You’re standing at the trailhead looking at a path that’s basically 40% loose shale and 60% regret. Your knees already hurt just thinking about the descent. This is exactly where the New Balance More Trail stops being a shoe and starts being a survival tool. It is unapologetically massive. If most trail shoes are sleek mountain bikes, this thing is a lifted Ford F-150 with off-road tires and a custom suspension kit.
Honestly, it’s a bit weird to look at.
The stack height is aggressive. We are talking about a slab of Fresh Foam X that looks like it belongs on a platform shoe from the 70s rather than a technical runner. But here is the thing: the New Balance More Trail isn't just about being soft. It’s about being "stupid soft" without making you roll your ankle every time you hit a pebble. It's a polarizing shoe. Some people see that chunky midsole and think "clunky," while others see it and think "bliss."
The Fresh Foam X Reality Check
The heart of the New Balance More Trail is that dual-layered Fresh Foam X midsole. It’s not just one big chunk of foam; they’ve engineered it with different densities to keep you from feeling like you’re running on a stack of marshmallows. You’ve probably heard people rave about "maximalist" shoes, a trend largely ignited by Hoka, but New Balance has taken a different path here.
While a Hoka Speedgoat feels snappy and responsive, the More Trail feels like an armchair. It’s plush. It’s forgiving. It absorbs everything. If you’ve ever had a rock poke through a thin outsole and hit your metatarsals, you know that sharp, eye-watering pain. In these, you don’t even feel the rock. You barely feel the ground. That’s the trade-off.
You lose "ground feel," which is that tactile connection to the dirt that purists love. But if you’re 20 miles into a 50k ultra-marathon, do you really want to feel every root and jagged stone? Probably not. You want protection.
What Most People Get Wrong About the New Balance More Trail Weight
"It looks heavy."
I hear that constantly. People see the silhouette and assume they’re going to be dragging anchors up the climb. But if you actually pick up the New Balance More Trail v3, for example, you’ll realize the foam is surprisingly airy. It’s a bit of an optical illusion. Sure, it’s heavier than a dedicated racing flat like the FuelCell Summit Unknown, but it’s not the brick people make it out to be.
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New Balance uses a bio-based content in the foam now, which is part of their "Green Leaf" standard. It’s a mix of synthetic materials and renewable resources aimed at reducing the carbon footprint. Does it make the shoe faster? No. Does it make it lighter? Not significantly. But it’s a nice touch for a shoe designed to spend its life in nature.
The weight usually sits around 11 to 12 ounces depending on your size. For a maximal shoe, that’s actually pretty competitive. The real "weight" isn't in the ounces; it's in the footprint. The base of the shoe is wide. Really wide. This creates a stable platform. Think of it like a wide-track vehicle—it’s harder to tip over.
The Vibram Megagrip Factor
Let’s talk about the bottom of the shoe because that’s where the magic happens. Or the traction, at least.
The New Balance More Trail utilizes Vibram Megagrip. In the world of trail running, Vibram is the gold standard. It’s sticky. It’s durable. Whether you’re scrambling over wet granite or sliding through Pacific Northwest mud, it holds.
But look closely at the lugs.
They aren't these massive, 6mm deep claws you’d find on a mud-specific shoe. They are generally around 4mm to 5mm. This means the New Balance More Trail is actually a fantastic "road-to-trail" hybrid. You can run a couple of miles on the pavement to get to the trailhead without feeling like you’re wearing football cleats. The lugs are spaced out enough to shed mud, but flat enough on the tips to provide a smooth ride on hard-packed dirt.
It’s versatile. That’s a word that gets thrown around a lot in gear reviews, but here it actually fits.
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Comfort vs. Control: The Great Debate
There is a specific kind of runner who will hate this shoe.
If you like "nimble" footwear—the kind where you can precisely place your foot on a one-inch ledge—the New Balance More Trail might frustrate you. It’s a bit like trying to do calligraphy with a fat Sharpie. You can do it, but it lacks precision. On technical, "technical" trails—the ones with constant switchbacks and off-camber roots—the high stack height can feel a little disconnected.
