Customer Reviews New Balance Fresh Foam 980

I have been on an odyssey to find a good running shoe. At this point I have a whole running shoe graveyard going - and it ain't pretty. Where I've ended up is that I need a lower drop shoe but with cushioning. These are the latest and my absolutely favorite pair hands down. These do feel like slippers on your feet. The uppers are the most comfortable uppers I've ever had with a running/athletic shoe bar none. I have a wider foot and I went up 1/2 size and got the regular width and they are more than fine. I usually wear a 6.5 Wide and I got a 7B and they are fine. The heel fits snugly - no slippage. The cushion is great and not so cushy that I feel like it is marshmallowy. I know many like that but it throws my form off completely. I'm 5'1" and about 130lbs. I've used these from 1 mile to solid 11 mile run's (I do Run/Walk) and they've been perfect for every distance. Sometimes my achilles is a bit sore when I start my run but by a mile in it's fine and everything is good. These really make my form much better - I can run longer, faster, and I don't hurt much after. No real aches other than just from slowly increasing running at my age (almost 50). In my rotation (not in order of preference) I've got Hoka One One Conquest, Saucony Kinvara, Saucony Ride, Saucony Virratta, Asics Gel Nimbus, Salomon Cross Trail, Brooks Cascadia, Brooks Ghost, and Altra Torin. The NB Fresh Foam is better for me than all of these. My second level fave's are the Hoka's, Altra's, Brooks Cascadia and the Saucony Ride. The Hoka's feel great except I don't always feel stable and they are very narrow in the toebox. They are not cushy like other Hoka's which is a plus for me. The Altra's are very good but I feel almost like I am "slapping" the pavement. The Cascadia I use on trails and find very comfy and the Ride is very good but I cannot use for long runs or my achilles will be killing me the day after. After that you have the Nimbus, Ghost, Virratta, Salomon Trail, and the Kinvara. The Nimbus is my fave walking shoe but too cushy/squishy feeling for running. The Ghost is okay but kind of generic. The Salomon also is fine. I expected to love the Kinvara and it is fine for my 5K's. Otherwise it is just too hard and I don't find it cushioned enough for longer runs. I haven't seen any non blogger review the Fresh Foam 980 so I wanted to get this up. I bought my pair (no freebies for review or anything) in a bit of despair because, though I love the Hoka's and all my races are longer one's in April, I just felt like it affected my form and the toe area after 8 or so miles was feeling off and uncomfortable. I'm not one to be totally up on the whole science behind things. I do know a more minimal drop is best for me as I have done much better with the lower drop shoes. You can get more technical info from other sources. I just know the NB 980 is the most comfy shoe and I can run my 11 mile run's without pain and walk the next day and with very good form (which helps to be pain free). I absolutely love them!

Like others, I found this shoe too short and narrow. It also tapers in and down in the toe area, pressing my big toe in, and pressing down on the toe nail. Very uncomfortable. It's cute, but not for me.

Okay, I finally got the right size (they run small). They are very soft inside, not much arch support either. But the worst thing is that, for the price, they seem very cheaply made. The tongue of the shoe is not made well and rubs on the instep. I will return and get a different brand.

Great, snazzy and comfy! Very lightweight. Love the look. A tiny bit snug in the toe area. Probably could have gone up a half size and I already chose to go up a half size - so really needed a whole size larger than I would typically buy.

I love New Balance shoes. I am on my feet for twelve plus hours a day and these or most New Balance shoes help my feet from getting tired and sore. I do rotate my shoes every two days but both are New Balance brand.

I purchased this shoe in two different colors at a local shoe store last week, and hoped to purchase the silver/purple one on Zappos, but it seems they're out of stock. I'm on a list to be notified if or when it returns to stock. I was so disappointed. I use these shoes for walking, not running. I like this style a lot for several different reasons: (a) They're lightweight. I don't feel like I have to work to keep my feet from "dragging" from the weight of a clunky-feeling shoe. (b) There are no seams on the sides that my feet can feel. I have "baby bunions" (those found on the outer sides of the feet next to the small toe) which scream if a shoe is too narrow or if there's a shoe seam that rubs on it and makes it painfully sensitive. (c) With the New Balance orthotics (sold separately), it has a really good arch support. (d) Though this style seems to run small generally, I purchased a half-size larger for a correct fit. I also have very wide feet, but the D width in this style gave me just the right amount of toe room. (e) I love the bright colors. I wanted the silver/purple one which was a tad more neutral, so I'd have more options.

Best running shoes I've ever owned. These are like running on pillows. I have moderately flat and wide feet. These provide lots of comfort and support. I usually wear a 7.5 in sneakers -- sometimes an 8 in a Nike, which run small (and narrow). I got these in a 7.5 and while they fit, they are definitely on the snug side -- just FYI. They look awesome and I'm considering buying another pair to have when these wear out!

Make sure you order 1/2 size larger than your shoe size. Most comfy shoes ever! Get compliments all the time, but the best thing is the cushion.

There is a lot of cushioning in this shoe and the ride is smooth and consistent. I wear a true women's 12n and needed to go up to a 12. So it does run narrow in the toe box like everyone is saying. The 12 is going to be one of my running shoes with the Men's Altra Olympus.

