New Balance Men's 880 Shoes

Product Information

The fact that you can run in any way and at any speed in the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a liberating thought and one I'll always appreciate. There is definitely a difference in firmness between the two layers, and what’s more, the shoe appears wide enough to fit my 13.

The toe box is accommodating, even for a slightly wider foot, with the upper constructed using engineered mesh.The stack height is almost idential at 33 mm heel / 23 mm forefoot as is the 10mm drop but the Peg40 checks in 0. It allows a soft landing and a slightly more responsive and stable toe off while keeping the shoe on the softer side and very easy flexing. If this is not a problem for daily training, it can be a little more for more sustained paces or runs.

I’d take them if I was going out for more than 10 miles or if I was doing tempo, but the 880 is a very comfortable ride to take out on most days. Sally: The Rebel V2 earned my favorite daily trainer award last year, but it is more of a fun fast tempo shoe and the 880 v12 is more of a solid daily trainer.

This wasn’t too much of an issue at an easier pace but led to some sloppiness when running faster or down hill. It goes without saying that the 880 saga lives a bit in the shadow of the iconic New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v12.

Sam: The fit is true to size for me and clearly more comfort oriented than the last two 880 which had a more performance oriented fit.Maybe the forefoot rubber and arrangement could be toned down, thinned out a bit with cushion added above to soften and flex the front more at the ball of foot. The upper design creates a second-skin feel which adapts to your feet, moving with you in all directions. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a highly comfortable daily trainer with a spacious toebox and bouncy Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. I found this midsole to be soft and somewhat forgiving without being mushy, and definitely not as bouncy as a Rebel V2 or Fuel Cell Elite. Crafted with a lightweight and breathable design, these shoes will keep your feet protected from any weather while providing an unbeatable level of cushioning and support.

Sam: One of the last of the classic high drop trainers with a thinner more flexible forefoot, the 880, after some over mellowing in v12, leans back towards its predecessors with a snappier ride, a nice forgiving combination of foams, a firmer outsole and a more secure upper. It has more front rebound and this is clearly felt on the run as is decent front stability on toe off . A soft foam compound and dual-layer midsole setup are featured alongside a sleek, engineered mesh upper featuring strategic zones of support and breathability.

I have attempted to crank down tighter on the laces for a more secure fit, but let’s just say this shoe runs wide. In addition to this, the rubber can create a solid bond of friction with a variety of different surfaces, crucial for control as you race around the roads. That said I was excited to finally have my chance, especially this version that NB claims to be the softest 880 yet and was also very curious about the feel of the dual density midsole.