I read that the outsole is made from 30 % recycled content Ecostep EVO Vibram , featuring a new design by Vibram , with “ micro Traction lugs on the backside of the lugs in the front of the shoe and on the front of the lugs under the heel .” That ’ s very fancy-sounding techspeak … in my language , the shoe provides excellent traction on different types of terrain , including rocky and muddy trails , as well as in the wet . I was really impressed with their ability to deal with any and every condition that I put them through .
Moving Up a Bit
When it comes to the shoe ’ s upper , the More Trail has a conventional mesh upper that fits the foot comfortably . I found it true to size , with a decent toe box that provided my toes with enough room to breathe . The shoe also has a well-padded protective toe cap , which ensures your toes don ’ t cringe in agony when stubbing those hidden rocks and tree stumps .
Thanks to the shape of my feet , specifically my ankles , one of the most important aspects of a shoe for me is the ankle area design . On this shoe , the padded heel collar feels well supported and cushioned around the Achilles , which effectively but comfortably prevents the ankle from slipping , and while I found the mid-cut design of the rest of the collar a little too high for my ankle bone , the shoes soon became more comfortable after I ’ d run a few kays in them .
On the top side , the gusseted tongue helps keep debris out of the shoe , whilst also remaining in place and not moving from side to side and chaffing – another of those little things I look for in a shoe . It ’ s also well padded , which provides additional comfort . Last but not least , the conventional lacing system felt just right on my feet .
Passed the Test
My overall impression is that even though this shoe is much taller than I am used to , it by no means felt unstable or wobbly . Also , I found it suitable for both training and racing , and having tested the shoe ’ s durability and grip on all terrains and in varied conditions , including rain , I can conclusively say they came out with flying colours .
Extra Propelling
As mentioned earlier , I also had the opportunity to try out the New Balance Fuelcell Propel v4 road shoe and have found that it offers a great balance of cushioning and responsiveness , making it suitable for everyday training as well as racing . – BY RICHARD LASKEY
The big change in the fourth version of this shoe is the addition of a TPU plate , which makes the forefoot snappier and provides more propulsion for fast runs . That said , the shoe is not all about speed , and still feels comfortable at slower speeds . The midsole is made from New Balance ’ s FuelCell , which is designed to provide maximum energy-return and cushioning , but note that the composition of this midsole foam has been tweaked , so the shoe feels like it provides more energy-return than its predecessor .
The shoe ’ s stack height is 31mm in the heel , 25mm in the forefoot , with a heel drop of 6mm . That means it ’ s not as ‘ tall ’ as other plated shoes I have run in , and I liked this , as it still provides a stable , well-cushioned and comfortable run , but makes it that much easier to get used to these shoes , and allows the midsole a bit for flexibility , which makes those fartlek sessions a breeze ! The only thing I wasn ’ t crazy about was the smoothness of the outsole , which I found a little slippery in wetter conditions . Then again , perhaps I was just ‘ driving too fast ’ on wet roads …
All Round Comfy Fit
When it comes to the shoe ’ s upper , it features a standard breathable mesh , which I felt was sufficient to allow my feet to breathe , and the toe box was roomy whilst fitting true to size on my feet . If you have broader feet , I do think a half-size up will be a better fit , but ask your New Balance stockists if they have different widths to try – one of the real bonuses of this brand ! What I really liked is the low cut of the heel collar area . This works for my bony ankles , while still providing a good balance of support and flexibility .
I found the tongue is lightly padded and not gusseted ( fixed in place ), and thanks to the combination of my foot shape and running style , this meant it did move around a bit , so I needed a tighter knot to keep it in place . Meanwhile , I found the heel collar soft , cushioned , supportive and comfortable , conforming to the foot snugly and protecting the Achilles well , although my personal preference is for a tighter , less padded fit . See what you think when you try them on . Different strokes , as they say .
Last words …
My size 12s weighed in at 295g per shoe , so felt lighter than the previous version , and I enjoyed the comfy , stable ride on my longer runs . Most importantly , though , it also felt surprisingly springy when running my speed sessions , thanks to that new TPU plate , and I ’ m planning a lot more training runs in this shoe !
GET THEM HERE :
The New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 retails at a recommended price of R3199 , and you can get them at most New Balance stockists , or order them online on www . newbalance . co . za .
GET THEM HERE :
New Balance Fuelcell Propel v4 sells at a recommended retail price of R2499 , and can be ordered online from www . newbalance . co . za .
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