Sponsored by Zappos. All opinions are my own.
Looking for a sleek-looking, ultra-cushioned running shoe that feels light enough for fast running? The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 falls within this category. Throughout my review of almost every brand of running shoes, I have found that many are trying their hardest to create and market an all-around shoe—one that’s good for any type of run. As ideal as this sounds, it’s not that easy to do. Shoes designed for speed work should be light and made with materials that respond quickly to our foot strike, which means they are not meant to last very long. Styles made for long runs or even every day running are made with heavier material that cushions the foot well. These will last longer and feel more comfortable in general, but will definitely feel bulky during speed work and limit fast paces.
My first impression of the Fresh Foam 1080v10 was how energetic the color options were. There is no better way to get into the running mood than to slip on a pair of bright-colored kicks! Zappos offers so many great colors for this style, but I chose the Lemon Slush, since it was the brightest. As a Rewards Member, you get free returns for 365 days, so if you aren’t satisfied or want a different color once your shoes arrive, you don’t have to pay to send them back! I’ve been a member for a while now and truly feel that Zappos provides the best and most knowledgeable customer service on top of super fast (and free!) shipping.
Comfort on a Different Level
By ‘different’ I mean not just cushioned and light. The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 literally feels like a sock—hugs your feet and stays put with soft materials. Unlike some lightweight running shoes that are made of plastics and rubber, the 1080v10 is made of Fresh Foam X in the midsole. This is an improvement from the previous version of the shoe, which was still plush, but this time the creators made an even softer update. To add to the comfort level, this shoe truly locks into place. I felt it mostly in the heel, which I personally usually have issues where it’s difficult to get my shoes to tighten enough to cup my heel securely. I read about this heel-lock fit before trying the shoes, so I anticipated it, but it did actually feel ultra-secured in place.
The upper of the Fresh Foam 1080v10 has a bootie construction, which feels like a soft, light compression around the top of the foot. By no means is this compression tight or uncomfortable, but instead the opposite—flexible during all motions of my foot during runs. I tend to get mild swelling in my feet after hour+ long runs, which causes my shoe laces to get loose, while the actual upper of the shoe feels tight during the second half of the workout. After trying the 1080v10 for a 15-mile long run, 10-mile tempo and hill workout, and 60 minute easy run, I found that although my feet still swelled, the shoe did not feel tight and the laces did not loosen up at all. This was a result of the flexible Hypoknit upper material.
Put Speed to the Test
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 were made for a comfortable ride, but feel like a speed shoe with the new updates. I was fortunate enough to try the previous version, so am able to compare. The 1080v9 were definitely made for comfort—very well cushioned and supportive. These were one of my main go-to pairs for easy runs and medium long runs at easy pace. This newest version is definitely an upgrade and I would consider these a great option for tempo runs and maybe even track sessions, although I haven’t tried them for runs faster than my marathon goal pace.
The weight dropped significantly between the two—by a whopping 1.5 ounces. The 8.4 ounce (women’s) 1080v10 is made with less rubber and more of the lightweight Hypoknit material. Combined with the new Fresh Foam X, which gives the shoe more rebound with every step, this updated version of the 1080 is definitely made for fast running. So far, on two different tempo runs I truly felt much lighter on my feet with less fatigue when I was finished, compared to when I ran with its predecessor. I was switching around between a couple of other pairs for my speed sessions, but I’m happy I was able to try out the New Balance 1080v10—my new favorites for fast training runs!