters identify the gender and the sport activity. “M” is for MEN, “W” for WOMEN. “R” is for Running. “WW” will be Women’s Walking, “MX” will be Men’s Cross-Training and so on. Their Fresh Foam material is winning me over more and more with each offering they have, not to mention FuelCell. But really, what is setting them apart for me is the combination of sole unit materials and great uppers. With the outsole being 44% thinner than average, we were pleasantly surprised with the incredible traction. We ran on dry and wet pavement, even on snow or slush—yet the outsole’s grip remained exceptionally adherent to any surface we challenged it to. Thus it makes sense for the 680V7 to be a comfortable neutral shoe with a smooth ride – because that’s exactly what it is.The letters represent the gender and sometimes the activity - M = Men’s; W= Women’s. Here are a few other examples: MT = Men's Trail, WT = Women's Trail, and US = Made in the USA The New Balance 860v12 is a shoe specifically made for overpronators with its excellent support and stability, plus, as we found out on our test runs, a consistent ride in any condition. Its outstanding traction is the cherry on top—making it the best stability shoe in the New Balance running shoe lineup. The last two digits of the number used to indicate the level of cushioning: a “60” being a stability shoe while a “80” a neutral shoe. This is the actual list: These numbers were not exactly customer friendly – but I have to admit that once you know the logic, it actually makes a lot of sense. Running Shoes Buying Guides The lab numbers had the proof, but our feet lived to tell the tale. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12’s cushion felt like we were running on clouds. Our durometer measurement confirmed this with the midsole cushion scoring 12.5 HA—49.7% softer than the average road running shoe. While it felt ultra-plush, it was abundantly springy and provided us with a forgiving and exciting ride.

The V7 has been updated with a dual-density Fresh Foam midsole, so the ride is smoother than the V6. The articulated outsole complements the EVA midsole to produce a cushioned yet supportive ride for daily runs. Its 9.5-ounce (270 gram) weight is respectable for a shoe with an EVA midsole. Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The History Don’t get us wrong. The Nitrel V4 is a nice enough trail shoe that gets its basics down pat. The foam midsole provides decent levels of ride comfort, and the full-coverage outsole does its job. The upper, while narrow, delivers a trail-worthy fit. While this is not strictly the case anymore, the concept stays: you can expect the cost (and features) of the shoe to go up when moving from a “8” model to a “10” or a “12”.The Fresh Foam X Hierro v7 is the best New Balance trail running shoe based on all our tests because it blends a grippy outsole, a stable ride, and a very comfortable and flexible midsole. This makes it the go-to shoe for running those less-beaten paths or even blazing new ones.

The outsole features a balanced 70.3 HC rubber — tougher than most race shoes for durability and softer than the average daily trainer for better grip. Among its racer counterparts, its 2.8 mm outsole gives more than enough rubber to last long.

New Balance model numbers: what do they mean

It’s not very soft though; the Dynasoft foam has a tinge of firmness – this is no Fresh Foam. And that’s not a bad thing for a trail shoe; a firmer ride equates to better stability over uneven terrain. Some New Balance running shoe models have numbers on their names, which can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the brand’s numbering system. If you’re not aware of New Balance’s legacy nomenclature, the XX80 suffix meant that it was a neutral shoe. For example, there’s the higher-priced 1080V11, the mid-tier 880V11, and finally the budget 680. The ‘Fresh Foam’ midsole unit on the Roav v2 is the highlight of this shoe as it is both comfortable and responsive. We measured the midsole to be 8.1% firmer at 26.5HA using our durometer test, but it never felt overly firm. In fact, it felt soft enough to provide ample protection and responsiveness for our feet during our runs. Road running shoes prevail in New Balance’s selection. Some of the best-rated ones are those with Fresh Foam cushioning . Arch support in New Balance running shoes