New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v11 Review
Soft Cushion With Long Haul Capacity
Likes
- Plush cushioning that delivers a smooth ride
- Comfy knit upper with a roomy forefoot
- Durable and grippy outsole
Dislikes
- Not a lot of perceived energy return
- Slight heel slippage
What's New
The New Balance 1080 v11 receives minimal updates from version 10. A new stretchy knit upper is designed to create an improved fit while the updated Ultra Heel construction offers a more secure hold to reduce slippage while running. If you ran in the v10, then the 1080 v11 will deliver everything you loved from the previous version like protective Fresh Foam X cushioning, a smooth ride that is well suited for daily runs, and durability that can withstand the test of time. Combine these attributes with a few new tweaks to the upper and you have an enhanced on-foot experience that will have you pushing for longer distances.
The Bottom Line
The 1080 is back with version 11, and the Fresh Foam X midsole once again delivers soft landings and a silky-smooth ride that runners have grown to expect from these daily trainers. A blown rubber outsole adds durability that works in combination with multiple flex grooves to create an flexible ride that can go the distance. The 1080 v11 is a reliable shoe that can be worn for a variety of training runs, but it is best suited for coasting on longer runs. The updates to the upper material and the addition of the new Ultra Heel design have improved the overall fit of the 1080 v11, which promises sustained comfort for miles. This classic New Balance trainer is an excellent choice for the runner who loved version 10 or those in the market for their next long-distance training shoe.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to narrow |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.3 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 30 mm (Heel), 22 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Built to meet the demands of everyday training, the 1080 v11 is soft and comfortable, especially for longer runs or recovery days when your body is barking for extra protection. Do not let its comfort fool you, as the 1080 v11 can also pick up the pace whenever you are feeling fit and ready to go. The Fresh Foam X midsole is well balanced and will deliver tremendous comfort for smooth sailing.
David: "Similar to the previous version, the 1080 v11 feels soft and plush underfoot at slower speeds, but firms up slightly at quicker paces to give you some responsiveness. The plushness works especially well on my slow days or recovery runs when I need a little more protection from the ground."
Becky: "The updated 1080 feels very soft upon initial step-in, for an exceptionally comfortable experience walking around. This shoe is one of the most comfortable shoes I own, perfect for easy running or when my feet are tired."
Justin: "The 1080 lives up to its reputation as a soft and comfortable daily trainer. I found there to be plenty of underfoot comforts and appreciated the softness during longer efforts."
Ride/Energy Returni
The New Balance 1080 v11 is better suited for longer efforts but does not scream speed (nor is it designed to). Although not as bouncy as other New Balance shoes, the Fresh Foam X midsole does infuse a lively little bounce to every stride that contributes to a smooth ride.
David: "While this shoe focuses more on softness than on energy return, it still offers a smooth and natural stride that reacts accordingly as you pick up the pace. It’s not as lively or responsive as New Balance’s Fuelcell cushioning, but the 8mm heel-toe drop and stacked cushioning provide a smooth ride mile after mile."
Becky: "This is a shoe I would use for easy-paced runs only. My feet feel like they kind of sink into the cushioning. While sort of bouncy, I found I ran slower in them with the same perceived effort as similar shoes in this category."
Justin: "I felt that the 1080 v11 had a little bit of responsiveness to it. Personally, it isn’t a versatile shoe for me, but I could see how others would use it across different runs."
Underfoot Protectioni
The Fresh Foam X midsole is stacked high and delivers reliable cushioning that will protect runners no matter the type of run. Combined with a blown rubber outsole that offers high-end durability, and you have a winning shoe with a top-notch underfoot experience you will want to run in over and over again.
David: "This shoe offers a high stack height and cushioned underfoot feel that protected my feet on the hard pavement or gravel. It’s geared more towards the heel or midfoot striker but can easily accommodate any footstrike."
Becky: "The 1080 v 11 would work well for marathon distance or shorter. It fits well into the daily trainer category and provides enough cushioning for runs of 20+ miles."
