New Balance Hierro v8 Review | Fresh Foam X
Looking for a comfy, cushioned trail shoe suitable for running on the road or paths to your favourite trails? Well this week we’ve written up our New Balance Hierro v8 review. The New Balance Hierro v8 is a well-cushioned trail running shoe designed for harder packed trails but versatile enough for road-to-trail use and some muddy and greasy trails too.
This is the type of trail running shoe that we sell the most of at Northern Runner. In the North East of England we are blessed with lots of quiet back roads that you can connect together with bridleways, footpaths and disused railway lines. The underfoot conditions therefore change from tarmac, stony path, muddy field, gritty trail and back to tarmac. So you need a running shoe that offers cushioning and grip on a variety of surfaces. This is what the New Balance Hierro v8 is designed to do.
Hierro v8 vs. Hierro v7
The Hierro v8 is a bit different to the previous version. It has become more of a genuine trail shoe, rather than a road shoe in disguise. The New Balance Hierro v7 had a very soft feeling to the cushioning that took away a lot of the ground feel. It made them a very well-cushioned shoe and nice for the firmer tracks and tarmac but not as stable on rougher ground, as you couldn’t feel what you where standing on as well. The Hierro v8 allows for more ground feel and although it still feels lovely and cushioned on the tarmac it feels a bit firmer and more responsive. Rather than being a long distance plodding shoe it feels like you could raise the pace if you wanted to, or change direction quickly. It feels that bit more nimble than the previous version. We described the New Balance Hierro v7 as the New Balance 1080 for the trails. The New Balance 1080 is their highest, softest cushioned road running shoe. The Hierro v8 is more like the New Balance 880v14 for the trail. This is a much more versatile road running shoe than the 1080. It is still well cushioned but more lively hence more versatile for slow and faster running.
The stack height is 32mm in the heel and 24mm in the forefoot. That’s a few millimetres more than the New Balance 880v14 road running shoe. Although it is only a few millimetres more foam, you can feel that the Hierro v8 is slightly softer, adding that extra layer of comfort for long trail runs. The midsole is made from Fresh Foam X. Fresh Foam X is rubber with lots of bubbles in it. The bubbles are larger in the heel to give a soft landing and get smaller as you most up the shoe to the toes. This gives the shoes a more positive feel at the toe off. 40% of the midsole foam is made with bio-based EVA.
Midfoot or Heel Strike
The heel to forefoot drop of 8mm makes the Hierro v8 versatile enough to be used by heel strikers and forefoot strikers. The Hierro isn’t stiff through the midfoot so it doesn’t promote a heel strike or make it difficult to land midfoot. I tend to land midfoot and have enjoyed running in the Hierro v8. The forefoot has become more flexible over time as the shoes have bedded in which makes them feel a bit more responsive.
Heel & Upper
The heel cup offers a snug, stable fit. The heel and cuff of the shoe is nicely padded as you would expect in a shoe designed to be used for regular training runs. The tongue is also nicely padded. The tongue isn’t gusseted and doesn’t have a tongue stay however, I haven’t had any issues with the tongue. The tongue, like the rest of the upper, is incredibly soft especially for a trail shoe which enhances the step in comfort.
The upper has an overlay that goes around the shoe and widens out to provide a good firm toe protector. The laces have a degree of elasticity and are also nice and soft. They thread through a few tapes that are secured at the base of the shoe so that when you lace the shoes up the upper is pulled in over the midfoot. This provides a comfortable but, secure fit. There is an additional lace hole if you feel the need to tighten up the heel. This extra hole also allows you to butterfly lace the shoes if you wish.
Lugs & Grip
The outsole is made from Vibram Eco Stem Rubber which is over 90% petroleum free. The rubber grips well on wet surfaces and is durable enough for road to trail use. I have used my pair for over 100 miles now and there is no sign of wear even on the smaller lugs. The lugs are 4mm in length. They are larger around the outside of the sole and smaller in the middle. The traction is good on everything but deep mud, which the Hierro v8 isn’t designed to cope with anyway. The base of the outsole is broad, especially through the midfoot, which creates a stable and secure feel to the ride. This ride didn’t change and the cushioning didn’t go softer during longer mixed runs approaching 2 hours in length.
What’s it best for?
A women’s UK5 weighs 252g and a men’s UK8 is around 318g. This isn’t super-light but the Hierro v8 is a comfy, cushioned everyday trail shoe and not designed to be a lightweight racing shoe. It’s an everyday workhorse. I have mostly used the New Balance Hierro v8 for my easy morning runs and longer Sunday runs. However, they would be versatile enough for some quicker running as the midsole is responsive and there is some flexibility in the forefoot.
Size Small
New Balance is one of the smaller fitting brands, similar in length to Hoka, La Sportiva, Karhu or Inov-8. If you’re currently in Brooks, Saucony, Topo Athletic or Altra then we would suggest trying half a size up. The New Balance Hierro v8 is available in wide and extra wide too.
Summary
The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 trail running shoe is a big improvement on the previous version. It has become a more versatile shoe, better suited to running on mixed trails due to the more responsive feel to the cushioning and a bit more ground feel. At the same time, it’s still cushioned and comfortable enough to ride over mainly hard-packed terrain, plus your trip on the pavement down to your favourite tracks!
Other Considerations
Karhu Ikoni Trail: Lugs grip a little better in softer ground but, don’t ride quite a smoothly on firmer terrain. Cushioning is similar in feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-trail-review/
Altra Timp 5: Broad rounded toe box and zero drop promotes a more midfoot landing. Similar feel to the cushioning but, a bit less ground feel. Lug depth and traction at a similar level. The space in the toe box promotes greater foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-timp-5-review/
Topo Ultraventure 3: The lugs are rounded at the edges which makes them ride hard ground better but, makes them less effective on softer ground. The cushioning has a similar feel but, feels deeper. The broad rounded toe box provides a very comfortable fit and promotes more foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-ultraventure-3-review/
Brooks Cascadia 17: A higher heel drop and much stiffer through the midfoot makes the Brooks Cascadia 17 more of a heel strikers’ shoe. The feel to the cushioning is similar to the Hierro but, the shoe isn’t as flexible so you don’t get the same spring at toe off. They are available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-cascadia-17-cascadia-17-gtx-review/
NNormal Tomir: Longer and well spaced out lugs gives better traction on soft ground but, the shoes are firmer initially and less flexible. They do bed in but, don’t have the same smooth ride as the Hierro which makes them not as nice on the road or firmer tracks and trails. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-tomir-review/
Scarpa Spin Planet: These are stiff through the midfoot and lack the bounce and smooth feel of the Hierro on the road or firm tracks and trails. The lugging gives better grip on soft surfaces and there is more space in the forefoot. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-spin-planet-review/
Hoka Challenger 7: A much softer shoe. The grip isn’t as good on anything but, hard packed trails. They aren’t as versatile in terms of the variety of terrain they are effective on. Essentially a road shoe in disguise like the previous Hierro the V7. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-challenger-7-review/
VJ MAXx 2: A nimbler responsive feel to the shoes makes these better on more broken single track. They have enough cushioning for road to trail. Not quite as smooth on the road but, comfortable. The rounded toe box shape gives a bit more room in the forefoot so you get a higher level of foot function. Although still a 4mm lug these offer better traction on softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-sport-maxx2-review/
La Sportiva Akasha: Better traction on soft ground but, not quite as smooth on the road although they are comfortable. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-akasha-ii-review/
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