New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 Shoe Review

Individual Thoughts

KaitlinOverall Score: 7/10

The Vongo v6 fits true to size, and the upper is very stretchy and adaptable. I believe that the Vongo v6's fit will accommodate a variety of foot shapes. The shoe has a plush underfoot foot feel thanks to the newly updated Fresh Foam X midsole and additional stack, which paired well with daily training runs at casual paces. Also, for those who struggle with overpronation, the Vongo v6's updated stability system offers reliable support that does not interfere with the shoe's soft feel and smooth ride.

In my opinion, the underfoot feel was reminiscent of previous generations of an ASICS Nimbus or Brooks Glycerin, which was not my favorite. The cushion feels a little heavy and not especially responsive, making for a slightly sluggish ride. Furthermore, the Vongo's upper is very flexible and does not give me the secure lockdown I typically enjoy. However, I had no issues with irritation, and overall, it was a solid daily trainer. I recommend the Vongo v6 for more casual runners, especially if they are less experienced with stability shoes and just need a little bit of guidance.

ColvinOverall Score: 7/10

Overall, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 is a great shoe that offers excellent everyday performance with additional stability support that is not intrusive on the run. The well-balanced midsole has a nice bounce that is not too soft, making for a lively and efficient underfoot experience. The outsole provides enough durability and protection to accumulate a lot of mileage at daily paces. The only thing holding this shoe back from really excelling is the upper.

Unfortunately, I got some hot spots throughout the testing period, and though I did not develop any blisters, the fit just was not ideal, given my personal preferences. That said, the upper is very adaptable, and I am sure the Vongo v6 will deliver a lot of comfort for runners with a variety of foot shapes. I recommend trying them on first to see if they work for you and your fit needs.

Our In-Depth Look

Upper

Kaitlin: "The Vongo's upper fits like a glove around my foot, providing a very comfortable on-foot feel. The material is very adaptable, and I would have preferred a stronger lockdown, as my heel was slipping a bit throughout testing. Regardless, at easier paces, I had no issues."

Colvin: "The upper on the Vongo v6 is not the highlight of the shoe for me. Although the material used is soft and delivers a lot of comfort upon step in, it is not very breathable, and on longer runs, my feet were a bit warmer than I would have preferred. Also, I found myself getting hotspots, especially in the area where the tongue attaches to the shoe. That said, I did not get any blisters, and given how adaptable the upper material is, I am sure other runners will really enjoy the soft comfort of the Vongo v6."

Midsole

Kaitlin: "The midsole is plush but with a more protective, sink-in feel than a responsive one. It feels great at easier, more casual paces and is smooth from heel to toe. Furthermore, the stability support is unnoticeable underfoot, which is expected of a modern stability shoe. Though the midsole did its job, I wish it delivered a more responsive return."

Colvin: "The Fresh Foam X midsole provides a balanced feel that is soft and well cushioned while offering an energetic little bounce. Upon my initial step in, I was impressed with how comfortable the Vongo felt while just walking around and was excited to see how the shoe would do on the roads.

After a couple of testing runs, my opinion wasn't swayed, and the Vongo v6 performed very well on my daily training runs at easy to medium intensity. Furthermore, the stability support felt natural and did not interfere with my stride while providing reliable overpronation control."

Outsole

Kaitlin: "The Vongo v6's rubber outsole is very dense and highly durable. I could not feel any debris on the road and had no issues on wet or dry surfaces when it came to traction. I also did not notice any abnormal signs of wear throughout testing."

Colvin: "There is not much to say about the outsole on the Vongo v6. It is a fairly straightforward rubber outsole that provides reliable traction on the roads and in the gym. The outsole also delivers a nice extra level of protection thanks to its dense design, but unfortunately, this does add a little weight to the shoe overall. I do not think runners will have any issues with durability, and the Vongo v6 should be a consistent mile eater."

Comparable Models

HOKA Gaviota 5 vs. New Balance Vongo v6

Kaitlin: "Both shoes provide a soft, max-cushioned underfoot experience and perform well at slower paces. I would say that the Vongo v6 is softer with better arch support, whereas the Gaviota 5 is more stable thanks to its more structured upper design."

New Balance 860 v13 vs. New Balance Vongo v6

Colvin: "Both models offer a well-balanced midsole feel with pronation control best for daily runs. That said, the Vongo v6 feels much more protective, as well as smoother through the gait cycle. For a more everyday, around-town experience, I recommend the 860 v13, but for daily runs and longer efforts, I recommend the Vongo v6."