You’re going to think I’m insane (and you’re not necessarily wrong), but I tried versions 10-12 of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 and returned each of them. Despite now looking severely outdated (as happens with shoes), v10 of the shoe caught my eye, and held it even after I returned the shoe. I wanted to love it, but the heel just didn’t work with my foot strike. Each step just felt awkward. I was about to give up on the shoe, but then v13 arrived. The neutral shoe’s overhaul offers one of the softest rides on the roads, but is it too soft? Find out in this New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 review.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 Review
Weight: 9.2 oz (262 grams) US M9 | 7.3 oz (206 grams) US W8
Stack Height: 38 mm/32 mm (6 mm drop)
Price: $165
What’s new?
- New variation of Fresh Foam X
- Significant drop in weight
- More breathable, comfortable upper
Firstly, a new version of Fresh Foam X cushioning arrives, providing an absolutely dreamy ride for fans of softer shoes. Secondly, the shoe’s lighter, comfier, and responsiver—wait, that’s not a word—more responsive. V13 has been my go-to shoe after recovering from my fall marathon. But, it’s not solely an easy day shoe; it’s a stellar daily trainer suitable for a variety of paces. But, just don’t lace it up on speed day.
Ride
Right off the bat, the shoe’s soft ride reminds me of the excellent ASICS Gel-Nimbus 25, one of my favorites of 2023. Fans of firmer shoes may not take a liking to this one. “Firm” is the last word I would use to describe the ride. Actually, the word “firm” would never even be used to describe this shoe. Yet, it’s not too squishy like other softer shoes. While there’s definitely a noticeable “sinking in” sensation upon landing, the shoe doesn’t hold me back. It’s got enough bounce to offset it. I far prefer this 1080 to New Balance’s MORE v4 or the 880.
While not designed for a lactate threshold, VO2 max, or any other speed work, it’s easier than you’d think to accelerate in. I did 15 strides of 20 seconds per stride, and it was an absolute breeze. I wanted to keep going after each 20-second interval.
As much as I enjoy the ride, I hesitate to take it on longer runs. I prefer a foam with more resilience when running 12+ miles.
Midsole
As mentioned, the star of this shoe is the new version of Fresh Foam X. And, with a 38/32 mm stack height, you’ve got plenty of it! Fresh Foam X was already one of the best foams in the game, but this version is certainly the best I’ve tried by far.
Upper
On the shoe’s top floor, there’s a engineered mesh upper featuring a snug, “second skin fit for a structured, supportive feel.” The second-skin style mesh upper is very supportive and I had absolutely no issues getting a secure lockdown. Even with the snug upper, it’s quite breathable. Just like the Gel-Nimbus 25, it’s got one of the comfiest uppers on the market.
Outsole
The Ndurance rubber outsole is built for increased durability in high wear areas. There’s ample rubber coverage and, like most New Balance shoes, I expect the pair to go the distance for at least 400 miles, and probably more.
Weight
I’m pleasantly surprised New Balance was able to shed a whole ounce from the v12. The weight dropped from 10.3 oz to an impressive 9.2 oz for Men’s size 9. That’s more than a whole ounce! That’s an ounce and a tenth of an ounce! See, I’m not so bad at numbers after all; take that, my former math teachers!
Design
Blah. Honestly, black and white is the only colorway I’d choose for this shoe. The rest of the colorways offer up some of the most boring, uninspiring looks I’ve seen lately. Yes, I recognize that black and white is typically the most boring, uninspiring colorway to choose, but I’ve always had a soft spot for it. Like a certain Batman villain, you could say I was born in the dark, molded by it. Beyond the colorways, the design of the shoe is stylish enough.
Price
I’m just going to say it: The dollar amount of a running shoe should never end in a 5. It just looks awkward. This shoe should be $160 instead of $165. Sure, it’s only 5 dollars, but, as the price of shoes (and everything) continues to escalate, there’s got to be a breaking point. I won’t be surprised when this shoe, and others like it, go for $170 next year. It’s available for purchase at Running Warehouse.
Conclusion
New Balance has said for years, if they only made one running shoe, it’d be the 1080 because of its versatility. I never understood that claim until v13; it’s one of my favorite shoes of 2023. If I had to choose one New Balance shoe, it’d be the 1080. If New Balance only made this shoe, they’d still be a hell of a shoe company. Fortunately, they make many, and that’s why they’re continually at the top of their game and at the top of the shoe sales charts.
And I’m sure if they somehow released an album, it would rise to the top of the music charts. They’ve already got Jack Harlow signed, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to collab on one. I don’t get the obsession with Jackman (yes, that’s his real name), but to each their own questionable music tastes. Lord knows I’ve sure got my own.
I purchased the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v13 with my money, and New Balance had no input or influence on what I wrote. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
