New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 Review
Published: May 8, 2024
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.6 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size, with narrower forefoot |
Individual Thoughts
BillyOverall Score: 7/10
The New Balance Hierro v8 is an excellent adventure shoe. The fit is secure and very comfortable on foot while also providing immense grip, substantial protection, and praiseworthy versatility.
On my first test run, I was immediately impressed. It delivered a very fun ride, and the Hierro especially came alive on more technical terrain. However, the honeymoon was short-lived. On my next run, I took the Hierro out for a longer effort, and the midsole cushioning could not quite handle the distance, and I was left wanting more protection.
The Hierro v8 still delivers a grinningly fun ride over the first few miles, and on technical trail segments, but I felt battered by the end of my long run. This theme continued throughout the testing period – the upper fit and outsole grip would impress me, while the protection over distance would let me down. The latter made it a little difficult to reach for the shoes on the daily.
After some slightly confusing testing miles, I managed to reconcile my story of the Hierro 8, and overall, they are amazingly fun adventure shoes for shorter runs on techy terrain, exploring new areas when you are feeling out the terrain and difficulty level, and hiking/fastpacking. That said, I would not recommend them for longer distances, as I would have preferred a little more protection underfoot. Although the review is over, and there is no longer an obligation to rack up miles in the Hierro, I will continue using this shoe, just not as a daily trainer.
ColvinOverall Score: 9/10
Overall, I enjoyed running in the New Balance Hierro v8. The shoe seemed tailor-made for a runner like myself, who is beginning to collect more trail mileage. The balance of protection and responsiveness was excellent, and the Hierro provided underfoot comfort without sacrificing too much responsiveness.
For me, the highlight was the Hierro v8's upper design. The tongue, the collar, and are all made with soft materials, delivering a lot of comfort with a secure hold. That said, I experienced some issues with the shoe's toe box. I found the forefoot fairly tight around my foot, and I would not recommend the Hierro to someone with a wider foot shape. The forefoot fit caused me some irritation and kept me from taking the Hierro on longer mileage runs, but for the average daily trail runner who enjoys experiencing trail runs at a slower pace or even someone who wants a comfortable hiking shoe, the Hierro represents an excellent option.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Billy: "The Hierro's upper is very secure. Even on off-camber trail segments and uneven terrain, I experienced no sliding or rolling. The upper could have been slightly more breathable. Overall, the Hierro is was not a hot shoe, but there are more breathable options."
Colvin: "The Hierro's offers a plush on-foot feel thanks to the soft upper material. It provided a secure hold, and I never experienced any issues with sliding. The biggest issue I had was with the shoe's tighter toe-box fit. Even with a narrower foot, I experienced some discomfort over longer distances. That is the main reason why I will reserve the Hierro casual trail runs and hikes, rather than a shoe that stays in my weekly rotation"
Midsole
Billy: "The midsole is fairly balanced, but leans toward the firmer side. While this contributes to the Hierro's excellent underfoot protection and dependable stability on uneven surfaces, it also makes the ride harsher over long distances. I felt a bit battered after longer runs, particularly when I had to navigate extended descents."
Colvin: "I thought the Hierro's midsole provided a well-balanced ride, delivering enough protection to keep me comfortable and enough responsiveness to keep the ride fun. If I am being honest, I typically enjoy shorter trail runs, and I could see some runners needing protection for long, double-digit trail runs."
Outsole
Billy: "The outsole is the Hierro 8’s pièce de résistance. The traction is immense and allows for confident strides, even while running on loose, rocky technical terrain. They grip every surface, and there is no need to hesitate when the Hierro's on foot."
Colvin: "The outsole is highly durable, and the lugs provide enough grip to handle all trail surfaces. I have no worries that the Hierro will hold up for a heap of mileage."
Comparable Models
New Balance Hierro v8 vs. HOKA Stinson 7
Colvin: "These shoes feel very similar to the HOKA Stinson, with the caveat that the Heirro v8’s is less bulky on foot. The Stinson is more protective and better suited for long trail runs, whereas the Hierro is better suited for shorter trail efforts when you want to be more nimble.
New Balance Hierro v8 vs. Altra Lone Peak
Billy: "These are adventure shoes, and they would feel just as much at home thru-hiking as they do running across rocky game trails. If your run requires surefootedness, the Hierro v8 is tough to beat. The Altra Lone Peak is similar in concept and category, offering versatility and agility on the trail, but zero-drop shoes are not for everyone."
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro
A highly cushioned trail running shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro offers aggressive, sticky traction for a variety of terrains.
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X Hierro
A highly cushioned trail running shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro offers aggressive, sticky traction for a variety of terrains.
