The pair we’ll take a closer look at today for our review of the week is the New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel V5, a 2023 release. New Balance started the Nitrel series years ago with the goal of offering a dependable trail running shoe at an affordable price, much like ASICS did with the Venture series and Nike did with the Juniper. From the first edition the design was a modern one with very little influences from the New Balance retro sneakers. The seamless upper and the modern cushioning came in a minimalistic design that is practical and comfortable. Starting with the V4 version, New Balance introduced the proprietary Dynasoft midsole which is superior to the RevLite. It also contains about 3% bio-based content made from renewable sources.
How They Fit
The pair we came across was the one in navy with gray and gold outsole, one of the first released for the 5th iteration of the shoe . They have a modern, stylish design that is surely an upgrade in many ways from the previous versions. They are pretty lightweight , with the size 9.5 weighing just over 11oz. They run small, however , with the heel area running a bit high which can cause the heel to rub against the back of the shoe. For this reason, going a half size up would be a good idea for most. If unsure bout your New Balance size , you can always check out this size chart.
Upper
The seamless upper of the New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel V5 is made of a mesh material with TPU synthetic overlays. The toebox is quite roomy but just in case you need even more space these come in Wide size as well. The lightly padded mesh provides excellent breathability while the TPU overlays add some good protection for when off the road. There is plenty of cushioning in the tongue and the heel collar area for optimal comfort. What we noticed throughout our New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel V5 review is how versatile this shoe is. While it is at its best on trails or when hiking it is a great every day shoe that you can take some short or slow paced runs or even go to the gym.
Sole Unit
The heel drop is 8mm which is pretty standard in the industry for this type of shoe. The sole unit of the New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel V5 is built for a smooth heel to toe transition when on uneven terrain while offering a good amount of stability. The Dynasoft midsole combines an ultra responsive performance and excellent cushioning. For more shock absorption in the heel the outsole has an opening where the midsole foam can expand even more. The outsole is made of a durable rubber material with a pattern featuring large logs that are typical to a trail shoe. The shoes feature a removable EVA insert which adds to the plushy feeling you get when you first put these on.
Bottom Line
To conclude our New Balance Dynasoft Nitrel V5 review, this is an excellent shoe for those looking for a budget trail shoe that is also versatile. While they’ll do best on the trails or on hiking you can use it as an all around athletic sneaker in the gym, running or just on your errands. At $75 price tag they offer a great value and they will last for a while.
