I was always an admirer of the 1080 because it was a shoe that never failed to live up to expectations. It was cushioned, supportive all the time, a “traditional” shoe from long but with a perfect balance of all its components. The result that came out was the classic running shoe that was reliable and transparent; that is, after you put them on, you forgot you had them on your feet and could go a long way in them.
So as soon as I heard that 1080 was going to undergo a radical change, I went out into the street, in the rain, knelt down and shouted, “Whyééééé?” (Cinematic reconstruction of the moment of amazement)
Then I saw them, and the effect-just on the spur of the moment-was like when you are suddenly amazed. Because we are all refractory to change but, when change subverts things and makes you evolve, then be welcome.
As you may have already guessed, the new version of the 1080 is really well done. But let’s see in detail what it looks like and how it goes.
The upper
As I had already written in the introduction post, the upper is the new Hypoknit 2.0 and has lightness and elasticity as its main features. It is precisely this last quality that contributes to the shoe’s great comfort because it fits the foot perfectly without making strange “bellies” when it flexes. Perhaps the only element that puzzled me a bit is the tongue attachment shifted toward the top of the foot, but that’s a thought that only occurs to you the moment you put it on because as soon as you start running, you realize it’s a structural feature in that it gives more support to the medial part of the foot.
The tongue is padded but not too much, just that right “medium” that is comfortable but makes the foot feel firmly attached to the shoe while the real surprise is at the heel.
In fact, the new 1080 v10s fit snugly against the heel but without pressing it down. They almost seem to be made on a cast of the foot. Merit in the new ultra heel element, molded in 3d and made of memory foam. Its special curvature does not constrict the Achilles tendon in any way. In this way, the shoe remains perfectly anchored to the foot but without uncomfortable constriction.
The new structural element thus enabled New Balance to make a shoe without the traditional padded collar. And even more comfortable.
Unfortunately, I can’t yet tell you how the new fabric behaves in the very high temperatures of our summers, but hour-plus sessions on treadmills at a temperature of 22°C (and without ventilation) in which yours truly was sweating more than the pilot in “The Craziest Plane in the World” showed no particular problems.
Midsole and outsole
Even in the dynamic parts of the shoe New Balance has introduced many new features. News that might turn the noses of those who wanted “fluffy” shoes in which the only element you felt during the run was cushioning.
At the midsole, the new Fresh Foam X compound is an evolution of the traditional Fresh Foam, optimized with asymmetrical processing to support the foot in its medial area and to correct its stance on longer and more strenuous runs.
This evolution also brought totally different dynamic behavior. Now thecushioning is drier and more responsive. Beware, however, the shoe is no less cushioned than previous models, quite the contrary. It simply behaves with a more “sincere” dynamic on stance and foot movement. And that’s a feature that I personally really appreciate because it helps improve stance and running.
In the new Fresh Foam X compound you immediately feel great flexibility and lightness. But without losing the “confidence” needed to tackle even the longest distances.
All of this is assisted by a sole with notches positioned precisely to facilitate flexing of certain areas of the shoe so that the rolling dynamics are always optimized.
The dynamics
If I had to make an automotive comparison, I would tell you that the new New Balance 1080 v10s are similar to a sports sedan. A car with which you can get a lot of mileage but with which you are not afraid to put your foot on the accelerator. Thanks in part to its low weight, dynamic midsole qualities, and wonderful heel support, you’ll have fun even doing repeat runs in it and it doesn’t give you that “lazy shoe” feeling that you experience with other models dedicated to long distances.
When you run with it to make a long run, the feature that comes out most is comfort. While support is always there, silent, ready to intervene when the foot starts to tire.
Ultimately
As you may have guessed, the New Balance 1080 v10 definitely ranks in the top ranks of shoes to try if you are looking for an all-around shoe to tackle any distance. With a perfect balance of upper, midsole, and outsole, the 1080 v10s are suitable for any runner despite their light weight (281 grams). The drop is the now-traditional 8 mm, which allows the Achilles tendon to work well – a feature also confirmed by the ultra heel, probably the element I liked best in a shoe I really liked.
I did not mention aesthetics because, I think, the photos already speak for themselves.
The list price of 170 euros definitely places it in the mid-to-high range but, believe me, it is worth all the expense also because of all the technology inside.