However, for fire roads, mellow singletrack, and long-haul trekking? It’s unbeatable.
Why Your Toes Will Thank You
The upper is usually a debris-resistant mesh. It’s breathable but tight enough that you aren't bringing half the beach home with you in your socks. New Balance is also one of the few brands that consistently offers wide widths. If you have "Hobbit feet" or your feet swell after three hours of running, having that extra volume in the toe box is a godsend.
There’s also a reinforced toe cap, often called the "Toe Protect." It’s a thin layer of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) that acts as a shield. It won't stop a falling boulder, but it’ll definitely save you from a "black toenail" situation when you accidentally kick a hidden stump.
Comparative Landscape: More Trail vs. The World
- vs. Hoka Stinson: The Stinson is perhaps the closest competitor. Both are "maximalist" beasts. The New Balance tends to feel a bit more flexible and "natural," whereas the Hoka has a more pronounced "rocker" (that curved sole that rolls you forward).
- vs. Brooks Cascadia: The Cascadia is the "old reliable" of the trail world. It’s more traditional, lower to the ground, and stiffer. If the More Trail is a luxury SUV, the Cascadia is a Jeep Wrangler with manual windows.
- vs. Altra Olympus: Altra gives you that "Zero Drop" (the heel and toe are the same height). The New Balance More Trail usually has a 4mm drop. That 4mm difference might not sound like much, but it takes a lot of strain off your Achilles tendons if you aren't used to flat shoes.
Real-World Durability: The Honest Truth
No shoe is perfect.
The biggest gripe with the New Balance More Trail often comes down to the exposed foam. To save weight, New Balance doesn't cover the entire bottom with rubber. There are "pods" of Vibram, but there’s also a lot of Fresh Foam X exposed to the elements.
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If you’re running in sharp, volcanic rock or scree fields, that exposed foam is going to get chewed up. It’s purely cosmetic for the first hundred miles, but eventually, it can start to degrade the integrity of the midsole. It’s the price you pay for that "cloud-like" feel. You’re trading some long-term ruggedness for immediate, high-level comfort.
Expect to get about 300 to 400 miles out of a pair. If you’re a lighter runner who stays on soft dirt, you might push it to 500. If you’re a power-hiker who weighs 220 pounds and loves rocky descents, you might see wear signs at 250.
Does It Work for Hiking?
Absolutely. In fact, a lot of people are ditching traditional leather hiking boots for the New Balance More Trail.
Why? Because boots are heavy. There’s an old saying in the backpacking community: "A pound on your feet is like five on your back." Moving to a lightweight, max-cushion trail runner like this makes long days on the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail much less fatiguing. The lack of ankle support is a common concern, but modern sports science suggests that building strength in your ankles is better than bracing them in a stiff boot anyway.
Plus, your feet can actually breathe. No more "swamp foot" after eight hours of trekking through a humid forest.
Practical Steps for Choosing Your Pair
If you're thinking about pulling the trigger on these, don't just order your standard sneaker size.
- Go up half a size. Your feet swell when you run, especially on trails. You need about a thumbnail’s width of space at the front.
- Check the width. If you usually feel cramped in Nikes or Solomons, try the "2E" or "Wide" version. It’s a game-changer.
- Test the "Rocker." When you put them on, walk around. You’ll feel the shoe wanting to roll you forward onto your toes. This is intentional. It’s designed to reduce the workload on your calves.
- Pair them with the right socks. Thick foam holds heat. Don't wear cheap cotton socks. Invest in some Merino wool (like Darn Tough or Smartwool) to wick away sweat and prevent blisters.
The New Balance More Trail isn't a "fast" shoe in the traditional sense. You won't feel like a sprinter. But you will feel like you can keep going forever. It’s a shoe for the long haul, the recovery run, and the hiker who just wants their joints to stop screaming at them.
It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s arguably one of the most comfortable things you can put on your feet before heading into the wild. Just don't expect to feel the ground—embrace the hovercraft life instead.