“Comfortable and responsive, I mainly walk in them plus use orthotic insole. Good products these fresh foams, I like the support being quite a heavy person !”
“This is my second pair of New Balance 1080v12 from Northern Runner. I have only done 100km in my previous pair but I love them so much that I decided to get another pair to keep in reserve. I do by far the most of my running on rural trails in my Brooks Cascadia 16, in which I have covered 1000km (with no sign of any wear). I run in the 1080v12 on a fully tarmac trail which is a shared pedestrian and cycle track. I also use them to walk into town and can road run that when I get bored with walking.
The 1080v12 are incredibly comfortable. They feel very similar to my Cascadia 16 in cushioning, fit and response. I have both the 1080v12 and Cascadia 16 in UK9, wide 2E. New Balance call UK 9 EU 43, US 9.5, whereas Brooks call UK 9 EU 44, US 10. They feel exactly the same to me and both give my 2E feet plenty of room in the toe box.
Another thing I love about the 1080v12 is that they are comfortable and practical for cycling (with rubber faced pedals). They give me the confidence that if my bike were to fail on my regular 26km circuit, I would never be further than 13km from home and could run that. The upper is beautifully flexible and is perfect in my running socks or laced looser with a thicker pair on top for cycling when the temperature is close to freezing.
For actual running on tarmac and concrete, the 1080v12 are perfectly cushioned and feel responsive to me. I am a mid foot striker and I find that the 8mm drop does not get in the way. It is better than my Glycerins in that aspect but still naturally allows a heel contact when running downhill. As for response, you may laugh if you want but “faster” for me means doing 5k in just under 30 minutes plus 1.5k warmup and cooldown either side, so an 8k run. I can do it in the 1080v12 (sometimes) but they are also comfortable on a more relaxed 5k or easing along a 10k in 80 minutes. The grip is secure wet and dry and even on fallen leaves on the tarmac.
If you are mulling over whether or not to buy the 1080v12, I recommend going for it before they become available only in tiny or enormous sizes.”
