This New Balance 1080 Sizing Guide uses direct comparison photos where I put my 1080 shoes next to other popular shoes so you can see the difference in sizing. I will also discuss things like weight, width, flexibility, heel drop, and sole height. After trying these shoes, do New Balance 1080 shoes run big or small?
New Balance 1080 shoes fit true to size for most people. However, some people find that the 1080 fits just a little bit larger than their normal shoe size regarding length. If you prefer a snug fit, you may need to size down a half size. In the article below I have side-by-side photos comparing New Balance 1080 sizing to the sizing of other popular shoes.
When I compared the sizing of New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 to the sizing of other popular running shoes, I felt like the 1080 ran just a little bit bigger in length than other shoes. For example, below is a men’s New Balance 1080 (on the right) compared to Nike Pegasus:
And here is a women’s New Balance 1080 (on the right) compared to Nike Pegasus:
I even found the 1080 to run bigger than other New Balance running shoes. For example, here is a men’s New Balance 1080 (on the left) compared to New Balance 880:
And here is a women’s New Balance 1080 (on the right) compared to New Balance 880:
The main takeaway is expect the New Balance 1080 to run just a little bit longer than normal shoe sizing. If you are between sizes, I would recommend sizing down.
Let’s start this New Balance 1080 Sizing Guide by looking at other direct side-by-side comparison photos of my New Balance 1080 shoes compared to other popular shoes. Then let’s discuss how other design specs of this shoe differ from other options.
New Balance 1080 Sizing Photos for Men
All photos below use a size 12 for men’s comparison photos and a size 7 for women’s comparison photos. The photos below start with men’s sizing. Click here to jump directly to the women’s sizing photos. The exact version used for these sizing photos is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12.
New Balance 1080 On My Foot
In the video below, I tried to capture how responsive and “squishy” the 1080 shoes are under the foot:
New Balance 1080 (right) vs Adidas Cloudfoam Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Asics Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Nike Pegasus Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Nike Air Max Excee Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Adidas 2k Boost Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Nike Zoom Winflo Sizing
New Balance 1080 (right) vs 992 Sizing
New Balance 1080 Sizing vs Brooks Adrenaline
New Balance 1080 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs Propel Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs Roav Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs 860 Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs 880 Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs Rebel Sizing
New Balance 1080 vs 990 Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs 840 Sizing
New Balance 1080 (left) vs FF More Sizing
New Balance 1080 Sizing Photos for Women
New Balance Women’s 1080 (right) vs 880 Sizing
Women’s New Balance 1080 vs Nike Pegasus 39 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Under Armour Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Hey Dude Wendy Sox Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Skechers D’Lites Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Nike Air Max 90 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Converse Chucks Sizing
Women’s New Balance 1080 Sizing vs Keen
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 (right) vs 574 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Nike Air Max 1 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Air Force 1 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Hoka Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Brooks Adrenaline Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 vs Asics Gel Kayano Sizing
New Balance Women’s 1080 (right) vs 860 Sizing
Do New Balance 1080 Shoe Fit Wide or Narrow?
In my experience, New Balance 1080 shoes do not fit too wide or too narrow. This shoe is built using a PL-8 performance last that delivers a standard width that isn’t too wide or too narrow.
Overall, the toe box area is average width. Here I am wearing my New Balance 1080 shoes:
But the 1080 standard also isn’t noticeably wide. If you have wide feet, these shoes are available in both wide and extra wide.
To get a better idea of how wide these shoes are, below is the width of my New Balance 1080 shoes (in standard width) compared to the Nike Air Monarch 4E (which is a popular extra wide shoe):
Do New Balance 1080 Shoes Run Big or Small?
When I compared the New Balance 1080 sizing to other types of popular athletic-style shoes pictured above, I found the fit to be very similar. They do fit a little bit longer than the 860 and the 880. I ordered my normal sizing and they fit comfortably, but if you are in-between sizes, it may be best to size down.
To read more about sizing, visit my article Do New Balance Fit True to Size?
How Much Do New Balance 1080 Shoes Weigh?
