Hierro 9
Today's tracked prices
- 01RunAndBecome4d ago£140.00£155.00−10%
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Price history
Our verdict
The New Balance Hierro 9 is a cushioned, protective trail running shoe built for long days on mixed ground rather than chasing podiums. It sits in the max-cushion, door-to-trail camp: soft enough to soak up road sections and rocky descents, planted enough that you can switch off and enjoy the miles. At 301g with a low 4mm drop it is not light, and it is not trying to be. What you get instead is a stable, forgiving ride that keeps your legs fresher deep into a long run or ultra. Grip is confident across dirt, gravel and damp rock without the deep lugs that make aggressive mud shoes feel awkward on hardpack. If you want a faster, grippier racer for steep technical terrain the Hoka Speedgoat 7 is the sharper tool. But as a comfortable daily trail trainer that shrugs off distance, the Hierro 9 is an easy shoe to live in.
Key features
- Deep cushioned midsoleSoaks up long, rough trail miles and keeps your legs fresher deep into a run
- Low 4mm dropKeeps you balanced and connected to the ground on uneven terrain
- Grippy trail outsoleGives confident traction across dirt, gravel and damp rock without feeling clumsy on hardpack
- Protective buildShields your feet from rocks and roots so rough ground feels far less punishing
- Secure, roomy upperLocks the midfoot while leaving your toes room to spread on long descents
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Trail runners who want a cushioned, protective shoe for long runs and ultras
- Door-to-trail runners mixing road and dirt in a single run
- Heavier runners who need real underfoot protection over distance
- Runners who value comfort and stability over outright pace
Who should not buy it
- You want a light, fast shoe for trail races or tempo efforts
- You run deep mud or steep technical terrain that needs longer, sharper lugs
- You prefer a high 8mm-plus drop and dislike low-drop transitions
- You are on a tight budget and want a cheaper trail trainer
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Hierro 9 comes up true to size for most runners, so take your usual New Balance or road running-shoe size. The fit is secure through the midfoot with a heel that holds well, and the toe box is medium width: roomy enough for your toes to spread on long descents without feeling sloppy. Runners with genuinely wide feet are catered for, since New Balance offers this model in wider fittings, so check for a 2E option if you need extra room rather than sizing up. If you like to wear thicker socks for long winter miles, or your feet swell over ultra distance, the standard width still leaves a little space. We would only size up half a size if you are between sizes and plan to run very long. The lacing gives a clean, even lockdown across the top of the foot, and the padded collar keeps grit out without pinching.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The Hierro 9 rides soft and settled rather than snappy. There is a lot of foam underfoot, so hard-packed trail, gravel and even tarmac link sections feel smooth and cushioned. It is not a shoe that rewards a fast turnover: push the pace and you feel the weight and the softness rather than any real pop. Where it shines is at an easy to steady effort, when that deep cushioning just keeps absorbing impact mile after mile. The low 4mm drop encourages a mid to forefoot landing but stays comfortable for heel strikers thanks to the generous heel foam. Over rough ground it stays composed and protective, letting you relax into rocky, root-strewn sections instead of picking your way through them.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the whole point of the Hierro 9, and it delivers a plush, protective platform that soaks up long, rough miles. There is enough foam to blunt sharp rocks and roots underfoot, so your feet feel shielded rather than beaten up at the end of a big day. It leans soft over firm, which is exactly what you want for ultra distance and back-to-back long runs, though it does trade away some ground feel and precision as a result. On technical terrain you sit up on a fair stack of foam, so this is not the shoe for pin-sharp trail feedback. For comfort and fatigue resistance over distance, though, it is one of the more forgiving cushioned trail shoes you can buy.
Stability
For a soft, well-cushioned shoe the Hierro 9 feels reassuringly planted. This is not a stability shoe with medial posting, but the wide, stable platform and secure midfoot hold keep you balanced on uneven ground and off-camber sections. The low 4mm drop helps too, keeping your foot closer to the trail than a tall, tippy stack would. Tired runners and heavier runners will appreciate how composed it stays late in a long run, when a softer, narrower shoe can start to wander. On genuinely technical, twisting terrain the cushioned height means a little less precision than a low, firm racer, but for the long steady trail miles it is built for, the Hierro 9 stays confidently upright.
Upper & comfort
The upper is built for all-day comfort and keeping debris out over long trail runs. It wraps the foot securely without hot spots, and the padded tongue and collar add a plush, hold-you-in feel that suits the shoe's long-run purpose. Breathability is fair rather than exceptional: it prioritises protection and structure over an ultra-airy mesh, which is the right call for a shoe you will take through mud, grit and wet grass. Drainage and dry-out are reasonable if you catch a stream crossing. The secure lockdown means your foot stays put on steep descents, and the reinforced areas around the toe and sides add durability where trail shoes usually wear through first.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Trail |
| Surface | Trail |
| Drop | 4mm |
| Heel Stack | 42mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 38mm |
| Weight | 301g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |