I don’t like either of the New Balance shoes I own, and I want to be specific about why, because the 1080 is genuinely a comfortable shoe.
Comfortable, but
The 1080 is really comfortable. Step in, it’s cushioned, it’s nice. But it felt like my heel was too low. Some of that is probably just getting used to it, because at the time the Gel-Nimbus was my go-to, and the Nimbus has a much thicker heel and a much stronger rocker. The 1080 just doesn’t have that kind of forward rock. You sit in it instead of rolling through it.
Versus the Gel-Nimbus
Same job on paper: soft, tall, recovery shoe. The Nimbus is the one I kept. If you’ve never run in a rockered shoe the 1080 will feel fine. If you have, it’ll feel flat.
Would I buy it again
No. [FILL: miles on the pair, and whether it’s still in the closet.]
What I wore
| Brand | Piece | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Balance | Fresh Foam X 1080 | 8 | comfortable, no rocker |
All my measurements and every size I wear are on the sizing page.
Questions I get
New Balance 1080 or ASICS Gel-Nimbus?
Gel-Nimbus. The 1080 is comfortable but the heel sits lower and there's no real forward rocker. The Nimbus has a thicker heel and a much stronger rocker, and once you're used to that the 1080 feels flat.
Is the New Balance 1080 soft?
It's comfortable, yes. Soft in a sit-in-it way, not a bounce-you-forward way.
