New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9

Who Are New Balance Fresh Foam 680v9 For?

The Fresh Foam 680v9 is for beginners and budget-minded recreational runners who want a comfortable, no-fuss daily trainer for easy miles. It suits people building a base or logging relaxed training runs, not racers or anyone chasing fast tempo sessions — the ride is tuned for comfort over speed.

Feelings and Experience

Underfoot the older-generation Fresh Foam feels soft and cushioned in a calm, grounded way rather than springy. Transitions are smooth and predictable at easy paces, but the foam gives little back when you push, so the shoe feels flat and a touch dead if you try to accelerate. At a steady jog it's forgiving and planted; ask for turnover and it politely declines.

Performance Specs

• Drop: 8mm heel-to-toe offset — a moderate drop that eases strain on the calves without forcing a heel-strike.

• Cushioning: moderate, Fresh Foam midsole — comfortable daily protection, not a maximalist plush ride.

• Responsiveness: low — a basic single-density foam with no plate, so energy return is minimal.

• Stability: good — a wide, predictable neutral platform that stays steady through easy miles.

• Pace: Optimal for 5:30–6:30 min/km (8:50–10:30 min/mile) — easy, conversational running.

Best Distances and Maximum Speed

It's happiest on easy and long training runs, and it can comfortably carry you through a 10K or a half marathon at a steady effort. The sweet spot is relaxed daily mileage; its fastest effective zone is around 5:00–5:30 min/km (8:00–8:50 min/mile), where it still feels controlled before the flat foam becomes a limit.

Technologies and Materials

The midsole uses New Balance's older-generation Fresh Foam with no plate, wrapped in a breathable engineered mesh upper. RunRepeat's lab measured it at 258 g in a men's US 9, with a 33 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot stack. The main trade-off is its low-energy foam — the price of its affordable, comfort-first design.

Comparisons with Other Shoes

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