New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 Your Budget Daily Trainer - RunToTheFinish

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The flashy, speedier (and often pricier) shoe reviews tend to get a lot of focus and love, but what about someone who is looking for something that is reliable and comfortably-priced as their next solemate? Well, if that's you, make sure you swipe right on New Balance's 680v9.

The New Balance 680 line continues to live up to its reputation for being a solid daily trainer for new to mid-level runners. Allowing you the ability to run in a sneaker actually designed for running without breaking the bank.

New Balance is a household name in the running world, and they continue to not only offer a wide range of options from entry level to elite, but they also provide thoughtful updates across all of their lines.

There is a reason this line has seen 8 prior versions of this sneaker. So, let's dive into their latest v9.

If you find yourself needing to reach for a dependable sneaker with just enough cushioning without feeling too firm to run a few easy miles in, or walk your dog in, or even head to the gym in, the 680v9 would be a great choice.

I still remember the first time I bought a "real" pair of running shoes. (And not just whatever sneakers I had laying around that I also went for a run in.) I couldn't wait to go out for my next run around my neighborhood to show them off. I felt like a real runner!

The 680v9's can be that same shoe for someone! While this shoe has just enough technical specs to be a great option for those newer runners, I can totally see the price point drawing in even mid-level, casual runners.

I test drove this shoe on some light, shorter mile runs and a few walks with my dog. As someone who loves cushioning on their easy miles, I appreciated the bit of softness underfoot but personally would like a bit more.

However, on my walks with my dog these were wonderful as I wrangled in my little hellion. Just the right balance of firmness and softness to keep my feet happy while my dog actually walked ME.

Their Fresh Foam is made up of 3% bio-based content made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint. Running and looking out for our planet is always a win!

Fresh Foam is their initial single-density foam which launched in 2014. They have since updated to Fresh Foam X (and others) in their more plush, responsive sneaker lines.

Keeping the initial foam standard in the 680 line could be a possible reason for the lower price point.

The upper was updated with a premium molded engineered mesh, offering both comfort and breathability, not to mention an overall more modern look. With a wave-like looking midsole and a smaller but sleeker NB side logo, I feel like the v9 really outshines its predecessor in terms of aesthetics.

When it comes to the fit, I do think the 680v9 was made with the average foot in mind, so I would definitely recommend the wide fit for wider feet. The toe box is also average, allowing my toes to fit comfortably but not spread out much.

The tongue sits at a great length and has just enough cushioning without feeling too padded.

The sneaker fits true to size, but I did feel like my heel was not as snug as I'd like it to feel. The laces were long enough to allow me to do a heel lock, and that helped my heel stay where it should.

Once fitted snuggly, the padded heel collar was comfortable, and did not rub or irritate my ankles.

The Fresh Foam cushioning in the 680v9 felt incredibly light and offered a smooth and controlled feeling on my runs, while also having just enough plushness for overall comfort.

However, the lower stack height does mean less shock absorption, so I wasn't willing to go much further than 4-5 miles on them.

So, if you're looking for a sneaker that gives less ground feel and can limit additional muscle fatigue on longer runs, you'd be better off checking out their 1080 or Fresh Foam X lines.

But if you are just looking to cruise for a handful of easy miles a few days a week, then this sneaker could provide that for you for a long time.

We've tested a few that feel similar to this low stack running shoe, but different based on the brand fit:

My personal tastes (more cushion in daily trainers and more tech in speedier sneakers) would not have me reaching for these sneakers for a run.

However, I will absolutely be using these as my latest walking sneakers. (To be fair, my previous walking sneakers are old high-milage retired running sneakers, so having a new pair of walking sneakers is a treat!)

But if you are a casual runner looking for a budget-friendly option, I think these are worth checking out.

One of the common shoe buying issues is that brands have multiple shoes that start to look really similar. Luckily our team has reviewed all three shoes so we can help to make this decision a little easier.

The New Balance 880 v15 is considered their daily trainer for those doing half and marathon training. While the 680 is often referred to as a great walking shoe, though as we noted it's plenty of shoe for those who like a little less cushion or are running a few times per week.

The New Balance 1080 v15 is their max cushioned daily trainer, which has a lot more bounce and can leave the legs feeling fresher after longer miles in marathon training.