It’s hard to miss the advertising for the NB Fresh Foam 980. Just curious if anyone has run in these, and what they are like? Are they the NB answer to Hokas and “maximalism”? I haven’t seen them in person, and while they appear to be thickly cushioned, they don’t seem quite as odd looking as Hokas.
I got a pair of these in December as a pre-release wear test deal. I don’t think they changed anything though as the time from the last review to the initial release was a matter of weeks. I honestly did not like them that much. I’ve worn Hokas for a little bit before, I didn’t like them that much either but they were ridiculously light and cushioned. The FF980 to me did not feel very cushioned. Yes, there’s that huge amount of foam padding but when I ran with them on they felt really stiff and unresponsive. I was reading others’ reviews recently and they commented on how light the shoes felt, I thought otherwise. I thought that being more cushioned, the FF980 would be able to make me feel fresher during my long runs, but after my usual 5/6mi runs my legs felt worse than with other shoes. I did review them to NB as their response to Hokas (or at least it would be received that way by runners anyways) and thought that the shoe could use a bit more work. But people might love them and I just might be off in my review.
I got a pair in the mail yesterday and will run in them today. I’ve been coming off some calf problems and doing all my runs in Hoka Bondis. First impression trying them on out of the box is that the NB are not as plush/soft as the Hokas. Good thing is that they look like running shoes…I still feel a little self conscious wearing the Hokas although I do like them. Sole is “flat” like the Hokas but there is not as much of the cushioning part of the sole toward the front of the shoe. I’m hoping they will be a good addition to the Hokas.
I also got a pre-release pair for review, and I’m a fan–it’s now my go-to training shoe. FWIW, here’s my review:
The 980 is New Balance’s take on the “minimal but plush” direction that so many shoe manufacturers are taking—a blend of low-drop and cushion that seems to be the eventual offspring of the barefoot movement of a few years back.
The 980 features the new “fresh foam” midsole that looks hefty, but is surprisingly lightweight, its resiliency coming from the honeycomb structure that gives the shoe it’s distinctive look.
** **The low drop and light weight of the shoe made it a sweet shoe to run in—absolutely no complaints. The upper is neither overly snug or loose, and the welded overlays ensures there will be no stitching to irritate any part of the foot.
The efficient, midfoot runner should especially appreciate the 980, but I could see this shoe being a hit for those heavier runners who want to dabble in the lower drop neighborhood without risking the lower leg pains associated with a low-cushioned shoe. This shoe could also be a bridge shoe to those thinking about Hokas but who can’t get past its unfortunate clown-shoe aesthetic.
**On a scale of 1-10, rate your overall level of enjoyment of this shoe: **9
One of my tests for a great shoe is that it disappears from my awareness as I run. The 980 was great right out of the box—no break in, no funny business; just a shoe that got me through the miles without any issues.
**Comfort: 9 **
As expected, the foamy underbelly of the 980 was super comfy, and yet did not diminish the road feel that good runners expect.
**Responsiveness: 8 **
Like the Hoka midsole, the 980 Fresh Foam provided a nice, springy feel, not the dreaded quicksand sensation of some of the softer foams out there.
Speed: 8
Likewise, I was pleasantly surprised at how peppy the 980 was—I put it through a challenging Fartlek run and it not only rose to the occasion, it also seemed to prevent the achiness that my Fartlek habitually bestows on my poor calves.
**Fit:9 **
The 980 has a super-nice fit—not overly snug and not too loose.
**Last thoughts? **
This is a most trivial complaint, but what is it with New Balance not lacing up their shoes? It really bugs me—whether it’s the hoary 990 series, which they don’t bother to lace up at all (Hey, is it so hard to have your Made in America factory do 10 seconds more of work?) to the rest of their outsourced models, just lace up the last @#$% lace! There, I feel better.
Short run at lunch. Shoes felt comfortable out of the box. May run just a little big. I typically wear a 10.5 in running shoes and that is what I got in the New Balance. I like my feet to have plenty of room in the toe box but would probably size down to a 10 if I were to go sockless in these.
Very comfortable. I didn’t notice substantially more cushioning than my normal running shoe-Saucony Mirage III. But I only did 3 miles so may be more apparent on longer runs. In comparing them to Hokas or more traditional running shoes they are much closer to the traditional shoe than the Hokas. Will try to give a more long term review in a few weeks.
