When New Balance sent me this bright blue pair of the Fresh Foam 1080 v11 to kick off the month of March, I knew right away I was in for a treat just walking around in them. Light and springy on the feet, the Fresh Foam 1080 didn’t feel like many other maximal cushioning shoes I’ve tried before.
My first marathon shoe was the New Balance 1225 back in 2010, which I wore to bits. The last time I ran in a New Balance shoe was in 2017 when I reviewed the Vazee Prism. So I was really interested in experiencing the advancement of technology the years have brought to New Balance running shoes.
I started using these shoes with no preconceived notions about what they were for. I just laced up and did my thrice-weekly runs of varying speeds in them. Check out my vlog review below:
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 Specs
Based on what I’ve read about the 1080 v11, it’s quite similar with the v10. It retains the full-length Fresh Foam X midsole as well as the Hypoknit upper with “zonal stretch” areas to give your foot room to move in but stay locked down. Ultra Heel technology keeps the heel cupped in place without needing to use excessive amounts of foam and plastic. The differences are small, such as a change in the toe box to accommodate a wider forefoot, and better breathability and durability of the Hypoknit upper.
The shoe has an 8mm drop with a heel stack of 33mm, and weighs 247 grams (8.7 oz).
Not Just a Long-Run Shoe
What really surprised me about this shoe is how bouncy it is. Despite being just one midsole material instead of the combinations of foam, carbon plate, and air bubble I’ve been running in, the 1080 v11 put a lot of pop in my step for an everyday trainer.
They had great cushioning, but when I wanted to pick up the speed they were able to transfer the extra force I put into my stride into a faster pace. Because I’m trying to increase mileage, I definitely think the Fresh Foam 1080 v11 will be a great companion on my running journey.
I would have loved to take these shoes out on some different terrain like the rolling hills of Valle Verde or on the flat roads of Mall of Asia, but unfortunately since we’ve gone into one of the stricter lockdowns (Enhanced Community Quarantine) I’ve had to settle with running my little hamster path here at home.
If you’re the type of person who wants to use one kind of shoes for all your runs, the 1080 v11 will gladly do it all. I’ve always found New Balance shoes to be reliable and comfortable “daily drivers”, and the Fresh Foam 1080 v11 stays true to that brand promise.
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 retails for Php 6,595 at New Balance stores. For more information, follow @newbalancephilippines on Facebook and @newbalance on Instagram. Join the New Balance Viber community for deals on running gear from the safety of your home.
