New Balance Fresh Foam 680 v8 review

We've tested the New Balance 680 v8 and think it's especially great for:

• Beginners or weekend warriors seeking a plush daily trainer that doesn't break the bank.
• Neutral runners looking for a versatile shoe suitable for both easy runs and daily wear.
• Anyone eyeing the luxurious New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 but needing a more affordable alternative—the 680 v8 is the easy-on-the-wallet version!
• Marathoners wanting a durable, cost-effective addition to their rotation for recovery days.

We think the New Balance 680 v8 caters to a broad audience but the midsole may feel overly plush for some runners. If that's you, we suggest exploring alternatives like the Nike Downshifter 13 for a balanced feel or the Adidas Supernova 3 for a firmer experience.

From our evaluation, we do not recommend the 680 v8 for runners who require stability—its higher midsole and lack of stability features render it unsuitable for those without a perfect neutral form. Instead, we believe there are better choices, such as the ASICS GT 1000 13 or the Saucony Tempus, which are designed to provide the necessary support for those with stability concerns.

In our lab, we can often predict a shoe's ventilation just by inspecting it—but not this time. The engineered mesh upper, though well-constructed, left us curious about its breathability, so we set out to test it.

We started by using our smoke-pumping machine to see how the upper dissipates smoke, and we were pleasantly surprised. While we expected decent ventilation, the shoe exceeded expectations with a perfect 5-out-of-5 score.

This result is impressive because the upper isn't paper-thin, as confirmed by our light test. Instead, it’s quite dense, which made the outcome even more surprising.

Eager to understand more, we moved to the microscope to examine the upper closely. We found specific spots where hot air escapes, though these vents are different from those in many other shoes.

From our perspective, the upper is a winner in terms of value.

It’s well-built, padded in the heel, mostly seamless, and breathable in the forefoot. That’s exactly what we asked for, and it’s what we got!

When uppers block out light, it often signals durability, so we put that to the test by bringing out the Dremel tool for the first time today.

We were thrilled with the results—a remarkable 4 out of 5 rating for a shoe with such effective ventilation. This score is quite impressive, showcasing both resilience and breathability at a wallet-friendly price.

Following our toebox assessment, we shifted focus to evaluate the heel padding in terms of durability—a critical feature for many runners.

We were pleased with the results, as it earned a solid 4 out of 5, surpassing the average scores we typically encounter here in the lab. So far, the 680 v8 continues to impress us with its exceptional performance!

After being really happy with the top part of the shoe, we shifted our focus to the bottom, specifically the outsole. Our initial test involved assessing the hardness of the integrated rubber outsole, which shares a design with New Balance's pricier 1080 line.

We discovered that the rubber, while not the most grippy we've tested, is adequate, achieving a score of 83.6 HC in our durometer. This level of hardness is quite suitable for routine wear and offers decent durability.

To determine if the above-average hardness ensures long-lasting durability, we conducted one final Dremel test in this lab review.

The results were outstanding—we observed only a minimal dent of 0.7 mm. This impressive outcome means good durability, enough for those who tend to wear out their shoes quickly.

We discovered that New Balance equipped the 680 with a substantial 3.5 mm of rubber—a bit more than necessary in our view, considering its durability. For the upcoming v9, a thinner layer could reduce weight and enhance the feeling of connection with the ground.

Fortunately, weight isn’t an issue for this shoe. At just 9.2 oz or 261g, New Balance has done an excellent job keeping it under 10 ounces while still providing ample cushioning underfoot.

This achievement aligns well with the latest 1080, which is also known for being among the lightest premium daily trainers.

If you're searching for a budget-friendly daily trainer that doesn’t skimp on foam underfoot, the 680 is a standout choice.

Coming at 35.4 mm in our digital calipers, it offers one of the best cushioning-to-price ratios on the market!

The forefoot design in the 680 v8 also boasts a generous cushioning of 27.6 mm, offering more foam underfoot compared to many rivals. This makes it a good option for midfoot and forefoot strikers looking for that extra bit of comfort, and it's definitely a solid pick for long runs.

From our perspective, the 8 mm drop claimed by New Balance is ideal for a beginner-friendly shoe, offering a good balance for heel, midfoot, and forefoot strikers alike.

In our lab tests, we measured a 7.8 mm offset—remarkably close to the official specs.

