New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 Review

The X 880v12 was released in spring 2022 to cater to both men and women who like to run mile after mile on a variety of surfaces.In comparison to the New Balance 880v11, the v12 version has changed quite a bit. Softer than ever and upgraded for an even better fit, the New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12 continues to be a daily choice for runners of all levels.

The main difference between the Fresh Foam X 880v12 and the Fresh Foam 880v11 can be found in the name: notice the addition of the letter 'X' in between Fresh Foam and 880v12.The Fresh Foam X cushioning system is softer and more responsive than Fresh Foam.The top-of-the-line 1080 line has been using the Fresh Foam X system for the last three iterations – these shoes have been immensely popular, not least because of the new foam.And the v12 added upfront FuelCell which is a slightly more dense upgrade giving a bit more energy through toe off.Fuel Cell is the foam that New Balance use in their shoes designed for fast sessions and shorter races. It is firmer, more responsive and has more energy return than Fresh Foam. It retains the same 10 mm drop.The heel is softer, while the forefoot is slightly firmer for more energetic toe-offs.The upper has also been reworked: it's now made of an engineered mesh with no-sew overlays to increase airflow and reduce chafing.

Overall, if you're a new or seasoned runner looking to log miles or find a couch for your tired feet, you won't go wrong with the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 Pros and Cons

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v11 Review

Designers built the New Balance 880v11 to be very similar to the outgoing 880v10.But there are a couple small differences between the New Balance 880v11 and 880v10.The biggest change is the upper. New Balance swapped the Hypoknit upper on the v10 for a jacquard mesh upper on the new model. The new mesh gives the 880 a smoother overall look and feel while remaining lightweight and breathable.With its impressive performance and nice-looking design, the New Balance 880 v11 is a sure win.

880v11 maintains the 880’s recognizable silhouette atop the same midsole that delivers the familiar neutral ride you love. The fit accommodates a wide range of foot shapes, and the shoe can grow with you as you ramp up your training.New Balance powered the 880v11 with two layers of foam: Fresh Foam and a more responsive EVA foam.The Fresh Foam midsole is soft without being mushy and adds an energetic bounce to each stride. The Double Jacquard Engineered Mesh is a welcomed update and elevates the entire feel of the v11.The outsole of this shoe also contributed to a trusty ride. I didn’t slip around while running because of the ample blown rubber on the outsole. 

The classic fit and top-notch materials make the 880v11 an approachable running shoe for beginners, but its versatility offers something for everyone. Whether you’re starting to add more miles to your training or you’re a seasoned marathoner, the 880v11 is a durable, no-fuss training partner.

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v11 Pros and Cons

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v10 Review

Introduced around March of 2020, the 880 v10 is a "sleeper" in the wide array of cushioned, reliable trainers. The New Balance 880v10 is a versatile trainer that hits almost all of its marks. It is definitely a go-to for recovery runs, slow runs, and especially for those longer weekend forays.

The New Balance 880v10 was a big update from the 880v9, but the latest version isn’t as drastic a change.The biggest change is the upper. New Balance swapped the Hypoknit upper on the v10 for a jacquard mesh upper on the new model. The new mesh gives the 880 a smoother overall look and feel while remaining lightweight and breathable.The other difference is the size of the heel clip at the back of the shoe. Designers reduced the size of the plastic clip at the back to make room for reflective detailing that makes you more visible to drivers or other people when you run at night.The combination of soft Fresh Foam and a flexible and breathable upper allow this offering to be used for most types of runs.This shoe will compete against the likes of the Brooks Ghosts, Nike Pegasus, ASICS Cumulus, Saucony Ride, and Skechers GOrun Ride amongst others.

Overall, at a little over 10 oz with a 10-mm drop, the 880 v10 is a solid performer offering reasonable stability with uncompromising cushioning.

New Balance Fresh Foam 880v10 Pros and Cons

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New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 vs. v11 vs. v10: Comparison Side by Side

1.Construction and Materials

• Upper

880v12 - The upper is made of double jacquard mesh,identical to the previous version. The mesh upper features strategically placed perforations to increase breathability around the toe box.Overlays are limited to a rubberized and reflective “N” on each side at midfoot. The mesh is soft and supple, durable, but but it is thicker than the Hypoknit upper so it runs warm. The heat can cause excessive sweating that is unpleasant, causing untimely slips inside the shoe.The further you go to the back of the shoe, the thicker the material is, especially in the heel area. It has an extended heel counter with a light amount of padding which secures your heels in place amazingly well. 