This is a great shoe! I have problems with sneakers. I wore the Mizuno Wave Rider for years until it was changed so much that I could barely walk in it. Then the Brooks Ghost for awhile until that no longer worked. I struggled for some time thereafter and quite by chance started wearing this one. So far, so good. Great support and cushioning for me. I have a fairly neutral fit, no problems with pronation. I use this shoe for jogging, walking and treadmill work. I love the grey color which is odd because I generally prefer a white shoe. This seems to go with everything.

I have two pairs of these sneakers. I am a 9.5 extra wide and have a really hard time finding sneakers that look cute, meet my athletic needs, and fit my boat-sized feet. Usually I end up just getting a men's sneaker! These sneakers are light (not cheap), and I wore my first pair in a 1/2 marathon within a week of owning them, without any issue. I have extra inserts for my shoes...so I find that my inserts meet my arch support needs. I have also just moved to Washington DC, and find that these sneakers are my "go-to's" for walking around the city. I love the look, love that they are super light weight, and love that they actually fit! Enjoy!

This shoe fits my 6.5 Narrow foot just right. I like the slim toe box - it's more like a real shoe instead of a running shoe. I use them as comfortable tennies, not for running. They are very light. I like them so much I am ordering another pair.

I love the soft insole in this shoe - its like walking on a cloud. I need a wide toe box in a shoe and even though I purchased a wide width, the toe box is a little narrow. However, this is a very nice shoe so decided to keep them and so far, they're comfortable.

Shoe was true to size. I ordered an 8 and 8.5 which is typical of my sizing. Either one could have worked but since I was using them for exercise I went with the 8.5. Comfortable and good looking shoe with minimal arch, but that's what I was looking for. Loved the fact that they came in narrow. They fit in the toe box without tying the laces too right.

Very comfortable. Used for Turbo Fire workouts. No pain now with jumping in feet and back.

Comfortable, very good cushioning and cute! I frequently take a Narrow in New Balance but this time a medium fit better.

I am a huge fan of the NB Fresh Foam 980s! I have always been a New Balance person, especially back when I had surgery on my arch, and the Classics were just so perfect for walking comfortably with my ridiculous orthotics. These days I spend the entire day walking around the city as a nanny, and I have been on the hunt for some footwear that doesn't leave my feet/calves/arches aching and burning at the end of the day. I have the typical sneaker graveyard that haven't worked out, but the 980s are perfection. They fit just as my usual New Balance sneakers do. In other brands I might be 9.5 or 10 but in NB I'm usually a 10, which was perfect here. The toe box is slightly narrow, just as usually find their running shoes, unlike some of the classics which tend to be a bit wider. But the best part of all is the super comfortable outsole. They just do such a wonderful job of absorbing the shock of every stride, and prevents all that next day soreness that you expect from miles and miles on asphalt and concrete.

I purchased the Fresh Foam 980. The problem with this product is when you wear a pair of socks regardless of how thick or thin they are, they will eat your sock off your foot into the sneaker. Very uncomfortable wearing a sneaker filled with sock.

The shoe is at least a half size too small. Because I needed return them, I did not get a chance to see if they were a good running shoe. Just walking around the house, they were comfortable.

Cute shoe with lots of cushioning in the sole and very lightweight. Had to return mine though because there is no support for my high arch. Felt very flat after I had it on for a normal aerobic type workout. Also the outside strapping across my little toe area started to make it get sore. Would be a perfect shoe if they added a good arch support. Thanks for making my returns so simple Zappos; you guys rock!

I tried to make these work- they are very comfortable in the cushion of the sole. I ordered in wide to fit a new orthotic and tried them around the house- I need the wide for the toe but in the end the heel was too wide also and I was slipping out. they look really cool and I think if you have a normal foot they would be great. I love zappos for letting me order and return shoes. I have converted several friends to zappos shoes shoppers!

I thought this shoe was one of the most comfortable shoes I've put on. I wear a 9 in most tennis shoes, Nike, Adidas, Saucony and New Balance. This NB 9 felt perfect as well. Maybe I have narrower feet, but the width felt fine to me. I loved the shoe for it's comfort, but with the extra foam on the bottom the shoe is bulky to the eye and I didn't like that styling. Ultimately I ended up keeping 2 different shoes in place of this one, Nike Flex 2014 Run...a step down slightly in cushion to this but was still comfortable and had a lower profile. I also kept a New Balance shoe, the W1490V1. The New Balance W1490V1 will feel a little stiffer than this Fresh Foam but was still very comfortable. Again, 9s in all of them fit fine. I wear an 8.5 in my everyday dress shoes for work, but always size up to 9 or on a rare occasion a 9.5 in tennis shoes.

Like the look, and the cushion feel, but too short and narrow. I ordered my usual size up too. They're going back.

I found this shoe ran small, especially in the toe area, and I ordered a wide. Due to orthotics and a brace I have had to go up a half size shoe and go to a wide. This shoe was too short and narrow in forefoot--even for a wide. I also don't think that they had sufficient support for a shoe of that price.

Spectacular looking! Seem like they'd be comfortable for someone with a different foot than mine. The toe box is very shallow and presses down on the top of my foot. Very uncomfortable.