We have been anxiously waiting being able to post anything because this review is all about redemption, or was we like to call it, the story of the New Balance 1080v13. Looking backward, we remember seeing the original v10 back in the day at TRE and everybody on the floor was wearing them. They were different, organic, and just felt new and exciting. The problem for us was we really didn’t love running in them, and subsequent versions improved things a bit, but it still just never worked all that well for us. The good news is, the 1080v13 has been reworked from top to bottom, and the result is a shoe that is awesome and will challenge some of our favorites.
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
- Weight – 9.2oz or 262g for a US Men’s 9, 7.3oz or 206g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 38mm of cushion and a 6mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $165 USD
- Colors – 5 colors
Performance Review
To be honest, we knew the 1080v13 were going to be a success from the time we pulled them out of the box. The reason being, the shoe look nothing like it did before, and that in itself was a success. Yes, there is some styling that has been brought over in the midsole, but for the most part the 1080v13 looks like an entirely new model. With the additional padding up top, the slightly puffier aesthetic had us wanting to just jump into them and go.
And boy are we glad we did because thankfully, it feels as good as it looks. The step-in here is so comfortable and has us comparing it to some of our favorite shoes that we always go back to. Shoes like the Hoka Clifton 9, the ASICS Nimbus 25 from earlier this year, and even one of our recent surprise favorites, the Skechers Ride 11. The improved upper is so much better than the last model, from the amount of padding they have added around the collar and tongue, to the redesigned heel, even to the additional vertical roominess upfront. In every run we took, there was no slippage, no hotspots, no lace bite and honestly never a bad moment up top.
Thankfully, the midsole is just as good. The reformulation of Fresh Foam X delivers a well cushioned, yet performant ride that is up-tempo enough for most yet still easy on the legs and knees. This isn’t a max cushioned shoe, but it is starting to encroach on that territory and feels like a lot of max shoes we have tried. You won’t necessarily feel like this shoe is lacking in any way under foot. Note, this isn’t a slimmed down shoe by any means in fact, it is much more built up than before, but for us that works really well.
If we had to give it one little gripe, it would be on the stability side. We saw this recently with the Sketchers Maxroad 6 as well, where at times we did notice some side to side support issues that could lead a bit of a roll out, but that tend to skewed to reviewers who are pacing much much faster and trying to push the shoe to its limits. For most folks on their easy daily runs, it was a beautiful experience. Bottom line, New Balance has crushed it with the redesign of the 1080 and the 1080v13 will continue to find a spot in our lineup for months to come.
Construction and Materials
Upper
The New Balance 1080v13 boasts a breathable engineered mesh upper, providing a snug, second-skin fit that enhances the overall structure and support. With updates to the tongue, collar, and heel, including increased padding, the step-in experience is exceptionally comfortable, making it a joy to have on your feet.
Midsole
The New Balance 1080v13 features a soft Fresh Foam X midsole that delivers enhanced cushioning without adding extra weight, ensuring a comfortable and responsive ride. Its rocker profile further contributes to a smoother and more natural transition from heel to toe, promoting an efficient and enjoyable running experience.
Outsole
The New Balance 1080v13 incorporates a solid rubber outsole that effectively enhances forefoot stiffness during toe-off, contributing to a more powerful and efficient running stride. The added rigidity in the forefoot area translates to improved propulsion and responsiveness, making it a great choice for those seeking extra performance benefits in their runs.
Overall Conclusion
If it wasn’t clear, New Balance has truly redeemed the 1080 lineup with the v13. The rethought upper is more comfortable and more cushioned and the reformulated midsole delivers a better ride then any model prior. It brings much of what we like in their max cushion shoes, like the More v4, but reduces things a bit, making it more accessible to runners who don’t want to go that big. It also challenges some of the big successes this year like the Clifton 9, the Ride 11, and the Nimbus 25. So do yourself a favor and definitely try these on when they arrive in stores on 10/13.
Learn more on the New Balance website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