My size 12 men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 shoes weigh 0.77 pounds per shoe. If you want to compare these shoes to other Fresh Foam options, visit my article that discusses the different types of New Balance Fresh Foam shoes.
Recently I tried over 30 different types of New Balance shoes. Even though these shoes are lightweight, New Balance does make other types of running shoes that weigh even less. To read about how these shoes compare to other New Balance shoes, visit my article that discusses New Balance shoe weight.
New Balance 1080 On Foot
Here I am wearing my New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 shoes, which I found to have a true-to-size, comfortable fit:
Are New Balance 1080 Shoes Breathable?
Yes, the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 shoes are breathable. Here is a close-up look at the breathable material on my 1080 shoes:
However, it should be noted that these shoes are not as breathable as other types of New Balance running shoes. For example, here I am holding my 1080 shoes up to the light:
There isn’t any light passing through the material.
But compare that to the New Balance FuelCell Rebel, which I think is the most breathable New Balance shoe that I tried:
You can actually see light passing through the shoe.
The main takeaway is, yes, expect the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 to be breathable, but I think there are more breathable options made by New Balance (Propel, Rebel).
How Flexible are New Balance 1080 Shoes?
Flexibility can play a large role in the fit and comfort of a shoe.
The New Balance 1080 shoes have a very flexible design that feels responsive on my foot. In the video below I tried to capture how flexible these shoes are:
After trying over 30 different New Balance shoes, I thought these New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 shoes and the New Balance FuelCell Rebel shoes were the two most flexible.
Do New Balance 1080 Shoes Fit Tall?
New Balance 1080 Sole Height
I found the New Balance 1080 sole height for my size 12 shoes to be approximately 2 inches tall near the heel. Overall, this is a very standard heel height that is very similar to other types of running shoes.
In the photo below, I tried to capture the heel height, and the overall height of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 shoe:
New Balance 1080 Heel Drop
When I measured my New Balance 1080 shoes using an 8-inch Digital Outside Caliper, I found the heel to toe drop to be approximately 8mm.
Here I am measuring the heel drop of the New Balance 1080 shoes:
**It is important to understand that although I tried my best to get accurate measurements, the best way to measure heel drop is to cut the shoes in half and use an industrial caliper. Obviously, I didn’t want to destroy my shoes, but this is a convenient alternative way to measure the New Balance 1080 heel drop.
The point is, think of this number as an approximation. For all official measurements, it would be best to reach out to New Balance directly.
The heel drop won’t affect how the New Balance 1080 shoes fit, but it can affect how comfortable it is for you to use. To read more, visit my article that discusses the New Balance 1080 heel drop and how it compares to other options.
Do New Balance 1080 Shoes Fit Comfortable?
In my experience, the New Balance 1080 shoes have a comfortable fit that is very lightweight and flexible. I actually think these 1080 shoes and the New Balance FuelCell Propel shoes are the two most comfortable types of shoes that New Balance offers (880 would be third).
To read more, visit my article Are the New Balance 1080 Shoes Comfortable?
New Balance 1080 Padding
The New Balance 1080 shoes do have padding around the collar and tongue which helps create a comfortable, but dependable fit. Here is a look at my New Balance 1080 shoes near the collar:
Does the New Balance 1080 Have a Removable Insole?
Yes, the New Balance 1080 has a removeable insole in case you need to clean or swap your insole. Here is a look at the removable insole in my New Balance 1080 shoes:
How Thick is the New Balance 1080 Insole?
I measured my New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 insole to be slightly under a quarter-inch thick. This insole thickness is comparable to many other types of New Balance shoes.
1080 Comparisons
To get a better idea how New Balance 1080 sizing compares to other options, visit my articles linked below:
Fresh Foam New Balance 1080 Sizing Conclusion
In my experience, the New Balance 1080 sizing run just a little bit longer in length than normal shoe sizing. I ended up sticking with my normal sizing, but if you prefer a snug fit, you may need to size down a half size.
The New Balance 1080 shoes have a regular width that I would describe as not too narrow nor too wide. These shoes are available in wide sizes.