New Balance Fresh Foam More v6 Review: Behold, The Queen of Cush

Introduction to the New Steadiness Recent Foam Extra v6

MEAGHAN: The New Steadiness Extra has all the time had a particular place in my coronary heart (properly, ever for the reason that third iteration arrived, the primary two have been… not good.) Ever since, it’s been the plush king of max-cushion trainers, from the luxurious higher to the tender but responsive midsole. The excellent news? The Recent Foam X Extra v6 retains that profitable system intact. You’re nonetheless getting that towering stack top (44 mm / 40 mm) and the identical premium Recent Foam X discovered within the 1080.

For v6, the higher has been fine-tuned for even higher consolation and breathability, and the outsole nonetheless packs loads of sturdy rubber for high-mileage use. The most important shock? The value hasn’t budged — you’ll be able to nonetheless seize a pair for $155, similar to v5. However the true query is: does this plush trip nonetheless shine out on the street? Let’s discover out.

THOMAS: I’ll admit that when the leaves begin to flip orange and the wind begins to choose up slightly chew, you may discover me having fun with a Hallmark vacation film with a scorching cocoa, curled up with Ralphie. I understand how the story goes to unfold, however all I would like is a senseless feel-good couple of hours. For probably the most half, that’s how I really feel about max cushion trainers. I get pleasure from them for the consolation, however they don’t provide rather more. Most are heavy, too tender, and sluggish.

The tide has began to alter, although, and we’re getting extra range within the max class. For instance, the Brooks Glycerin Max continues to be heavy, however the dual-density foam provides some weight-defying bounce. Footwear just like the Asics Superblast and Megablast have all of the cushioning and are light-weight in comparison with different massive boys on the market. The Extra v6 isn’t gentle at 11.75 oz./333 grams for my US M10.5,  however the Recent Foam X’s bounce and rockered form mitigate among the weight. These particulars assist make the Extra v6 really feel extra vigorous and make your simple runs even simpler.

CHAD: If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. That is about trainers; this isn’t about trainers. That is precisely the mentality that New Steadiness seems to be using with the Recent Foam X Extra v6. Final yr’s launch of the v5, the King of Cush, marked a brand new chapter for New Steadiness. Moderately than merely being an enormous slab of tremendous tender and squishy foam that had been within the v4 and prior fashions, New Steadiness started utilizing the identical formulation of Recent Foam X used within the premium 1080. What did this imply for the Extra? Some precise bounce to go along with the squish, resulting in a extra balanced trip.

Not a lot modifications with the v6. Stack top? The identical at 44 mm / 40 mm, a 4mm drop. Platform? Extremely aspect and steady. Higher? Tender and plush, the epitome of consolation. So what has modified? Learn on to search out out.

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What we like concerning the New Steadiness Recent Foam Extra v6

MEAGHAN: Let’s begin with aesthetics. New Steadiness, as a model, has actually nailed the steadiness between efficiency and elegance — making footwear you’ll be able to really be ok with carrying after your runs. The FuelCell line? Attractive. And even the Recent Foam collection, which has historically leaned a bit plain, is now wanting fairly sharp.

Sliding into the Recent Foam X Extra v6, you get precisely what you anticipate: plush, all-around consolation. It’s tender from each angle, with a generously padded collar and tongue and that signature Recent Foam cushioning underfoot. The match is true to dimension, and my wider ft felt proper at dwelling. The flat, barely stretchy laces aren’t flashy, however they do a stable job maintaining your foot safe. By way of consolation and match, that is about pretty much as good because it will get.

That pillowy really feel carries over onto the street. For me, the Extra v6 is ideal for simple runs and restoration days — these instances when your legs are begging for a break. It’s versatile sufficient to deal with every day mileage and even lengthy runs, however its actual candy spot is if you need most softness with out sacrificing a easy trip. Whereas it’s not constructed with an aggressive rocker, I nonetheless discovered the turnover to be pure and easy.

And right here’s the kicker: it makes use of the identical premium foam because the 1080, however you’re getting extra of it for much less cash: $155.

THOMAS: I’m gonna begin with the match as a result of New Steadiness Recent Foam footwear might be hit and miss with my slim foot. The perfect factor I can say concerning the higher is that it really works for each my foot and Meg’s. The twin mesh higher, built-in tongue, and plush heel counter give an elevated stage of consolation to match the midsole.

