Our verdict
Pros
- Protective Wei
- Lively ride
- Smooth transitions
- Stable when cornering
- Comfy upper
- Durable outsole
- Welcomes wide feet
- For heavy runners
- Grippy on snow, slush, and slick surfaces
- No lace bites
- Sudadera gris y rosa "Romantic Choice" exclusiva en ASOS de New Balance
- An eye-catcher
Cons
- Trainers NEW BALANCE ML574ER2 Dark Red
- concepts new balance 992 low hanging fruit
- Questionable breathability
Sudadera gris y rosa "Romantic Choice" exclusiva en ASOS de New Balance | Audience verdict
- Top 26% in new balance 920 made in england uk year of the
- zapatillas de running New Balance constitución ligera minimalistas New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
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Audience score | 87 Great! | 88 Great! | 86 Great! | 87 Great! | |
Price | $160 | $150 | $110 | $165 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight labWeight brand | 10.1 sale new balance 574 m574 ml574olg blue white red10.3 oz / 292g | 10.6 oz / 301g10.6 oz / 301g | 9.7 oz / 276g10.7 oz / 302g | 9.3 oz / 264g9.2 oz / 261g | |
Drop labDrop brand | 3.3 mm8.0 mm | 4.6 mm4.0 mm | 4.5 mm6.0 mm | 5.6 mm6.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Soft | Soft | Very soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Toebox durability | - | Very bad | Bad | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | - | - | Very good | Good | |
Outsole durability | - | - | Decent | Very good | |
Breathability | - | Bad | Good | Very good | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Toebox width at the big toe | - | Average | Average | Average | |
Stiffness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Average | Average | Very small | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Average | Flexible | Rigid | Flexible | |
Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Average | Stiff | |
Rocker | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | |
Heel labHeel brand | 26.9 mm34.0 mm | 32.5 mm35.0 mm | 33.7 mm33.5 mm | 34.1 mm37.0 mm | |
Forefoot labForefoot brand | 23.6 mm26.0 mm | 27.9 mm31.0 mm | 29.2 mm27.5 mm | 28.5 mm31.0 mm | |
Widths available | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | NormalWideX-Wide | NormalWide | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Winter | Winter | Summer | Summer | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #83 Top 34% | #75 Top 31% | #124 Bottom 49% | #102 Top 42% | |
Popularity | #190 Bottom 22% | #61 Top 25% | #126 Bottom 48% | #122 Top 50% |
Who should buy it
Take the Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 from New Balance if you're looking for a:
- highly Weied daily trainer New Balance M997 White
- running shoes for easy to moderate Haze or progressive runs (where you start easy and finish fast)
Who should NOT buy it
Those with narrow feet can have a more locked-in fit with the NB 880 v11 instead of the NB 1080 v12. And if you're looking for a true tempo speedster that won't weigh you down, we suggest getting the New Balance X-Racer Utility Black Mirage.
Sudadera gris y rosa "Romantic Choice" exclusiva en ASOS de New Balance | New Balance Animal Pack vs. v11
- Gone is the "dreaded" UltraHeel design (less padding) in this iteration. For a comfier, more locked-in heel hold, it has more padding in the rear.
- To have a stickier grip, the twelfth version has larger lugs.
- New balance 57 40 team royal orange shoes m5740dc1.
Surprisingly low drop (not as advertised)
We have measured the heel drop to be 3.3 mm instead of the advertised 8 mm!
This means that the advertised stack heights (both forefoot and heel) were not confirmed in the lab as well and we covered that just below.
Mellows out the impact
As a more Weied sibling to the NB 880, the NB 1080 v12 kills it when it comes to protection. Even when pounding hard and heavy miles on the pavement, our feet never felt strained.
This is quite surprising given that on paper, this NB shoe's midsole is not the thickest one. Using a caliper, we measured the forefoot stack height at 23.6 mm and the heel stack at 26.9 mm.
If more the new balance 990v1 and 990v2 are still available at patta NB Fresh Foam X More v4 (stack height: 32.5 mm/27.9 mm).
Stays soft in cold weather
On average, shoes get 21% stiffer after being exposed to cold in our lab (20 mins in the freezer). What's surprising about the FF 1080 v12 is that, even after the cold, it is still soft: it goes from 12.5 HA to 16 HA on our durometer.
For reference, the average midsole softness of shoes at room temperature is 29.8 HA. So, even after the freezer, the v12 is about 2x softer than other shoes at room temp.
The same applies to flexibility. Even though FF 1080 v12 scored 51.5% when the average difference between the flexibility at room temp and after freezer exposure is 33.3%, the start and end numbers still make this a flexible shoe. Even in cold temperatures!
A little less weight would do
Although it has a bit of responsiveness for a quick change in pace and a fun ride, we still think that it's not the best choice for fast runs. When placed head to head with lighter shoes like the junya watanabe x new balance low top sneakers item, NB Fresh Foam X 1080 pales in comparison because of its bottom-heavy design.
New Balance FF 1080 v12 is very soft
We LOVE the overall softness that is noticeable momentarily at the step-in. And the fact that it's not a mushy or unstable kind of soft.
The lab numbers confirm it: this is one of the softest shoes we have ever tested! In the durometer measurements, the midsole at the heel scored 12.5 HA which is a crazy 90% softer than average!
Perfect for night runs
Look at it shine!
Smooth like butter
The heel-to-toe transitions are A-OK! A slight rocker in the midsole allowed for pretty quick turnovers in this NB shoe.
We believe that transitions felt softer and smoother also because there is no full-length outsole and the rubber is separated into pods.
The new upper slays!
The NB Fresh Foam X 1080 v12's new Hypoknit upper is unlike other knitted uppers. It feels premium and extra soft and doesn't cause any rubbing or abrasion. We think that you can even go sockless quite comfortably in this upper. There is also a bit of stretch to it, which feels very accommodating.
The heel only takes this feeling up a notch as it has more padding now than the v11. If you weren't a fan of the past version's elf collar, it's going to be a welcome update. It eliminates the digging sensation of the last edition.
Experience a slip-free run
Apart from the comfort it delivers, the upper also generates a locked-in foothold that inspires confidence even when cornering. And with the heel's more padded design, the heel clutch has been nothing but awesome.
We found that there's no need to lace lock this shoe at all.
Wide feet won't feel constricted in the Fresh Foam X 1080 v12
It's very roomy and accommodating upfront; it doesn't feel tight even when the foot starts to swell.
Looking at the numbers though, the forefoot is 97.0 mm wide. This is just about regular fit.
Hit-or-miss breathability
The 1080 v12 has fairly average breathability. It didn't make our feet awfully sweaty on a summer run but it also wasn't the most well-ventilated.
Tongue that protects
Speaking of tongue, the Fresh Foam X 1080 has just the right amount of padding. It is well-padded and holds the foot very securely. It also protects the instep from tight lacing.
Using a caliper, we measured the tongue's thickness at 3.6 mm thick. Much thinner than the average: 6 mm.
Traction is solid on New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12
For a road shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12's grip is exceptional. On snow, slush, wet, and dry pavement, the outsole remains tacky. What's more, the lugs don't store rocks and pebbles.
For the long haul
It's not just great for long miles, it also lasts long. After 30 miles of heavy wear testing, we barely saw any wear on the outsole!
Hey there, good lookin'
Last but not least, we think that the 1080 v12 nails it in the style department. The vibrant colorways really make this NB shoe a standout. Get ready for the praises from onlookers!