New Balance 880V10

The 880 is New Balance’s answer to the likes of the Brooks Ghost, Nike’s Pegasus, Hoka’s Clifton, and Saucony’s Ride, i.e. a workhorse daily trainer with a moderate price tag. It’s one of New Balance’s most popular shoes that, until this year, lagged a bit behind some of the company’s more sophisticated technology, particularly the Fresh Foam midsole material which made its way to the plush (and pricey) 1080, the now defunct Zante line, and the Tempo.

Given some reviewers’ indifference to earlier incarnations of the Fresh Foam midsole, that might not have been such a bad thing. The 880V9, of which I have several pairs (reviewed here), is a versatile, durable trainer with a large following. With its proven TruFuse dual compound midsole material and thick blown rubber outsole, the ninth iteration of the venerable trainer is a comfortable if traditional companion with a firm but not-too-firm ride. It’s still available at a substantial discount and is a compelling choice for runners and walkers seeking an inexpensive pair of shoes that will last hundreds of miles.

A handsome, more conventional profile masks a host of updates.

Version 10 is a drastically difference shoe in virtually every way save for its more traditional profile, where it eschews the raised heel seen on many Nikes and New Balance’s 1080. The resemblance between the two ends there.

Technical Information

The inclusion of a Fresh Foam X midsole is the most significant change to the 880. Fresh Foam is New Balance’s updated take on EVA materials, and the company claims that it is softer, lighter, more flexible, and more responsive than more traditional materials. It theoretically reduces the need for a dual-density foam such as TruFuse and can be firmer or softer, depending on the nature of the application.

New Balance substituted the Fresh Foam logo in place of the prominent “880” label.

This means that the 880 can have enough spring for tempo work and enough cushion for easier days. Like the shoes listed above, the 880 should, by the specs, move closer to being a true all-rounder for people who might not have the funds or the space for a menagerie of more specialized shoes. With a stack height of 22mm in the rear and 12mm in the front, the 880 is far from the most cushioned shoe on the black, but the softer foam should dampen footfalls more efficiently.

A new Hypoknit upper increases breathability. The heel tab has a more structured appearance, and an external plastic heel counter provides lockdown. The material is thinner and more stretchable than the old Der mesh upper, which is a good thing given the upper’s visibly narrower profile.

The combination of Fresh Foam and the thinner outsole results in lighter shoe. Though the 880V10 is still no lightweight, the new shoe weighs in at 20.8 ounces per pair in a men’s size 10, down from the V9’s 22.3 (pair). The Clifton 6 is still two ounces lighter, but the 880’s weight reduction is notable.

Both the V9 (top) and V10 feature large swaths of blown rubber on the outsole, though the new shoe has a significantly changed pattern.

The outsole is covered with a large amount of blown rubber, but the patterns have been revamped with a series of podlike structures replacing the V9’s rather flat surface. Gone are the ridges that collected small stones. The thick rubber promises to be durable, but the raised surfaces might be more prone to wear over time.

Impressions and Application

The latest 880 is noticeably lighter on the foot. The Fresh Foam gives the shoe a measure of spring, and the new sole design lends more flexibility to the shoe. The upper is more breathable, but I found the shoe to be adequately warm on a recent run in the 40s with standard running socks.

These changes move the 880 more solidly into contention as an all-purpose shoe, particularly for longer tempo runs or half marathons. They’re still a touch on the heavy side for racing or intervals, and they lack the propulsive rocker seen in the Clifton and New Balance’s 1080, but the new design is more amenable to faster paces than last year’s model.

Several reviewers found the shoe’s new midsole to be softer than that of previous iterations, but I found the ride to be on the firmer side, but not harsh. Perhaps my now 53-year-old feet have lost enough natural padding to shape my perception, so keep this in mind.

The upper is a bit longer: I have nearly a thumb’s width between my toe and the toe bumper with my weight applied. This is perhaps half an inch more than I had with the V9. However, the upper through the toe is noticeably narrow than that of the previous model. The V10 has a rather more squared off profile in the toe, which partially explains the reduction of size in the tow box. This hasn’t been a concern for me, but runners with wider feet should take note.

The raised heel is comfortable, and the rigid heel counter locks the rear of the foot into place. The well-padded lounge adds to the feeling of security, but the tongue is notably longer this year (cue the awkward prom kiss jokes). This hasn’t posed any problems for me.

The outsole should be durable; I’ve seen an instance where a runner, a participant in the recent One NY Challenge, wore through the outsole relatively quickly. I should Note that reviewers have not had this experience, but the outsole has seen some major changes that might lead to faster wear. As with the V9, the outsole is covered with thick layers of blown runner, but the older shoe’s flat, grooved segments of rubber provide a larger contact area. The V10 uses a pattern of raised structures that might result in more wear. As Traci will attest, I have many pairs of shoes and route often among them, so I’m not terribly concerned about these shoes wearing excessively.

Future

The 880V11 hasn’t been announced yet. The 880V10 GTX, one of the few waterproof road running shoes, is now on the market.

: 880V10 (left) and 880V9, showing the difference in heel tabs.

: Closeup of 880V10 (left) and 880V9 heels.

: 880V10 (left) and 880V9 heels. The V10’s external heels counter is prominent, as is the upper’s narrower profile.

: 880V10 (left) and 880V9. The 10’s new heel shape, plastic counter, and single layer Fresh Foam midsole are obvious.

: The V10’s (left) upper promises more breathability.

: The V10 (lower) has a slightly longer and narrower profile.

: The V10 (lower) has a slightly longer and narrower profile.

: V9 (lower) and V10 in profile.

: Extensive sections of blown rubber protect the outsoles, but the V10 (bottom) adopts a configuration similar to that of the 1080 and other recent New Balance shoes.