The New Balance 608v5 is a typical dad's shoe with more to offer, especially for someone with plantar fasciitis. It is super comfortable, supportive, and highly versatile across terrains and in terms of usage. You can use the 608v5 New Balance for everyday walking, gym workouts, and light jogging. Hence, it's one of the best cross-trainer shoes you should consider.
New Balance 608v5 Upper Design and Fitting
The upper is carefully designed. It is impeccable because it predominantly features premium suede and synthetic mesh materials to provide aesthetics and structure. The leather material helps establish support, but breathability is significantly compromised. I am confident that synthetic mesh plays the role of offering breathability and more comfort. The designers also plunged a few holes in the medial and lateral sides, including the toe box. However, it has done little to enhance breathability. Hence, I don't recommend wearing the New Balance 608 v5 on a hot and humid day.
Enough padding in the tongue and collar contributes to additional comfort and support at the ankle. The upper looks solid for a dad's shoe. They also fit true to size with a roomy toe box for the toes to splay out naturally. Also, the interior phantom liner is soft, ensuring enough comfort.
New Balance 608v5 Sole Unit Design and Performance
The New Balance 608 v5 reminds me of the New Balance 847v3. Both have the ABZORB midsole foam, which offers decent cushioning, though slightly lower than the TRIFUSE foam used in the upgraded New Balance 847v4. The cushioning in New Balance 608 v5 is the same as New Balance 857. You will also love the PU insert but have a choice to use your preferred orthotic insoles.
The slip-resistant rubber ensures this shoe is stable across surfaces, even on wet surfaces. The outsoles feel like rubber but not plastic. It doesn't slap. The flex grooves in the forefoot make it at least pretty flexible enough for bending the foot.
The heel crash pad has a slight rocker with ABSORB rubber padding to ensure adequate ground impact absorption and stability.
Furthermore, New Balance inserted an internal midsole shank that adds support across the midfoot. Due to its stability, it can be a handful for someone who needs stability. People with plantar fasciitis can find New Balance 608v5 helpful but must wear them based on a podiatrist's recommendation.
The arch support in this shoe is not profound, thus not restrictive for a person who doesn't need the supportive feature.
What are the Reasons to Buy or Not to Buy New Balance 608v5?
New Balance 608 v5 is popular because of its super comfort, stability, aesthetics, and efficiency. It has also been designed to last longer. So, New Balance 608v5 can withstand misuse. You can use them on the treadmill for weight workouts, easy jogs, or everyday walking. Unfortunately, it is quite a heavy shoe. It needs to be more lightweight to be considered a lightweight shoe. Still, Dad's shoes are always bulky.
I am sorry there is no aeration, especially on a hot day. However, this isn't a problem for someone who has alternative shoes. There is no serious issue that stops you from trying New Balance 608v5. It is affordable, costing less than $80 on Amazon and they are in several colors.
By Kyle Parker
Parker is a gym trainer, runner, and shoe lover who enjoys everything to do with fitness and shoes. He deeply understands the relationship between wearing a good running /training shoes and excellent training. He is also a shoe lover.
