Merrell Agility Peak 5 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Merrell Agility Peak 5

$160

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

€159.95

Quick verdict

Merrell Agility Peak 5

$160

The better pick if you want:

A lighter option (6 g less)
Deeper lugs for grip (5 vs 4.5 mm)

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

€159.95

The better pick if you want:

A higher overall score (88 vs 76)
More cushioning (42 vs 31 mm heel stack)
A lower drop (4 vs 6 mm)

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Merrell Agility Peak 5· leads in 2

LightnessGrip

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9· leads in 1

Cushioning

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
31 mm
42 mmTop 4%
Lightness
300 g
306 g
Grip
5 mmTop 13%
4.5 mmTop 25%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
4 mm
Affordability
$160
$160

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Merrell Agility Peak 5 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Best value in this comparisonOnly differences (15)

Essentials

$160

€159.95

2024

2025

300 g

306 g

Overview

Trail Running Shoe

Technical trails, varied surfaces

Trails and rugged terrain

Trail running, ultra-distances, rugged off-road routes

Trail running, hiking, and outdoor adventure

Cushioning

6 mm

4 mm

31 mm

42 mm

25 mm

38 mm

FloatPro™ foam for lightweight, enduring cushioning

Dual-density Fresh Foam X: plush top layer for comfort, firmer bottom layer for stability

—

High, plush stack for long days on the trail

Grip & protection

Vibram® MegaGrip rubber for superior wet & dry traction

Vibram® Megagrip with 4.5 mm Traction Lugs™ and micro-traction details

Rock plate underfoot and abrasion-resistant toe cap

Toe Protect layer against rocks, roots and debris

—

Broader, deeper lugs for grip on wet and dry terrain

Upper & fit

Breathable engineered mesh and TPU

Engineered mesh with protective overlays

50% recycled EVA foam with recycled mesh cover

—

Traditional lace closure with recycled laces and gaiter D-Ring

Gusseted tongue to keep out debris, traditional laces

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How Merrell Agility Peak 5 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 should behave on each kind of ground, estimated from lug depth, stack height, weight and outsole rubber. Pick a ground to see what decides it.

Pick a ground							Average
Merrell Agility Peak 5							64
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9							60

FlatPacked, runnable trail

Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.

Merrell Agility Peak 554

Cushioning24/40
Lightness13/35
Smooth roll17/25

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v973

Cushioning40/40
Lightness12/35
Smooth roll21/25

A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.

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Have you used the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 before?

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 10 video reviews

Merrell Agility Peak 5

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Merrell Agility Peak 5 and New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Comparison Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

Ask your own question

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Merrell Agility Peak 5 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9?

For value comparison: The Merrell Agility Peak 5 ($160) provides premium features compared to the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 ($160). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

Which is newer, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 or the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9?

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is newer: it came out in 2025, and the Merrell Agility Peak 5 in 2024.

Looking for alternatives to Merrell Agility Peak 5?

Closest in price, with what each one does better.

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INOV-8 Mudtalon Zero V2

INOV-8

$160Score 87+11

Better than Merrell Agility Peak 5 at:

A higher overall score (87 vs 76)
A lighter option (58 g less)
A lower drop (0 vs 6 mm)

Compare with Merrell Agility Peak 5

Asics Blazeblast

Asics

$160Score 86+10

Better than Merrell Agility Peak 5 at:

A higher overall score (86 vs 76)
A lighter option (48 g less)
More cushioning (43 vs 31 mm heel stack)

Compare with Merrell Agility Peak 5

INOV-8 Trailtalon

INOV-8

$160Score 86+10

Better than Merrell Agility Peak 5 at:

A higher overall score (86 vs 76)
A lighter option (24 g less)

Compare with Merrell Agility Peak 5

Popular Comparisons

Compare Merrell Agility Peak 5 or New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 with other top trail running shoes from brands such as Merrell, New Balance and more.

Shoes

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Merrell Agility Peak 5· leads in 2

LightnessGrip

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9· leads in 1

Cushioning

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
31 mm
42 mmTop 4%
Lightness
300 g
306 g
Grip
5 mmTop 13%
4.5 mmTop 25%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
4 mm
Affordability
$160
$160

Pick a ground

Average

Merrell Agility Peak 5

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Merrell Agility Peak 5 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Merrell Agility Peak 5

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Quick verdict

Spec profile