The extensive and tall midsole does the trick. The key phrase right here is plush — I simply love the quantity of cushion underfoot. Don’t get it confused with being mushy, although. Whereas the Extra v6 is tender, it doesn’t really feel like operating via sand. New Steadiness received the density of this foam proper.

The rubber outsole is improved during the last model. I can’t say if the rubber system is totally different, however the outsole feels tackier this go round. There’s some uncovered foam, however I don’t see a lot put on on it after 30 miles.

Like Meg, I used to be stunned to see the value. Often, max cush equals max money. The Extra v6, at $155, is a steal — a lot in order that it undercuts New Steadiness’s personal 1080 v14. We’ll get to that in additional element within the ultimate part.

CHAD: The Extra v6 excels at doing precisely what New Steadiness says it’s speculated to do. New Steadiness makes use of phrases like “unwavering consolation,” “tender landings,” “easy trip,” and “most consolation” in its advertising supplies, and I can completely verify that every of those is true.

Each run I did within the Extra v6 stored my ft snug and guarded. I primarily deployed this shoe on my Monday morning 4-5 mile runs, which come two days after the long term throughout my Chicago Marathon construct. I used to be in fairly tough form after my most up-to-date 15 miler, with sore calves and aggravated ft. Nonetheless, as quickly as I laced up the Extra v6 and left the home, I felt like a brand new individual. The Recent Foam X is an ideal mix of soppy to cradle the foot with sufficient bounce to not really feel mushy.

Aesthetically, this shoe seems to be very very like its predecessor. The New Steadiness logos are extra symmetrical on the medial and lateral sides, and the higher is plush and comfy. One major distinction is that the shoe managed to shed a sliver of weight, with a US M9.5 going from 11.3 oz. to 10.7 oz. Is it tremendous noticeable? Probably not, however any weight being shed on a restoration day shoe when the legs are beat up is appreciated.

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What we don’t like concerning the New Steadiness Recent Foam Extra v6

MEAGHAN: All that plush cushioning and towering stack top does include a trade-off: further weight. My US W7.5 tipped the scales at 9.1 oz, making it one of many heavier footwear in my present rotation. That mentioned, the load feels evenly balanced between the higher and midsole, so it’s not one thing you actually discover when you’re transferring. And on restoration days? You’ll in all probability be too busy having fun with the softness to care. Nonetheless, price a point out.

THOMAS: Future foams should scale back weight. New Steadiness, copy a few of Asics’ homework, and see what it’s throwing within the Megablast.

CHAD: Not a lot to put in writing right here. Regardless of touting breathability, I really felt the v6 was a bit hotter on the foot than the v5. The holes within the mesh on the highest of the v5 have been a bit extra noticeable than the v6. That’s actually all I’ve.

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Ultimate ideas on the New Steadiness Recent Foam Extra v6

MEAGHAN: The New Steadiness Recent Foam X Extra v6 delivers precisely what I anticipated: an opulent, max-cushion trip tailored for restoration days. Once I image a real max-cushion shoe, that is it. Assume Hoka Bondi, however with a contact extra squish, one thing your legs will thanks for after they’re worn out. If final consolation is your objective, this may simply be the plush king of all of them.

THOMAS: The Bondi was the queen of cush. Each model spent years chasing that straightforward but elusive system. Sadly for Hoka, a number of manufacturers haven’t solely provide you with equivalents, however they’ve additionally handed her by, in all probability whereas she was watching some Hallmark Classics. No disgrace there.

Right here could be my picks within the max cushion non-plated class: Asics Megablast and Superblast 2 for efficiency, with massive stacks of responsive foam in light-weight packages. I’d seize the Brooks Glycerin Max for dual-density foams that really feel vigorous underfoot and nearly make you neglect concerning the weight of the shoe (11.4 oz. /324 g, US M10.5).

Lastly, the New Steadiness Extra v6 for pure consolation. It’s a shoe that feels costly however is surprisingly inexpensive.

CHAD: It’s so good today when a shoe does precisely what a model tells the patron it would do. Along with being a terrific restoration day shoe, New Steadiness has actually leaned into the Extra v6 being a terrific possibility for walkers, which I might agree with.

I might completely see this being a shoe I might take with me on a household journey to Disney World, the place the time on ft is immense. That being mentioned, there weren’t many important modifications between the Extra v5 and the Extra v6, so if you will discover your self a deal to avoid wasting cash whereas it’s nonetheless accessible, the Extra v5 ought to stay in your radar.

You may choose up the New Steadiness Recent Foam v6 for $155 from New Steadiness through the use of the buttons under.

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