New Balance

Fresh Foam Hierro v6

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v6

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Overall

#25 in

Trail Running Shoes

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score57% positive
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Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 26, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit IconA1naruth
11 months ago

I had Hierro v6 GTX. They were very plushy and quite lightweight for a well padded and cushioned trail shoe. They also did well on paved roads, where I used them on bad weather days. I was really disappointed when just after half a year they started showing tears on the toebox and collar. I ditched New Balance for Hoka Speedgoats. Much more fun to run in, due to more springy foam and the rocker. One and a half year later, the outsole (also a Vibram Megagrip) is missing half of the lugs, so I switch to another pair.

9 months ago

I use goretex running shoes as my daily walking / running shoes on rainy and snowy days. It used to be Adidas Supernova, which had amazing grip and survived for a long time until the midsole snapped in half. Then Hierro v6 which were super comfy, but started showing wear and tear of the upper after only 6 months. I moved to hoka speedgoats, which are not known for their durability, but I found 2 pairs in price of 1, so I thought a set would last me long enough. Indeed the vibram lugs after 18 months of using mostly on hard surfaces were destroyed on one side. And that may happen in general to trail shoes with big lugs instead of more asphalt oriented outsole. Despite some opinions, their traction on wet or icy asphalt is very good. The only specific situation when they turn into slipgoats is when I come from very low temperature and step on wet concrete like puddles of melted snow in a garage. There is yet another option. Couple of years ago my wife bought herself Reebok Work n Cushion. They were quite comfy, ridicuosly cheap and simple oldschool shoes. There are other brands making shoes for work. Something like Hoka transport, which can have interesting upper with its cordura lining plus the rich midsole.

Reddit Iconlurkinglen
5 months ago

Funny to see multiple adidas shoes listed here, they don't get mentioned a lot in this sub. My rotation: * VJ Lightspeed: OCR training (interval based so the running sections are faster) * VJ Spark: OCR races (continuous slower pace) * Inov8 parkclaw g280: road to trail runs, I only have non-technical trails where I live, those only require mild trail shoes in autumn and winter (eyeing to replace this with Salomon Aeto Blaze GRVL or other mild trail shoes) " New Balance More V4: road runs and summer trails * New Balance Hierro V6: retired, now used for hiking

5 months ago

I have a pair of V6s that are very nice for their purpose but I read the V9 was made very stiff and has much more cushioning than previous models, so a very different shoe. https://runrepeat.com/new-balance-fresh-foam-x-hierro-v9

9 months ago

New Balance Hierro, they're plush, cushioned, comfortable, grippy, but also a bit slow and heavy. Great hiking shoe as well. Inov8 Parkclaw: jack of all trades, master of none. Very durable, very allround, comfortable right out of the box, but the cushioning doesn't give much energy return so it feels a bit old fashioned and a little bit uninspiring. Doesn't feel like a trail shoe when running on road, but it does have trail shoe features like (mild) lugs, toe protector, ankle collar. It has a really wide toe box but also a good lockdown. Nike Vomero: cushioned road shoe that has an outsole tread pattern that is much more trail-like than other road shoes

Reddit IconApprehensive_Fun8892
4 months ago

I like the New Balance Hierro for my paddles. You can get them in up to a 4E. Good cushion, rocker design and foam bounce (if running matters to you), and Vibram rubber grip. They have a high stack so not the most groundfeel or stability on technical terrain, but still totally fine for anything short of a class 3 scramble.

Reddit IconBluntpolar
3 months ago

I've had no problem with my lone peak 9+ in shallow mud and puddles, but they were as bad as your run of the mill sneakers for walking on ice (didn't dare run on ice but had to walk a few times). In the distant past (2016?) fresh foam hierros were good for any kind of weird terrain and supportive if you're heavier. I learned they moved away from zero drop so ymmv depending on preference...

Reddit Iconbobbob09882640
10 months ago

new balance hierro ftw (lowkey shocked to see it as high as 15)

Reddit Iconbuckbuckwhatup
12 months ago

Came here to say this. I used mine for mixed road trail running all week and for walks around town. Very durable outsole

Reddit Iconbuzzkilleugene
10 months ago

I find the higher the stack leads to more rolling ankles. Shoes that have not worked for me: Brooks Cascadia, New Balance Hierro Shoes that have worked for me: La Sportiva Bushido, Topo Terraventure. Also would like to find a more cushioned shoe but they have been directly correlated to rolled ankles for me and I'm sick of spending money on shoes for now. I'll see how far I can go in the Bushidos, I did a 50 miler in them and it was good, although I was definitely hurting at the end!! The more you do the more you adapt though!

Reddit Iconcouchsachraga
11 months ago

Absolutely adored the OG-EUs. Also quite like this year's New Balance Hierros (I was a tester last summer).

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