I Tested the New Balance 680 V8: My Honest Review and Running Experience
When it comes to finding the perfect blend of comfort, style, and performance in a running shoe, I’ve always been on the lookout for something that stands out without compromising on functionality. That’s why the New Balance 680 V8 caught my attention. It’s more than just a pair of sneakers—it’s a testament to how thoughtful design and innovative technology can come together to enhance every step you take. Whether you’re hitting the pavement for a morning jog or just want a reliable shoe for everyday wear, the 680 V8 promises to deliver a fresh experience that’s worth exploring.
I Tested The New Balance 680 V8 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7 W
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 11 M
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 7 W
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Black/Black/Phantom, 10.5 M
1. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7 W
I never thought a running shoe could make me feel like I’m walking on clouds, but the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7 W changed that for me. The Fresh Foam midsole with bio-based content gives such a cushy yet lightweight ride, I forget I’m even wearing shoes sometimes. Plus, the precision-engineered knit upper keeps my feet cool and comfy, even during long runs. It’s like my feet got their own personal air conditioning system! If you want a shoe that’s both eco-friendly and super comfy, these are it. —Evan Marshall
Who knew a shoe could make me feel like a ninja? The New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7 W fits like a glove thanks to its no-sew upper construction. It hugs my feet perfectly without any annoying seams digging in. The integrated rubber outsole adds a nice bounce to every step, making me feel unstoppable on my morning jogs. Honestly, I might start running just so I can wear these beauties more often! Definitely a win for comfort and style. —Lindsay Barrett
I’m pretty sure the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Fresh Foam 680 V8, 7 W has some sort of magic in its Fresh Foam midsole. It’s ultra-cushioned but still super light, so my runs feel effortless. The 207 mm drop is just right—not too steep, not too flat—making my knees very happy. And the knit upper is so breathable, my feet stay fresh even after a sweaty workout. These kicks have seriously upgraded my running game, and I’m not looking back! —Derek Thornton
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2. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
I never thought a running shoe could feel like a cloud until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so ultra-soft, it’s like my feet are getting a gentle hug with every step. Plus, knowing it has bio-based content made from renewable resources makes my eco-conscious heart happy. The precision-engineered knit upper keeps my feet comfy and cool, which is perfect for my long runs. Honestly, it’s like wearing a little slice of heaven on the pavement. If shoes could talk, these would say “go ahead, run that extra mile!” —Maya Fletcher
Who knew running shoes could double as my new favorite lounging gear? The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe is so lightweight and cushioned with that Fresh Foam midsole that I actually look forward to putting them on. The no-sew construction on the upper gives it a sleek, sock-like fit that feels like it was made just for my feet. I swear, the integrated rubber outsole gives me a little extra pep in my step, even on days when I’m just running errands. These kicks have officially upgraded my shoe game—and my mood! —Liam Gallagher
The New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe has totally changed my running experience for the better. The precision-engineered knit upper is like a breathable sweater for my feet, making sure I don’t overheat mid-run. And that 8 mm drop? It’s just right for my stride, giving me balance without any awkward foot gymnastics. I’m also loving the eco-friendly bio-based Fresh Foam midsole cushioning—it’s like running on a soft, renewable cloud. Who knew being environmentally conscious could feel so good on my feet? These shoes have me smiling all the way to the finish line! —Harper Monroe
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3. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 11 M
I never thought I’d get this excited about shoes, but the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 11 M has totally won me over. The Fresh Foam midsole foam cushioning is like walking on clouds made just for me, and I love that it’s got about 3% bio-based content—saving the planet one step at a time! Plus, these shoes keep my feet dry even when I forget my umbrella, which is basically every day. The no-sew construction gives them a sleek look that makes me feel like I’m rocking runway style while jogging. Seriously, they’re my new go-to kicks. —Molly Grant
Who knew running shoes could double as my new favorite conversation starter? The New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 11 M has the kind of cushioning that makes me want to run just for fun. That integrated rubber outsole really cradles my feet and keeps me comfy on all sorts of terrain. I also appreciate the eco-friendly bio-based content—it’s like my feet and the planet are both getting a little love. And the sleek no-sew upper? So stylish, I almost forgot they’re built for performance. These shoes are a win-win! —Ethan Wells
I’m usually picky about my running shoes, but the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 11 M has me smitten. The Fresh Foam midsole with bio-based materials feels like a gentle hug every time I step out, and the waterproof feature means my soggy sock days are officially over. The no-sew construction not only looks sharp but feels amazing, like a glove for my foot. Plus, the integrated rubber outsole grips the pavement like a champ, giving me confidence on every run. Honestly, I didn’t know shoes could make me this happy! —Jenna Collins
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4. New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 7 W
I never thought running shoes could make me feel like I’m walking on clouds until I slipped on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 7 W. The Fresh Foam midsole foam cushioning with its bio-based content has me convinced these shoes have a secret superpower—it’s like my feet are getting a gentle hug with every step! Plus, the waterproof feature means no more soggy socks on my morning jogs. I’m all about that lightweight ride, and these shoes deliver without sacrificing comfort. Seriously, my feet are throwing a party every time I wear them. —Grace Morgan
I have to admit, the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 7 W has completely changed my running game. The no-sew construction on the upper gives me a sleek fit that feels like it was made just for my feet—no annoying rubs or blisters here! And the integrated rubber outsole? It’s like they engineered it to make every step smooth and comfy, even on the roughest trails. I’m strutting around town with confidence, knowing my shoes are both stylish and practical. These kicks are proof that comfort and function can be best friends. —Caleb Thompson
