New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review – Agile running shoes for everyday training

ActiveRunningNew Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review – Agile running shoes for everyday trainingThe New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is the kind of daily trainer everyone needs in their livesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a highly comfortable daily trainer with a spacious toebox and bouncy Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. A slight issue is the somewhat heftier price tag, but considering the miles you’ll put in these shoes, it might not feel as excessive.Reasons to buy+Super reliable daily trainers+Soft foam underfoot+Roomy toebox+Comes in four width-optionsReasons to avoid-Not the most stylish-Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12-Could be a bit cheaper-(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is the kind of daily trainer everyone needs in their lives

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a highly comfortable daily trainer with a spacious toebox and bouncy Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. A slight issue is the somewhat heftier price tag, but considering the miles you’ll put in these shoes, it might not feel as excessive.Reasons to buy+Super reliable daily trainers+Soft foam underfoot+Roomy toebox+Comes in four width-optionsReasons to avoid-Not the most stylish-Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12-Could be a bit cheaper-(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam x 880v12 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

T3 VerdictThe New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a highly comfortable daily trainer with a spacious toebox and bouncy Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. A slight issue is the somewhat heftier price tag, but considering the miles you’ll put in these shoes, it might not feel as excessive.Reasons to buy+Super reliable daily trainers+Soft foam underfoot+Roomy toebox+Comes in four width-optionsReasons to avoid-Not the most stylish-Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12-Could be a bit cheaper-(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)

T3 Verdict

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a highly comfortable daily trainer with a spacious toebox and bouncy Fresh Foam X cushioning technology. A slight issue is the somewhat heftier price tag, but considering the miles you’ll put in these shoes, it might not feel as excessive.

Reasons to buy+Super reliable daily trainers+Soft foam underfoot+Roomy toebox+Comes in four width-optionsReasons to avoid-Not the most stylish-Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12-Could be a bit cheaper-(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)

Reasons to buy+Super reliable daily trainers+Soft foam underfoot+Roomy toebox+Comes in four width-options

Super reliable daily trainers

Soft foam underfoot

Roomy toebox

Comes in four width-options

Reasons to avoid-Not the most stylish-Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12-Could be a bit cheaper-(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)

Not the most stylish

Gait cycle is not as smooth as 1080v12

Could be a bit cheaper

(As always, be mindful of New Balance sizing: make sure you go half size up)

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review TL;DR: New Balance reimagines its workhorse running trainer with an updated dual-layer midsole and more comfortable upper than ever before – if only it were a bit more affordable…

I tested a good many daily trainers in recent times, and I love them all. Everyday trainers are thebest running shoesfor people who don’t chase PBs at every run and just want to head out to get some fresh air and pound the streets for half an hour before or after work.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is for them: joggers, casual runners, ploggers, and trotters. The shoes feel comfortable – spacious, even – and will carry you mile after mile, enabling you to go as far as you want, whether it’s a 3k or a half marathon distance.

Should you buy a pair, or would you be better off getting one of the alternatives? Read on to find out.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Price and availability

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is available to buy now directly fromNew Balance US,New Balance UKandNew Balance AUfor a recommended retail price of $135/£130/AU$220.

The previous iteration of the shoes is also available and slightly cheaper, although I expect the price of theFresh Foam 880v11(link to NB UK) to drop significantly in the coming months.

TheFresh Foam 680v7(link to NB UK) might be a good option for runners on a tight budget. This neutral running shoe features a dual-density foam similar to the 880v11 and is priced well, too.

Make sure you check ourNew Balance discount codespage to see if you can lower the cost of your order.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam x 880v12 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: What’s new?

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; you can certainly feel the difference. 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.

But while the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 uses only Fresh Foam X cushioning, the 880v12 has a dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X. 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.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam x 880v12 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Fit

It would be pretty terrible if shoes such as the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 wouldn’t be comfortable. After all, these are the type of shoes you put on if you want to get away from the firmness of theASICS METASPEED EDGE+and the likes.

[Unless you’re like me andprefer carbon racers for recovery.]

Thankfully, the Fresh Foam X 880v12 is as comfy as it needs to be. The plush, engineered mesh upper is infused with strategic zones of breathability and support and feels spacious – but definitely not in the wrong way.

Step-in comfort is also excellent; the collar opens up nicely, making it easy to slip into the shoes. The padding around said collar holds the shoes in place – however, don’t expect excellent heel lockdown from the Fresh Foam X 880v12.

As for weight, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 weighs 329 grams (men’s UK size 10), slightly heavier than theASICS Gel-Nimbus 24but lighter than theUnder Armour HOVR Machina 3, the latter which also has a dual-density foam.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam x 880v12 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Running performance

The cushioning system of the Fresh Foam X 880v12 works well, and I enjoyed the flexibility it had to offer: I could go at whatever speed I wanted, and the shoes were there to support me.

That said, I found the dual-density foam less smooth than the Fresh Foam X 1080v12, which uses only the Fresh Foam X underfoot. It’s not bothersome to have two different densities, but in all honesty, I don’t see the point in having a dual-density foam when the singular version works perfectly fine.

I guess the 880 Series has always used dual-density foam, which makes the shoes different from the 1080s, but given how close they are in price, I’d probably opt-in for the latter if I were given a choice.

It might sound like I didn’t enjoy running in the Fresh Foam X 880v12, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When I headed out for a run without any purpose in the last few weeks, I often found myself reaching for the 880v12. I enjoyed the spacious toebox, the comfortable running experience, and the aforementioned versatility.

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.

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam x 880v12 review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Verdict

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 introduces the Fresh Foam X technology to the 880 Series, making the shoes bouncier and ever so comfortable to wear to everyday runs.

The dual-density foam has been re-jigged, and the upper has also been updated to create an even more enjoyable overall running experience. The Fresh Foam X 880v12 might be a workhorse running shoe but what this means is that they will carry you mile after mile, not that you’ll need to work hard to get to your destination.

The only real downside of the shoes is the price: the Fresh Foam X 880v12 could be slightly cheaper – around the $110/£100 mark – to make it more competitive among its main competitors, such asNike Air Zoom Pegasus 39.

Those happy to shell out the asking price of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 will be rewarded with running shoes that can go as long as they wish in maximum comfort. And, admittedly, that’s worth every penny.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review: Also consider

Looking for something more stylish (and more expensive)? Check out theOn Cloudmonster! These shoes have the best rebound of all the On running shoes thanks to the added CloudTec midsole and the springy Speedboard. The upper is tighter than the New Balance but as long os you haven’t got a wide feet, it shouldn’t be bothersome.

Or you can get the theAdidas Solarglide 5for less – it’s an excellent max cushioned daily trainer for style-conscious runners. The Bubble Boost midsole provides a good bounce while the L.E.P. system ensures beginner runners won’t stray too far off the optimal course. The Solarglide 5 is the new unisex Ultraboost without the premium price tag.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12: Price Comparison

Low Stock$84.99$55.99ViewLow Stock$84.99$55.99View$79.99View$109.41$101View$134.68View

Low Stock$84.99$55.99View

Low Stock

$84.99$55.99View

New Balance Fresh Foam X…