Basics about the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V7
The New Balance Hierro V7 is a fantastic running shoe for trails and less technical terrain. It features good grip on the ground and is able to help you remain upright and surefooted when trail running, due to its Vibram Megagrip outsole. The shoe is well suited for forests, trails and less technical trail terrain, yet, at the same time, can easily be worn for shorter distance runs on asphalt.
In many ways, the New Balance Hierro V7 can be described as a high-mileage trail running shoe. In this respect, it should be seen as a trail model of the popular New Balance 1080. The two shoes are equipped with the same midsole material, Fresh Foam X.
There's also the mere fact that the shoe is simply great. I can't deny that i've even begun wearing the shoe as an everyday shoe, and there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be able to! The shoes sit comfortably on the feet and they don't feel strange at all to wear on a daily basis, even though they are designed for trail running.
Sustainability
The shoe has been awarded the New Balance Grean Leaf Standard, which means that several parts of the shoe are made from recycled materials. In terms of numbers, 50% of the upper is made from recycled materials, and the same is true for 3% of the midsole. Admittedly, 3% recycled materials doesn't sound too much, but for a midsole that still retains its responsiveness and the right firmness, it's definitely a big step in the right direction.
Outsole of the New Balance Hierro V7
It's no secret that New Balance themselves have been very happy and proud of their Hierro shoes. And with good reason! It has proven to be an excellent trail running shoe, both in terms of how it is to wear, how it performs and how it looks!
Nevertheless, New Balance have also admitted that V5 and V6 have suffered from being rather on the heavy side. As a result, the shoe was reduced by 20g in the transition from V5 to V6 and New Balance has also had an extra focus on reducing the overall weight of the Hierro V7.
The shoe still has a Vibram outsole, but New Balance has managed to reduce the weight of the outsole by 20% when comparing the Hierro V6 and V7. And even though the shoe has undergone a significant upgrade in terms of weight, the length of the lugs have in fact also been increased from 3.5 to 4.5 mm, so you're guaranteed even better traction on the ground.
In addition, small grooves under the shoe and on the lugs have been incorporated into the design, which, in addition to having a wonderful design, and which may remind you of mini forest paths, actually help to provide better friction on the ground, as well as help to reduce the weight of the shoe. A little stroke of genius, if you ask me.
Midsole in the New Balance Hierro V7
The midsole is still made using Fresh Foam X, which helps to give you a soft feeling, all the while providing suitable responsiveness upon impact. Fresh Foam X is also the foam that New Balance uses in their classic high-mileage 1080 model.
It is a very fine balance when designing midsoles for trail running shoes, since on the one hand you want as soft and comfortable a midsole as possible, but on the other hand you need slightly more stability, since being able to feel the uneven terrain beneath your feet is important.
The New Balance Hierro V7 is to date the softest trail shoe I have experienced, though despite this I feel that the shoe still offers good stability, meaning that I don't feel unsafe or uneasy when running on uneven terrain.
Upper in the New Balance Hierro V7
The upper of the shoe consists of a lightweight mesh, which is both comfortable and breathable. In addition, New Balance has added a toe protector, which protects your feet from bumps from rocks and branches when you are out and about trail running. The shoes also feature targeted zones, such as the heel, where you can clearly feel that the upper has been reinforced - this both helps to protect the foot, but also helps to provide some stability.
In addition, the shoe has a simple and effective lacing system that ensures your foot stays snugly in place - which is vital when trail running in uneven terrain.
Conclusion
New Balance Hierro V7 is an ideal trail running shoe if you want a good and soft all-round trail shoe that is well suited for trails, forests and less technical trail terrain. The shoe has been reduced in terms of weight compared to the Hierro V6, so it now weighs only 298g (M US 9) compared with previous versions 337g (M US 9). In my opinion, New Balance have managed to combine functionality, sustainability and a stylish design in the Hierro V7.
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