This offering is for a new pair of men's New Balance Vongo v5 running shoes in a size 10.5 D (US). Note: the "D" sizing indicator represents a men's medium or standard shoe width. This model is New Balance's premium max cushion/stability offering that is often referred to as the stability version of the more popular 1080. So it's a premium daily trainer for those that need a little more guidance. As viewed in the pictures, these shoes are mostly black with some gray, purple and white and accents. Some detailed specifications include the following...

• Pronation type: Stability (as discussed below)

• Drop: 8 mm

• Heel stack height: 34 mm

• Forefoot stack height: 26 mm

• Weight (each shoe): 10.7 oz (per digital scale)

• Other notes: This version (v5) of the Vongo was released in the middle of 2021.

I land somewhere between a neutral and a stability running shoe when it comes to a trainer. For me, this shoe is a traditional stability shoe in the support that it offers, but there is nothing traditional about the way in which New Balance designed/executed the medial posting support. There is no hard plastic insert or even a separate piece of higher density foam that has been glued into place. Instead, New Balance injected and fused higher density foam pellets into the medial side of the midsole. Its also worth noting this approach has created a gradual increase in the firmness of the midsole from around the midline (less firm) to the medial side (max firm). The end result is a much less intrusive posting design that still offers support for over pronation. New Balance refers to this stability feature as their medial gradient post and it's new to the Vongo for this version (v5). There is also a reinforced heel counter and ample foam padding around the collar to help lock-in the back of the foot. As I look at the geometry of the midsole foam, there is some flaring out from the upper to the outer (rubber) sole, which would appear to be another modest stability feature. I also could not help but notice the additional build-up of foam (especially on the medial side). These foam "walls" lend even more support to over pronation and overall guidance through the gait cycle. Finally, for those that are familiar with the version of the 1080 available at the time of this Vongo v5, I want to mention the footprint the Vongo is slightly wider, especially at the midfoot. This version of the Vongo is also a bit stiffer with more rubber outsole and an upper that has a more substance to it (all in the interest of creating more support/stability).

I also want to mention the foam (Fresh Foam X) that extends through the full length of the midsole (other than the medial gradient post noted above). This is new for this version of the Vongo (as previous versions had traditional Fresh Foam). I don't quite know how to describe the Fresh Foam X. It's not super soft/plush, but at the same time it's not a really bouncy/springy foam (like FuelCell). Maybe it's best described as a blend between the two that many seem to like in a trainer. One analogy that I have often heard is that FuelCell is like the bounce you might experience on a trampoline, while Fresh Foam X feels more like landing on a pillow. These shoes may also feels a bit softer/plusher relative to some other New Balance trainers from this era due to the generous stack height, even by trainer standards, at 34 mm in the heel and 26 mm in the forefoot. That's a lot of foam under foot and probably on par with it's closest sibling, the New Balance 1080 from this same period. Both model shoes have their place, as some may prefer the added support offered by the Vongo, while others may not need it and prefer the 1080.

In terms of their condition, these shoes are a running store floor sample. I can confirm the outsole shows no wear. So while these shoes may have been tried on in a running store, I doubt they have seen any demo time (other than maybe walking around the store). They really are that clean and factory new in my opinion...just without the retail box.