New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 Review: Why I Prefer It Over the 1080
New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 Review: Why I Prefer It Over the 1080
The New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 surprised me. I bought it after years of liking the New Balance 880, and I expected the cheaper shoe to feel cheaper. It did not. For my feet, the 680v9 feels close enough to the 880 that I would happily buy either again, and I like it more than the softer 1080 I bought later.
Best for: easy runs, walking, gym days, newer runners, and anyone who wants a simple neutral shoe that does not feel too soft.
Be careful if: you want a very plush long run shoe, a fast workout shoe, or a lot of built in stability.
Quick Take
The New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 is a simple neutral running shoe that works well for easy miles. It does not feel fancy, but that is part of why I like it. It feels natural, comfortable, and easy to wear.
I moved into New Balance after trying shoes on at Running Room a few years ago. I had been wearing ASICS Gel Cumulus, but they felt tight over my high arches and a bit narrow through the midfoot. The New Balance fit just worked better for my feet.
Why I Bought the New Balance 680v9
I had been running in the New Balance 880, which I still think is a great shoe. The problem is price. In Canada, the 880 can be around the $200 mark, and I wanted to see if a less expensive New Balance daily trainer could still work for me.
I found the 680v9 at a great deal and decided to try it. I expected it to be okay for walking or short runs. Instead, I ended up liking it a lot more than I expected.
The biggest surprise was how normal it felt. I did not have to think about the shoe much. It did not feel too soft, too narrow, or too built up. It just felt like a comfortable everyday shoe.
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What I Like and What I Would Watch
What I Like
- Comfortable New Balance fit for my high arches.
- Feels similar enough to the 880 for easy runs.
- Not too soft or squishy underfoot.
- Good value when you find it on sale.
- Works for running, walking, and daily wear.
What Could Be Better
- It is not as cushioned as premium long run shoes.
- It is not a speed workout shoe.
- The upper and materials feel more basic than the 880.
- Runners who like max cushion may want more softness.
- Neutral runners are the best fit. It is not a stability shoe.
Fit: Why New Balance Works Better for Me Than ASICS
About three years ago, I switched from ASICS Gel Cumulus to New Balance after trying shoes on at Running Room. The ASICS were not bad shoes, but they did not feel right on my feet. They felt a bit narrow, and the top of the shoe felt tight over my high arches.
The New Balance fit felt better right away. I had more comfort over the top of my foot, and the shape felt easier for my foot to settle into. That is the main reason I stayed with New Balance after that.
The 680v9 continues that same feeling for me. It is not sloppy or wide in a bad way. It just gives my foot enough space without pressing down too much across the laces.
How the 680v9 Feels on the Run
The 680v9 feels like a normal daily trainer in the best way. It is not trying to be a race shoe or a max cushion shoe. For easy runs, walking, and steady daily mileage, that works well.
Easy runs
This is where the shoe makes the most sense. It feels comfortable, stable enough for neutral running, and not too soft. I like that I can just lace it up and go.
Longer runs
I would use the 680v9 for shorter to medium daily runs. For very long runs, some runners may want the extra cushion of the 880 or 1080. For me, the 680v9 still feels good because I do not love shoes that are too soft.
Walking and everyday wear
This is also a strong use for the 680v9. It is comfortable enough for walking, errands, and days where you want one pair of shoes that can handle a little bit of everything.
Faster workouts
I would not buy it for speed days. It is not the shoe I would pick for intervals, tempo runs, or racing.
680 vs 880 vs 1080: My Real Shoe Comparison
The biggest difference for me is the amount of foam underfoot. The 1080 has a much softer, more built up feel. That can be great for runners who love plush cushioning, but I found that I actually prefer the simpler feel of the 680 and 880.
680v9 vs 880: Is the 880 Worth More?
I still really like the New Balance 880. I would happily buy it again. The 880 has a more premium feel and is a safer pick if you want one shoe for a lot of weekly mileage.
But after wearing the 680v9, I do not think every runner needs to jump straight to the 880. For easy runs and daily wear, the 680v9 feels close enough for me that price matters. If I find the 680v9 on a good sale, I would have no problem choosing it again.
680v9 vs 1080: Why I Like the 680 Better
I also bought the New Balance 1080 because I thought more foam would mean more comfort. In my head, extra cushioning seemed like it should feel better.
The 1080 is not a bad shoe. It feels quite different from the 680 and 880 because there is a lot more foam underfoot. That soft, plush feeling is exactly what some runners want, especially for easy days and longer runs.
For me, it was too much. I ended up preferring the less built up feel of the 680v9 and 880. I would buy the 680v9 again. I would buy the 880 again. I would not buy the 1080 again for myself.
