A running shoe that fits well will be comfortable and snug without being too tight. Ideally, there should be about ½ to a full thumb width of space from the front of the shoe to your big toe, offering enough space to wiggle your toes freely without feeling too restricted or too loose. The right running shoe should feel like a natural extension of your body. How do you best wash running shoes?

The 880v11 rides like a dream. Seriously. My runs felt effortless and enjoyable. I credit much of this ride to the Fresh Foam X in the midsole. This foam is soft and responsive – making it perfect for everyday training. This shoe can do it all. I took it on short runs, long runs, and everything in between, and it held up well. The upper is the highlight of this shoe for me personally,” he says. “The materials used and overall shape hugs my foot in all the right places. It makes the shoe fit like a natural extension of my body when running. It’s also breathable and allows plenty of toe splay.” Watch my full New Balance 880v11 review below or continue reading to learn more about this shoe’s performance, what I like best about it, and who it’s best for. New Balance 880v11 Review: Run Test Review Since 2017, we have analyzed hundreds of road running shoes, and every month thousands of runners trust us to find the perfect pair!

How Does the New Balance 880v11 Fit?

New Balance also made a couple of changes to the heel counter. The first significant change: no more plastic surrounding the heel cup. Some runners found this extra rigidity to be off-putting, so they got rid of it. Instead, New Balance added a smaller plastic heel clip that gives a small amount of stability and isn’t intrusive. This is a major win in my book. The New Balance 880 v11 has a mesh upper that gives average breathability. On a very hot day, my feet were very sweaty and the shoe was quite damp after.

Layered beneath the foam is a substantial amount of blown rubber. The outsole provides excellent traction on pavement, and it holds up to hundreds of miles of wear. The free-floating tongue adds to the shoe’s premium step-in feel. New Balance padded the tongue for a soft touch that molds to the unique shape of your foot. A new, single-piece jacquard mesh upper covers the shoe, and creates a clean look from heel to toe. By using a single piece of mesh, New Balance eliminated seams around the forefoot that could rub against your skin as you run. If you are a heel striker you will really like these shoes. The rear part of the sole has just the right cushion to allow the foot to strike then roll through the stride. I am usually a mid-foot striker, but due to a calf injury, I tested the shoe mostly with heel striking. Requires no adaptation period

How Does the New Balance 880v11 Perform on the Run?

Fresh Foam is a crowd pleaser. From the max cushioned Fresh Foam 1080v11 to the stable Fresh Foam 860v11, New Balance’s premier cushioning shines thanks to its soft landings and bouncy response. Designers built the New Balance 880v11 to be very similar to the outgoing 880v10, which is good news for anyone who loved last year’s model. But there are a couple small differences between the New Balance 880v10 and 880v11. Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The History As you can see from this complete analysis, there’s no revolution with this 12th version of the Fresh Foam 880, at most a shift in focus from the performance-oriented v11 to more comfort. So this shoe will win you over if you’re looking for a traditional road shoe with a softer and fairly bouncy ride for daily training. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12

My number one favorite feature is the Fresh Foam X in the midsole. Wow! It’s awesome. As I mentioned earlier, this shoe rides like a dream, and that’s all thanks to the Fresh Foam X. This foam is soft and comfortable – I felt like I was sinking into it, but it still has a responsiveness that compliments this shoe on the road. It’s just the perfect blend of soft and bouncy. I’m not sure how New Balance does it, but I’m glad they do. The Secure Fit from the Luxurious UpperIt’s no different in the 880v11. The pad of Fresh Foam beneath the heel and midfoot softens each step and leads into a smooth transition.