TRIED & TESTED
Fresh , Foamy and Fantastic
Having loved previous shoes from New Balance ’ s Fresh Foam range , I thoroughly enjoyed running in the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v11 . Great cushioning , great fit , great looks … in short , another great shoe . – BY SEAN FALCONER
I
still remember the first time I ran in a pair of New Balance shoes . It was the year 2000 , and I was writing my first Shoe Buyer ’ s Guide , so I had about 20 pairs of shoes to wear-test , from all the different brands . At that time , most midsoles were made from standard EVA ( Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate ) foam rubber , but while some brands were focused on extra cushioning , be it through inserts of air , gel or other substances , other brands focused on extra shock-absorption inserts , with the New Balance version being ABZORB . This foam rubber compound was super-effective at absorbing shock – as the name would suggest – but I found the New Balance shoes of those years a bit on the hard side when compared to ‘ squishier ’ models of other brands .
However , in 2014 New Balance introduced a game-changer . They brought out their first shoes with Fresh Foam midsoles , providing a lighter , squishier ride , and they also went for a higher stack midsole . ( Those were the early days of what became a trend towards maximalist shoes , after a few years of everybody swearing by minimalist or barefoot technology .) I loved those first Fresh Foam shoes , and with each new model they introduced further refinements to uppers , outsoles , lacing , etc , to make the shoes still better . And at the beginning of 2020 , that saw the launch of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 version 10 ( v10 ), which was quickly accorded ‘ great ’ status by reviewers all over the world . Now the version 11 ( v11 ) of the shoe is out , and it ’ s another winner .
Same Great Ride
The old saying goes , “ if it aint broke , don ’ t fix it .” That ’ s why the midsole and outsole of the v11 is pretty much unchanged , except for the introduction of hexagonal patterning on the sidewalls of the midsole instead of round patterning . These aren ’ t just for show or decoration , they create springy compression zones that help the midsole material spring back into shape after your foot has landed . The result is the same responsive , plush ride of the v10 , but with just a hint more springiness . Overall , the shoe provides a bouncy but smooth feeling with good rebound at toe-off as the Fresh Foam does its job .
The heel to toe drop is a pretty standard 8mm , but due to the midsole stack being quite high , and my normal mid-foot striking pattern , I noticed I was tending to heelstrike more than usual . However , this actually made me want to speed up and push myself more to the forefoot , so even then the shoe actually helped my running , but
I ’ m sure heel-strikers will enjoy the shoe ’ s great rearfoot cushioning , especially on longer runs .
Comfortably Snug
On the other hand , the upper of the v11 is considerably updated , and I think New Balance has done a brilliant job here , including with the colour choice . Love the blue of my test-pair . Most of the upper is constructed of a stretchy , breathable Hypoknit weaved material that stretches to accommodate the foot , while still providing a comfortably snug fit . I found that it stretches well across the top of the foot , whereas it is a bit more structured around the sides of the foot , thus keeping the foot in place and providing stability . The forefoot area is a bit roomier than the v10 , and given that I do have one foot a wee bit wider than the other , I enjoyed the feel of this shoe . I also love the UltraHeel moulded heel cup , which really gripped my Achilles snugly and comfortably .
Overall the upper is fairly minimalist , with very little padding in the heel , collar or tongue , which further contributes to the snug feel , as does the gusseted tongue ( it is ‘ tied down ’ by elastic straps that connect to the sidewall of the upper ). This serves to keep your foot from slipping in the shoe , but I know that not all runners like this feel in their running shoes . If so , you could cut one or both of these elastic straps – that shouldn ’ t detract from the great ride or overall snug fit of the shoe , as the laces will still keep your foot from slipping .
Overall Thoughts
If you loved the v10 , the great news is that this v11 provides the same ride with an improved upper , and I think you ’ ll love it just as much . If you haven ’ t tried this model before , and you ’ re looking for a well-cushioned neutral shoe with a springy feel and really comfy upper , you should give it a try .
GET THEM HERE
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v11 is available from New Balance Experience stores at a recommended retail price of R3099 , or you can order the shoes online at www . newbalance . co . za / collections / footwear / 1080v11 .
Images : Courtesy New Balance
62 ISSUE 138 FEBRUARY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za