SCORE: 9/10  

   Heall Drop: 6mm (Heel 34mm, forefoot 28mm)

   Shoe Type: Stability

   Purpose: All-round running shoe

   Speed: Easy, moderate and fast

      Pros

• Premium look
• Snug fitting
• Adaptable support
• Balanced softness

     Cons

•  Lacks aggressive bounce to its midsole

   Introduction

The New Balance Vongo series is popular for its innovative inherent stability features. It exhibits a deviation from the traditional medial posted stability running shoes.

The new take on stability applied in the New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 is meant to enhance the ride and comfort. The stability technology features a dual setup of the midsole foam whereby the softest and most vibrant foam is placed on top. The one that is a bit firmer is placed at the bottom, creating a structure and inherent stability. The midsole foam is put together like pellets to gradually become denser at the medial side of the shoe to build support.

  What is New?

The major update in the Vongo 6 is the new incredibly soft Fresh Foam X midsole foam and the new prototype EVA foam as a support element.Another major update is the drop in the heel drop from 8mm to 6mm. Therefore, there is additional foam in the heel and forefoot to enhance comfort.

Additionally,  the rocker profile and new outsole design, which comes in vertical flex grooves, unlike the horizontal grooves in Fresh Foam Vongo 6. This new design enhances firmness in the forefoot and torsal rigidity, creating inherent stability. 

    New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 Upper Design and Fitting 

The upper features the Hypoknit upper construction with few but significant changes compared to Vongo 5. The most notable one is the lacing system, where it transcends further toward the forefoot than in the previous version. It means that New Balance aimed at reducing the toe box spacing associated with Fresh Foam Vongo 5.

I felt Vongo 5 was voluminous, with notable wiggle room in the front half. I know many runners who loved the freedom the voluminous forefoot offered. However, pushing the lacing system further down has resulted in an enhanced snug fitting in the toe box while retaining sufficient wiggle room, though not as much as in the Fresh Foam X Vongo 6. I think I love this change.

The tongue construction is magnificent. It is gusted, thin, and breathable. It is slightly thinner than the one in the Vongo 5 but does enough to prevent the laces from exerting pressure on top of the foot.

The heel counters are more similar than different, except for the lack of Achilles flare in this new version. 

New Balance added more memory foam into the internal heel collar to enhance comfort right from the initial step and throughout your running journey. It is because of the additional foam that the heel area is also snug.

Overall, the upper has snug, glove-like fitting with the soft adaptable upper material assuring me comfort.

    New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 Midsole Design and Performance

The midsole has a major update. New Balance utilized its latest midsole foam, Fresh Foam X. It is incredibly soft. Anyone who has run in Fresh Foam X More V4 understands the soft underfoot ride associated with Fresh Foam X foam.

Besides the new foam, the designers infused an EVA foam onto the outer layer of the midsole, which can be mistaken for a carbon plate. Hence, the Fresh Foam X Vongo v6 has a dual-layered cushioning system, with underneath the foot being softer.

The soft midsole is held together by a full-length and less rigid plastic plate. The role of this plate is to prevent the soft midsole foam from shearing due to the increased underfoot foam and softness. The plastic plate creates stability underneath the foot without creating firmness and bulkiness associated with the traditional postings. Therefore, the integrated plastic plate creates stability discreetly. New Balance calls it a dynamic stability system. Hence, you feel both the cushiness of Fresh Foam X Vongo 6 and the incredible stability and support as a pronator.

The dynamic stability system acts as a guide, offering support when required. I love this idea because it provides safe support.

The stability experience is pretty different from Vongo 5. In the Vongo 5, the dynamic system became semi-noticeable in the instep. Hence, this shoe felt like a supportive shoe, yet not intrusive, even with the slightly raised instep. Besides, there is a drop in heel drop from 8mm to 6mm with more foam through the forefoot. 

However, in version 6, there are two cushioning layers, with the top being softer than the bottom, creating a firmer feel underneath the integrated plastic plate or film. The plate is also strategically placed, whereby on the medial side, it is softer toward the arc and transcends almost closer to the ground on the lateral side and is some millimeter off the midfoot but closer to the forefoot. The effect of this is a soft entry point through the lateral side for a forefoot and heel striker. 

As you enter the toe-off phase, you get a compressed feel on the lateral side. Then, the foot relaxes through the mid-stance (The point support limb transitions from shock absorption to stability function. This stage is defined from the toe-off phase to the first time the heel leaves the ground after the lead leg). The plastic plate kicks in during toe-off to offer a snappy foot strike. 

Therefore, the New Balance Vongo 6 feels like a mileage shoe. It also picks up the pace pretty well while offering the needed support. 

The combination of softer midsole foam and a firmer bottom layer allows for a consistent gait cycle. At the same time, the plastic plate enhances a snappy ride and offers support on the medial side. 

 Ride

There is a balance of softness and firmness, and a well-measured bounce for efficient transitions and lively running experience. The upper mesh is also adaptable, and combines well with the adaptable supportive midsole to create a comfortable running experience at easy to intermediate intensity. The rocker profile creates a seamless heel-to-to transition, enhancing effciency. 

Who Should Buy New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v6?

The Fresh Foam Vongo v6 fits neutral runners and those who prefer slight support because of mild overpronation. I like the way support kicks in whenever required, making it a non-issue for runners. A neutral runner won’t feel constrained. Besides, in most cases, we start neutral but start to overpronate when fatigue kicks in. With Fresh Foam Vongo 6, you can get support at this later running stage of longer runs and ensure a strong finish to your stretched daily runs. 

 Who Shouldn’t Buy New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo 6? 

The Fresh Foam X Vongo 6 feels more snugly than the previous version. Hence, reducing the room in the toe box will cause hotspots for some wide-footed runners.

 Outsole

The outsole is well designed with flex grooves strategically placed. We have the more exposed Fresh Foam cushioning system, but placed further back, away from abrasion.

I noticed that less rubber coverage and thinness complement the midsole. It has kept the weight down and reduced stiffness. The outsole holds up well. It is carefully designed to offer stability and maintain a balanced, soft underfoot ride. It performs pretty well on the road and not too slippery surfaces. However, I strain from using it on a light trail to protect the mi foam. Overall, I have no issues with the outsole coverage. 

  Final Thought

The Dynamic support system is the most unique and exciting thing about Vongo 6. You get support when you need it to keep you going. Hence, I recommend it for those who want to finish their long-distance runs with a strong finish.

Reviewed by Kyle Allen

Kyle Allen is a committed runner residing in the USA. He is passionate about pounding the road and fitness. Kyle has a love for long distances and sometimes features at local races.