Justin: "There is plenty of protection in the 1080. The softness and bit of energy return definitely help this shoe provide a really solid experience for longer miles."
Flexibilityi
With plush cushioning in the heel and a noticeably firm forefoot, the 1080 v11 creates a smooth heel-to-toe transition. The slight flex underfoot further contributes to a seamless transition through the gait cycle that delivers an extra snap at toe-off that is perfect for easy-going long runs.
David: "For a high stack shoe, the 1080 v11 is quite flexible in the forefoot, which contributes to its smooth ride."
Becky: "The forefoot has a good amount of flex to it. It provides a smooth ride through the gait cycle."
Justin: "The 1080 doesn’t have a ton of flex. Most of the flexibility is within the forefoot. Granted, I felt that lack of flexibility paired well with the stability of the platform. For a soft shoe, the 1080 does seem to provide a touch of inherent stability."
Upper Supporti
Offering slight updates from the v10, the 1080 v11 upper redesign remains comfortable and roomy. The new Ultra Heel construction reduces irritation in the heel and also provides a secure lockdown that is great for distraction-free running. The upgraded fit of the 1080 is now more accommodating and will deliver sustained comfort to runners with a variety of foot shapes.
David: "I love the upper on this shoe. The forefoot has plenty of stretch knit material for toe splay, the midfoot is roomy and comfortable. The new heel also made it easy to slip on and off without causing any issues as I ran. I thought the last version was a bit too narrow in the midfoot, but this version corrected that issue."
Becky: "The upper is made of a very stretchy knit in the forefoot, but the foot is secured by a non-flexible wrap around the ankle. I think New Balance has done a nice job on the upper of the 1080 v11 as it can be difficult to get this material to fit right and feel secure without being restrictive."
Justin: "I really liked the upper fit in the forefoot. It was comfortable, breathable, and fit my foot very well. Also, I think the material on the upper is really enjoyable. All that said, I did have some issues. My first is with the band over the midfoot, which I believe is there to help with a lockdown on the midfoot, but I found myself desiring to cut it out. Although it was not overly intrusive while on the run, it bugged me every other time I put the shoe on. Despite that band, I still had some issues with heel slip. I was able to fix this with different lacing, but it did present some issues for me."
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X 1080
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080
Individual Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed running in the 1080 v11. The high stack height and plush cushioning made for soft landings and a smooth toe-off on every stride. The cushioning is also very forgiving to any type of footstrike, and I thought the 1080 v11 was a great selection for recovery runs, slow daily mileage, or cruising on long runs. This 1080 v11 fit like a dream thanks to the stretch knit upper design and no-fuss heel construction. I thought the midfoot was too narrow in the v10, but this issue has been fixed in version 11 as I thought the upper performed superbly. The new Ultra Heel design made the shoes easy to slip on and off and also prevented any Achilles irritation while running. As a larger runner, the 1080 v11 performed very well for me and I will continue to use it in my shoe rotation for my daily miles and my recovery runs. I highly recommend the 1080 v11 for runners seeking a highly cushioned and protective trainer that is comfortable to run in.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The New Balance 1080 v11 is a very comfortable and highly cushioned shoe best for daily training runs at slower paces. Although the Fresh Foam X midsole is supposed to provide an energetic rebound, I felt like I had to work hard to run at faster paces; much harder than I have to work in similar shoes in the daily training category. Overall, it looks great and feels great, and will continue to live in my rotation for easy miles.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The 1080 v11 lives up to its name as a protective and soft daily trainer, but I did have some issues with the fit. The midsole and outsole design of the shoe is excellent. It is plush and offers high-level comfort. I also felt it provided a surprising amount of inherent stability, which I appreciated during my test runs in the shoes. The ride is comfortable and cushioned for all distances. My issues are with the fit of the upper. More specifically, the fit through the heel and midfoot, which caused a bit of slippage (corrected with different lacing techniques), as well as tightness in the midfoot that was bothersome. For the right runner, the 1080 v11 is a really great shoe, but it did not quite work for me.
