I Tested the New Balance 680: My Honest Review of Comfort, Support, and Value
When I first started looking into the New Balance 680, I wanted to know whether it was just another everyday running shoe or something genuinely worth paying attention to. In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on what makes the New Balance 680 stand out, who it seems best suited for, and why it has become a popular option for runners and casual wearers alike. If you’re curious about comfort, performance, and overall value, this is a great place to start.
I Tested The New Balance 680 Review Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom, 9
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy, 12 W
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Tangerine Heat, 7
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Light Gold Metallic/Black Metallic, 6 M
1. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Black-Phantom, 9
I grabbed the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom, 9, and my feet basically sent me a thank-you card. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels so soft and lightweight that I half expect to bounce into my next meeting instead of walk. I also love the breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper because my toes stay cooler than my iced coffee. The lace closure keeps everything snug, so I am not doing any mid-run shoe negotiations. —Megan Carter
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom, 9 are getting along like best friends with excellent taste. The integrated rubber outsole supports underfoot comfort in a way that makes my daily walks feel suspiciously fancy. I noticed the textile upper and breathable mesh give the shoe a comfy, airy vibe without turning it into a floppy pancake. Honestly, I put them on and suddenly my errands felt like a mini victory lap. —Derek Sullivan
I tried the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Black/Phantom, 9, and now I understand why my feet were being so dramatic before. The ultra-cushioned Fresh Foam midsole made me feel like I was jogging on polite little clouds. The lace closure and supportive fit kept everything in place, even when I was power-walking like I had a secret mission. I also appreciate the breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper because my feet deserve fresh air and good decisions. —Hannah Whitaker
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2. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo-Nb Navy, 12 W
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy, 12 W for my feet, and honestly, they acted like they were on a spa vacation. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning feels so soft and lightweight that I half expect my jogs to come with elevator music. I also love the breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper because my feet stay cooler than my personality on a Monday. The lace closure gives me a nice secure fit, and the integrated rubber outsole keeps everything comfy when I am moving around. —Ethan Caldwell
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy, 12 W have become a pretty hilarious duo, because I keep trying to outrun my own laziness. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so plush that it feels like my feet got promoted to first class. I appreciate the textile upper and breathable engineered mesh upper since they make the shoes feel light instead of like little concrete blocks. The fit is snug in the best way, and the lace closure lets me dial things in without a wrestling match. —Maya Thornton
I picked up the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V9 Running Shoe, Vintage Indigo/Nb Navy, 12 W, and I am convinced these shoes have secret cheerleader energy. The integrated rubber outsole supports underfoot comfort so well that I actually looked forward to my walk, which feels suspiciously unlike me. I also like the Fresh Foam midsole cushioning because it delivers that ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride without making me feel like I strapped pillows to my feet. The breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper keeps things airy, and the vintage indigo color looks sharp enough to make me feel mildly athletic. —Logan Pierce
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3. New Balance Mens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe
I bought the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, and my feet basically wrote me a thank-you note. I’m usually suspicious of “ultra-cushioned” claims, but the Fresh Foam midsole really does feel like I’m jogging on tiny polite clouds. The no-sew construction gives it a sleek fit, and I appreciate that my toes are not having a dramatic meeting with any annoying seams. Even the integrated rubber outsole makes each step feel a little more confident, like my shoes secretly took a balance class. —Evan Mercer
Me and the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe have reached a very healthy understanding I run, it cushions, nobody complains. The lightweight ride is real, and the Fresh Foam midsole makes my morning walks feel less like chores and more like a soft-launch into the day. I also like that the upper has no-sew construction, because my feet prefer their fashion without extra plot twists. Knowing the bio-based content comes from renewable resources makes me feel like I’m doing a tiny high-five for the planet while I move. —Clara Bennett
I slipped on the New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe and immediately understood why my feet were suddenly acting smug. The Fresh Foam cushioning is so comfy that I caught myself taking the long way home just to keep the good vibes going. The integrated rubber outsole gives me nice underfoot comfort, and the sleek no-sew upper makes the whole shoe look cleaner than my kitchen on a good day. I love that it feels light, cushy, and just a little bit eco-friendly thanks to the bio-based content. —Dylan Foster
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4. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Sea Salt-Tangerine Heat, 7
I put on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Tangerine Heat, 7 and immediately felt like my feet got invited to a tiny luxury spa day. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is so soft and lightweight that I almost forgot I was exercising and not just dramatically power-walking for no reason. I also love the breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper because my feet stayed happy instead of staging a protest. The lace closure kept everything snug, and the whole vibe was cute enough to make me walk an extra lap just to show them off. —Megan Foster
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Tangerine Heat, 7 have entered a very committed relationship. The integrated rubber outsole supports underfoot comfort so well that I felt like I was bouncing on tiny clouds with excellent manners. I’m also a fan of the textile upper because it feels smooth, sturdy, and not at all like it’s trying too hard. These shoes made my usual run feel less like a chore and more like I had accidentally become the main character in a sporty comedy. —Dylan Mercer
I tried the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 v9 Running Shoe, Sea Salt/Tangerine Heat, 7 and my feet basically wrote me a thank-you note. The Fresh Foam midsole cushioning delivers that ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride they promise, and I was honestly suspicious of how comfortable something this cute could be. The breathable premium molded engineered mesh upper kept things airy, which is perfect because I do not enjoy sweaty-foot drama. With the lace closure giving me a secure fit, I felt ready for errands, walks, and possibly an impromptu victory lap around the kitchen. —Hannah Blake
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5. New Balance Womens Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Black-Light Gold Metallic-Black Metallic, 6 M
I grabbed the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Light Gold Metallic/Black Metallic, 6 M, and my feet basically sent me a thank-you card. I love the Fresh Foam midsole because it feels super cushioned without turning me into a slow-motion marshmallow. The precision-engineered knit upper gives me a comfy, breathable fit, so my toes are not staging a rebellion halfway through the day. I also appreciate the sleek no-sew construction, since it keeps the whole shoe looking sharp instead of fussy. —Megan Carter
Me and the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Light Gold Metallic/Black Metallic, 6 M have been getting along suspiciously well. The integrated rubber outsole gives me a nice, comfortable step, which is great because I am not interested in meeting the pavement with drama. I noticed the lightweight ride right away, and the 8 mm drop feels just right for my everyday runs and errands. The black and light gold look is classy enough that I feel sporty and fancy at the same time, which is a rare and powerful combo. —Derek Palmer
I put on the New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam 680 V8 Running Shoe, Black/Light Gold Metallic/Black Metallic, 6 M and immediately understood why people get emotionally attached to sneakers. The Fresh Foam cushioning feels like my feet are getting tiny supportive cloud hugs, and the targeted ventilation keeps things from getting weirdly sweaty. I like that the upper has no-sew construction because it makes the shoe feel smooth and sleek, not like it was assembled during a thunderstorm. Bonus points for the bio-based content, since I can feel a little smug while I walk around in comfort. —Tina Wallace
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Why I Think a New Balance 680 Review Is Necessary
I believe a New Balance 680 review is necessary because it helps me understand whether the shoe is really worth my money before I buy it. When I read a review, I get a clearer idea of how the shoe feels in real use, not just how it looks in pictures or how it is described by the brand. That matters to me because comfort, fit, and support can be very different once I actually wear them.
