New Balance 608v5 Cross Trainers Review

If you have ever tried looking for new shoes in the past, then you would know that a great pair of running shoes are pretty hard to come by, and there is a simple reason as to why. Finding the right pair of running and cross training shoes is not easy because each and every runner has his own set of needs and preferences when it comes to footwear.

If you’re looking for a more versatile option that offers great traction and support, then you would certainly find our article helpful. In this review, we are going to take a close look at the 608v5 Cross Trainers by New Balance. We will look at its different features, pros, and cons to find out whether it’s worth a try.

New Balance 608v5 Cross Trainers

• ABZORB cushioning in the midfoot provides exceptional shock absorption
• Polyurethane insert provides excellent cushioning for all-day comfort
• Internal Shank
• Leather upper
• Dual Density Collar Foam

New Balance has been in the service of athletes for many years. This trusted brand is known for providing athletes and sports enthusiasts with different products that help them in their pursuit of excellence.

For a hundred years, this company has been among the market leaders when it comes to footwear. Their number of years in service is truly a testament to the quality of products that they provide. Today, we are going to talk about one of their latest footwear models.

Features

Here are the different features of New Balance’s 608v5 Cross-Trainers:

• Different color options to choose from

These shoes come in a variety of color options, which are black, black with white details, chocolate brown and white details, grey suede, white with navy details, white with royal blue and black detail, and white. With these, you can easily choose a pair or two and match it with your favorite sportswear. You can even wear these as a fashion statement.

• ABZORB Technology

This technology is a feature that can only be found on New Balance shoes. ABZORB boasts a cushioned heel pad, which provides balanced shock absorption regardless of your feet type and running style.

What does this mean? You see, each person has their own way of landing their feet when running. For this reason, we also wear out our shoes differently. Some people have worn down edges, while others have flattened down heel pads. It all depends on how we distribute our weight and land our feet as we run.

With New Balance’s ABZORB feature, though, you won’t have to worry about that anymore. You can wear this pair of shoes and feel confident that the comfort will last for many days.

• Slip-Resistant Outsole

Any versatile pair of running shoes won’t be considered rather versatile if they can’t run on different trails, right? That is what a slip-resistant outsole is for. With an outsole that doesn’t slip or slide easily, you get to enjoy better traction regardless of what type of terrain you are running on.

• Outsole Flex Grooves

Finally, each pair comes with ergonomically designed outsoles for better flexibility. This gives the runner not only better mobility but also added comfort even during motion.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Offers arch support
• Has great traction

Cons

• Has limited color options
• Limited product information given
• Narrow fit

Summary of the Features

The 608v5 Cross Trainers is equipped with the latest footwear technology offered by New Balance. It has ABZORB for balanced shock absorption regardless of your running style, and it has a slip-resistant outsole. This gives the pair more traction even on off-road trails. Lastly, it has outsole flex grooves, which allow for better flexibility and mobility.

If you are interested, then you will be pleased to learn that you have six different colors to choose from. However, most of them are in neutral colors of black, white, and grey. Some white variants come with hints of blue detailing, though.

608v5 Cross Trainers vs. A Similar Running Shoes

Champion Men’s White Prime Cross Trainer 6 Wide

Now that we have all the features and details of this pair laid down, let us move on to compare it with a similar pair of running shoes just to give you an idea of how it measures up when compared to other options.

For this mission, we have selected the Prime Cross Trainer for Men by the brand Champion. Coincidentally, with the company having been founded in 1919, this brand is also turning a hundred years in operation this year. This means that they have been in the industry for about the same time as New Balance.

The Prime Cross Trainer only has two color options: black and white. As far as features go, it comes with a skid-resistant outsole, which is similar to New Balance’s slip-resistant outsole. This pair also ensures good traction in the field.

Unfortunately, no other features have been detailed by the company. Although, one thing that sets this pair from the 608v5 is that this comes in a wider design. This is a welcome detail for those whose wide feet will feel cramped inside New Balance’s narrower pair.

Verdict

With the features included in the 608v5 Cross Trainers, we certainly recommend this product. It’s a good place to start for beginners who just want to get a basic and versatile pair of shoes for running. Its simple design also makes it easy for you to wear, even for casual occasions. We don’t recommend using it every day, though, especially if you want to maximize the longevity of these shoes.

Another welcome addition would be more designs. Other models from other brands provide at least 12 different options to choose from. However, when compared with Champion’s cross trainers, six is definitely better than just having two selections.

Wrapping up this review, we give this pair a big thumbs up. Yet, before we part, allow us to give you one last tip. If you do decide to take home this pair, then we recommend that you go to an actual store and try out different shoes.

You can easily order a pair online if you know your proper shoe size, but because of its narrow fit, it would be best if you try them on for yourself and see how they feel when you put them on before paying for them.