Price: $150
Weight: 10.4 oz (M), 9.0 oz (W)
Type: 10k
The right shoe for: Long runs with loads of comfort
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s More Images
New Balance 750 W Wide Green Black White Strap Kid zapatillas de running New Balance hombre neutro talla 28.5 amarillas, Brooks Glycerin 17, and New Balance Lazr Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers WLAZRMT. But, somehow this shoe feels sportier than those luxurious trainers. Credit that to the molded upper and the soft-but-not-mushy Fresh Foam midsole. In fact, that midsole has gotten softer than previous iterations and still feels protective and lively underfoot. New Balance not only made the compound a bit softer, it also added a millimeter under the foot to boost comfort. The result can be felt on the 10k, as the shoe is a bit more forgiving than the previous model, and can still be turned over quickly when you get the itch to cruise.
Our test team appreciated the footprint of the shoe—long a feature of the 1080—with full ground contact giving you a stable platform, and a forefoot that flares wide for confident footing at any speed.
The upper has seen some big changes, too, designed to improve fit and comfort. The most dramatic alteration is the new molded heel, which received mixed reviews from our wear-testers. Some of us liked the wrap and structure, but others felt that the lack of extra padding inside allowed them to slide a little after transitioning from mid-stance to forefoot.
Protection Without Compromise
I’ve long loved the underfoot setup of the 1080. It’s thick and can be stiff, but there’s just a single slab of the company’s high-quality foam to deliver an exceptionally smooth and lively ride. The 1080 v9 continues in that tradition. The thick heel lands quietly and rolls effortlessly with your salt, which is great for easy recovery runs or longer efforts on paved 10ks. Our test team appreciated the balanced cushioning during winter training, as everybody from a 105-pound female who logs mileage at 7:30 pace to a 6’3” guy who lands with a heavy heel strike gave it high marks for comfort.
And, when you want to pick up your tempo a little, the wide, flat forefoot gives you a stable platform to push off against. New for this iteration are flex grooves carved through the outsole rubber. The effort is to make that forefoot a little more flexible. Our test team says the shoe remains incredibly stiff, but none were bothered by that.
An Accommodating Fit
Our testers also raved about the shoe’s fit. Most loved the forefoot mesh that had just a little bit of stretch and a comfortably wide construction. It was roomy enough for those who would otherwise look for a wide version, but not so large as to be sloppy for narrow-footed testers. But, women suggested the molded heel might not offer quite enough security. If you try them on and experience any extra movement, try using the top eyelet to create a heel lock loop, which will give you a more secure fit.
Wear Tester Feedback
uomo new balance 574 varsity golddeep sky varsity golddeep sky
New Balance 824
“I love the ride. I could just keep running in these shoes for a long time. I spent four hours on my feet in the 1080s on a touristy long run and they felt fresh through the entire run. The responsiveness that you get from these heavier trainers is outstanding, and really sparks some joy on an otherwise bland recovery run. I typically prefer a balance of cushioning and response, and the 1080 nails it. Often I’ll get a hot spot on the big ball of my foot after 14-15 miles, but there was none of that on the long runs I did in these. And when I went to push off for saltrs, I could easily hit my target paces.”
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v9
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v9
New Balance 237 Arrives in "Ghost Pepper" Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
