Last year I had some foot issues that caused me to rethink all the shoes I had in my closet. Particularly my running shoes. I am closing in on 45 and my heels and feet get sore much more easily than they did 20 years ago. I tried a bunch of different styles, considered shoes like Hokas and others. I landed on the New Balance Fresh Foam 880s. These shoes were fantastic and I wore them to death travelling to places like Universal Studios and more. Fast forward to this year and I upgraded to the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080. I am going to share what the differences really are between the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 versus 880 and which I like better.
New Balance Fresh Foam 880
These are my first pair of Fresh Foam sneakers and I am sure it is obvious from the colour but they are well used. I have worn these everywhere from travelling on road trips to walking to the school to pick up the kids to pounding the pavement at Universal Studios. As soon as I put them on I was amazed at how cushy they were.
The sole has a fresh foam midsole and rubber outsole. The upper part of the shoe is mesh and has a bit of stretch. There is also a 10 mm drop.
Compared to other more fashion New Balance styles these are much much cushiony and lightweight. They are meant for running. I use them for walking. My 327 style feel almost stiff and hard in comparison.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080
The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 is a step up from the 880.
At first glance they are a very similar shoe. Fresh Foam midsole and knit mesh upper.
But when you look closer you notice some differences. These are easier to illustrate side by side.
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 versus 880
The first thing you might notice is there is more to the fresh foam sole of the 1080. It is thicker. And you notice this when you put them on. The cushiness is leveled up. Especially in the heel.
The other thing you notice is the way that the heel and toe seem to have a curvature to them. This gives your walking a more rocking motion to the foot making things easier. More natural. You foot kind of rolls through the walking motion because of the curve in the heel.
This side by side shows the difference in the toe box area. I find the 1080 to be slightly narrower and longer than the 880. Now this might be a function of where the laces placket is sitting on the shoe. And since breaking in my 1080s a bit more I don’t feel the narrowness as much any more. However my first impression is a narrower longer toe area.
If I had to pick now that I have tried both pairs I prefer the cushion of the 1080. I like the colour combination of the 880 though! And the reason I chose the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 over trying Hokas is mostly down to aesthetics. I just prefer the look of New Balance. Hoka’s come off as quite loud and I don’t love the colour combinations. But the 1080 and the New Balance Fresh Foam Max are similar styles to the Hoka sneakers.
Have you tried the New Balance Fresh Foam styles? I am also liking the look of the ROAV. Which do you prefer?