The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is a highly cushioned daily trainer with ample cushioning that feels soft, comfy, and light on your feet. Designed for pretty much all fans of fitness, it’s a shoe that can handle leisurely and speedier runs and more. Sabi Phagura decided to take a closer look.

Upon opening the box and taking the trainer in my hand, I first noticed how light it felt despite the thick midsole, weighing in at just 206 grams.

I prefer to walk in my trainers for at least half an hour before I run; while doing this, it was hard to ignore how light they felt. Another plus was the shoe was true to size for me (which is always the first hurdle for me to overcome due to my wide feet), and there was plenty of wriggle room in the toe box.

The shoe has been touted as an all-around trainer suitable for both slow long runs and short sharp sprints for when you want to increase speed during training. I do both to shake up my fitness regime.

My first session was a slow and steady run. I felt the same bounce underfoot as I did when walking in them, and my legs felt light. It was as if I were gliding.

Following this, I decided a short, sharp sprint was in order – up a hill, no less. Again, it gave me that extra boost from the cushioning to propel myself forward from one foot to another.

From the landing to the push-off, the trainer gave me the support and stability I needed, and I must add that the elevated height I got from the trainer’s heel helped me get up that hill a tad easier.

The construction technology
The upper seems to be all about elevating comfort on this shoe. It’s made of a soft knit mesh that helps the foot breathe while allowing air to penetrate through if the feet need airing after a few miles of running.

The midsole is what the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is all about. The midsole foam with approximately 3 per cent bio-based content delivers the most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort.

The Bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint. The Ndurance rubber outsole is built for increased durability in high-wear areas. The shoe has a 6mm drop.

The stiffer forefront on the Fresh Foam X has been designed to give the runner a faster transition from heel to toe. And it’s precisely this technology which gives that ‘bouncy’ walking or that ‘running on a cloud’ feeling. It’s probably why the run up the hill felt easier than when wearing my current trainer.

However, if you don’t have good balance, some users may find this shoe less stable, especially if you’re performing one-leg balances as part of your warm-up or, indeed, taking on tight corners during a run. Other than that, you shouldn’t feel this shoe is a hindrance whether you are walking, running or sprinting in them.

Verdict
There’s no doubt in my mind that the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is ideal for the daily trainer as well as the one who prefers to run marathons. It’s a stylish, unassuming go-to shoe for tempo runs, speed workouts, or fast-finishing long runs.

For me, it’s the versatility that makes the Fresh Foam X a good all-round training shoe for so many. The foam compound paired with increased midsole stack heights provides a comfortable run, regardless of distance. It’s a shoe that will undoubtedly make its mark in this era where max-cushioned shoes are currently king.

Fresh Foam X 1080v13 – Where and How?

The Fresh Foam X 1080v13 costs £160 and is available to purchase now from newbalance.co.uk.

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