Saturday, April 19, 2014

A Shoe Review! Women's New Balance W980 Fresh Foam

Disclaimer:  I was given a pair of New Balance Fresh Foam shoes in exchange for a blog post review for Online Shoes.  All opinions are my own.

Several months ago, I received an email from Heather at Online Shoes, asking if I would like to review a not-yet-on-the-market pair of New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes. And you all know what happened next, right?


There was no way I could turn down some new kicks, so I happily said YES PLEASE.

I could not have been more excited to receive these bad boys in the mail!


Online Shoes' description of the Fresh Foams:

Wearing the New Balance W980 Fresh Foam athletic shoe, you can feel the science of softness with Fresh Foam technology, a performance midsole compound that delivers soft, plush cushioning to runners seeking a lower, more natural underfoot feel. This women's trainer features a minimal, no-sew mesh and synthetic upper with a lightly padded collar for extra cushioning around the ankle. A blown rubber outsole provides durability and supportive cushioning to the New Balance 980 running shoe, ensuring an incredibly soft, incredibly stable ride for mile after mile.
  • 4mm heel-to-toe drop
  • Air mesh upper
  • Blown rubber outsole
  • Competitor Magazine "Best Ride" award
  • Fresh Foam
  • Lace entry
  • Lightly padded collar and tongue
  • No-sew material application
  • REVlite®
  • Running Network "Best Neutral Shoe" award
  • Weight: 7.8 oz. / 206g



I took them for a 4 mile spin on the treadmill.


Halfway through, my left foot went numb.


So I reconfigured the laces in the hopes that things would run more smoothly.


I tried out a pattern that was supposed to help give my toes more space.


The verdict is still out as to whether or not this is helping.  I feel a bit ambivalent about these shoes, so I made a list to try and sort out my feelings.


  • They have fun colours
  • They are very lightweight
  • They are shaped to provide a good toe-off
  • The uppers are cushiony

  • They are not as flexible as they claim to be, and after a few miles my feet feel like they are just slapping the ground
  • The uppers push against my big toes, which gives me blisters


  • The Fresh Foams are a bit more minimal than I need, and a bit too narrow and shallow for my feet.  I will spend more time in them when I am not training for a race, to see if I can make them work, perhaps for shorter distances. 
  • Running shoes are such a personal thing.  As a klutzy, injury-prone runner, I think I do better with a little more support.
  • I think if you like a minimal shoe, but prefer stiffer soles, you should give the New Balance Fresh Foams a shot.


Thank you so much to Online Shoes for giving me the opportunity to review these shoes!!


They are pretty snazzy, after all.

Questions: 

1. What drives your shoe decision?

2. Do you like minimal shoes or supportive shoes?


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