New Balance Fresh Foam More v6 Review: Behold, The Queen of Cush

Introduction to the New Balance Fresh Foam More v6

MEAGHAN: The New Balance More has always had a special place in my heart (well, ever since the 3rd iteration arrived, the first two were… not good.) Ever since, it’s been the plush king of max-cushion trainers, from the luxurious upper to the soft yet responsive midsole. The good news? The Fresh Foam X More v6 keeps that winning formula intact. You’re still getting that towering stack height (44 mm / 40 mm) and the same premium Fresh Foam X found in the 1080.

For v6, the upper has been fine-tuned for even better comfort and breathability, and the outsole still packs plenty of durable rubber for high-mileage use. The biggest surprise? The price hasn’t budged — you can still grab a pair for $155, just like v5. But the real question is: does this plush ride still shine out on the road? Let’s find out.

THOMAS: I will admit that when the leaves start to turn orange and the wind starts to pick up a little bite, you might find me enjoying a Hallmark holiday movie with a hot cocoa, curled up with Ralphie. I know how the story is going to unfold, but all I want is a mindless feel-good couple of hours. For the most part, that’s how I feel about max cushion running shoes. I enjoy them for the comfort, but they don’t offer much more. Most are heavy, too soft, and sluggish.

The tide has started to change, though, and we’re getting more diversity in the max category. For example, the Brooks Glycerin Max is still heavy, but the dual-density foam adds some weight-defying bounce. Shoes like the Asics Superblast and Megablast have all the cushioning and are lightweight compared to other big boys out there. The More v6 isn’t light at 11.75 oz./333 grams for my US M10.5,  but the Fresh Foam X’s bounce and rockered shape mitigate some of the weight. These details help make the More v6 feel more lively and make your easy runs even easier.

CHAD: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is about running shoes; this isn’t about running shoes. This is exactly the mentality that New Balance appears to be utilizing with the Fresh Foam X More v6. Last year’s release of the v5, the King of Cush, marked a new chapter for New Balance. Rather than simply being a huge slab of super soft and squishy foam that had been in the v4 and prior models, New Balance began using the same formulation of Fresh Foam X used in the premium 1080. What did this mean for the More? Some actual bounce to go with the squish, leading to a more balanced ride.

Not much changes with the v6. Stack height? The same at 44 mm / 40 mm, a 4mm drop. Platform? Ultra side and stable. Upper? Soft and plush, the epitome of comfort. So what has changed? Read on to find out.

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What we like about the New Balance Fresh Foam More v6

MEAGHAN: Let’s start with aesthetics. New Balance, as a brand, has really nailed the balance between performance and style — making shoes you can actually feel good about wearing after your runs. The FuelCell line? Gorgeous. And even the Fresh Foam series, which has traditionally leaned a bit plain, is now looking pretty sharp.

Sliding into the Fresh Foam X More v6, you get exactly what you expect: plush, all-around comfort. It’s soft from every angle, with a generously padded collar and tongue and that signature Fresh Foam cushioning underfoot. The fit is true to size, and my wider feet felt right at home. The flat, slightly stretchy laces aren’t flashy, but they do a solid job keeping your foot secure. In terms of comfort and fit, this is about as good as it gets.

That pillowy feel carries over onto the road. For me, the More v6 is perfect for easy runs and recovery days — those times when your legs are begging for a break. It’s versatile enough to handle daily mileage and even long runs, but its real sweet spot is when you want maximum softness without sacrificing a smooth ride. While it’s not built with an aggressive rocker, I still found the turnover to be natural and smooth.

And here’s the kicker: it uses the same premium foam as the 1080, but you’re getting more of it for less money: $155.

THOMAS: I’m gonna start with the fit because New Balance Fresh Foam shoes can be hit or miss with my narrow foot. The best thing I can say about the upper is that it works for both my foot and Meg’s. The dual mesh upper, integrated tongue, and plush heel counter give an elevated level of comfort to match the midsole.