880v11 - The new 880v11 features a double engineered Jacquard mesh, as opposed to last year’s shoe featuring a HypoKnit upper.The double-engineered Jacquard mesh upper is incredible. Not only is it soft and breathable, but it also provides the perfect amount of structure around my foot. It wasn’t too snug or too loose. It was just right, and that translated on the run.

880v10 - The New Balance 880v10 features a refreshed upper made of Hlypoknit material without overlays.This material and design truly hit the mark. The material is breathable, yet didn’t just let everything in. The Hypoknit upper also gives the shoe an excellent structure and does not pinch or bunch up. In addition, the medium heel fit with a non-slip grip leads to a relatively narrow midfoot and a roomy forefoot,which perfectly hugs the foot.

• Midsole 

880v12 - The dual-density midsole is the highlight and most major development of this New Balance FF 880 v12:Fresh Foam X in the heel and on the top layer of the forefoot for softness,FuelCell on the lower forefoot layer for density.These two technologies are complementary. The Fresh Foam X provides soft cushioning, while the density of the FuelCell delivers the necessary firmness for energy return.

880v11 - New Balance powered the 880v11 with two layers of foam: Fresh Foam and a more responsive EVA foam.The Fresh Foam cushion has a comfy, medium softness that feels responsive underfoot.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.The midsole also features a molded sockliner that enhances step-in comfort and helps with regulating moisture.

880v10 - New Balance 880v10 uses their Fresh Foam+ for the heart of the shoe, along with a softer EVA compound as additional forefoot padding.According to NB, they are laser engraved and add to the cushion properties.Fresh Foam+ has pretty good resistance to compression-set, too. So, depending on your size and weight, the cushioning properties of this shoe should be long-lived. 

• Outsole

880v12 - The outsole has a ton of rubber which should translate into a lot of miles. Deep flex grooves keep the outsole flexible and not just a cumbersome slab. Road grip is good but the large flat pads make flat contact with road making running in wet conditions or over varying terrain tricky.

880v11 - 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.New Balance also made a couple of changes to the heel counter. The first significant change: no more plastic surrounding the heel cup. Instead, New Balance added a smaller plastic heel clip that gives a small amount of stability and isn’t intrusive. 

880v10 - The 880v10 uses a lighter blown rubber compound that not only is durable but also smooths your landing and enhances the shoe’s cushioning. The sole also uses a similar data-influenced design like the foam, where the hexagon-shaped tread varies in size—larger patches of rubber are placed under the areas that see the greatest forces during your stride, which helps improve support and grip on each step.

2.Fit and Sizing

880v12 - The 880v12 runs true to size and comes in regular, wide and extra wide versions.The toe box is accommodating, even for a slightly wider foot, with the upper constructed using engineered mesh. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 has a comfortable fit with lots of support for runners who prefer to travel longer distances during their training sessions. The shoes held up well when tested with a couple of 8k runs and even a 10k run in the same week. 

880v11 - Everything about this shoe feels high-quality, and the fit is no exception. For starters, this shoe fits true-to-size, and the upper is incredibly soft. The 880v11 also features a toe bumper, which helps with the fit of the shoe.

880v10 - Further benefits worth mentioning are that the shoe offers a roomy toe box, allowing your feet to spread out easily. When putting on the shoe, I was also pleased to find that it was true to size. 

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Which Model Should You Choose?

The New Balance 880 is a wildly popular daily trainer that keeps improving every year. If you enjoyed the 880v10 and 880v111,then you're going to love the 880v11 because, in my opinion, this is the best 880 yet.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 works well for a variety of runs, including recovery days, long runs and workouts at a moderate pace. New runners looking for a neutral trainer may want to check out the 880v12 thanks to its more traditional geometry, softer Fresh Foam X, and comfortable yet secure upper.If you’re looking for a high-quality, dependable training shoe that can handle the bulk of your weekly mileage, the Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a perfect fit.

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