I also loved the blown rubber outsole coverage on the Fresh Foam 880v12. I enjoyed the feeling on all of my runs and found myself wishing that maybe New Balance had skipped the denser FuelCell layer altogether. It’s designed to feel better on the step-in, and I’d have to agree.

Now, the Fresh Foam 880v12 promises New Balance’s softest version of the foam yet. It’s what makes the 1080v11 my go-to - a thick slab underfoot for heaps of miles. There’s no other way to put it than Fresh Foam X is my shit. RYAN: When I see that Fresh Foam X label on a midsole, I smile automatically. Let’s see if the 880v12 is ready for a vow renewal or divorce paperwork. But this is a shoe you marry more than date, as I know many faithful 880 wearers that aren’t named Emma Coburn. Simple, comfortable, durable as all get out in a reliable base mileage shoe. I’ve run in a few of the 880 iterations over the years and found the v10 to be my favorite so far. Let’s turn on the NOS.ĪDRIENNE: First of all, it’s been a hot second since I last reviewed a shoe, so audience - be warned if this review goes all over the place. It speaks to this enduring workhorse trainer’s simplicity and solid overall design. If you think about it, that’s an insane number of iterations and longevity that’s only been eclipsed by Kidz Bop and Lethal Weapon and probably Fast and the Furious if we’re all so lucky. So here we are, with the New Balance Fresh Foam 880v12. For those with as bad a memory as mine, the 80 is “Neutral: For high-mileage runners who require light shoes and the protection of superior cushioning.” Both the 1080 and 880 fall under this category and are launching new versions this spring. JEREMY: 880? 890? 574? 1080? Every time I get a New Balance shoe, I desperately try to remember their numbered model system before giving up and just googling it. Now let’s see if these shoes are worth their salt. Usually that only happens when I drive past a Zaxby’s sign, so good news, New Balance – you’ve really buttered my Texas toast. JARRETT (WIDE FOOT): Ever since we saw the 2022 New Balance lineup at TRE this past December, I’ve been foaming at the mouth to try them out. My only question was whether or not it would be able to tempt me away from my sweet, sweet Fresh Foam 1080v11 (which has over 300 miles in it). It’s got lots of what I like in a shoe - Fresh Foam X in the heel, a dense version of FuelCell in the forefoot, solid outsole coverage, and a pretty slick launch colorway. After seeing it teased at The Running Event, I figured there had to be something good going for this workhorse of a daily trainer. The Fresh Foam 880v12 is a new model for me, but one that came with high hopes. I even went so far as to corner Robbe at the Christmas 5K and offer to bribe him into letting me review some New Balance shoes this year. So much so that I wore through a pair of the Fresh Foam 1080v11 and a pair of the FuelCell Rebel V2, and now I’m on to my second of each.

RYAN: Let’s get one thing out of the way up top - I’m a firm believer that New Balance makes the best running shoes right now.

You’ll quit the outsole rubber before it quits you.

There’s A LOT of room in the jacquard mesh upper.The best 880 ride yet thanks to the Fresh Foam midsole.

New balance fresh foam