New Balance Hierro v9 is the next edition of the iconic trail model that combines comfort, grip and durability. This time, the brand has focused on a lighter construction, better cushioning and an even more aggressive tread. Is it the perfect shoe for long, demanding trails? Yes, it is. Is it a shoe for short walks in forests and parks if you are looking for a lot of softness under your feet? Yes, it is!
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The New Balance Hierro v9 is a running shoe with very good, almost maximum cushioning for tough terrain – from forest paths to mountain trails. The high level of cushioning makes it comfortable even on long ultra runs, and also for heavier runners over shorter distances. The moderately aggressive, versatile outsole makes the shoe perform well on gravel, rocks, and even rocky trails. Thanks to its versatility, it will also be an excellent choice for those looking for comfortable running shoes for suburban forests.
Pros
- very good cushioning and comfort
- spacious toebox, plenty of room for toes
- Vibram Megagrip outsole
- outsole covering the entire bottom of the shoe
- quite light for such a massive shoe
Cons
- rather not to run in the mud
New Balance running shoes – lineup breakdown
It would seem that the Hierro v9 is the ultimate in cushioning when it comes to trail shoes, but no. New Balance has two shoes that can be described as such. One is the Hierro v9, the other with an even higher midsole is the More Trail. If you are looking for maximum cushioning in a trail shoe, you can choose either one of these.
You can find out more about these and other trail shoes in the overview of New Balance.
| TERENOWE | TERENOWE SZYBKIE | |
|---|---|---|
| największa amortyzacja |  More Trail v3 |  Fuelcell Supercomp Trail |
| bardzo duża amortyzacja |  Hierro v9 |
New Balance Hierro v9 alternatives
The New Balance Hierro v9 is a strong competitor for the softest trail running shoes on the market, including the iconic Hoka Speedgoat. If maximum cushioning and comfort on long distances are your top priorities, the Hierro v9 is at the absolute top of the list. This shoe is made for those who prefer a soft underfoot feeling but don’t want to compromise on grip and stability. If you are looking for other models with top cushioning, check out our list of the best trail shoes!
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asics Gel-Trabuco 13 | 35.5/27.5 | 8 | 285 | 250 | 160 |
| Brooks Cascadia 18 | 33/25 | 8 | 314 | 286 | 150 |
| Hoka Challenger 7 | 31/26 | 5 | 252 | 218 | 150 |
| Mizuno Wave Daichi 7 | 33/25 | 8 | 308 | 255 | 150 |
| New Balance Hierro v9 | 42/38 | 4 | 292 | 234 | 160 |
| Nike Wildhorse 8 | 35/27 | 8 | 300 | n/a | 130 |
| Salomon Genesis | 34/26 | 8 | 269 | 242 | 160 |
Better and more powerful cushioning
The Hierro v9 is a real high-flyer in the world of trail running shoes. The midsole is made of the softest foam from New Balance – Fresh Foam X – for exceptional comfort and safety. In line with the trend of “the higher, the better”, the new version of the Hierro is not only soft foam but also has a lot of it. The midsole is 42 mm high at the heel and 38 mm at the toe. That’s a lot for running shoes, and in the world of trail running, it’s gigantic! Is this height a recipe for uncompromising comfort, or are you balancing on the edge of stability? Most likely the former.
It is one of the softest and most comfortable trail shoes on the market, although I rate the Asics Trabuco Max 4 and Brooks Caldera 8 models slightly higher. This shoe will appeal to both long-distance runners and heavier runners looking for solid support for their joints. In the case of trail shoes, it is difficult to clearly define the weight range for which they are intended, but one thing is certain – even runners weighing 90-100 kg should feel comfortable in these. Lighter? They can also run in it if they want to experience such high off-road softness.
Despite the large amount of foam, the stability is surprisingly good. The wide midsole under the heel makes for a solid base, and the stiffened heel counter effectively keeps the foot in check. This means that although the shoes are soft and well-cushioned, there is no feeling that the heel is “floating” to the side, and the risk of twisting your ankle on difficult terrain is minimal. Comfort goes hand in hand with a sense of control – and that’s what we prefer!
Deep but versatile outsole
With each new edition, Hierro gets an increasingly aggressive outsole – and v9 is no different. The key element of the midsole is Vibram Megagrip rubber, known for its excellent grip and durability. Importantly, it covers a large part of the midsole, although the center remains exposed, which may slightly accelerate the wear of the soft Fresh Foam X foam in this area. Nevertheless, this design has a positive effect on the overall durability of the shoe.
The outsole is well designed – the studs are 4.2 mm high and quite densely spaced, making the Hierro v9 an extremely versatile shoe. It will work on gravel and rocky trails, compacted forest paths, and even on grass. What’s more, if you have to run to the forest on a hard surface, the shoe should forgive this without any problems – this is not a model that will immediately lose its properties on a harder surface.
The biggest challenge? Mud. The densely spaced pegs can quickly become clogged, turning the aggressive outsole into a slippery, uniform surface. This significantly reduces traction, and every step becomes a lottery. Is that really the case? It depends on the conditions – it may turn out that Hierro will perform better than expected in less muddy terrain.
Comfortable upper
The upper of the Hierro v9 is a classic, two-layer construction. The outer mesh has fairly large holes, which makes it breathable, while the bottom layer is solid, protecting the foot from small pebbles or dust. The material is quite thick, but in this respect it is no different from the competition. In comparison to some trail shoes, which have a lot of stiff reinforcements on the upper, this is not the case here. This may make it less durable in very difficult conditions, but it makes it softer and more comfortable around the foot.
To be clear, the upper is not completely devoid of reinforcements. There is solid protection where it is needed, the best example being the front “bumper”. This reinforcement at the tip of the shoe is designed to protect the toes from accidental impacts with stones or roots – thanks to it, neither the shoe nor our feet will suffer while running on difficult terrain.
However, it is a rigid element that will not forgive a wrong size. If there is too little space between the longest toe and the tip of the shoe, it can quickly become uncomfortable – so it is worth choosing the right size to avoid unpleasant chafing or pressure.
In the back of the shoe, there is also a traditionally stiffened heel counter with a solid plastic clip at its center. It stabilizes the heel and limits its sideways movement, which translates into greater control on the ground. The whole is surrounded by soft sponge and thick padding, thanks to which the back of the shoe combines stability with comfort. The foot is pleasantly enveloped, which resembles the comfort known from shoes for everyday training on hard surfaces – soft and cozy. The whole is finished with a rather fancy handle that helps when putting on or storing the shoes.
Not too heavy, not too light
According to the producer, the New Balance Hierro v9 weighs 293 g for men and 234 g for women, which is within the standard range for trail running shoes. In my size 12 US, the shoe weighs 343 g, which is a bit more, but still very close to the average weight of the trail models I tested, which is 338 g.
It is safe to say that the Hierro v9 is well within its weight segment, offering solid cushioning and comfort without putting too much strain on the foot.
Summary
The New Balance Hierro v9 is a comfortable and well-cushioned trail shoe that is suitable for long distances and harder surfaces thanks to Fresh Foam X foam and solid heel stabilization. The versatile Vibram Megagrip outsole makes for good traction on dry surfaces, but can quickly become clogged in mud. Another disadvantage is the relatively high midsole, which can limit running precision on more technical terrain.
