Onto the true star of this show: the Fresh Foam X midsole, which is the softest we’ve come across in the lab when it comes to trail shoes. With a durometer reading of 9.4 HA, it’s 65.7% softer than average. Apart from providing plush and protective landings, it also has an energetic rebound that feels nice and propulsive, smoothly bouncing us from one step to the next. While many trail shoes on the market tend to focus on utility over looks, New Balance Shand strikes an almost perfect balance between the two with the Shando, a trail runner that represents a marriage of utility and aesthetics. This head-turner of a shoe kept us surefooted and looking fly, whether we were scampering through the wilderness or strutting at a downtown pace on the sidewalks. We couldn’t get enough of conquering the trails in the Fresh Foam X Hierro v7. From its cloudlike midsole that pampered our feet over even the harshest terrains to the subtle lugs that are as grippy off-road as they are smooth on the road, this versatile shoe rightfully takes its place as the best overall New Balance Trail shoe. Our flex test shows its midsole stands 11.4% more flexible than average. This improves our sense of control as we move through uneven terrains with less resistance.