Customer Reviews New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13

Having previously used various NB shoes, and as a somewhat "serious" runner (ie. consistently log 30-40 miles a week), I had high hopes for the 1080 V13, as on paper it seemed like a great shoe for long-slow-distance or recovery runs -- Neutral shoe, 38mm stack heigh with a maximum amount of NB Fresh Foam cushioning, and a moderate 6mm heel/toe drop. With 30 miles on these, I have to say that paper details don't translate to my intended use, or really a place in my shoe rotation. To summarize my negative assessment, the amount of Fresh Foam in these things translates to neither marshmallow-soft recovery shoes (a la Asics Superblast), nor soft-yet-responsive daily trainers (a la Asics Novablast or Saucony Triumph). The best way I can explain the run feel of these is moderate cushion then dead feel / feedback, which in my book doesn't make for pleasurable recovery runs or otherwise. After 5 miles they just start translating to a stuck-in-the-mud responsiveness with mediocre cushioning, and plodding through the next 5 miles just isn't enjoyable. There are no clouds, and no pop -- Just two foot duds. This is both surprising and disappointing given my past experience with NB shoes, but maybe the other brands that I've been rotating through just have honed in their shoes for a specific type and application of running -- The 1080 V13 seemingly has none. To be fair, the one thing that is certain about these shoes is their quality construction, with the upper being absolutely bomber and near lock-down perfect, and both the midsole and tread show no signs of wear after 50 miles. BUT, that said, basically the only thing you get with these shoes a is really expensive quality pair of casual sneakers that are good for wearing/walking around daily, but by no means good for serious running. At $165, I can't stomach that reality. That's my experience in a nutshell -- They might work for you, but they certainly don't work for me. Very disappointing.