The New Balance 608 V5 , one of the most popular trainers from the Boston based manufacturer is the one we’ll review this week. Advertised a trainer, this model is an all around athletic shoe that is available in both men’s and women’s versions. Additionally it is available in wide versions which further expands its reach. It is not a hyped sneaker by any means but it gained traction due to its excellent comfort, support and durability. In fact, sneakerheads will argue that the 608 V5 gives the Nike Monarch IV a real run for the best “dad’s shoe” on the market today. The pair we came across is the 2023 version of this shoe in white and navy blue.
How They Fit
The New Balance 608 V5 fits true to size. Even for the medium width the toe box is quite roomy but as mentioned above, if in need for more space wide widths are available as well. Size 12 weighs just over 15 oz which is not the lightest out there but , for a leather shoe is actually not too bad. The Monarch, in comparison, weighs about the same for that size, maybe just a few oz more. If not sure about your size for New Balance you can always check out this size chart.
Upper
The New Balance 608 V5 features an upper made of mostly leather with some mesh that looks like an expansion of the lacing system. Some versions are made of suede instead but both have good quality. This new version has extra perforations which provide better ventilation than the older models. I tried them for this New Balance 608 V5 review in November and I did not feel cold in them so they provide a good balance in terms of climate control. The tongue and the heel collar are lightly padded and they work in sync with the PU insert to create a nice, plushy feeling that lasts for a very long time. The shoe also features the Phantom liner which was designed with minimal seaming so your feet don’t rub against the outer leather, minimizing irritation.
Sole Unit
The sole unit is made of an re-engineered EVA foam and an ABZORB crash pad in the heel. The ABZORB material adds cushioning and compression resistance, being made of Dupont Engage Isoprene rubber and responsive foam. The sole unit is shaped to maximize stability and balance, whether you wear them casually or in the gym. The outsole pattern is pretty standard , providing enough traction for everyday use. The rubber is pretty sticky so these will do well on wet, neat surfaces. What New Balance did to add some comfort is they left a big opening in the outsole so the EVA foam has some space to expand, thus adding more cushioning to it.
Are New Balance 608 V5 good for running?
The New Balance 608 V5 are designed to be an all around trainer so they do not excel when it comes to running. While they have a lot of support and cushioning there is not a whole lot of energy return and they are a bit heavy compared to performance running shoes. Therefore I can only recommend them for short, slow paced runs.
Are New Balance 608 V5 good for walking?
New Balance is known for having excellent walking sneakers and this one is certainly one of the best in that category. They feature a great combination of comfort , support and stability which makes them excellent walking shoes, great for wearing them all day.
Bottom Line
At $75 retail price the New Balance 608 V5 is one of the most reliable, budget athletic shoes available on the market. Despite not being one of the hyped sneakers out there it was nice to try them out for this New Balance 608 V5 review. Aside from being very comfortable they offer excellent support if you need a pair to wear for long hours, at work or on your errands. They are also very durable which adds even more value to them. And given their simplistic, stylish design I am not surprised that they are so popular among both men and women.
