In summary, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a good evolution of the model, despite some criticism of its upper. A native Coloradoan Jim enjoys its trails, mountains, and outdoors taking advantage of all they have to offer as much as possible. Sam: The next step “up” in cushion after the 1080 the More v3 with its 4mm drop is much more fun to run faster than the 880, with a very distinct energetic bounce off the forefoot but is overly low and soft at the heel for me at slower paces. These shoes have the best rebound of all the On running shoes thanks to the added CloudTec midsole and the springy Speedboard. Because of the upper and to a lesser extent the ride the V12 now leans more towards the easier side of daily training whereas the v11 leaned more towards a somewhat faster paced side of the spectrum.

Even Matt Klein, the founder of Doctors of Running, who has run in hundreds of different shoes, states that he has yet to find the perfect pair of shoes for him. I go back to the nostalgia of those New Balance 880 v9, which, in this sense, felt somewhat lighter than these Fresh Foam v12.The shoe better than the 860 but you can not hide that it is a byway venture shoe meant to keep shareholders happy. The toe box is accommodating, even for a slightly wider foot, with the upper constructed using engineered mesh. I enjoyed the spacious toebox, the comfortable running experience, and the aforementioned versatility. New runners looking for a neutral trainer may want to check out the 880v12 thanks to its more traditional geometry, softer Fresh Foam X, and comfortable yet secure upper.

This twelfth edition presents changes that not only affect its midsole, but also its upper and outsole. I find the 880 to be a bit more stable - the Novablast can get a bit out of control - so I am taking the 880. It is accommodating even for runners that have slightly wider feet but still provides a secure lockdown even for normal width or slightly narrow feet.In short, a balance between comfortable, stable and soft cushioning, and with an optimal response for running at faster paces.