ShoppingFootwear

Why an Olympic Runner Keeps 6 Pairs of These Versatile New Balance Shoes in Her Closet

Learn why Olympic runner Gabby Thomas swears by the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 running shoes and what they feel like to wear.

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Photo: New Balance
Published Dec 2, 2023

Written by 

Jennifer Heimlich

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When you notice the same running shoe popping up all over your social media feeds, and on the feet of several runners in your community, you gotta figure they’re offering something pretty great. Recently, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 seemed to be nearly everywhere I looked, with pretty unanimous love coming from all kinds of runners. Personally, I’d previously tried last year’s model and honestly didn’t love them. They were full of cushion, sure, but to me, it felt like strapping pillows to my feet; I just sunk into them with each step, with almost no bounce. But when I saw so many people singing the praises of the newest version, I decided to check them out for myself.

When I reached out to New Balance, they told me it’s not just everyday, amateur runners who love this shoe. Gabby Thomas, a 26-year-old runner sponsored by New Balance who won bronze in the 200 meters and silver as part of the women’s 4×100 meter relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is also a major fan. So I hopped on a call with her to find out why.

“I tell people: ‘If there’s one shoe in your closet, this should be the one,’” Thomas tells me. That’s because of how versatile it is, she explains. So much so that she keeps six pairs in different colors in her closet. She wears them for her daily walks with her dog, Rico, and to keep her feet comfy on long travel days. She also straps them on to head out on easy runs or for warmups before her track workouts, and even for the longer tempo runs she does during her training for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 — $165.00

Colors: 6Sizes: W 5-13/M 7-16Widths: narrow, standard, wide, extra WideHeel-to-toe drop: 6 mmWeight: 7.3 oz

Pros:

  • Lightweight cushion with great bounce
  • Versatile enough for many kinds of runs and walking
  • Offered in four widths

Cons: 

  • All that cushioning comes in a very thick sole
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Why this shoe?

“The soft cushioning I think is a really special and unique part of it,” Thomas says, pointing out that the Fresh Foam midsole is both soft and lightweight while still offering great energy return. “So I can do my longer runs more comfortably, and it has a forefoot stiffness that adds a stability piece.”

Having also worn previous versions of the Fresh Foam X 1080, she points out that this latest model has added stability and structure in the forefoot, offering “a good ratio of softness and stiffness.”

I’ve now taken my pair of the 1080v13s for multiple test runs over the last month, and have noticed the mix of cushion and bounce is really well-balanced—there’s no sinking feeling. They’re plush for sure, but my feet just feel light, and lightly supported in them. And they have exactly what I was missing in the last version: a nice kick that propels me into the next step.

Maybe most impressively, they’re super comfy at a range of speeds. Their soft support makes them an obvious choice for easy runs, but they have enough energy return to perform well when I want to pick up the pace, too. And for just walking around the neighborhood, they feel so natural on my feet I barely notice they’re there.

I’ve recently been fighting off some plantar fasciitis, and while I’ve noticed that certain running shoes make it flare up, I never have a problem with these. A friend with shin splints who wears the 180v13s for her walking commutes around New York City tells me they also keep her shins from aching when she’s racking up miles on the sidewalk.

Thomas mentions that because of her high arches and narrow feet, she usually needs to wear insoles in most running shoes, but she gets by just fine in these without adding one in. It helps that these come in four different widths so you can get a snug fit no matter your foot shape.

I ask Thomas who exactly she’d recommend these shoes to. “They’re for anybody at any level, [no matter] what distance you run, what pace, how often you run, it doesn’t matter,” she says. While some running shoes have a specific purpose, these sneaks are great for just about anything you’re looking for.

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ShoppingFootwear

The New Hoka Bondi 9 is the Brand’s Most Run-Friendly Version Yet—Here’s Our Honest Review

We tried the Hoka Bondi 9 and can attest: It's a running-ready upgrade to the brand's most cushioned shoe. Read our full review here.