I got a pair of these in December as a pre-release wear test deal. I don’t think they changed anything though as the time from the last review to the initial release was a matter of weeks. I honestly did not like them that much. I’ve worn Hokas for a little bit before, I didn’t like them that much either but they were ridiculously light and cushioned. The FF980 to me did not feel very cushioned. Yes, there’s that huge amount of foam padding but when I ran with them on they felt really stiff and unresponsive. I was reading others’ reviews recently and they commented on how light the shoes felt, I thought otherwise. I thought that being more cushioned, the FF980 would be able to make me feel fresher during my long runs, but after my usual 5/6mi runs my legs felt worse than with other shoes. I did review them to NB as their response to Hokas (or at least it would be received that way by runners anyways) and thought that the shoe could use a bit more work. But people might love them and I just might be off in my review.
+1
I’ve been primarily running in Hoka’s recently, currently rotating through 2 pair of Bondi 3 and a pair of Conquest. While I didn’t run far in the FF980, I did try on a pair today. I agree that they did not appear to be even close to the cushioning of the Hoka, and they felt a little flat. By “flat” I mean they didn’t have a nice foot roll for my stide - but that’s me. Too bad, as I really wanted to like them to mix in with the Hokas. They may be great for others.
just got mine from Running Warehouse. Feel nice on, have not run in them but one issue if you go sockless like me, I found the inner tongue rather unfinished/ rough across top of my foot.
FWIW, Runner’s World lab tests showed them to be firm, not pillowy.
Short run at lunch. Shoes felt comfortable out of the box. May run just a little big. I typically wear a 10.5 in running shoes and that is what I got in the New Balance. I like my feet to have plenty of room in the toe box but would probably size down to a 10 if I were to go sockless in these.
Very comfortable. I didn’t notice substantially more cushioning than my normal running shoe-Saucony Mirage III. But I only did 3 miles so may be more apparent on longer runs. In comparing them to Hokas or more traditional running shoes they are much closer to the traditional shoe than the Hokas. Will try to give a more long term review in a few weeks.
Any update?
Short run at lunch. Shoes felt comfortable out of the box. May run just a little big. I typically wear a 10.5 in running shoes and that is what I got in the New Balance. I like my feet to have plenty of room in the toe box but would probably size down to a 10 if I were to go sockless in these.
Very comfortable. I didn’t notice substantially more cushioning than my normal running shoe-Saucony Mirage III. But I only did 3 miles so may be more apparent on longer runs. In comparing them to Hokas or more traditional running shoes they are much closer to the traditional shoe than the Hokas. Will try to give a more long term review in a few weeks.
Any update?
Seems my initial impression has not really changed. I’ve been alternating the NB with my Hokas. I really can’t tell much, if any difference, in the cushoning of the NB as compared to the Saucony Mirage III. Not nearly as cushioned as the Hokas so if you are looking for a similar alternative to the Hoka I don’t think the NB is it. I just got a pair of the Hoka Conquest in and hope to run in them early in the week. They look like a more traditional running shoe above the sole but still have the big Hoka sole. I do think the NB should wear well. The outer sole that impacts the pavement seems to be a hard rubber. I like the shoes but much closer to a traditional running shoe than the Hokas.
Tried these at the store when considering maximal shoes (ended up with the ultra-squishy Altra Olympus). While softer than many NB shoes (which as a line tend to run firm), they really didn’t strike me as softer than a cushioned shoe like the Nike Volmero, and certainly not in the same league as the Hokas. It’s a shame, since I liked the fit and the relatively light weight…they just have to commit and make the shoe actually soft.
Seems my initial impression has not really changed. I’ve been alternating the NB with my Hokas. I really can’t tell much, if any difference, in the cushoning of the NB as compared to the Saucony Mirage III. Not nearly as cushioned as the Hokas so if you are looking for a similar alternative to the Hoka I don’t think the NB is it. I just got a pair of the Hoka Conquest in and hope to run in them early in the week. They look like a more traditional running shoe above the sole but still have the big Hoka sole. I do think the NB should wear well. The outer sole that impacts the pavement seems to be a hard rubber. I like the shoes but much closer to a traditional running shoe than the Hokas.
Thanks for the update. I’ll be interested to see how long they last. The previous pairs of sub-9 oz shoes I had were done after 100 miles. I think the name and look has led us to believe they are supposed to be really cushioned but in reality they are just more cushioned than other shoes at that weight, or at least that’s what it sounds like from what people are saying.
I just bought a pair because I wanted a shoe with a similar profile to my kinvaras but a little more cushion for long runs. In comparison they definitely had less cushion and support than 1080s or saucony guide or rides. I didn’t want something that was a ton of shoe and cushion and they fit that category for me. Haven’t got to run in them yet though.
Anyone tried running sockless in these?
Ran in mine for the first time Saturday. I ran with socks. They felt really good. Nice snug fit but not too narrow. They’re definitely cushioned but the still feel springy. I’ve walked around in them without socks and they feel good. I think you’d be fine running in socks with them.