REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Very lightweight
Keep out debris
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacking in comfort
Absorbs and retains water
New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi V3 Review
An affordable and light cross-over trail shoe
Credit: New Balance
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi v3 is a very affordable trail running shoe that provides a good cross-over option for road runners, while also offering a larger than average amount of underfoot cushioning. It also introduces a fresh design for the tongue and ankle opening, which are integrated together in a cuff-like seal that does a good job keeping debris out without the need for trail gaiters but is unfortunately not super comfortable. Gone is the plush padding found on the tongue and around the ankle and heel of the Gobi v2, a feature that not only contributed positively to comfort, but also kept the shoe riding securely in place on all sorts of terrain. While this shoe is certainly worth consideration due to its very low price and impressively slim weight, it is a step backward from its predecessor and is not one of the first ones we would recommend.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We chose to test the Fresh Foam Gobi v3 as an alternative to the maximally cushioned Hokas that have become synonymous with this shoe design. Despite the appearance of a large EVA foam midsole from the outside, the 23mm/17mm of underfoot protection is actually less than average these days for a trail running shoe, and does not really compare to the 31mm/26mm stack height found in the Hoka Challenger ATR 5. That said, they do have the same idea in that they rely solely on foam cushioning underfoot to protect from obstacles along the trail, as well as absorb the repetitive impacts of running. The Gobi v3 feel vastly different from your average Hoka when running, offering a refreshing amount of trail feel that leaves you feeling connected to the surface you are running over, rather than cut off and removed from it, and so may provide a better alternative for those runners who value sensitivity more than absolute protection underfoot.
Changes from the Gobi v2 to Gobi v3
There are some significant changes to the latest version of this shoe, and so lovers of the Gobi v2 should not be surprised that the shoe feels quite a bit different. The outsole and midsole fresh foam remain unchanged, but the upper is totally different. Replacing the traditional design of the v2 is an integrated, gusseted tongue that connects to an elevated ankle cuff that surrounds the ankle and effectively keeps out debris. However, most of the comfy padding on the tongue, ankle, and heel is gone. The newer version weighs about half an ounce less per shoe, and now has a firmer toe bumper and protective TPU patterning covering the entire upper.
There are some significant changes to the latest version of this shoe, and so lovers of the Gobi v2 should not be surprised that the shoe feels quite a bit different. The outsole and midsole fresh foam remain unchanged, but the upper is totally different. Replacing the traditional design of the v2 is an integrated, gusseted tongue that connects to an elevated ankle cuff that surrounds the ankle and effectively keeps out debris. However, most of the comfy padding on the tongue, ankle, and heel is gone. The newer version weighs about half an ounce less per shoe, and now has a firmer toe bumper and protective TPU patterning covering the entire upper.
Comparing the older Gobi v2 on the left, maroon, with the newer navy v3 on the right. Everything below the foot remains pretty much the same, while the upper has been completely redesigned. Unfortunately, much of the comfy plush padding is gone, and the old upper was more comfortable than the newer one is. However, the new version effectively keeps out debris and is also more durable due to the thin mesh patterned overlays. It also has a far burlier toe bumper.
Performance Comparison
The Fresh Foam Gobi v3 has a completely redesigned upper and is now very light, pretty affordable, and sensitive while still offering soft cushioning underfoot.
Foot Protection
Underfoot, the Gobi v3 is far more sensitive and less protective than you would expect for a shoe that includes its type of EVA foam in its name. There is no rock plate sandwiched into the foam, and while it does a nice job on gentle terrain from cushioning the impacts of repeated landings, it allows most of the objects that one lands upon to be felt by the sole of the foot, making it one of the more sensitive, and less protective, midsoles we tested. In that regard, it is not unlike the feeling of running in the Saucony Peregrine ISO.
One of the main features that is new on this shoe is the collar like cuff, shown here, that surrounds the opening, joining the tongue to the heel. This is effective at keeping out loose debris like sand or dirt, but was also not terribly comfortable out of the box. It did loosen up a bit and become less bothersome after a handful of runs.
The upper, however, has been improved immensely to offer more protection than the simple mesh of the previous version. It features a firm, toe-to-toe bumper in the front that does a nice job of taking a direct hit, and now includes a mesh patterned plastic overlay that covers the entire upper, enhancing durability. This is especially nice where it covers the forefoot crease and wear points. Lastly, the newly designed ankle cuff protects the foot by preventing small pieces of dirt and rocks to slip into the shoe.
Traction
The Hydrohesion rubber outsole on this shoe remains exactly the same as previous versions and does a good job gripping dry dirt, mud, and rock.
The Hydrohesion rubber on the base of these shoes, despite not having very large lugs, is very sticky on a number of surfaces, including rock.
