The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 GORE-TEX™ Unmatched Comfort + Waterproof Protection

Product reviewed

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro/Hero V9 “GORE-TEX™” (Goreex) trail running & hiking shoe — an outdoor/rugged version of the Hero V9 line with waterproof protection.

Key features mentioned

GORE-TEX waterproof upper

• GORE-TEX waterproof upper described as water-repelling, even though it “looks like standard mesh.”
• Water test (hose): heavy spraying/soaking; socks came out completely dry.

Gusset / tongue construction (main waterproofing difference)

• Not just a semi-gusseted tongue: the tongue is sewn down at the lower area.
• There’s a looser top section of the tongue.
• Tester intentionally sprayed through the tongue gap area to check penetration.

Vibram outsole / Mega Grip

• Vibram Mega Grip with traction lug technology.
• Designed for wet and dry grip.

Protection & durability

• “Insane” toe protection: a hard fused layer with two layers of fused material.
• Extra rugged heel cup protection.
• Fused material layers around the laces, plus additional protection features around the upper.

Fit options and sizing

• Available in wide and extra wide.
• Reviewer finds standard width true-to-size.
• Notes a prior wide version was too wide, but Hero standard width fits better.

Comfort / cushioning (Fresh Foam X)

• Midsole described as a big/beefier stack of foam.
• New Balance description referenced: dual density Fresh Foam X with softer top / firmer bottom to help with stability on uneven terrain.

Tread / lug pattern updates

• Compared to V8: tread/lug patterns are bigger on the V9 (and previously reduced on V8).

Design details

• Swoosh/visual elements vary by colorway (green swoop more visible on this pair than on black).
• Rubberized N side detail.
• NB Hero branding on tongue; padded collar.
• Offcenter pull tab: V8 straight vs V9 “crooked” pull tab.

Pros (from the video)

• Excellent waterproofing: hose test reportedly leaves socks completely dry.
• Seems seamless: reviewer says you can’t easily tell which pair is waterproof, except for small “GORE-TEX” branding.
• Strong outdoor performance for wet climates (especially fall/winter in Oregon).
• Strong grip and rugged build for trail/hiking and also daily use (cement walking, dog walks).
• Comfort and cushioning from a revamped/bulkier Fresh Foam X midsole.
• More robust protection than typical shoes (especially toe and heel).
• Better lace performance than some other GORE-TEX shoes: reviewer claims the laces repel water better than standard cotton laces seen on other Gore models.

Cons / limitations mentioned

• Higher price vs standard:
  • $160 standard Hero V9
  • $180 GORE-TEX version ($20 upcharge)
  • Reviewer says it’s worth it if you need waterproofing, but notes the cost difference.
• No other explicit drawbacks mentioned beyond pricing and a width preference note.

Comparisons made

Standard Hero V9 vs GORE-TEX version

• Major difference is the tongue/sealing construction:
  • Tongue sewn down lower section
  • Waterproof testing done through the tongue gap area
• Visually, they look very similar; the waterproof version isn’t obvious at a glance.

Across versions (V7 / V8 to V9)

• Reviewer owned V5+ Hero models and still uses V7 and V8 often for durability.
• Branding size changed: earlier versions show “GORE-TEX” more prominently (V8), while this one has it smaller.
• Midsole tread/shape changed from V8 to V9 (more “beefy” on V9).
• Pull tab shape changed (straight in V8 vs crooked in V9).
• Lug pattern size returned/enlarged on V9 compared to V8.

User experience / use cases emphasized

• Best for wet, fall/winter conditions (reviewer lives in Oregon).
• Works for:
  • Trail running / hiking
  • Everyday walks (including on cement)
  • Errands/outdoor trips like pumpkin patch outings
• Reviewer treats it as a permanent rotation pair, not something replaced every year.

Unique points list (all distinct claims made)

1. Reviewer received the GORE-TEX version of Hero V9.
2. Looks very similar to standard Hero V9; waterproof version isn’t obvious.
3. Highlighted partnerships: GORE-TEX (waterproofing) + Vibram (outsole grip).
4. Hero line from V5 onward is a favorite; rugged outdoor style.
5. Particularly good for Oregon rainy season; ideal for fall/winter.
6. GORE-TEX release is preferred for appropriate season needs.
7. Small “GORE-TEX” branding; earlier versions had larger branding.
8. Long-term durability: V7/V8 still used constantly; doesn’t need frequent yearly replacement.
9. $20 premium ($180 vs $160).
10. Waterproof difference: tongue is sewn down lower section; waterproof testing through tongue gap.
11. Hose test: socks completely dry.
12. Laces described as water-repelling versus cotton laces on some other Gore shoes.
13. Fit: wide/extra wide available; reviewer prefers standard width; prior wide was too wide.
14. True-to-size fit in reviewer’s opinion.
15. Toe protection features: hard fused material and two fused layers.
16. Toe protection and heel cup described as extra rugged.
17. Upper mesh appears like regular mesh but is GORE-TEX waterproof fabric; repels water.
18. Colorway detail: green swoop more visible; black less visible.
19. Rubberized embroidered “N” side detail.
20. Multiple fused layers around the laces.
21. NB Hero branding on tongue; padded tongue and collar.
22. Offcenter/crooked pull tab vs straight pull tab on V8.
23. Midsole redesigned vs V8: beefier / higher stack than typical Fresh Foam X on Hero series.
24. Uses New Balance description: year-round waterproof trail/hiking; dual density foam; softer top/firmer bottom.
25. Vibram Mega Grip outsole with traction lugs and improved wet/dry tread performance.
26. Toe protection helps guard against rocks/roots/debris.
27. Gusseted/tongue setup helps secure fit and keep debris out as part of the waterproof design.
28. Suitable for rugged terrain and normal walking (dog walks/cement).
29. V9 lug patterns: reduced/smaller on V8, bigger on V9.
30. Reviewer overall loves Hero V9 and praises GORE-TEX as a major plus.

Speaker contributions

• Single speaker (reviewer): appears to deliver all content; no separate speakers or perspectives indicated.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended if you want the Hero V9 for wet/rainy conditions. The reviewer’s hose test suggests real waterproof performance, and the build (GORE-TEX upper + Vibram Mega Grip + heavy protection + Fresh Foam X comfort) supports both trail use and daily walking. The main tradeoff is the $20 price increase over the standard Hero V9, which the reviewer implies is justified when waterproofing is needed.