New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Complete Review

The "max cushion wars" are officially over, and honestly? Our feet were the real winners. New Balance has been a heavyweight contender in this arena for years, and with the Fresh Foam X More v6, they aren't just participating—they’re trying to build the entire stadium. This shoe represents the absolute pinnacle of the brand’s commitment to plush, impact-absorbing comfort, pushing the "More" ethos to its logical, towering conclusion. It’s a shoe that doesn't just ask for your attention; with its massive stack height and bold silhouette, it demands it.

Quick Take

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Best For: Recovery runs, all-day standing, plantar fasciitis relief, daily walking

Key Strengths: Unmatched impact absorption, smooth transition for such a large shoe, stable platform for a neutral trainer.

Notable Limitations: Lack of energy return (responsiveness), runs warm, bulky aesthetic isn't for everyone.

Visual Snapshot Summary

What Makes New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 Stand Out?

You know that feeling when you finally sit on a premium sofa after a long day? That’s effectively what New Balance has engineered for your feet. The standout feature here is undeniably the Fresh Foam X midsole—specifically, the sheer volume of it. We are talking about a stack height that hits around 44mm in the heel, which is frankly enormous.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just about height. It’s about the implementation. Unlike some competitors that just slap a brick of foam underfoot, New Balance has tuned this Fresh Foam X to be soft yet strangely stable. It uses a "rockered" geometry that helps roll you through your stride, mitigating that clunky feeling you might expect from a shoe this size. It’s designed explicitly for those who prioritize comfort over speed—a "protective" ride that isolates your joints from the harsh reality of concrete. One user perfectly captured the vibe, noting that despite the bulk, the ride felt "smooth, breathable, and designed for comfort".

Real Customer Experiences

The sentiment around the More v6 is polarized but heavily skewed towards the positive, especially among those using it for recovery or work.

• Cloud-Like Comfort: The overwhelming majority of users describe the sensation as "walking on clouds," with specific praise from workers who stand for 8+ hours a day.
• Stability Surprise: Despite the height, users frequently mention feeling stable, thanks to the wide base, though some found the "rocker" motion took time to get used to.
• Durability Concerns: A small but vocal minority of serious runners noted that the foam’s "bounce" might flatten out faster than expected with high mileage.

Here is what real users are saying:

"The shoe has a lot of shoe! You feel as though you are walking on clouds. The shoe is very supportive and there is so much foam. You cannot really feel the surface below you when running." — Zappos Customer

"Perfect running shoes: very light, soft and works very well to give more impulse! Wonderful, best purchase ever." — ASOS Customer

"Turned to really hard, slabby shoes after about 350km. Foams all compacted, totally useless IMO." — Reddit User

Design and Build Quality

Let's pop the hood. The upper is an engineered mesh that New Balance describes as "smooth and breathable". It’s designed to be lightweight to offset the heavy bottom unit. Honestly, it does a decent job of locking the foot down, though the volume is a bit lower than previous versions—meaning it might feel snug on top of the foot if you have high arches.

The midsole is the star, obviously. It’s a massive slab of Fresh Foam X. New Balance has used a single-density foam here, which provides a consistent feel from heel to toe. It doesn't have the "pop" of their FuelCell racing line, but it’s not meant to. It’s a shock absorber, plain and simple.

For the outsole, New Balance uses their "Ndurance" rubber placed strategically in high-wear zones. They haven't covered every millimeter of the bottom to save weight, but the coverage is substantial enough for daily road use. It’s not a trail shoe, though; the rubber is durable but relatively flat, meant for pavement and light gravel paths.

Weight is surprisingly manageable for a shoe this size, coming in at approximately 306g (10.8 oz) for a men’s US 9. It’s not a featherweight, but considering the amount of cushion you’re getting, it’s respectable.

Comfort and Fit

If you’re buying this shoe, you’re buying it for comfort. The step-in feel is plush, bordering on luxurious. The width profile is standard (D), but New Balance—being the legends they are—offers Wide (2E) and X-Wide (4E) options, which is a lifesaver for many.

Sizing Advice: Most users find it runs true to size regarding length. However, be warned: the interior volume (vertical space) is a bit shallow. If you have a "tall" foot or wear thick orthotics, you might struggle with the instep pressure unless you loosen the laces significantly.

Break-in: minimal. You can take these out of the box and walk a 5K immediately. The foam doesn't need to "soften up"—it’s ready to go.

"I alternate between these... and asics nimbus... which are also amazing for long distance walking cushion wise but perhaps with less support." — Zappos Customer

Style and Versatility

Aesthetically, the More v6 leans hard into the "chunky sneaker" trend. It’s not trying to hide its bulk; it celebrates it. This makes it surprisingly versatile for Daily Urban scenarios. Paired with joggers or shorts, it fits right into that modern, athleisure look.

In an Office Casual setting, it’s a bit more challenging. It’s clearly a running shoe. Unless your office is very relaxed or you work in healthcare (where these are legendary), they might look a bit too "techy" for chinos.

For Light Sport / Gym use, they are fantastic for the treadmill or elliptical but terrible for weightlifting. You do not want to squat in a shoe with 44mm of squishy foam—you’ll be wobbling all over the place.

Quality and Durability

New Balance generally holds a high standard for quality, and the More v6 is no exception. The construction is clean, with few reports of glue stains or loose stitching.

However, durability is a mixed bag depending on how you use them. For walkers and casual wearers, they will last ages. For heavy runners (20+ miles a week), the Fresh Foam X tends to compress over time. You might notice the "cloud" feeling diminishing around the 300-400km mark. It’s the trade-off for having such soft foam—it feels amazing initially but has a shorter lifespan than firmer, denser foams.

Decision Matrix

Legend: ✓ = Good ○ = Average ✕ = Poor