According to the latest market trends in the running universe, the concept of maximalism in running shoes came to stay. In this sense, the maximum exponent of a brand like New Balance is found in its New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4, a model that is renewed to present a perfect balance between cushioning, softness and comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to put the spotlight on this model of the American brand, but from a more professional point of view, as that of a sports podiatrist, who has very clear ideas when it comes to running equipment. Our admired and beloved Toni Fernandez Sierra gives us the 4 reasons why you should wear these shoes.
The running shoes New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 is the perfect choice for any runner who wants to prioritize comfort over features, but without excluding other relevant sections. The fourth version of these FFx More stands out for being a more stable, efficient, cushioned and breathable model. The Fresh Foam X midsole is wider to increase shock absorption, as well as running and walking support. But it is also able to maintain great responsiveness and smooth transitions. We are talking about the model that features the biggest rocker in the midsole of the Fresh Foam range. All this converts into a daily training shoe, very cushioned and comfortable, and that any runner or walker can choose for their day to day.
Main benefits of New Balance Fresh Foam X foam
The development of New Balance 's foam franchise from Fresh Foam to Fresh Foam X continues to be based on millions of data obtained by artificial intelligence from the D2D (Data to Design) project that the brand obtained from thousand runners of all levels, where support points, footprint types, wear zones... were evaluated.This improvement has not only meant a modification in its already well-known concave and convex hexagonal geometric shapes (depending on whether they seek cushioning or control in the different phases of the stride) and now asymmetrical, but also slightly modified its physical-chemical characteristics due to a different mix in its components.
Thus, the resulting material is a much lighter and more elastic foam, with greater resilience (offering greater propulsive power) and greater resistance to wear (reinforcing the foam in the areas of greatest stress during support) where the hexagonal shapes have evolved to a greater asymmetry and even micro-perforated shapes in the outer heel area that provide greater softness in the landing of the footprint.
In conclusion, the evolution that NB is making is a success, achieving a lighter, friendlier and biomechanically more efficient foam.
The 3 details that will make you fall in love with the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
That the American brand decides to evolve the star foam of the brand in the New Balance Fresh Foam X More V4 is a success for many reasons, but specially because the profile of the runner for whom this shoe is designed is going to notice it.
Simple: more comfort with more control.
I loved the upper of the Fresh Foam X More V4. You can feel the support where you need it: midfoot and heel. But don't think that the toe area is going to be too wide. No way! New Balance has known how to find the balance so that the whole upper hugs you in a balanced way. In addition, the mesh is very ventilated.
The large base of the outsole (125mm metatarsal area -100mm midfoot area -117mm heel area in my 11 USA), so even though the FFX foam feels soft, you don't feel like you can get injured by over-cushioning. This base added to the wide and thick lugs of the outsole, I think it promises an optimal durability.
In our case, we've driven about 500 km and it has hardly been worn, so we'll probably reach 900 km without any problems.
User profile and recommended uses
I think this is now an ideal shoe for medium to heavy runners looking for a shoe to train at paces above 4.30/km or even to compete at lower paces. But I also see this shoe for lighter runners who want to do longer training runs at faster paces (its rocker forefoot allows for that) and who need a running shoe with great protection for their feet.
But I also see a person who is looking for a shoe to walk around the streets of their city or on non-technical trails.
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X More v3
I think that, overall, New Balance has managed to broaden the range of athletes that are going to be comfortable with this new v4 version and not only because of the use of the new foam formulation for the Fresh Foam X midsole, but also because they have also achieved a faster running shoe by slightly raising the profile in the v4, which has allowed the Boston-based brand to give a rocker of a cm 5 in forefoot and cm 3 in heel.
Aesthetically, it seems to me a design very much in line with the new fashions and trends that we are finding in new designs of shoes: clean uppers, reflective elements on the sides and heel to be visible at night and a more stable and comfortable running shoe.
Opportunities for improvement in the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
I love how they have incorporated the New Balance logo on the outside of the shoe. It offers a lot of external stability, but I find that it lacks some reinforcement on the upper on the inside. Pronator runners would appreciate it.
Athletes with a tendency to supinate excessively in the heel support may notice a certain instability, since the crahs Pad of the shoe in the external area is a few 3 or 4mm lower which could increase the risk of sprains or other injuries during heel contact with the ground since a certain supination is noticed when supporting the posterior-external part of the shoe during the race.
Surely New Balance has had its reasons for this design, I'm not saying it's a design flaw, but it should be a detail to consider, for example, in people with weakness of the lateral external ankle ligament.
Final closing about the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4
New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 is going to become one of the best maximalist shoes of today and surely a bestseller 2023 thanks to the extra cushioning/reaction/lightness provided by its Fresh Foam X foam associated with its wide platform that provides greater stability.
If we also add a lowdrop (4mm), lightness on the scales (about 295 grams) and very marked rockers (they adapt to a wide variety of running paces), we have an almost perfect running shoe in its segment that can delight many runners both for running on asphalt and for running on non-technical trails or just going for a walk.
Another use for which I think the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v4 is prepared is for regenerative runs or those workouts that we do after coming off an injury.
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