#NEW BALANCE FRESH FOAM SERIES#
I guess the 880 Series has always used dual-density foam, which makes the shoes different from the 1080s, but given how close they are in price, I'd probably opt-in for the latter if I were given a choice. It's not bothersome to have two different densities, but in all honesty, I don't see the point in having a dual-density foam when the singular version works perfectly fine. That said, I found the dual-density foam less smooth than the Fresh Foam X 1080v12, which uses only the Fresh Foam X underfoot. The cushioning system of the Fresh Foam X 880v12 works well, and I enjoyed the flexibility it had to offer: I could go at whatever speed I wanted, and the shoes were there to support me. (Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3) New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Running performance The padding around said collar holds the shoes in place – however, don't expect excellent heel lockdown from the Fresh Foam X 880v12.Īs for weight, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 weighs 329 grams (men's UK size 10), slightly heavier than the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 24 but lighter than the Under Armour HOVR Machina 3, the latter which also has a dual-density foam. Step-in comfort is also excellent the collar opens up nicely, making it easy to slip into the shoes. The plush, engineered mesh upper is infused with strategic zones of breathability and support and feels spacious – but definitely not in the wrong way. Thankfully, the Fresh Foam X 880v12 is as comfy as it needs to be. After all, these are the type of shoes you put on if you want to get away from the firmness of the ASICS METASPEED EDGE+ and the likes. It would be pretty terrible if shoes such as the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 wouldn't be comfortable. If you’re looking for something more exciting for race day, I’d check out the New Balance RC Elite v2, which is on our list of best carbon fiber running shoes.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3) New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Fit If you’re looking to spend less, I’d opt for the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, which has also received some big improvements and is $40 cheaper than the New Balance 1080v12. That said, the sizing is a little wild, and I’d definitely recommend going down half a size to avoid being in a too-big, clunky running shoe. The 1080v12 is a huge improvement on the v11, and hopefully the molded heel is gone for good. The shoes are comfortable enough to wear on long runs, responsive enough to wear on race day, and the Fresh Foam has enough snap to cope with speedier training sessions. If you don’t fancy forking out hundreds of dollars on two pairs of running shoes, the 1080v12 will meet most of your training needs.
The downside is that the 1080v12 is a little heavier than previous iterations of the shoe, although this could be down to the sizing issues. It’s a brilliant example of what you’d expect from an everyday running shoe and a reminder that you don’t need multiple running shoes in your closet to train well for a race. It’s a good, durable running shoe, that could easily be worn for anything from a 5K to a marathon.
Until now, I’ve never really understood the hype with the New Balance 1080, but with the v12, I finally get why this shoe has such a dedicated following.