The sole is one single piece that enhances its durability and features a pattern of different sized pentagonal lugs spaced fairly closely together. These lugs are roughly 4mm deep, and while they are quite effective on your everyday trail, they do not provide the same sort of deep, aggressive traction for steep grass or dirt as is found on many of the most common trail running shoes these days, such as the Inov-8 Roclite G 290.
The outsole of this shoe does a great job gripping to steep, dry and loose dirt, and is a good choice for any sort of trail running, while also transferring over to asphalt surfaces well.
Stability
Stability tends to be a combination of how high and prone to rolling the underfoot midsole and outsole (the stack) is, as well as how well the shoe grips the foot to hold it firmly in place upon landing and take-off on uneven terrain. While the Gobi v3 rides relatively low to the ground, especially compared the Hoka Speedgoat 3, the recent changes in the upper have actually led to a less stable fit. The newest version has very little padding in the tongue, around the ankle, or in the heel, and in our experience, this leads to a sloppier fit and the ability for the foot to shift inside the shoe. In particular, we noticed our foot sliding forward a bit on the downhills, while the heel easily raised a bit running uphill. Therefore, this shoe is slightly less stable on uneven terrain than its competition.
Despite the decent amount of foam underfoot, we found these shoes to be quite stable while out running on the trail, a solid trait for picking through uneven terrain like roots and rocks.
Comfort
We are disappointed to say that this shoe is far less comfortable than the previous version, which was a major selling point, and does not live up to what we expect comfort wise from a New Balance shoe, as they are typically among the most comfortable you can buy. Of course, comfort is very subjective, but in this case our opinions are not even discussing the fit, but are sticking strictly to the design and its execution. In particular, the collar around the ankle bit into our Achilles tendon the moment we started wearing them, which really annoyed us. After a few runs we noticed this issue moderating somewhat, but frankly, most of the shoes we test these days feel delightful the moment we try them on. As mentioned, much of the padding in the upper is now gone, so our feet simply don't feel as comfortably cradled as we wish they were. One giant plus is that this shoe comes in either regular or wide versions, a trait not common in the trail running shoe market.
Testing both the traction through the mud as well as how quickly and easily it dries out after getting wet. These shoes have good traction but unfortunately absorb a lot more water than most and don't manage to shed it very quickly.
In our water bucket test, despite having less material and padding to absorb water, this shoe was still one of the most absorptive, and at the same time one of the least efficient at quickly shedding the water it took on. This would suggest that it would not be the perfect choice for running frequently in very wet conditions.
Weight
Our pair of men's size 11 shoes weighed in at a mere 19.5 ounces. This is a remarkable feat, and makes them one of the lightest pairs of shoes in this review. And if you compare them to the other very light offerings, such as the Hoka Evo Jawz or Scarpa Spin, these shoes have much better underfoot support and padding. If you want the most shoe for the least weight, this is surely the first option to check out.
At only 19.5 ounces per pair, this is one of the lightest pairs of trail running shoes that you can buy which still includes adequate cushioning underfoot, a solid combination!
Sensitivity
The Gobi v3 is a very sensitive shoe, especially for having a lot of EVA foam underfoot. Frankly, we think this offers the runner the best of both worlds — cushioning from repetitive impacts while allowing the runner to feel the texture of the trail. To test for this metric we intentionally picked out all the sharp and jagged rocks we could to run over, and while none of them hurt our feet, there is no doubt that we could feel what we were running over. This shoe remains one of the most sensitive.
Frost encrusted shoes that were left out to dry overnight. These are the NB Fresh Foam Gobi v3, an affordable shoe that is quite sensitive underfoot.
Best Applications
This shoe is a good option for those who like to run on either trails or asphalt, or both, in the same shoe, in generally dry conditions. It is not an ideal pick for off-trail running due to the lower profile lugs, and isn't great in super wet weather because it absorbs a lot of water. It is better for those who appreciate sensitivity in their shoes over underfoot protection, but want to get a lot of miles out of a pair of shoes.
We liked this shoe best for non-technical trail runs, although it also thrives in sandy conditions. Its biggest advantage is how it costs a fair bit less than most trail running shoes these days for similar performance.
Value
Retailing for a mere $100, this is the most affordable trail running shoe in this review. Despite the fact it isn't one of our highest rated, we think it provides pretty good performance, and longevity, especially for the money, and presents a good value.
Running lowland river trails in central Oregon in winter is a great way to stay in shape and skip the snow, here next to the Crooked River wearing the NB Gobi v3.
Conclusion
The New Balance Fresh Foam Gobi v3 updates the comfortable and sensitive previous version by sticking with the underfoot design but massively changing the upper. Despite the innovative collar that works to prevent debris from entering the shoe, we found this shoe to be less comfortable than the previous version, and a slight step down in terms of enjoyment and performance.
—
Andy Wellman
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