New Balance More v5 Review: A Comfort Monster for Easy Days

Introduction

The New Balance More v5 is one mammoth of a shoe. It is loaded with soft, squishy cushioning underfoot and has real potential to be one of the comfiest running shoes of all time, which makes it a natural candidate for long runs, recovery days and long walks. The obvious question is whether it earns a crown as a king of comfort or ends up feeling clumpy and cumbersome. After spending proper time in it, this is the full verdict, plus how it compares to the alternatives you might be torn between.

Who This Shoe Is For

This is a shoe built for long runs, recovery runs, easy days and long walks. It is also a strong pick for people who spend a lot of time on their feet day to day, such as those working in retail or hospitals, anyone who wants to look after their legs and stay comfortable all day long.

Main Strengths

Comfort above all else

Comfort is the headline. It is probably the most comfortable shoe to run in, very soft at all speeds without feeling mushy. You never get the sense of a big squishy mess that fails to propel you forward, and it does not feel dead underfoot. Thanks to the rocker at the front of the shoe, you can pick up the pace and still get a good turnover. The width also means no irritation, no hot spots and no blisters, just out-of-the-box comfort from day one. One minor note: there is no pull tab at the back, though it is still easy to get on and off.

Super stable, wide platform

The shoe has a very wide, stable platform and a roomy toe box. High-stack shoes often compromise stability and risk rolled ankles, but the amount of width here matches the amount of stack height. That larger surface area gives a lot more confidence in the corners, and the flared design at the back of the shoe is a nice touch. Wider-footed runners should opt for the wide size for even more room.

Smooth ride and good lockdown

The ride is super smooth. Heel strikers will love the rocker geometry at the front and back of the shoe, which lets transitions through foot strike flow nicely. It is a genuinely pleasant shoe for cruising along, and it handles a pace pickup from an easy run surprisingly well. There is no heel slip, the lockdown is good, the improved gusseted tongue stays put, and the ankle collar is comfortable with no irritation.

More than a running shoe

This works as an all-day comfort shoe too, not just for running. It is available in an all-black colourway if you want something that looks a little smarter for everyday wear.

Things to Consider Before Buying

First, it is a big shoe and definitely on the heavy side. At 374g in a UK size 12, that is 19g more than the v4, though the weight is distributed nicely and it does not feel overly heavy on foot. The 1080 is significantly lighter thanks to different foam density, so lightness is a real trade-off here. Second, the sheer amount of foam makes it a little on the stiff side. There is no plate, but not everyone will enjoy that feel. Third, the updated thick engineered mesh upper is not the most breathable, so runners in hot, humid climates may want to look elsewhere. For cooler conditions it is a non-issue.

How It Compares: New Balance More v5 vs the Alternatives

New Balance 1080 v13

The 1080 v13 is a lot lighter, using a slightly less dense version of Fresh Foam X that can feel a touch mushy. It is far more versatile with a wider usable pace range, while the More v5 is more of an easy and recovery run shoe. The More v5 counters with noticeably more stability, which is worth a lot in a high-stack shoe.

Hoka Bondi 8

The Bondi 8 has very similar geometry but is a lot firmer, and it is an older shoe that is due an update. It suits those who want a max-stack feel without the super soft, squishy sensation. For pure recovery-day plushness, the More v5 wins this matchup.

Asics Gel Nimbus 26

The Gel Nimbus 26 was the previous comfort benchmark, and it is a little lighter and less chunky, with comfort on par. But the More v5 offers better stability, a preferred ride feel with a bit more energy return for pace pickups, and it comes in around £40 cheaper, which is a significant saving.

Buying Advice

Specs worth knowing before you buy: 44mm of stack at the heel, 40mm at the forefoot, a 4mm drop, a Fresh Foam X midsole, engineered mesh upper with a seam-free construction, and two large rubber outsole patches with exposed midsole in the middle. That exposed midsole raises some durability concerns, especially for ultra runners on rough surfaces. The shoe fits true to size, comes in men’s and women’s fits plus two widths, and costs £140 in the UK.

Compared with the v4, the v5 brings a wider, more stable geometry, an extra 10mm of stack height, an updated gusseted tongue with better lockdown, and a livelier, smoother ride. If you have the budget, the upgrade is worth it. If you want something lighter and more versatile, the 1080 v13 is the alternative to consider. If you prefer firmer max-stack cushioning, the Bondi 8 still fits that brief. And if you want near-identical comfort with slightly less bulk, the Gel Nimbus 26 remains a solid choice.

Conclusion

Definitely recommended. This is a go-to recovery run shoe, preferred even over the Gel Nimbus 26. It suits runners adding a shoe for the slow, easy and long runs of the week, ultra runners on flat, prepared surfaces like towpaths and fire roads in dry conditions, and anyone needing genuine all-day comfort at work. Yes, it is a little heavy and a touch stiff, but the comfort more than offsets that. This one is staying in the rotation.