New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12

Review Score
85%
🏅 Highly Rated
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12: Review

“A comfortable cruiser for high-mileage runs.”

Overview


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is a high-end running shoe designed for daily running on road terrain. This shoe is part of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 family and is known for its maximalist design and neutral support, making it ideal for runners with neutral pronation and high arches.

Key Features:

  • Fresh Foam Midsole: Provides excellent cushioning and energy return for each stride.
  • Hypoknit Upper: Ensures a glove-like fit and refined support.
  • Flexible Outsole: Features extra flex grooves in the forefoot area for enhanced flexibility.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize comfort and cushioning for their everyday training. Its breathable and well-ventilated design offers a comfortable running experience, making it suitable for high-mileage runs.

With an average review score of 85%, it's in the highest rated 30% of similar running shoes. Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just above the median price of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is a top-tier running shoe that excels in providing a comfortable and cushioned ride for everyday training. Its Fresh Foam midsole offers excellent energy return, while the Hypoknit upper ensures a snug and supportive fit. The shoe's outsole is designed with extra flex grooves in the forefoot area, enhancing its flexibility and making it a great option for running on road terrain. However, it may not be the best fit for runners with narrow feet or those seeking a shoe for fast runs. Overall, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 offers a high level of comfort, optimal energy return, and a stylish design, making it a solid choice for high-mileage runners.

Updates to New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 does not feature radical changes from its predecessor, the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11. The main updates are aesthetic, with an expanded colour palette. However, the shoe does present certain improvements and interesting details to enhance the running experience, such as a more flexible outsole design with extra flex grooves in the forefoot area.

9 New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 Pros & Cons


5 Pros

Excellent cushioning and energy return from Fresh Foam midsole.
Comfortable and supportive fit from Hypoknit upper.
Flexible outsole design with solid traction.
Suitable for high-mileage runs.
Stylish and eye-catching design.

4 Cons

May not be suitable for runners with narrow feet.
Not the best choice for fast runs.
Slightly heavier design.
Average breathability.

In Depth


Upper

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 features a Hypoknit upper that provides a glove-like fit and refined support. This breathable and knit upper ensures a comfortable and slip-free run, making it ideal for daily running. However, the shoe's wide design may not be suitable for runners with narrow feet.

Midsole

The shoe's midsole is equipped with New Balance's Fresh Foam technology, offering excellent cushioning and energy return with each stride. This Fresh Foam midsole remains soft in cold weather, providing excellent impact protection and making the shoe suitable for high-mileage runs.

Outsole

The outsole of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 features a flexible design with extra flex grooves in the forefoot area. This design enhances the shoe's flexibility and provides solid traction on various surfaces, making it a great option for running on road terrain.

Size/fit

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 offers a comfortable and accommodating fit, thanks to its Hypoknit upper and wide design. However, runners with narrow feet may find the fit too loose. The shoe also features a wide toe box, allowing for natural toe splay during runs.

Comfort

Runners have praised the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 for its high level of comfort. The shoe's Fresh Foam midsole and Hypoknit upper work together to provide a cushioned and comfortable ride, making it ideal for long-distance runs and everyday training.

Who should buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12?


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is a great choice for runners who prioritize comfort and cushioning for their daily training. It's also suitable for those with high arches and neutral pronation. Runners who prefer running on road terrain will appreciate the shoe's flexible outsole and solid traction.

Who should not buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12?


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 may not be the best fit for runners with narrow feet due to its wide design. It's also not the best choice for those seeking a shoe for fast runs, as its maximalist design and slightly heavier weight may hinder speed.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12: What's it good for?


The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is good for high-mileage runs and everyday training on road terrain. Its comfortable and cushioned design makes it suitable for long-distance runs.

4 New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 FAQs


Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 suitable for high-mileage runs?

Yes, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is suitable for high-mileage runs. Its Fresh Foam midsole provides excellent cushioning and energy return, making it ideal for long-distance runs.

Does the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 offer a wide fit?

Yes, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 offers a wide fit, thanks to its Hypoknit upper and wide design. However, it may not be suitable for runners with narrow feet.

What type of terrain is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 best for?

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is best for road terrain. Its flexible outsole design provides solid traction on various surfaces, making it a great option for road running.

What is the heel to toe drop of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12?

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 has a heel to toe drop of 8 mm.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 alternatives

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priceBand
Price band
similarity
Similarity
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released
Released
Apr 2022
Feb 2018Feb 2018
expertReviewScore
Expert Review Score












Weight
Weight
M: 292 g
W: 249 g
M: 346 g
W: 295 g
M: 312 g
W: 278 g
M: 238 g
W: 196 g
M: 238 g
W: 198 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
26 mm
M: 24 mm
W: 23 mm
M: 21 mm
W: 20 mm
18 mm
13 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
10 mm
12 mm
10 mm
8 mm
Heel
Heel
34 mm
M: 34 mm
W: 33 mm
M: 33 mm
W: 32 mm
28 mm
21 mm
Usages
Usages
Daily running
Daily runningDaily runningDaily runningDaily runningSpeed trainingDaily running
Brand
Brand
New Balance
VivobarefootadidasPUMANikeNike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
BreathableLow dropMaximalist
BarefootLow dropMinimalistZero dropComfortableMaximalistMaximalistBreathableLightweightBreathableLightweight
Adidas
Adidas
Orthotic friendly
Orthotic friendly
Removable insole
Removable insole
Techs
Techs
New Balance Fresh Foam
4Dadidas 4D
Nike FlyknitNike React
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableVegan ⓋSustainable
0

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12: what the experts say (2 reviews)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12: 3 Expert video reviews

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12: 1 Manufacturer video

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+1943)
TerrainRoad (+1316)
UsagesDaily running (+1122)
BrandNew Balance (+113)
Support TypeNeutral (+1523)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1503)
Strike TypeFore/Midfoot strike (+1079)Heel strike (+1155)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1450)
Shoe TypeBreathable (+346)Low drop (+281)Maximalist (+519)
FitMedium toe box (+843)Wide toe box (+333)
FeaturesBreathable (+964)
MaterialsKnit (+198)Reflective (+131)
TechsNew Balance Fresh Foam (+56)
ColorwaysBlack, Black / Marigold, Black / Multi, Black / Pixel Green / Purple, Black / Purple, Black Thunder / Violet Haze, Black Thunder White, Blacktop / Black / Copper Metallic, Blacktop / Green Aura / Blue, Blue Nb Navy Blue Haze
Specificationsvs Average
Model
v12
Released
Apr 2022
Measurements
Weight
M: 292 g
W: 249 g
Heel to toe drop
8 mm
Heel
34 mm
Forefoot
26 mm

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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