Sally: I understand why so many think of the 880 as a workhorse daily trainer: it is a solid crowd pleasing friendly shoe that combines a modern mix of midsole foams powering a comfortable elegant looking traditional upper. Connor: "The New Balance 880 has a moderately high stack height, and that usually lends itself to a stiffer shoe. With the addition of Fresh Foam X to the midsole, the 880 v12 is soft and protective, yet energetic when it's time to pick up the pace a little. Peter: The New Balance 880 is widely known as the meat and potatoes daily trainer in the NB catalog.

I appreciate the simplicity of the shoe and while it’s not dynamic by any means it is a solid daily trainer that I have been lacing up for long cruising runs or recovery days. We only use the information we collect about you lawfully, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Sam: The v13 sees essentially no visibly apparent changes yet its upper is now more secure while fitting about the same, its overall ride slightly firmer and more responsive due to a change in the firmness of the outsole rubber, a significant improvement for me if a bit overdone. It is not only firmer but 5mm thick so it delivers a final layer of response and stability to the shoe. But while the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12 uses only Fresh Foam X cushioning, the 880v12 has a dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X.Almost all New Balance shoes run very true to size for me in a Women’s 8, but this 880 v12 (and possibly the Rebel 2) might serve me better in a half size up; I don’t know if the shoe is actually a bit short, or if my foot is so loose that it is sliding around and hitting the front of the toe box while running.

Mac: The outsole of a shoe is like a deep snapper in football: you only notice it when it isn’t doing its job.The heel counter is rigid down low and more pliable up high and is not the highly reinforced type of heel counter with lower plastic clip found in for example the v10 and a bit less so in v11. As for improvement (New Balance if you read this): a more breathable upper with a snugger and more precise fit would go a long way! In summary, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a good evolution of the model, despite some criticism of its upper. Everyday trainers are the best running shoes for people who don't chase PBs at every run and just want to head out to get some fresh air and pound the streets for half an hour before or after work. Designed as a cushioned yet responsive feeling road running shoe, the 880v12 is a great option for those looking for a more traditional heel to forefoot drop but a more nimble shoe for their everyday road running sessions.

At foot strike the 880 v12 feels smooth thanks to the slight heel bevel and the transition to the forefoot feels natural. But, just by looking at the numbering of their versions, the 880s are just as long-lived as the 1080s. The Puma Nitro supercritical foam is softer and bouncier while up front both have a denser layer for toe off impulse. mm forefoot platform the latest Wave Rider is somewhat more cushioned overall, weighs about the same and has a much more pronounced impulse forward from the yet higher drop and its plastic Wave plate.

Sam: Higher stacked with a narrower on the ground platform the Novablast is more speed focused requiring pretty decent well aligned form to shine whereas the more mellow flexible 880 will get you through those days when you just want to go for a run and cruise along. When I headed out for a run without any purpose in the last few weeks, I often found myself reaching for the 880v12. It has a “smarter” outsole design with plenty of rubber and a more aggressive lug profile making them suitable for light trails. That said, I found the dual-density foam less smooth than the Fresh Foam X 1080v12, which uses only the Fresh Foam X underfoot. This systematic process is to ensure that we have experience with each shoe in a large variety of conditions to provide expansive and thorough reviews for the public and for companies.