New Balance More v5 vs Saucony Hurricane 24: Two Max Cushion Trainers Compared

Introduction

Max cushion trainers are having a strong year, and two models stand out for very different reasons. The New Balance More v5 is a rockered, rolling soft cruiser built on a thick stack of Fresh Foam, while the Saucony Hurricane 24 is one of the newest entries into the segment, layering soft PWRRUN PB foam on top of a firmer stabilizing foam below.

Both are heavy shoes, coming in near 340g, roughly 11 ounces, in a men’s size 10.5, which puts them among the heaviest trainers on the market. That is the unavoidable trade-off of chunky, thick bases. But both can still pick up the pace when needed, and both deliver genuinely comfortable rides. Here is how they compare.

First Impressions: Softness vs Structure

Step into the More v5 and the story is immediate: the heel gently sinks down into the foam. That is the classic sign of a soft shoe, and this is one of the softest rides available. Some riders find it almost too soft, and if you dislike a very squishy feel, this is not the shoe for you. Despite the deep compression, it has a surprising amount of bounce back. Where some soft shoes compress and stay flat, the More v5 gives a squish-and-rebound sensation, likely thanks to the rocker geometry working with the foam.

The Hurricane 24 feels different from the first step. There is more padding in the tongue and around the heel, the foot does not sink in as deeply, and the overall feel is more supportive and robust. The PWRRUN PB top layer compresses just the right amount at everyday paces, and the wide base makes stepping in and walking feel remarkably stable. It has a pleasant structure that suits a wider range of runners.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit true to size in normal sizing, and going up half a size is not recommended since the length would likely run too long. The More v5 has a fit consideration worth noting: some runners find it slightly narrow and report blistering from how the foam wraps the foot. If that sounds familiar, the wide version is worth considering.

The Hurricane’s upper is the more polished of the two, with more padding and a dialed-in step-in feel. Combined with a slightly softer insole, the fit and feel edge goes to the Hurricane, even though the More v5 wins on pure midsole squish.

Outsole and Wet Weather Grip

Both shoes share similar rubber layouts, with thick coverage and a tapered, bird’s-talon style pattern near the forefoot. The More v5 adds a full cup of rubber around the heel, while the Hurricane leaves a little exposed foam at the back. Both should be decently durable.

Where they diverge sharply is wet weather. The More v5’s rubber is genuinely grippy on slick pavement and performs well in the rain, a clear improvement over previous New Balance generations. The Hurricane 24, on the other hand, is one of the weaker wet-weather performers in recent memory, so if rain running is a regular part of your routine, that matters.

Running Impressions

Over a four-mile recovery run, the Hurricane felt soft, smooth, comfortable, and very stable. It behaves like a stable daily trainer with a lot of protection, offering generous heel stack, a 6mm drop that makes it easy to run in, and a firm foam cradle that keeps the soft race foam from feeling unstable. It reminded us of two classic max cushion favorites combined: the softness of a Nimbus-style ride with the structured roll and speed capability of an old Endorphin Shift.

The More v5, by contrast, is closer to a recovery shoe on foot. It compresses a huge amount, feels almost pillow-like at easy paces, but still rolls well and can be turned over surprisingly quickly. It handled miles up to and faster than marathon pace without ever feeling too heavy or bulky, making it remarkably versatile for such a soft shoe.

The Hurricane’s trade-off is turnover. At slower recovery paces it can feel a little bulky and harder to roll, especially for lighter runners. Heavier runners, however, will appreciate that it never bottoms out, a complaint some have raised about the More v5 on firmer landings.

Stability and Heel Support

If you need genuine stability, the Hurricane 24 is the clear pick. It has a solid plastic heel piece that locks the rearfoot in place, a firmer foam cradle around the soft top layer, and a wide base that inspires confidence. It sits among the better stability-leaning max cushion options and pairs nicely with a more moderate stability trainer for a full rotation.

The More v5 has a heel piece as well, but it does not grip the heel with the same firm, structured sensation. Stability here is adequate rather than a selling point.

Durability Outlook

Based on how the foams feel so far, the Hurricane 24 should hold up better over the long haul. The rubber is not the grippiest, but it should last a long time, and the firmer training foam should resist breakdown. The More v5’s ultra-soft foam is more likely to feel flat past the 300 to 350 mile mark, though it is performing well in early miles.

Conclusion

These are two of the best max cushion trainers of the year, and the right choice depends on what you want from the ride. The More v5 wins on softness, versatility, speed, and wet weather grip, making it the pick for lighter runners who love a super squishy ride. The Hurricane 24 wins on structure, stability, fit polish, and expected durability, making it the better choice for bigger runners or anyone who wants a protective, stable daily trainer that will not bottom out. Both are premium-priced, so choose based on the feel you want underfoot.