My favorite off-roading shoe has a $33 discount—snap it up before they're all sold out

The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 is one of my favorite walking shoes, and it's reduced at REI

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
(Image credit: Future/Lou Mudge)

I test walking shoes for Fit&Well's best walking shoes guide and I've been keeping my eyes peeled for discounts on my favorite shoes as we head into sales season, to see if I can spot anything worth your time. I've spotted the men's version of the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8, my pick of the best walking shoe for grip, currently reduced by 21% at REI.

New Balance produces comfortable, well-designed shoes and I've never rated one below a four out of five stars.

The Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 is designed for off-road running but I found it's a great all-round shoe with superior grip. They're my favorite walking shoes for off-road walks, but are also great to keep you upright on slick concrete.

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8: was$150,now $117.93 at REI

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8: was $150, now $117.93 at REI

Save 21% on these sturdy walking shoes from New Balance. This deal is only available on the men's shoe in the orange and yellow Neo Flame colorway, but at $33 cheaper than usual, it's a good deal. If you're not ready to buy just yet, hang on until Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday to see if a better deal arrives.

If you're looking for a shoe that can comfortably carry you both on a countryside ramble and an inner-city wander, the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 is worth looking at.

When testing these shoes, I liked the extra toe protection from the toe cap, which goes higher up the side of the foot than in most shoes I've tested.

These shoes are also winners if you're looking for a shoe with a more structured upper, but still want some flexibility. My main bugbear with highly-structured hiking shoes is that they tend to be heavy, rigid and compress my feet. While this can be helpful to stop your ankles rolling on uneven terrain, I much prefer soft uppers that flex with my foot. The Fresh Foam X Hierro v8 offers a middle ground. Your ankles are suitably supported, but your foot can still flex, making the Hierro v8 both comfortable and practical.

Lou Mudge
Fitness Writer

Lou Mudge is a Health Writer at Future Plc, working across Fit&Well and Coach. She previously worked for Live Science, and regularly writes for Space.com and Pet's Radar. Based in Bath, UK, she has a passion for food, nutrition and health and is eager to demystify diet culture in order to make health and fitness accessible to everybody.

Multiple diagnoses in her early twenties sparked an interest in the gut-brain axis and the impact that diet and exercise can have on both physical and mental health. She was put on the FODMAP elimination diet during this time and learned to adapt recipes to fit these parameters, while retaining core flavors and textures, and now enjoys cooking for gut health.