New Balance have a reputation for great running shoes. The Fresh Foam X 880v12 is one of their latest offerings.
The X 880v12 was released in spring 2022 to cater to both men and women who like to run mile after mile on a variety of surfaces.
If you’re a fan of New Balance and their running shoes, you’ll be familiar with their Fresh Foam technology.
The Fresh Foam range has provided runners looking for cushioned comfort with a welcome solution.
We’ve previously reviewed New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v8, New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11 and Fresh Foam Zante v4.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be taking a look at their Fresh Foam X 880v12 to give you an insight into how running feels wearing these shoes and where you can buy a pair.
New Balance 880v12 running shoes (Photo: The Sport Review)
Website: newbalance.co.uk
Fit: The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 has a comfortable fit with lots of support for runners who prefer to travel longer distances during their training sessions. The shoes held up well when tested with a couple of 8k runs and even a 10k run in the same week. New Balance say on their website that these shoes have a “plush”, engineered mesh upper that is infused with strategic zones of breathability and support.
Feel: You can tell these are members of the Fresh Foam range with the midsole spring that is associated with this particular type of New Balance running shoe. Their website explains that the top-bed foam and Fresh Foam X underfoot construction displaces heel impact and offers a responsive approach to cushioning.
Ride: As we’ve already mentioned in this review, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 have been created to allow runners to go the extra mile, both figuratively and literally. New Balance declare that the new Fresh Foam X 880v12 is their hardest working shoe for the daily runner. As a daily runner myself, I was impressed with how these shoes held up on a variety of surfaces, whether it was tarmac, gravel or trail. They offered lots of support and sufficient spring even as I racked up the miles on my runs.
Weight: 298g
Price: £130 from newbalance.co.uk
New Balance 880v12 running shoes (Photo: The Sport Review)
Our Verdict
I prefer to run on a variety of surfaces and usually at least 8-10k at a time. So I was excited to try the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 to see how it could contend with mid-to-long distance running.
I liked the colour and the design of the shoes (side note: it paired perfectly with my retro Steph Curry Golden State Warriors jersey).
They felt comfortable with good ventilation so my feet didn’t overheat even in humid conditions on my local canal.
The X 880v12 were able to handle a number of different surfaces, with the midsole cushioning perfect for the uneven gravel on the canal near my home.
Having previously tested some of the other New Balance Fresh Foam shoes, I could identify their latest offering were part of the range.
New Balance 880v12 running shoes (Photo: The Sport Review)
Wrapping Up – Our Final Thoughts
We’ve reached the end of our New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 review.
This latest offering from New Balance lived up to my expectations with their Fresh Foam technology providing a comfortable ride.
Not only do they perform well, but they look good too with their eclipse design paired vibrant apricot and bleach blue colouring.
Priced competitively at £130, you won’t go wrong with these New Balance running shoes.