New Balance Men's 1880v1 Walking Shoe

Product Information

The adidas adizero adios 6 is an excellent racing shoe for short-distance races, and so is the affordable Asics Hyper Speed. We currently do not have an opinion of the Nike ZoomX Streakfly as we haven’t run in them yet. For now, the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V2 is the next best thing if you want a comfortable and lightweight speed shoe. That being said, there are plenty of low-profile racers if you explore other brands. If this review was written a decade ago, premium neutral trainers like the New Balance 1080, Brooks Glycerin, Nike Vomero, and Asics Nimbus would have grouped in a single category. The outsole disappears into the midsole during runs, and that’s because of how the lugs are designed. The forefoot has soft and thin lugs which are separated by flex grooves. The heel and toe sections are reinforced with a harder rubber compound. And what of the recently launched Nike React Infinity Run 3? It has a cushioned React foam midsole, but its weak spot is the stiff heel stabilizer that creates a pressure spot under the arch. We’ll spend time discussing the finer points of the Infinity 3 in our upcoming review.

That’s no longer the case. The neutral running shoe landscape has evolved, and so have the shoes within this category. There’s a growing pressure on apparel brands to use environmentally-preferred manufacturing methods, so it’s good to see New Balance doing something about it. PROS AND CONS There’s plenty of reflectivity available for low-visibility running conditions – which has now become something of a rarity within the industry. COMPARISON: THE NEW BALANCE 1080V12 VERSUS 880V12For long-distance speed runs and races, it’s worth exploring the plate-assisted New Balance RC Elite V2 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 to rotate alongside the 1080V12. IS THE NEW BALANCE 1080 V12 DURABLE?

Like many running shoe brands, New Balance claims that the 1080 uses recycled and bio-based content. That’s what the ‘Green Leaf’ signifies. Six years ago, New Balance made a bold move by transitioning the 1080 series to the ‘Fresh Foam’ platform. Next up is the Hoka Clifton 8 – a familiar running shoe with tempo-friendly ride comfort. The Asics Nimbus Lite 3 isn’t bad either, and it feels slightly peppier than the standard Nimbus 24.A lifespan of 400 miles should be expected of the 1080 V12. The inherent stretch of the knit upper minimizes the chances of developing stress points, and the soft midsole sidewall poses a low risk of friction-induced damage. New Balance shoes have been around for what feels like forever. Solid and dependable, the brand has a reputation for shoes that guarantee stable and steady performance. The brand’s latest daily trainer is no exception, offering a highly padded shoe designed for longer hauls and daily runs. Enter the New Balance 880 v11–available in a lovely robin’s egg blue color–that’s consistent across 5ks and (half-)marathons alike. The New Balance 1080 V12 is a great example of running shoe evolution done right, but the process wasn’t without its fair share of hiccups. Despite the difference between the inner and outer midsole, the 1080V12 delivers a very neutral and supportive ride experience.