4 Best New Balance Trail Running Shoes in 2024

The Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 stands as New Balance's leading trail running shoe, excelling in our outdoor runs and inside the lab. Blending flexibility and cushioning, it caters to trail enthusiasts seeking comfort and agility. Its performance is further solidified with the support of the Vibram Megagrip outsole ensuring reliable traction.

With a stack height of 32.2/24.1 mm and a 9.1 HA durometer rating, the Fresh Foam X offers remarkable protection and plushness. To maintain the balance between softness and support, the ultra-soft foam—60.4% softer than average to be exact—is nestled between the firmer insole and the thick outsole.

Its fluid midsole enhances agility, confirmed by a low 2/5 torsional rigidity score in our manual assessment and 47.5% greater flexibility than average in our bend test. Its loose build is further accentuated by outsole cutouts.

Underfoot, the Vibram Megagrip impresses with durability and grip. Despite a below-average 81.5 HC hardness, it displays resilience with only a 0.7 mm dent in our Dremel test. The 4-mm lugs also kept us stable as we traversed moderate terrain.

However, the dense upper lacks breathability, earning a 2/5 rating. We advise a different pair for summer activities and warmer climates.

Fresh Foam X More Trail v3's max-cushion is immediately noticeable upon the first look and the first step. This shock absorber handles off the beaten paths easily with its excellent traction and unopposing midsole. Our lab testers and runners agree it’s New Balance’s best-cushioned trail shoe.

This is one of the softest trail shoes our durometer tested, standing 45.6% softer than average. This explains why our legs feel fresh after running long miles. It has a thick dual-density foam that rises 38.6/31.5 mm in the heel and forefoot. What’s surprising is how steady and bouncy it is despite the stack. It has high sidewalls and a wide base that prevents the ankles from rolling in.

The outsole delivers the perfect balance of grip and protection. Our durometer measurement is 84.6 HC, slightly below the 85.1 HC average. This means it’s soft enough to increase traction and hard enough for a shield. Its 5.0 mm lugs provide extra grip on loose dirt and muddy tracks.

Our flex test shows its midsole stands 11.4% more flexible than average. This improves our sense of control as we move through uneven terrains with less resistance.

As a highly cushioned shoe, there's little ground feel. This makes it less attractive for tackling more technical trails.

DynaSoft Nitrel v5 is a reliable shoe with a non-intimidating price point. For only $75, it delivers smooth transitions and a steady ride from the streets to the trails. Light on foot and in the pocket, it’s remarkably 36.4% cheaper than the average New Balance trail running shoe, making it our best budget pick.

This shoe feels incredibly versatile for walks and hikes thanks to its flexibility and excellent grip on diverse paths. In our bend test, it's 20.1% more flexible than average, translating to less resistance to our natural motions. On top of this, its 2.9 mm lugs are perfectly sized since they cling well to trails without feeling bulky on the road.

At 9.8 oz (279g), DynaSoft Nitrel v5 boasts remarkable lightness even for a road-running shoe. It maintains a low weight due to its moderate cushioning that hits the sweet spot between comfort and agility. At 20.5 HA, it’s 13.1% softer than average but not overly plush that we lose our balance on uneven terrains.

This shoe promotes surefootedness by integrating midsole sidewalls in the heel and midfoot to guide our foot alignment. No matter what path we traversed, we felt very stable, preventing leg fatigue and injuries.

However, its focus on versatility sacrificed the energy return that some adventurers seek. Those who crave speed are better off with other shoes on the market.

Our confidence was at full blast while strutting the streets and off-the-beaten paths with the most stylish New Balance Trail running shoe, the Tektrel. Its midsole and outsole look one-of-a-kind while its upper shows immense breathability and solid durability in our lab. For such a comfy shoe, its $90 price is such a steal!

No matter how long we stayed under the sun’s scorching heat, our feet felt good thanks to the shoe’s seamless airflow. Testing in the lab, smoke flowed out freely, earning a 5/5 breathability score. On top of that, it showed undeniable strength against our Dremel, earning an impressive 4/5 score.

Beyond looks, the midsole is supportive and comfortable too! The moderate stack is a balanced 23.0 HA, ensuring our surefootedness. Meanwhile, it emerged 22.1% more flexible than average, enhancing comfort for prolonged wear.

However, we found that the stylish outsole lacks grip and resistance to wear. More serious terrain runners should consider shoes with better traction.