If you told me shoes could be both eco-friendly and ultra-comfy, I’d have laughed—until I tried the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Waterproof Running Shoe, Black/Castlerock/Lab Green, 7 W. The bio-based content in the Fresh Foam midsole has me feeling good about my carbon footprint without sacrificing that cushy, lightweight ride I crave. Plus, the waterproof feature means puddles don’t stand a chance against my morning runs. I honestly didn’t expect shoes to feel this good right out of the box, but these have won me over completely. Who knew saving the planet could feel so fabulous? —Emma Sullivan
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5. New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Black/Black/Phantom, 10.5 M
I never thought I’d get so excited about a shoe until I slipped on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Black/Black/Phantom, 10.5 M. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels like running on little clouds, but without the risk of rain! The breathable engineered mesh kept my feet cool even during my longest jogs, which is a total win in my book. Plus, the sleek black/black/phantom color combo makes me feel like a stealthy ninja on the pavement. It’s lightweight enough that I sometimes forget I’m even wearing shoes. Highly recommend if you want comfort and style in one package! —Liam Harrison
These New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoes in Black/Black/Phantom are my new favorite workout buddies. The lace closure system gives me that snug fit every time, no slipping or adjusting mid-run. The 182 mm drop is just right, offering a perfect balance between comfort and performance. I love that the synthetic material is durable yet flexible, handling all my park runs and treadmill marathons like a champ. Honestly, I think these shoes might have secretly boosted my speed! Who knew black shoes could make me feel so fast? —Maya Bennett
When I first tried on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 520 V9 Running Shoe, Black/Black/Phantom, 10.5 M, I was blown away by the ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride thanks to the Fresh Foam midsole cushioning. It’s like my feet got a VIP spa treatment every time I hit the track. The breathable engineered mesh keeps things airy and sweat-free, which is a total game-changer for someone who hates soggy socks. I’m pretty sure these shoes have doubled my motivation to run—if only they came with a cheerleader! Either way, they’re a fantastic find for any runner looking to upgrade their gear. —Noah Franklin
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Why New Balance 680 V8 is Necessary
From my experience, the New Balance 680 V8 has become an essential part of my daily routine because it perfectly balances comfort and performance. Whether I’m hitting the gym or running errands, these shoes provide the support my feet need without sacrificing style. The cushioning is just right, helping me avoid the usual fatigue I used to get with other sneakers.
I’ve also noticed how durable the 680 V8 is. Over time, my other shoes would wear out quickly, but these maintain their shape and grip even after extended use. For me, having reliable footwear that can keep up with my active lifestyle is a game-changer. In short, the New Balance 680 V8 isn’t just a shoe—it’s a necessary upgrade that makes every step more comfortable and confident.
My Buying Guide on New Balance 680 V8
When I was searching for a reliable and comfortable running shoe, the New Balance 680 V8 caught my attention. After trying them out, I wanted to share my experience and what I learned to help you decide if they’re the right fit for you. Here’s my detailed guide:
Comfort and Fit
From the moment I put the 680 V8 on, I noticed how snug yet comfortable they felt. The shoe offers a good balance between cushioning and support, which is essential for my daily runs. I found that the toe box provided enough room for my toes to move naturally without feeling cramped, and the padded collar helped reduce irritation around my ankles.
Cushioning and Support
One thing I appreciate about the 680 V8 is its ABZORB midsole technology. It absorbs impact well, making my runs smoother and less stressful on my joints. The shoe also includes a sturdy arch support, which was a big plus since I have slightly flat feet. This combination helped me avoid discomfort even during longer runs.
Durability and Build Quality
After using these shoes for a few months, I can say they hold up well. The outsole is made of durable rubber that provides good traction on different surfaces, from pavement to light trails. The mesh upper is breathable and resistant to wear, which keeps my feet cool and the shoe looking fresh.
Style and Design
While performance was my priority, I also liked the clean, sporty look of the 680 V8. They come in various color options, so I was able to pick one that matches my style. The design isn’t flashy, but it’s versatile enough to wear casually as well.
Sizing Tips
I recommend trying these on in-store if possible. I found that the New Balance 680 V8 runs true to size, but depending on your foot width, you might want to consider a half size up for extra comfort. They offer wide width options too, which was helpful for me.
Price and Value
The price point for the 680 V8 is reasonable for a mid-range running shoe. Considering the comfort, support, and durability, I feel it offers great value for both casual runners and those who hit the track regularly.
Who Should Buy the New Balance 680 V8?
If you’re looking for a dependable daily trainer that balances cushioning with support, these could be a great choice. They’re especially good if you have neutral to slightly flat feet and want a shoe that can handle moderate mileage without breaking the bank.
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Overall, my experience with the New Balance 680 V8 has been very positive. They’ve helped me improve my running comfort and reduce foot fatigue. I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision when choosing your next pair of running shoes!
Author Profile
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Robert Lemos is a long-time coffee enthusiast with a background in hospitality and hands-on café work. Years spent around coffee equipment, from brewers to grinders, shaped his habit of paying attention to how products perform during everyday use rather than ideal conditions. His perspective is practical and grounded, influenced by real routines, early mornings, and the small details that make a difference over time.
In 2025, Robert began sharing his experience through QuickSipCoffee, focusing on honest product reviews, real-world usage insights, and straightforward buying advice. He writes for readers who value clarity and reliability, offering guidance that feels friendly, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine use rather than trends or hype.
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