New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Performance Review

New Balance has shown no sign of slowing down with a stunning double-digit sales jump in 2024 and a top-tier line of running shoes that seems to generate loads of buzz with each new iteration.

And one of those popular models is the New Balance Fresh Foam X More, the company’s signature max-cushion daily trainer. In a market overflowing with max-cushion shoes from every major brand, there’s never been more competition for the attention—and dollars—of customers looking for every edge or extra comfort on their long runs.

Last year we deemed the More v5 one of our favorite max daily trainers…but…that was over 12 months ago. Now the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 is available to consumers amidst a more competitive environment, and we have to wonder: is New Balance still king?

Lucky for us, New Balance sent some pairs of the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 to the WearTesters Fortress of Shoelitude so we can determine if we want less…or more…of this new release. [Editor’s Note: I see what you did there…]

What is the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6?

According to New Balance, “[s]mooth, breathable and cushioned, this running shoe delivers all-day comfort and style.”

Gotta give the company credit for getting straight to the point.

Cushion

I really enjoyed the squishy midsole of the More v5; but there were times that it felt too squishy, like my foot was sloshing around too much and breaking my focus from actually running.

I’m not quite sure what changed with the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 midsole—beyond the obvious aesthetic shift—but this setup is less squishy and more responsive, really rewarding consistent strides with consistent energy return. This is not a firmer midsole per se, but it does feel almost more structured and controlled.

I’m not the biggest fan of these 40 mm+ midsoles given how much instability they can create for me as a 210-pound runner. So the highest compliment I can deliver the More v6 is that I never once thought about the stack because I was too busy getting in remarkably consistent miles.

This is not a shoe meant to make you go fast—in fact, I at first felt a bit frustrated at what seemed like a very slow-running shoe. But very quickly I realized that I was moving more steadily than I have in any other daily trainer of late, with my legs feeling fresh even as I took on double-digit miles and maintained—if not beat—the paces I set in some of my other “faster” shoes.

The More v6 delivers that experience with an inviting, wider footbed that allows full toe splay and a thick midsole that somehow never made me lose that essential groundfeel. Sometimes these thick midsoles (like with the Mizuno Neo Vista 2) make it hard for me to maintain a natural gait because all I can feel is the thick cushion and none of the imperfections of the road underneath me.

That loss of proprioception—the body’s awareness of position and movement in a space—is especially fatal for someone like me who is still developing the mental strengths needed to be a more effective runner.

In short, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 made running feel effortless, even fun at times, and that’s a massive win in my book.

Support

As I mentioned above, one of the reasons I avoid most high-stack shoes is because of the stability—or lack thereof—for my needs. I definitely never thought about this years ago when I dropped down to a gaunt 170 pounds; but now, at a much healthier 210 pounds, I am very aware that a whole lotta shoes will lead to a whole lotta bad runs (and injuries) if I’m more focused on trying to stabilize than on good form.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 is a rare max-cushion shoe that feels incredibly stable underfoot without being a stability shoe. This isn’t surprising given how much I enjoyed last year’s model. But this version feels even more stable, and I don’t know that anyone else in the max-cushion game comes close to delivering the support that New Balance has seemingly perfected.

Every step is perfectly cushioned (which I know sounds like I’m just repeating the marketing speak) in a way that I really don’t find in other similarly stacked shoes. I’ve run in these without knee sleeves, something I can’t say I do in any other trainer I’ve tried this year due to recurring right knee pain that somehow never popped up in my More v6 runs.

Traction

Ah yes, the return of me describing the generally sunny weather in Los Angeles, offering some aside about Erewhon, and potentially injuring my usual review partner, Drew, with how hard I make him eye roll.

But I can say this in his absence: there’s a lot of rubber coverage on the outsole, and I’d be surprised if the More v6 wasn’t built to eat up a whole lotta miles before I even recognize any change in my grip on the road.

Upper

There’s a distinct look to New Balance’s running shoes each year, and while they don’t all look the exact same (looking at you, HOKA), there’s a unifying aesthetic sense. So either you’re good with the NB visual vibes, or you’re not feeling them.

We’ve often discussed how so many max-cushion trainers look like they’re all imitating HOKA (which makes sense given the ubiquitous nature of those shoes), and while I’d argue the v5 was more distinct, the More v6 also looks uniquely New Balance and not like anything else on the market.

Moving onto the upper’s performance, I was pleasantly surprised by the accommodating shape that comfortably hugged my somewhat wide feet even during the inevitable foot swell caused by those long summer runs. The synthetic upper proved incredibly breathable during some recent California heatwaves, and I never thought about it once I laced up my shoes, which seems like the way it should be.

Much like the ride, I’d say the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6’s upper isn’t anything exciting, but the devil’s in the details—namely that it fits exactly the way you’d want a running shoe to fit and supports your runs through every step.

Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 wide foot friendly?

Absolutely. Not only is the standard width going to accommodate a whole lotta runners like myself who struggle with finding a fit for their Hobbit feet, but New Balance offers Wide and X-Wide fits in a wide array of colors.

Every running shoe isn’t for everyone, but New Balance has ensured that there’s a good fit of the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 for every runner.

Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 worth $155?

Not only is the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 worth $155, it may well be a bit of a steal at this price in that it remains right around the average cost of daily trainers while delivering high-end comfort and fit.

New runners who simply want to get their miles in each day will find this shoe to be an excellent training partner to keep them moving consistently as they develop both physical and mental fortitude.

Veteran runners will find this to be a perfect shoe not only for their easy days but also for those days when discipline needs to overcome a lack of motivation. Get on the treadmill, set a pace, and this shoe will keep you moving comfortably.

And if you’re simply looking to get in your 10,000 steps, you can even effectively use the More v6 as a walking shoe due to the excellent stability.

How to use the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 is best used to soak up miles, whether that’s on easy runs, recovery runs, or long runs. It works great for both running and walking.

New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Summary

In a market full of super foams and max-cushion trainers, New Balance reminds everyone why it’s king of the high-stack shoes with the phenomenal Fresh Foam X More v6.

This shoe is going to deservedly land on many Best of 2025 running shoe lists, and just writing about it makes me want to lace it up for another run right now.

How does the Author Run?

Arune Singh (age 43, 5’11”, 210lbs): Trains daily with functional fitness programming from Deadboys Fitness, founded by Colby “Seth Rollins” Lopez and Josh Gallegos, along with logging 30-40 miles of running per week. He also has a medical history of Sleep Apnea and Myasthenia Gravis, meaning Arune’s focus is on lean muscle mass.

Disclosure

While New Balance did provide pairs of the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.