Verdict from 5 experts and 65 user reviews

6 reasons to buy

  • Cushioning: Many runners admire the soft cushioning of the New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v1.
  • Toebox: Based on some user reviews, the shoe has a generous toebox.
  • Traction: Those who tried the shoe on both soft and hard surfaces mention that it has a good grip.
  • Comfort: Some trail runners note that the shoe is very comfortable on easy, long runs. 
  • Durability: The additional forefoot reinforcement on the upper mesh makes the shoe more durable, said some reviews.
  • Support: According to a good number of wearers, the shoe has supportive upper and heel sections that prevent ankle twists on uneven terrain.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Protection: According to some expert reviews, the Fresh Foam More Trail v1 is not protective and stable enough for extremely technical terrain.
  • Not for narrow feet: The shoe is too wide for narrow footed runners, said some testers.
  • Tongue: A few trail runners are annoyed because the tongue keeps on twisting to the lateral side of the shoe.

Bottom line

Often compared to some Hoka trail shoes, the New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v1 is loved for its highly-cushioned platform that feels at home on easy, long-distance runs.

It is not a shoe for super technical terrains. So, if you are looking for an aggressive pair that can handle rough trail surfaces, consider a pair of Salomon trail running shoes. 

Tip: see the best running shoes.

Expert reviews:

User reviews:

New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v1: Soft, highly-cushioned trail shoe

The Fresh Foam More Trail v1 is a trail shoe with plenty of underfoot cushioning. It has a grippy outsole and supportive upper, helping you to tackle light and moderate trail surfaces with ease. The soft cushioning does not only deliver the needed protection but also delivers the right amount of bounce.

Best for:

  • Casual and professional runners looking for highly-cushioned shoes
  • Easy, long-distance runs

How Fresh Foam More Trail v1 compares

This shoe: 90
All shoes average: 82
55 94
This shoe: $165
All shoes average: $130
$60 $250
This shoe: 10.8oz
All shoes average: 10.4oz
6.3oz 24oz
Ready to buy? Available from $165
Not sure yet? Overview of all 2187 running shoes
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.

jens@runrepeat.com