Embarking on her first half-marathon journey at Nagoya City Marathon, fitness influencer and content creator Shannon Taylor shares her thoughts on New Balance’s comfortable and versatile trainer - the Fresh Foam X 1080v13
"Sole Mates" is a series made by runners created for runners, and a SportPlus.sg initiative to help you find the right running footwear for you and your runs.
As part of this series, SportPlus.sg has teamed up with local running content creators, Key Opinion Leaders and athletes to have them share their thoughts on the latest running footwear.
A collaboration celebrating New Balance’s ‘Run Your Way’ philosophy and this year's Nagoya Women's Marathon and Nagoya City Marathon, SportPlus.sg kicks off 2024’s first 3 episodes of "Sole Mates" delving into the latest New Balance running shoes, to garner insights into how shoes can embody every runner’s unique personality and running style.
Season 2 Episode 3 of "Sole Mates" saw SportPlus.sg welcome Shannon Taylor Wong onto the show to review New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080v13, launched in late 2023. Shannon, more known for her time spent in the gym, recently completed her very first half-marathon in Nagoya, Japan, but fell in love with the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 as her go-to trainer for easy runs during her half-marathon training block.
From running distances of only up to 5km to completing her very first half marathon, Shannon has proved that anything is possible if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone and put your mind to it!
You can read up on our special feature of Shannon Taylor for the Nagoya Women’s Marathon here.
Weighing at just 206 grams, the New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080v13 feels light on your feet, and feels smooth and natural in its transitions from heel to toe. Perhaps one of its greatest plus points is a durable rubber outsole that provides additional stiffness at the forefoot area so that runners can expect a better toe-off. This means runners can expect a soft landing in the mid foot area but not compromise on energy return for faster runs.
Featuring a ‘Sea Salt with Coastal Blue and Gulf Red’ colourway, the shoe is not only aesthetically pleasing but also purposeful in a variety of ways! Suited for clocking your miles in those long runs, this versatile pair can also be used in recovery runs, or up tempo runs with its generally cushioned profile great for days your feet feel beaten up. Some have even worn them out for lifestyle activities simply because they are very comfortable and look stylish at the same time.
Shannon provides her insights into three key features of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13, followed by her own personal experience with the pair of shoes. Just how exactly do the features of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 benefit runners? Read on to find out more!
New Fresh Foam X Midsole
The midsole is the stand-out feature of these shoes as it incorporates the new Fresh Foam X technology. The soft Fresh Foam X midsole provides more cushioning without increasing overall weight. A lot of the shoe’s benefits can be attributed to the comfort and softness that the Fresh Foam X midsole provides.
Measuring 35mm in the rearfoot and 29mm in the forefoot, these shoes have an offset of 6mm. Although it’s a pretty consistent stack height across other New Balance trainers, a lower drop makes this a pretty safe shoe that is less aggressive, making this a neutral shoe that caters to a wider group of runners, regardless of running styles.
Shannon says, “The cushion is crazy, it feels like you are walking or running on clouds because the cushion pretty much spans the entire length of the sole.”
One of the challenges of running shoes is that you need to strike a good balance between energy return and cushioning. While some shoes provide very good energy return, they may end up being too stiff, causing runners to suffer – especially after running long distances.
In the case of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13, these shoes retain some level of energy return and with its softness, you can wear them for both your daily miles or long runs.
2. Cooling and Breathable Knit Upper
The shoe boasts a comfortable and snug fit, thanks to its breathable knit upper and padded heel collar. A gusseted tongue adds to the plush feel and remains firmly in position, supported by a lace loop for added security.
With ample padding in the heel collar, the shoe exudes a luxurious softness. Its breathable engineered mesh upper offers a structured, supportive feel akin to a second skin.
“I want to highlight that because of this material, during the runs, it's not so hot. Normally when I run with shoes that are not as good in quality, I feel my feet heating up and it just gets very uncomfortable. I don't get that problem with these shoes when I run long distances,” Shannon shares.“The shoes are great, super light, super comfortable! The heel collar is super soft so you never get blisters. I also like the fact that it's cooling.”
When running, there can be a lot of friction that builds up in the shoe. This results in more heat being trapped which can feel uncomfortable for runners. With an upper that is breathable and cooling, less heat is trapped in the shoe, ensuring a consistently comfortable and pleasant run.
3. Grippy Outsole
The outsole utilises rubber material in strategic areas to enhance durability and traction. This provides reliable grip on various surfaces, ensuring confidence and stability during runs on roads or trails. As mentioned, the outsole provides additional stiffness at the forefoot area, allowing runners to expect a better toe-off when starting their runs.
Runners need not worry about slipping in these shoes. The outsole is durable enough to withstand different terrains such as grass, concrete and smoother tiles. It was evident to Shannon that the grippiness fulfilled a crucial and practical role within the shoe.
“The grippiness is great. I ran in the shoes after it rained on different kinds of surfaces like concrete and other terrains. I haven't slipped once even when turning sharp corners while running at fast speeds. Although this can be dangerous, I feel safe as the shoe is super, super grippy!” Shannon reflected, praising the grippiness of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13.
My Personal Running Experience
As a fitness influencer, Shannon has more experience with flatter shoes as they are more suitable for strength training in the gym. However, transitioning into the shape of the Fresh Foam X 1080v13 was easy for her as she prioritises cushioning and comfort in a pair of running shoes.
Shannon says, “After clocking mileage in the pair, my favourite part of the shoe is the cushioning. I think I am someone who forgets that I'm not supposed to put so much pressure when landing on my feet. This is why the cushioning helps a lot. As runners, one of the most common experiences we know of is getting shin splints which happens when they constantly put a lot of pressure on their legs. I have been running for months and I have not gotten any shin splints. Cushioning is number one!”
As part of New Balance’s ‘Run Your Way’ campaign, an initiative aimed at celebrating individuality, diversity, and personal expression within the running community. The campaign emphasises the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to running and encourages runners to embrace their unique styles, preferences, and motivations.
Shannon believes that the Fresh Foam X 1080 offers a unique combination of comfort and high performance – which allows for a seamless transition for runners to go from an everyday trainer to their race day shoes. The Fresh Foam X midsole which provides cushioning, a cooling knit upper as well as its durable outsole are very good features that could possibly make this pair your very next Sole Mate!
Sole Mates Overall Shoe Rating:
Comfort - 5/5
Stability - 4/5
Responsiveness - 4/5
Grippiness - 5/5
Value for Money - 5/5
With all things considered, Shannon gives the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 an overall rating of 4.64 Soles.
You can purchase the which will be going for S$259 and you can purchase them from newbalance.com or any of New Balance’s retailers.
Comments