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Photo: W+G Creative
Published Jan 25, 2025

Written by 

Hannah Singleton

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The Hoka Bondi has always been unapologetically maximalist. It’s big, bold, and has sky-high cushioning that kicked off a revolution in running shoes. But despite its standout comfort used by everyone from nurses to marathoners, past versions felt more like walking shoes than true running shoes because of their bulk. Now—with the release of the redesigned Hoka Bondi 9 ($170)—this shoe is finally living up to its full potential. With softer foam, a more responsive feel, and a stable base, this version is ready to run.

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Hoka Bondi 9 — $170.00

Colors: 6 | Sizes: US 4 – 12 | Weight: 9.3 oz | Heel-to-toe drop: 5 mm

Pros:

  • Cushioned but stable for a variety of paces
  • Upgraded supercritical EVA foam for a softer, more responsive feel
  • Durable for daily training

Cons: 

  • Ankle cuff is relatively stiff
  • Not the fun color selection I’ve come to expect from Hoka
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First impressions of the Hoka Bondi 9

The Bondi 9 stays true to Hoka’s roots, and my first thought when unboxing it was that it hasn’t gotten any sleeker—but it’s still all about the comfort. Right out of the box, the thick cushioning looked as inviting as ever. I pushed my thumb into the foam to assess its softness and rebound and was pleasantly surprised to find it a bit more plush than the Bondi 8.

The aesthetics left me feeling a little underwhelmed though. The pair I tested came in a minty green (Blue Spark/Mint Fluorite) with a contrasting black ankle cuff that felt mismatched. When I checked the other available palettes online, I was disappointed to find that few of them delivered Hoka’s usual vibrant, head-turning colors. Hopefully, more options will roll out in the future.

My review

What I love

Over two weeks, I logged more than 25 miles in the Bondi 9 sneakers, testing them during walking and running workouts, including hours-long incline “hikes” on the treadmill and interval training.

I was most impressed by their performance during brisk walks and when I picked up the pace for running intervals. The cushioning feels slightly firm at slower speeds but has a satisfying bounce when running faster. For full transparency, I’m prone to shin splints, and I felt a bit of shin discomfort during slow jogs, but the pain disappeared when I transitioned to a faster pace.

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Photo: Author

That said, the new supercritical EVA foam is a huge step up from the Bondi 8, which I considered more of a walking shoe than a running shoe due to its firmer, less responsive cushioning. The Bondi 9 offers a softer, springier feel, making it versatile for both activities.

On the treadmill, I noticed the shoe’s exceptional stability. Many max-cushioned shoes can feel wobbly underfoot (especially on the treadmill, where I tend to space out), but the Bondi 9’s wide base and “Active Foot Frame” technology create a secure, supportive ride.

And in my short testing period, this shoe felt super durable. Hoka also incorporated “durabrasion rubber” into the outsole to combat high-wear areas, which should extend the shoe’s longevity. I haven’t tested it long enough to notice any degradation, but knowing the legacy of the Bondi line, I have no doubts it will last for hundreds of miles.

What I don’t love

That said, the Bondi 9 has a few downsides. I found the toe box snug during the first few miles, which required a bit of a break-in period before I felt fully comfortable. If you have wider feet, consider ordering the wide version to avoid this issue. I also think that the padded upper might feel a bit thick in hot weather, as it lacks breathability.

Final thoughts

The Bondi 9 isn’t Hoka’s flashiest or fastest option (My go-to for speed work is the Mach X and I prefer the Clifton 9 for long runs), but it’s a really solid shoe with serious durability that outlasts anything else that the brand offers. Unlike race-day shoes that you need to care for like a baby, this is a pair you can confidently wear for daily training, errands, and long walks without worrying about the cushioning wearing out too quickly.

If you’re a beginner runner curious about max cushioning, the Bondi 9 is a fantastic place to start. It’s cushy, versatile, and plush without feeling unstable—a rare combo for a max-cushioning shoe.