The wide and tall midsole does the trick. The keyword here is plush — I just love the amount of cushion underfoot. Don’t get it confused with being mushy, though. While the More v6 is soft, it doesn’t feel like running through sand. New Balance got the density of this foam right.

The rubber outsole is improved over the last version. I can’t say if the rubber formula is different, but the outsole feels tackier this go around. There is some exposed foam, but I don’t see much wear on it after 30 miles.

Like Meg, I was surprised to see the price. Usually, max cush equals max cash. The More v6, at $155, is a steal — so much so that it undercuts New Balance’s own 1080 v14. We’ll get to that in more detail in the final section.

CHAD: The More v6 excels at doing exactly what New Balance says it is supposed to do. New Balance uses phrases like “unwavering comfort,” “soft landings,” “smooth ride,” and “maximum comfort” in its marketing materials, and I can absolutely confirm that each of these is true.

Every run I did in the More v6 kept my feet comfortable and protected. I primarily deployed this shoe on my Monday morning 4-5 mile runs, which come two days after the long run during my Chicago Marathon build. I was in pretty rough shape after my most recent 15 miler, with sore calves and aggravated feet. However, as soon as I laced up the More v6 and left the house, I felt like a new person. The Fresh Foam X is a perfect blend of soft to cradle the foot with enough bounce to not feel mushy.

Aesthetically, this shoe looks very much like its predecessor. The New Balance logos are more symmetrical on the medial and lateral sides, and the upper is plush and comfortable. One main difference is that the shoe managed to shed a sliver of weight, with a US M9.5 going from 11.3 oz. to 10.7 oz. Is it super noticeable? Not really, but any weight being shed on a recovery day shoe when the legs are beat up is appreciated.

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What we don’t like about the New Balance Fresh Foam More v6

MEAGHAN: All that plush cushioning and towering stack height does come with a trade-off: extra weight. My US W7.5 tipped the scales at 9.1 oz, making it one of the heavier shoes in my current rotation. That said, the weight feels evenly balanced between the upper and midsole, so it’s not something you really notice once you’re moving. And on recovery days? You’ll probably be too busy enjoying the softness to care. Still, worth a mention.

THOMAS: Future foams will have to reduce weight. New Balance, copy some of Asics’ homework, and see what it’s throwing in the Megablast.

CHAD: Not much to write here. Despite touting breathability, I actually felt the v6 was a bit warmer on the foot than the v5. The holes in the mesh on the top of the v5 were a bit more noticeable than the v6. That’s really all I have.

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Final thoughts on the New Balance Fresh Foam More v6

MEAGHAN: The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v6 delivers exactly what I expected: a plush, max-cushion ride tailor-made for recovery days. When I picture a true max-cushion shoe, this is it. Think Hoka Bondi, but with a touch more squish, something your legs will thank you for when they’re worn out. If ultimate comfort is your goal, this might just be the plush king of them all.

THOMAS: The Bondi was the queen of cush. Every brand spent years chasing that simple yet elusive formula. Unfortunately for Hoka, several brands have not only come up with equivalents, but they have also passed her by, probably while she was watching some Hallmark Classics. No shame there.

Here would be my picks in the max cushion non-plated category: Asics Megablast and Superblast 2 for performance, with big stacks of responsive foam in lightweight packages. I’d grab the Brooks Glycerin Max for dual-density foams that feel lively underfoot and almost make you forget about the weight of the shoe (11.4 oz. /324 g, US M10.5).

Finally, the New Balance More v6 for pure comfort. It’s a shoe that feels expensive but is surprisingly affordable.

CHAD: It’s so nice these days when a shoe does exactly what a brand tells the consumer it will do. In addition to being a great recovery day shoe, New Balance has really leaned into the More v6 being a great option for walkers, which I would agree with.

I could totally see this being a shoe I would take with me on a family trip to Disney World, where the time on feet is immense. That being said, there were not many significant changes between the More v5 and the More v6, so if you can find yourself a deal to save some money while it’s still available, the More v5 should remain on your radar.

You can pick up the New Balance Fresh Foam v6 for $155 from New Balance by using the buttons below.

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