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I clearly remember when the More series debuted. The first edition was big, but also very stiff and clunky to run in. I tried the shoe and wasn't thrilled. But that changed when New Balance released the third edition, v3. They found a recipe that worked. Whether you run on road, trail, or a mix.
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 – Bigger is better?
Okay, enough history for today. From now on it's all about v3. As usual, a long name from . But that's not the only thing that's over the top with this newly released trail shoe.
More Trail v3 has a lot of foam. Both under your feet and also on the sides to give your feet the most softness. The platform is very wide and provides good stability. The Vibram sole features deep cuts and a kind of micro-texture in the rubber compound that provides extra grip on wet days. All these features make the shoe feel like having a Dakar rally car on your feet – ready for all terrains.
Overall, it just works. New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 grips well on most surfaces and its cushioning is enough for use on asphalt and forest paths.
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 – Firmer, yet still soft!
v3 is heavily inspired by New Balance Fresh Foam More v4. It has the same Fresh Foam X material in the midsole, but there's a big difference; New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 has two “different” foams in the midsole, making the shoe better suited for trail. In More Trail v3, there are two layers of Fresh Foam X, where the top is very soft and the bottom is firmer, making the shoe more suitable for trail than the regular Fresh Foam More. So we are almost back to the recipe from the very first Fresh Foam More, but this time it works significantly better.
It's by no means a firm shoe, it's probably the softest trail shoe I've ever run in. And it's fantastic to run in if you stick to the areas the shoe is best for.
New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 – The biggest drawbacks
Size is both the shoe's greatest advantage and its biggest drawback. The enormous amount of foam underfoot is what makes the shoe so comfortable to run in. But if you venture onto more technical terrain, it becomes a bit too lively and without enough contact with the ground for my taste. But if you're going for flow in the forest, it's fantastic. You can see more in the video above, so you know what I'm talking about!
The fit of New Balance More Trail v3 is perfect for those who like plenty of room for long runs. It holds well midfoot but has a bit more space around your heel and forefoot, which also challenges it on technical trails. There's a reason brands make different trail shoes, and it's because different shoes are suited for different things. New Balance Fresh Foam More Trail v3 is clearly best for when you run on a mix of gravel, asphalt, and forest trails with flow and maybe some descents here and there. Just don't think the shoe is optimal if you're going off-trail.
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