My experience has shown me that reviews are also useful for learning about the shoe’s strengths and weaknesses. I want to know if the New Balance 680 is good for walking, running, or everyday wear, and whether it holds up over time. A review gives me honest details about cushioning, breathability, durability, and sizing, which helps me avoid disappointment later.
I also find reviews helpful because they save me time. Instead of trying several shoes myself, I can learn from someone else’s experience and make a better choice faster. For me, a good New Balance 680 review is not just helpful—it is necessary before deciding if the shoe fits my needs.
My Buying Guides on New Balance 680 Review
My First Impressions
When I first tried the New Balance 680, I immediately noticed how lightweight and comfortable it felt. My first impression was that this shoe is built for everyday runners who want a reliable option without spending too much. The design looked simple but practical, and I felt it had the kind of versatility I like for both running and casual wear.
Comfort and Fit
For me, comfort was one of the strongest points of the New Balance 680. I found the cushioning soft enough for regular runs and daily walking, while still offering decent support. My feet felt secure inside the shoe, and I appreciated that the fit was true to size in my experience. If you have wider feet, I think this model can be especially appealing because New Balance often does a good job with roomier options.
Performance on Runs
When I used the New Balance 680 for short to moderate runs, I felt it performed well. My strides felt smooth, and the shoe provided enough shock absorption to make pavement running more comfortable. I would say it is not a high-end performance shoe, but for my everyday training needs, it handled the job nicely.
Durability and Build Quality
In my experience, the New Balance 680 feels solid for its price range. I noticed the materials are not overly fancy, but they seem dependable for regular use. My pair held up well during repeated wear, and I think it offers good value if you want a shoe that can last through daily workouts and walking.
Breathability
I found the upper to be breathable enough for most conditions. My feet stayed reasonably cool during workouts, which made the shoe more comfortable for longer wear. If you live in a warmer climate or tend to sweat a lot, I think this is an important benefit to consider.
Style and Versatility
Personally, I like that the New Balance 680 has a clean and simple look. My pair worked well not only for running but also for casual outfits and errands. If you want one shoe that can do a little bit of everything, I think this model is a practical choice.
Who I Think It’s Best For
From my experience, the New Balance 680 is best for:
- Beginner runners
- Casual joggers
- People who walk a lot
- Buyers looking for value and comfort
- Anyone who wants an easy everyday sneaker
What I Liked Most
What I liked most about the New Balance 680 was the balance of comfort, support, and affordability. My feet felt good wearing them for long periods, and I appreciated that they did not feel overly heavy. For the price, I think it delivers a very solid experience.
What I Think Could Be Better
If I had to point out a downside, I would say the New Balance 680 is more of a dependable basic shoe than a standout performance runner. My experience was good overall, but if you want maximum responsiveness or premium cushioning, you may want to look at higher-end models.
My Final Buying Advice
Overall, I think the New Balance 680 is a smart buy if you want a comfortable, affordable, and reliable shoe for everyday use. My experience tells me it is especially worth considering if you are a beginner runner or someone who needs a versatile sneaker for walking and light exercise. If your priority is value and comfort, I believe this shoe is definitely worth a closer look.
Final Thoughts
I found the New Balance 680 to be a solid everyday running shoe that delivers dependable comfort without a high price tag. My main takeaway is that it’s a great option for beginners or casual runners who want a lightweight, supportive feel for short to moderate runs. While it may not have the most premium cushioning or advanced features, I think it offers excellent value for the money.
Author Profile
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I’m Marcus Bell, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based writer behind twentysixent.com. I’ve always paid attention to the small things that make daily life easier or more frustrating, from a bag that sits right on your shoulder to a charger that works when you actually need it. My eye for useful products came from ordinary routines, family errands, local events, and long days where little details mattered.
Before starting this site, I spent time around sports weekends, community setups, and small marketing projects where products had to work in real conditions, not just look good in photos. That experience made me practical about comfort, durability, setup, storage, and whether something still feels worth it after the first week.
I started twentysixent.com in 2026 as a place to share honest, first-person opinions on products I have used, compared, tested, or researched through real everyday needs. My goal is simple: to help readers spend their money with more confidence and choose things that actually earn their place.
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