MIDSOLE

This midsole of this design is composed of New Balance’s proprietary Fresh Foam cushioning that offers a springy and responsive ride that’s plush but doesn’t muddy your gait cycle.

What makes their Fresh Foam midsole unique is that it uses plush EVA foam that is molded into a honeycomb shape to keep your stride nice and bright.

When you step down into this lightweight foam, it compresses under the weight and then snaps back into place that delivers a springy ride that feels like running in tiny trampolines.

It boasts an ample 30 mm stack height with a 10 mm drop that is ideal for heel strikers. What’s great about the design of this midsole is that it provides ample cushioning for long-distance runs, but it’s designed for speedy sets as well.

For an added boost of overall comfort, it also includes an Ortholite sock liner to keep your feet cool and dry while adding an extra layer of plush cushioning.

OUTSOLE

The outsole of this New Balance running shoe utilizes grippy rubber in all of the right ways. It boasts a cobblestone-style pattern that performs like trail lugs on the sidewalk.

Each flat lug boasts a grooved pattern that really grips the road under your feet. Whether you are running on fresh asphalt or slick rain-soaked sidewalks, the grippy nature of this outsole allows you to power through the slickest of surfaces without slowing down.

While this outsole is insanely supportive and grippy, it’s also built to last. It has reinforced rubber in the heel counter and the toe box that wears down very slowly. If you love running long distances and need a shoe that is made to last, the outsole of this shoe really shines.

Plus, with the added durability and traction on the heel and toes, it also provides quick and confident toe-offs and landings.

Many runners were able to squeeze up to 500 miles while wearing this running shoe, and even after the 100-mile mark the outsole shows very little signs of overall wear and tear.

This shoe may seem simple in design, but it is a quiet workhorse that will take you where you need to go in plush and responsive comfort. It’s a type of shoe that will be just as plush and comfortable at mile 500 as it was at mile 1.

UPPER

The upper of this design is really made to move. It is composed of a synthetic and mesh blend with a bootie-like fit.

Many runners found that this shoe fits their foot like a glove, and provides high-end agility and flexibility in all points of the foot. If you need an upper that is made to move while keeping your feet cool and dry, this design really delivers.

It’s important to note, however, that some runners found that this upper was just a little too flexible. Without a stiffer heel counter and synthetic overlays, finding a perfect locked-down fit can be a little tricky.

Without stiff materials on the heel counter, many runners found that their heel kept slipping out of the back of the shoe, and no amount of tinkering with the lacing system could help alleviate this problem.

If you like to run straight and narrow at a modest pace, the insanely flexible design of this upper won’t be much of an issue.

However, runners like those uphill climbs and downhill descents may find their feet swimming around inside of the shoe, and may even encounter their heel slipping out of the back of the shoe.

PERFORMANCE

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 is a shoe that is designed to tackle long miles with style. Overall, I would recommend this shoe for any runner that loves ample cushioning and clocking in high milage on their daily runs. The simplistic design is made for just about anything from long-distance runners, easy tempo runs, and even speedy agility work at the gym.

It provides runners with ample cushioning that feels like you are running on tiny clouds, and the insanely durable outsole won’t break down any time soon.

However, this shoe does suffer from a few missteps that may make your agility workouts a little less than ideal. While this shoe is lightweight and highly cushioned, quick corners can become a bit of an issue.

The upper of this design is insanely lightweight, but it doesn’t provide any structure to keep your feet locked in place.

Essentially, it feels like CrossFitting in your socks! Some runners love the freedom that the upper provides, while others wish that New Balance added just a few overlays or a little bit of structure in the heel.

FIT

If there is one thing that New Balance is known for, it’s a very accommodating fit. If you have even looked up “most recommended brands by podiatrists”, New Balance often makes the list. I combed through quite a few user reviews and found that this shoe runs true to size.

The super stretchy upper wraps around your foot like a second skin and the lack of overlays and a structured heel counter will not cause rubbing on the sides of your feet. If you are a size 10 in previous New Balance running shoes, you can feel confident buying the exact same size in the Fresh Foam 1080v11.

If you are new to New Balance, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare those numbers to their sizing chart to ensure that you get the right size for your feet.

What I also love about this running shoe is that it is also offered in wide sizing options as well. Not all feet are created equal, and some runners need just a little bit more room to ensure that their toes have plenty of room to naturally splay, as well as enough room for when their feet start to swell at the end of a long run.

Not only is this shoe offered in wide sizing options, but it’s also offered in extra wide as well!

PRICE

The price tag of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 is slightly higher than your average pair of neutral running shoes, but I feel that this shoe is well worth every penny. Not only does it provide runners with a high level of primo cushioning in the midsole, but the outsole of this shoe is built to last.

If you feel that you burn through your running shoes when training for long distances, this shoe is well worth the slight investment. It may be slightly more expensive but the outsole is also built to tackle longer miles.

When you compare the overall performance and durability of this shoe to similar neutral running shoes, the Fresh Foam 1080v11 is the overall better value.

New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10 was lightning in a bottle, so why mess with perfection? At first glance, nothing has changed performance-wise between the older and the newer model. They both boast the exact same outsole and midsole material that runners absolutely loved with version 10.

New Balance listened to some of the very minor complaints that runners had with the previous version of this shoe and implemented them in version 11.

One of the biggest changes made to this shoe is the volume found in the upper. Many runners felt that the midfoot and toe box of the upper of version 10 was a tad on the shallow side. In this newest design,

New Balance has provided runners with more volume in the midfoot, and also constructed a toe box that is roomier than the previous model.

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 series has been a fan favorite of runners that love high-end cushioning that is lightweight and responsive. Often, runners find that they have to decide between high-end cushioning or a lightweight design.

More cushioning often means a heavier and denser shoe, which may not be ideal for speed or long-distance running. What makes the Fresh Foam 1080v11 so special is that offers the best of both worlds. It has an ample 30 mm stack height, a 10 mm drop (perfect for heel strikers), and clocks in at just 9.3 ounces.

This shoe is lightweight and nimble, yet offers high-end cushioning only seen in heavy stability trainers. The insanely durable outsole is perfect for slick sidewalks and is built to last for 500+ miles.

It may cost a little bit more than your average neutral trainer, but the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 is not your average neutral trainer!