The basic EVA insole measures 4.7 mm in thickness, offering a feel that's consistent with most daily trainers on the market.

Unlike most entry-level shoes with basic EVA midsoles, the 680 v8 impresses with its Fresh Foam—a foam once exclusive to New Balance's high-end trainers.

Advances in production techniques have reduced the cost of Fresh Foam, enabling New Balance to incorporate it into more affordable models like the 680 v8. Meanwhile, their pricier models like the More v4 now feature Fresh Foam X, positioning the original Fresh Foam as a cost-effective yet competitive option in shoes under $100.

Our durometer test confirmed its softness, recording just 16.3 HA—significantly softer than many competitors. 

While Fresh Foam offers comfort and decent energy return, it's still made from EVA, which typically underperforms in cold temperatures. This was confirmed during our test: after 20 minutes in the freezer, we observed a significant 40% increase (22.8 HA).

New Balance assigns numbers to their footwear lines, and both the 680 and 1080 are part of the '80' family, which categorizes neutral daily trainers. The first digit—6, 8, or 10—indicates the shoe's price tier; higher numbers denote a higher price.

As such, the 680 v8 does not feature any stability assistance, making them unsuitable for pronators. However, we found that neutral runners should find them quite satisfactory and won't face any issues with their design.

Designed specifically for neutral runners, the New Balance 680 avoids a rigid chassis, a choice that significantly enhances underfoot comfort.

Our testing showed that the six-eighty offered little resistance against our hands, and we rated it at 2 out of 5, way below the average.

In our evaluation, New Balance took a conservative approach with the heel counter of the shoe, which led to a middle-of-the-road rating of 3 out of 5 from our team.

The 680 v8's light weight can be partially attributed to its streamlined design, specifically crafted to exclude features for pronation support. We confirmed this through measurements we took using our digital calipers, which showed a near-average width of 113.9 mm—perfect for its role in New Balance's lineup.

In the heel area, our measurements revealed a dimension of 89.6 mm—comfortably close to the average, striking a good width for neutral runners who predominantly heel strike. This design ensures the shoe remains streamlined and avoids excessive bulkiness, making it ideal for everyday use.

In the lab, the Fresh Foam 680 v8 flexed with minimal effort—only needing 16.6N to reach a full 90-degree angle. This impressive flexibility can be attributed to the soft midsole and carefully designed outsole cutouts, and confirms that this is a great shoe for everyday use.

During our latest cold test—20 minutes in the freezer—the 680 v8 displayed notable resilience, stiffening by just 19.5%. This result was unexpectedly good, given the previous cold test outcome.

During all this lab review, we've noted that New Balance consistently opts for a conservative, risk-averse design with the 680, and that includes the toebox design.

Our initial measurement at the widest part of the toebox registered 99.2 mm—very much aligning with the average dimensions typically seen. Again, this reaffirms the brand's strategy to maintain a middle-of-the-road approach in the 680 v8.

The toebox isn't pointy—yet it's also far from being a close cousin of any Altra. It sits comfortably in the middle, just like we previously noted, and we validated it with another measurement at 79.1 mm.

There are two additional aspects to consider with the New Balance 680 v8. First, we think the overall volume of the shoe is sufficient. Second, while New Balance offers the shoe in multiple widths, availability varies by market.

The tongue isn’t gusseted, meaning it’s not attached to the sides, so there’s a chance it might shift during use. Nevertheless, we’ve noticed this is typical in budget-friendly shoes.

We believe that the perfect tongue for a daily trainer should strike a balance between thickness and comfort, and that's exactly what we discovered in the NB 680 v8. Measuring just 6.4 mm, this tongue is among the best we've encountered in entry-level running shoes—offering just the right amount of padding for a comfortable and secure lockdown.

We also found a tongue loop that helps keep it in place (essential since it's not gusseted), and we appreciated the simple, punched eyelets, along with an extra set for those who experience heel slippage.

The 680 heel lacks a finger-loop tab, but New Balance added a few details, including a small reinforcement at the top of the collar and a subtle "680" plastic piece that doubles as an external heel counter.

Looking to use custom orthotics or a third-party insole? No worries—we found the stock footbed easy to remove!

The absence of reflective elements in the 680 might be a concern for some, but we believe it’s important to be realistic—reflective features are rare in budget-friendly shoes. In our view, this isn’t a major downside, especially considering the price point.