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ShoppingFootwear

How Often Should You Replace Your Running Shoes? A Podiatrist Weighs In

Wondering "how often should I change my running shoes?" We chatted with a podiatrist to find out everything you need to know.

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Photo: Stocksy/Bonninstudio
Updated Jan 23, 2025

Written by 

Amber Sayer

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After investing in a great new pair of running shoes, you want to get the most out of them. But before you know it, you’ve racked up 300 to 500 miles—the point when most sneaker manufacturers tell runners and walkers to replace their shoes.

Experts in This Article

Bruce Pinker

board-certified podiatrist at Progressive Foot Care

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Browse through message boards, and you’ll find plenty of people claiming those parameters are simply marketing meant to encourage you to buy more shoes. Is the 300 to 500 mile rule founded on research? Do you really need to replace your shoes that often?

Yes, says podiatrist Bruce Pinker, DPM, who works with walkers and runners at Progressive Foot Care in New York. “The midsole, found between the insole and the outsole, breaks down and wears out in this range,” he explains.

He says that the midsole of sneakers is usually composed of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyethylene-vinyl acetate (PEVA), and the material serves as a shock absorber. However, the rebound effectiveness decreases over time.

“Running or walking without this shock-absorbing material fully intact could possibly lead to injuries,” cautions Dr. Pinker. That could mean stress fractures, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or runner’s knee.

Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest1 that running in old shoes can cause you to subconsciously alter your biomechanics and gait, which can further increase your risk of injuries.

How can you tell it’s time to replace your shoes?

One telltale sign you need new sneakers is when the outer sole shows that the treads have disappeared, says Dr. Pinker. However, he cautions against using this as the only sign—or first sign—that your shoes are on their way out.

“The outsole may wear out much later than the midsole does,” Dr. Pinker says. This means you might lose the support and the stability of the shoe before those treads show wear and tear. That’s why it’s best to replace shoes based on your mileage, he says. Certain apps that track your walks and runs, like Garmin Connect, let you log the shoes you’re wearing on each outing so it’s easy to know once you’ve hit 300 miles.

Other factors to consider

Keep in mind that not everyone wears down their shoes at the same rate. For instance, if you have flat feet, tend to overpronate, or weigh more, you may be better off replacing your shoes more often (closer to 300 or 400 miles). But if you weigh less or have a more neutral stride, you can probably get away with a longer lifespan of the shoe (400 to 500 miles or more).

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Another thing to remember is that it’s not just about mileage when classifying a running shoe as “old.” The actual age of the shoe, in terms of time, also matters. Construction materials, particularly the EVA foam cushioning and certain gels, break down over time. So you should really replace your shoes after six months, even if you haven’t hit 300 miles in them—especially if you need extra support and cushioning.

Dr. Pinker also adds that you basically get what you pay for when it comes to the durability and longevity. “Higher-quality shoes, such as those from New Balance, Saucony, Brooks, and Asics, often last longer due to preferred materials and construction,” he notes. “Stay with well-known brands.”

Can you make your shoes last longer?

Dr. Pinker says there’s not much you can do to increase your sneakers’ longevity; the materials simply have a lifespan. However, caring for your shoes by cleaning them and keeping them dry can help, along with rotating your shoes (alternating pairs every other day or so) to allow the materials ample time to fully rebound between uses.

“Running on tracks, especially rubberized tracks, can improve the longevity of running shoes, as opposed to running on trails and on dirt,” adds Dr. Pinker.

Although sneakers can be expensive to replace frequently, remember that having quality footwear that isn’t completely worn out will help you feel your best. And what better way to celebrate all those miles you’ve racked up than by treating yourself to a great new pair of kicks?

  1. Kong PW, Candelaria NG, Smith DR. Running in new and worn shoes: a comparison of three types of cushioning footwear. Br J Sports Med. 2009 Oct;43(10):745-9. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2008.047761. Epub 2008 Sep 18. PMID: 18801775.

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