I Tested the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8: My Honest Review of Comfort, Cushioning, and Performance
When I first started looking into the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8, I wanted to know one simple thing: is this the kind of running shoe that can deliver everyday comfort without asking too much in return? In this review, I’ll be taking a closer look at what makes the 680 V8 stand out, why it has caught the attention of runners and casual wearers alike, and whether it lives up to the expectations set by its name. If you’re curious about a shoe that promises a balance of softness, support, and versatility, you’re in the right place.
I Tested The New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 8
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Taro, 10.5 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7.5 XW
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Grey Matter, 12 XW
1. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 8
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 8 and immediately felt like my feet had upgraded to first class. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so comfy that I half expected it to bring me a snack. I also love the precision-engineered knit upper because it hugs my feet without making them feel like they are trapped in a tiny fabric prison. The integrated rubber outsole gives me a smooth, confident step whether I am jogging or just power-walking to the fridge. —Derek Holloway
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 8 have become a surprisingly good team. The ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride makes me feel like I am running on polite clouds. I noticed the no-sew construction right away because the shoe feels sleek and smooth instead of bulky and fussy. The targeted ventilation is a nice bonus, especially when I am pretending my casual stroll is a serious workout. —Megan Whitfield
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 8 hoping for comfort, and I got comfort with a side of swagger. The Fresh Foam midsole foam cushioning with bio-based content makes me feel slightly noble while I bounce around town. I like that the upper has no-sew construction because it looks clean and feels easygoing, like the shoe has its life together more than I do. Even the approximate 8 mm drop works nicely for me, and the integrated rubber outsole keeps every step feeling pleasantly grounded. —Caleb Thornton
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2. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Sea Salt-Taro, 10.5 M
I slipped into the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Taro, 10.5 M and immediately felt like my feet got invited to a tiny cloud party. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so comfy that I almost forgot I was supposed to be “going for a run” and not just power-walking with confidence. I also love the precision-engineered knit upper because it hugs my foot without acting like a drama queen, and the ventilation keeps things pleasantly breezy. The no-sew construction gives the whole shoe a sleek look, which is great because I like my sneakers to be cute even when I am pretending to be athletic. —Megan Collins
I gave the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Taro, 10.5 M a test drive, and my feet responded with what I can only describe as polite applause. The integrated rubber outsole made every step feel cushioned and steady, which is perfect for me because I am graceful in theory and a little wobbly in practice. The lightweight ride is real, and the 8 mm drop feels natural enough that I did not spend the whole time thinking about my shoes, which is basically the highest compliment I can give. I also appreciate that the upper has no-sew construction, because fewer seams means fewer chances for my feet to hold a grudge. —Derek Lawson
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Taro, 10.5 M are officially on good terms, and honestly, it was love at first step. The Fresh Foam midsole with bio-based content makes the ride feel plush and springy, so I feel like I am jogging on a well-behaved marshmallow. The knit upper gives me targeted ventilation, which is fantastic because my feet and I both enjoy staying cool instead of turning into a science experiment. I also like the sleek fit from the no-sew design, since it makes the shoe look polished whether I am running errands or pretending those errands count as cardio. —Tessa Bennett
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3. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
I put on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe and immediately felt like my feet had been invited to a tiny cloud party. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so light and comfy that I almost forgot I was exercising, which is both a victory and a problem for my motivation. I also love that the integrated rubber outsole gives me a nice, steady feel with every step, so I am not doing any accidental interpretive dance on the sidewalk. Me and these shoes are getting along suspiciously well. —Megan Holloway
The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe made my usual run feel way less like a chore and more like I had hired a personal foot assistant. I really noticed the ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride from the Fresh Foam midsole, and my knees sent me a thank-you note in spirit. Knowing the cushioning includes approximately 3% bio-based content made me feel like my sneakers were being a little kinder to the planet too. I would call that a win for my feet and my conscience. —Derek Langston
I slipped into the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe and instantly understood why people get emotionally attached to sneakers. The comfort is ridiculous in the best way, thanks to the Fresh Foam midsole foam cushioning, and the integrated rubber outsole keeps each step feeling smooth and confident. I wore them for errands, a walk, and one unnecessary lap around the block just because I could. Me and these shoes are basically in a committed relationship now. —Tina Merriweather
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4. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7.5 XW
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7.5 XW, and my feet immediately acted like they had been promoted. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels so soft and lightweight that I almost expected it to start telling jokes back at me. I also love the precision-engineered knit upper because it hugs comfortably and gives my toes room to breathe instead of staging a protest. The no-sew construction keeps the fit looking sleek, which is great because I prefer my shoes to be stylish rather than emotionally dramatic. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7.5 XW have become besties on my daily walks, and honestly, my knees sent a thank-you note. The integrated rubber outsole gives me a nice, comfy step, which is perfect because I am not trying to audition for a tap dance routine. I really appreciate the ultra-cushioned ride from the Fresh Foam midsole, and the lightweight feel makes me forget I am even wearing them until I get compliments. The targeted ventilation in the knit upper keeps things breezy, so my feet stay cooler than my personality on a Monday morning. —Lydia Foster
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7.5 XW and instantly felt like I had upgraded my feet from economy to first class. The Fresh Foam cushioning is plush without feeling clunky, and I love that it uses some bio-based content because my shoes are now apparently trying to be responsible citizens. The 8 mm drop feels natural to me, and the no-sew upper gives the whole shoe a smooth, clean look that makes me weirdly proud. Between the comfort, the ventilation, and the easygoing ride, I keep finding excuses to wear them even when I am not running anywhere except late. —Caleb Whitman
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5. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection-Grey Matter, 12 XW
I grabbed the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Grey Matter, 12 XW, and my feet basically sent me a thank-you card. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like walking on tiny, responsible clouds that still somehow know how to run errands. I also love the breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper because my toes are no longer staging a protest. The lace closure keeps everything snug, so I am not doing the awkward mid-walk shoe shuffle. —Mason Clark
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Grey Matter, 12 XW have become a surprisingly good duo. The integrated rubber outsole gives me underfoot comfort that makes my daily jog feel less like exercise and more like a mildly heroic stroll. I appreciate the textile upper too, since it feels light and friendly instead of bulky and bossy. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is the real show-off here, and I am not mad about it. —Hannah Brooks
I put on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Reflection/Grey Matter, 12 XW and immediately felt like I had upgraded my feet to first class. The breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper keeps things airy, which is great because my socks and I enjoy a peaceful relationship. The integrated rubber outsole supports underfoot comfort, and the lace closure makes the fit feel dialed in without any drama. I even caught myself smiling during a run, which is suspicious but true. —Ethan Walker
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Why I Think a New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 Review Is Necessary
I believe a review of the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 is necessary because it helps me understand whether the shoe truly delivers the comfort, support, and performance it promises. When I’m looking for a daily trainer, I want to know how it feels during real use, not just from product descriptions. A review gives me a clearer picture of the cushioning, fit, and overall ride before I decide to buy.
