Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Fresh Foam X 1080v13
Model timeline
Men's foam running sneakers
Premium · top third of running shoes
Quick take
In short: what each side says
Reviewers · Buyers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Reviewers agree the 1080v13 is an exceptionally comfortable, plush daily trainer that runs lighter and softer than its predecessor but has become too soft for faster paces and runs narrower than older versions.
Owners love the comfort for all-day wear and cushioning, but are divided on fit consistency, excessive softness that feels unstable, and durability concerns with premature outsole wear.
All sides but one land high — Holds up — with one check: Some reviewers find the shoe fast enough for moderate tempo efforts while others say it saps energy and slows pace by 1….
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
The 1080v13 ranks third for knee-pain relief and excels as a plush, lightweight daily trainer for easy runs and recovery, though reviewers and buyers agree its excessive softness undermines faster paces and its narrower fit requires sizing up. Best suited to comfort-first runners willing to sacrifice versatility, it commands strong approval for all-day wear despite durability concerns.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of May 2026
Reviewers agree the 1080v13 is an exceptionally comfortable, plush daily trainer that runs lighter and softer than its predecessor but has become too soft for faster paces and runs narrower than older versions.
What they praise
- Extremely soft and plush Fresh Foam X cushioning that feels lighter and bouncier than earlier versions
- Supremely comfortable upper with excellent lockdown, padding, and breathability for all-day wear
- Noticeably lighter than the previous model while maintaining cushioning
- Versatile enough for easy runs, recovery runs, and long distances
- Comfortable heel counter design that flexes and avoids Achilles pressure
What they knock
- Runs narrower than previous versions—standard width feels tight for average feet
- Foam is too soft and energy-absorbing for tempo runs or speed work, making it slower than expected effort suggests
- No longer versatile enough for all paces; now limited mainly to easy and recovery runs
- Outsole rubber wears down faster than the midsole foam in high-traffic areas
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
In their own words
“it's uncomplicated very honest”
— RunningXpert
“you just feel like you're absolutely melting into the pavement as you run”
— Ben Parkes
“it just Springs back in a very pleasant and fun way that makes logging in those everyday runs such a pleasure”
— kofuzi
Synthesised from: Alastair Running · RunningXpert · Ben Parkes · kofuzi · Hes Kicks
New Balance 1080 v13 Review
Alastair Running
New Balance 1080 v13 Review - Fresh Foam X to the next level!
RunningXpert
Is The New Balance 1080 V13 Really As Bad As The Online Reviews Say? My honest & unbiased thoughts!
Ben Parkes
New Balance 1080v13 After 100 Miles
kofuzi
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 Review: Comparing to 1080v12
Hes Kicks
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 977 buyer ratings of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
977 ratings · 7 written
across 3 retailers
What owners single out
Buyers' weakest aspect—stability & responsiveness—directly overlaps video reviewers' criticism that the foam is too soft and energy-absorbing, making the shoe feel slow and unstable for anything beyond easy recovery…
In their words
“The comfort of shoes has become crucial in my everyday life. I walk an average of 5-10 miles a day at my job, and on my feet all day, so shoes are very important to me. Normally it take a couple of weeks for my body and feet to get acclimated to the new shoe I am wearing. Well I wore these for 8 hours yesterday, and my feet didn't hurt all day or after work when I took them off. these New Balance ”
Tiffany · verified purchase · scheels.com
“Overall it’s a nice shoe, stack height is okay but it’s a bit squishy for my preference. I like my more cushioned shoes soft but firm enough to be responsive and these are definitely not that. Very forgiving on the muscles and joints and softness makes it feel a bit unstable and very slow each step feels like i’m sinking into marshmallows. If you like that it will be the shoe for you.”
lanib · verified purchase · newbalance.com
as of June 24 · 977 buyer ratings?
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The disagreement
Where the juries actually split.
RunningXpert
4.5/ 5
the warmest read in the room
Ben Parkes
2.5/ 5
the toughest read in the room
What splits them
Some reviewers find the shoe fast enough for moderate tempo efforts while others say it saps energy and slows pace by 15 seconds per kilome…
owners 4.4★ doesn't share the critics' split.
owners 4.4★Per-critic scores from the video reviews above?
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same field, less money.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What is New Balance 1080 v13 best for?
Reviewers say it's best for easy runs, recovery miles, and long distances where plush comfort matters more than speed. It works well for runners who want an exceptionally soft daily trainer and can size up if they have wider feet.
Is 1080 v13 too soft?
Reviewers are split. Some say the softness is its main strength for comfort and all-day wear. Others say it's too soft for tempo runs and speed work, absorbing energy in a way that slows pace. The shoe runs narrower than earlier versions, so standard width may feel tight for average feet.
What is the difference between 1080 V12 and v13?
Reviewers note the v13 is lighter and bouncier than the v12 while keeping the plush cushioning. It runs noticeably narrower than the previous model, which some see as a fit issue for standard widths.
Is 1080v13 good for walking?
Reviewers highlight its supremely comfortable upper with excellent padding and breathability, plus a heel counter that flexes without Achilles pressure. These traits make it suitable for all-day wear and long distances, though it was designed as a running shoe.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- MakerBy New Balance — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.