New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 Specs
| Category | Neutral road running shoe |
|---|---|
| Best for | Easy runs, walking, daily wear, beginner runners, and budget friendly training |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Listed weight | About 276 g or 9.7 oz for the men’s listed weight. Women’s listed weights can vary by market and size. |
| Midsole | Fresh Foam cushioning |
| Support | Neutral |
| Upper | Breathable mesh upper |
| Outsole | Rubber outsole for road running and everyday use |
| Ride | Comfortable, simple, and not overly soft |
| Best fit match | Neutral runners who like the New Balance fit and want a less expensive daily trainer |
Who Should Buy the New Balance 680v9?
Good match
- You want a comfortable daily trainer at a lower price.
- You like New Balance but do not want to pay 880 or 1080 prices.
- You have high arches and often feel pressure from tighter uppers.
- You want a shoe for easy runs, walking, and daily use.
- You prefer a shoe that is cushioned but not too soft.
Skip it
- You want max cushion for long runs.
- You need a stability shoe for overpronation.
- You want a fast shoe for workouts or racing.
- You prefer a very soft, plush ride.
- You want the most premium materials in the New Balance lineup.
Verdict: Is the New Balance 680v9 Worth It?
Yes, the New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 is worth it if you want a simple daily trainer that feels good without the premium price. It is not the fanciest shoe in the New Balance line, but it does what I need it to do.
For my feet, it works because the fit is comfortable, the cushioning is not too soft, and it feels similar enough to the 880 for easy running. I still like the 880 and would buy it again, but I do not think the 680v9 should be ignored just because it costs less.
The biggest surprise is that I prefer it over the 1080 for myself. The 1080 has more cushion, but more cushion is not always better. Sometimes the simpler shoe is the one you keep reaching for.
New Balance 680v9 vs Similar Daily Trainers
If you are looking at the 680v9, you are probably deciding whether to save money or move up to a more cushioned daily trainer. Here is how I would think about it.
New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9
Best for: easy runs, walking, daily wear, and budget friendly training.
Ride feel: simple, comfortable, and not overly soft.
Choose it if: you want a New Balance daily trainer for less money and do not need max cushion.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
Best for: everyday running, long runs, and runners who want a more premium daily trainer.
Ride feel: softer, more polished, and more protective than the 680v9.
Choose it instead if: you want one shoe for higher mileage and are okay paying more.
New Balance 1080v15
Best for: runners who want extra soft cushioning for everyday runs and long runs.
Ride feel: softer, more cushioned, and more built up than the 680v9.
Choose it instead if: you love a plush ride. I would personally stay with the 680v9 or 880 because the 1080 feels like too much cushion for me.
ASICS Gel Cumulus
Best for: neutral runners who like the ASICS fit and a cushioned daily trainer.
Ride feel: comfortable and protective, but the fit did not work as well for my high arches.
Choose it instead if: ASICS fits your foot well. Try New Balance if ASICS feels tight over the top of your foot.
Brooks Ghost
Best for: neutral runners who want a dependable daily trainer with a traditional feel.
Ride feel: steady, familiar, and a bit more premium than most budget shoes.
Choose it instead if: you want a proven daily trainer and do not mind spending more.
Nike Pegasus
Best for: runners who want one shoe for daily training with a slightly firmer, more responsive feel.
Ride feel: firmer and more poppy than the 680v9.
Choose it instead if: you want a shoe that feels a bit quicker for mixed pace runs.
Specs, prices, and availability can change by country, size, and retailer. Always check the current product page before buying.
New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 FAQ
Is the New Balance 680v9 good for beginners?
Yes. It is a good beginner shoe if you are a neutral runner and want something comfortable without spending premium shoe money.
Is the New Balance 680v9 good for high arches?
It worked well for my high arches because the upper did not feel tight across the top of my foot. Fit is personal, so try it on if you can.
Is the New Balance 680v9 better than the 880?
The 880 is the more premium shoe. The 680v9 is the better value shoe. I like both and would buy either again, but I would choose the 680v9 when the price difference is big.
Is the New Balance 680v9 better than the 1080?
For me, yes. The 1080 has more foam and a softer feel, but I found it too built up for what I like. Runners who love a plush ride may prefer the 1080.
Can you use the New Balance 680v9 for long runs?
You can use it for some longer easy runs, but it is not a max cushion long run shoe. If you want more protection for high mileage, the 880 or 1080 may be better.
Final Thought
The New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 is not a flashy shoe, but that is why I like it. It is comfortable, easy to wear, and does not feel like it is trying too hard.
I bought the 1080 thinking more cushion would be better. For me, it was not. The 680v9 feels more natural, and the 880 still feels like a great step up if I want something more premium.
For runners who like New Balance and want a good deal, the 680v9 is worth trying on.
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