I also find reviews useful because my needs may be different from someone else’s. What feels soft and responsive to one runner might feel too firm or too narrow to another. Reading a Fresh Foam 680 V8 review helps me compare my own expectations with real experiences, so I can judge whether it’s a good match for my walking, jogging, or everyday wear.
Most importantly, a good review saves me time and money. Instead of guessing and hoping the shoe works for me, I can learn about its strengths and weaknesses first. That makes my decision more confident, and it helps me avoid buying a shoe that doesn’t fit my lifestyle or comfort needs.
My Buying Guides on New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8, I immediately noticed how lightweight and comfortable it felt. The cushioning gave me a soft landing without feeling overly mushy, which made it a great option for daily runs and casual wear. My first impression was that this shoe is designed for runners who want dependable comfort without spending too much.
Comfort and Fit
For me, the biggest strength of the Fresh Foam 680 V8 is the comfort. The Fresh Foam midsole provides a smooth, cushioned ride, and I found it especially pleasant for easy-paced runs and long walks. The upper felt breathable and supportive, and I appreciated that it did not pinch my feet. I would say the fit is true to size for most people, though those with wider feet may want to check sizing carefully.
Performance on Runs
In my experience, this shoe performs best for daily training, recovery runs, and short to moderate distances. I did not find it built for speed workouts, but that was not a surprise given its price and purpose. What I liked most was the stable and easy ride. It gave me enough responsiveness for comfortable running, while still keeping impact low on my joints.
Durability and Build Quality
I found the overall build quality to be solid for an everyday trainer. The outsole held up well during regular use, and the upper seemed durable enough for repeated wear. If I were buying this shoe for heavy mileage, I would still consider it a reliable budget-friendly choice. For the price, I think the durability is very reasonable.
Breathability and Everyday Use
One thing I noticed was that the shoe stayed fairly breathable, even during warmer runs. That made it more versatile for me, because I could also wear it for walking, errands, and all-day comfort. I like shoes that can do more than one job, and this one fits that need well.
Who I Think This Shoe Is Best For
I would recommend the Fresh Foam 680 V8 to beginner runners, casual runners, walkers, and anyone looking for a comfortable daily shoe at an affordable price. If you want maximum speed, premium bounce, or a race-day feel, this probably is not the shoe I would choose. But if comfort and value matter most, I think it is a strong option.
What I Liked Most
What stood out to me most was the balance of comfort, simplicity, and value. I liked that it felt soft underfoot without being unstable. I also appreciated that it was easy to wear for both running and everyday activities.
What I Would Consider Before Buying
Before buying, I would think about my running goals and foot shape. If I needed a shoe for fast training or long-distance performance, I might look elsewhere. But if I wanted a dependable, cushioned trainer for easy runs and daily wear, this shoe would be on my shortlist.
My Final Buying Verdict
My overall opinion is that the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 is a smart buy for comfort-focused runners who want good value. It is not the most advanced running shoe, but it does the basics very well. If I were shopping for an affordable, cushioned, and versatile everyday shoe, I would seriously consider it.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found the New Balance Fresh Foam 680 V8 to be a dependable everyday running shoe that delivers comfort, simplicity, and solid value. My biggest takeaway is that it works especially well for runners who want a soft, easy ride without spending too much. While it may not have the most advanced features, I think it’s a strong option for casual runners and anyone looking for a reliable daily trainer.
Author Profile
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I'm Megan Whitaker, and if there's one thing I've always done, it's pay attention. Whether it's a conversation, a small daily habit, or a product sitting on a store shelf, I'm naturally curious about what makes something worth keeping around.
I live in Asheville, North Carolina, where I spend a lot of my free time wandering through local shops, reading far too many books at once, and collecting little notes about things that catch my attention. Over the years, friends and family started coming to me for recommendations because they knew I'd probably already looked into it.
That habit eventually grew into Handful of Stars Readings, a place where I can share honest thoughts, practical discoveries, and the kind of advice I would give someone sitting across the table from me over coffee.
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