New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12 Review (2023)
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12 is a very good reference for daily training that offers comfort and versatility.
Consensus
Read the review of the latest model in the series: New Balance 1080 v13!
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 is a star shoe for daily and easy runs. It offers a comfortable fit with protective cushioning that provides a good compromise between shock absorption and structure.
The stack is as high as ever, with 34 mm heel height and a heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm. The Fresh Foam X is not exceptionally responsive, and testers didn’t note any noticeable bounce. Still, the ride is smooth and enjoyable, especially for slow to moderate-speed sessions.
The main improvement (or backpedal) is the design of the heel counter. Runners had criticized it for its poor fit, so New Balance returns to a more classic shape to appease the (legitimately) disgruntled.
Finally, the 1080 v12 is still durable for daily training—it can take on long miles!
In summary, the NB 1080 v12 changes little and continues to be an excellent pick for everyday training. While not mind-blowing, it’s accessible and offers runners a comfortable and easy ride.
Please read our full review of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12 for more information.
- Comfortable cushioning that offers good protection
- Smooth and pleasant ride
- Sturdy shoe
- Precise lockdown
- High weight
- Lack of responsiveness
- It may be too loose for a narrow foot
Complete Review Analysis
Introduction
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 is the bestseller of the American brand. It’s a popular shoe for beginners and advanced runners looking for a comfortable model for most of their sessions.
However, after an acclaimed version 10, New Balance disappointed many runners by introducing a unique design in the heel (Ultra Heel) that caused discomfort for many runners (even pain and heel slippage in some cases).
So what’s this new model worth, and will it seduce again disappointed runners? That’s what we’ll find out in this detailed analysis.
Cushioning
The New Balance 1080v12 uses Fresh Foam X in its midsole.
This configuration provides a moderately soft underfoot feel (density is balanced). The high stack comes with more foam than the previous versions (34 mm in the heel, 26 mm under the toes). It offers excellent protection and isolates the foot from the ground perfectly. So it’s certainly not the model to feel the fresh asphalt under your feet!
As you can see in the photo below, the midsole texture is airy with laser engraving for a softer feel. This puts the 1080 between the 880 (firmer, traditional configuration) and the FF More (max cushion and even softer).
On the other hand, the platform is wider than the previous model. Unfortunately, the result is better stability at the price of more weight (291 g/10.3 oz, so that’s 21 g/0.7 oz more, ugh!). In comparison, its main competitor, the Saucony Ride 15, is only 250 g/8.8 oz! This is one of the main criticisms of the testers: the shoe is relatively heavy, which makes it unsuitable for fast paces.
Finally, the platform has a slight rocker geometry to make transitions easier.
What does all this add up to in terms of the ride? That’s what we’ll see below!
Foot lockdown (upper)
The breathable Hypoknit upper is soft and offers a focused structure with a flexible forefoot and a reinforced midfoot for precise lockdown. However, the shoe does feel loose, which may not be optimal if you have very narrow feet.
On the other hand, if you have wide feet, you will be pleased to find the 1080 v12 stretchy with good volume (including in the toe box) to accommodate your foot shape and size.
As mentioned in the introduction, the heel shape is more conventional than the 1080v11. The heel is tapered like a flame, but it’s not as long. The testers were satisfied with this return to a more traditional heel. They note that the lockdown is good without any discomfort or unpleasant flutter.
Next, the gusseted tongue is nice. This configuration wraps the top of the foot and prevents the tongue from slipping while running. The toe bumper is also sturdier to protect your toes and avoid tears in the mesh.
Overall, the new 1080 v12 has a more straightforward, more functional, forgettable design during exercise. Exactly what you want from a shoe!
Grip and durability
This part of the shoe changes the least from one version to the next. The pattern is almost identical to v10 with some Flex Zones to help the outsole move with the foot.
It combines blown rubber and firm rubber to balance durability, flexibility, and comfort.
According to testers, durability is good, with only minor signs of wear even after 100 miles.
Bonus point: 50% of the rubber is ecological following New Balance’s Green Leaf Standard. It’s not carbon-neutral yet but that’s a step in this direction.
Finally, the grip is also adequate, and the shoe holds up well on the road, even in rainy conditions.
Ride
With its bulky design and somewhat heavy weight, the NB 1080 v12 remains in line with the collection. It’s a comfortable shoe for longer runs with a slow to moderate pace.
The protective and comfortable cushioning is fun for daily runs and long distances.
The flexible platform and light rocker provide a comfortable ride with smooth transitions.
However, this NB 1080 doesn’t offer much energy return despite its easy and fun ride. Simply put, testers note that it’s not bouncy, and they were hoping for more from the Fresh Foam X midsole.
Overall, runners who have tested the shoe note that it’s an accessible and versatile model that makes it suitable for many scenarios, except for fast-paced workouts like uptempo (though there’s nothing to stop you from doing that).
Conclusion
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v12 stays true to itself. It has the same qualities that made the collection successful: comfort, high-stack cushion and protection, durability, and versatility for daily training and long runs.
The weak point of the v11 (poorly adjusted heel) is gone to the delight of the series’ fans, keeping this daily trainer super star relevant in 2022.
However, its high weight and unresponsive cushioning don’t make it as amazing as expected.
Comparisons
New Balance 1080 v11
The 1080 v12 is very similar to the previous version. The main change is the more classic heel shape to suit a wider range of runners. The v11 was a disappointment in this area so NB has rectified the issue.
The rest is very similar with a cushioned ride and a standard heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm. However, the feel is a bit softer and the platform is wider. Unfortunately, the v12 is about 0.7 oz/20 g heavier.
If the v11 was a good fit for you, you might try to find a pair during sales periods. If not, the v12 should be more appropriate with its new heel design.
New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12
The 880 v12 is less cushioned with a firmer ground feel. See the detailed comparison.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel stack height | 34 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 26 mm |
| Features | Heavyweight runners, wide foot |
| Weight (men) | 292 g/10.3 oz |
| Weight (women) | 249 g/8.8 oz |
| Release year | 2022 |
Cushioning
| Softness (1-5) | 3 – Moderate |
| Bounce (1-5) | 2 – Low |
Technologies
| Outsole | Rubber, blown rubber |
| Midsole | NB Fresh Foam X |
| Upper | Hypoknit |
Use
| Speed | Slow, moderate |
| Distance | Mid/long distances, 10k, half marathon, marathon |
| Workout |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The shoe runs true to size but it’s rather large. As a a result, it can be a bit big depending on your foot type. Some runners recommend going a half size down from your usual size. A trial run seems in order!
