Tech Rep New Balance 1080
New Balance brand ambassador James Thexton explains the brand’s 1080 running shoe, due to hit the streets in January and ‘one of New Balance’s most anticipated shoes in its history’.
T
he new 1080 is our flagship Neutral cushioning running shoe and is the follow on from one of New Balance’s (NB’s) best selling running shoes, the 1064. It is also one of the first styles to be a part of our new, simplified numbering system. The shoe has been re-engineered from the ground up to provide the best in fit, cushioning and performance whilst maintaining the runner’s feel for the road. One of the major benefits of the shoe is the new configuration of NB’s premium cushioning material N-Ergy in the heel. This crash pad makes it the ideal choice for heavier or higher mileage runners.
N-Ergy is a resilient engineered elastomer (a very bouncy gel like material) that is built into different areas of the shoe to provide the optimum cushioning for an individual. With every ground contact around two or three times a runner’s bodyweight is sent back up into the shoe so it is crucial the shoe helps to account for this force.
There are three key factors that differentiate N- Ergy from other cushioning systems currently on the market: shock absorption, as the 1080’s midsole utilises the N-Ergy material to absorb the impact with the ground; compression, with N- Ergy compressing with a rebound of over 60 per cent to allow the material to feel like it gives the runner extra ‘bounce’ then recover to its original form immediately; and durability, as N-Ergy contains no air cells, unlike EVA foam cushioning
Ladies 1080 Mens 1080
In the future, the first digits will still dictate the technical value (the higher the number the more technical the shoe), but the second two digits dictate the level of support the shoe offers.
From January, there are four NB styles due a new model so their numbers will be
updated (see table). The remainder will change over when
systems, which means it does not break down like EVA foam ensuring cushioning over a longer lifespan.
To back up the heel cushioning, the shoe also utilises the premium NB cushioning midsole AbzorbFL in a slightly enhanced design with improved ground contact in the midstance. AbzorbFl is a soft foam with excellent cushioning and displacement properties to give a soft comfortable ride without losing any responsiveness.
As well as the midsole alterations the new 1080 has had a complete refit in the upper. The upper keeps to the tradition of Total Fit, is designed around 88 critical points of fit and is available in NB’s unique four differing widths to guarantee the right shoe for any individual. The new upper also utilises quality materials to give the shoe a plush, extra comfortable fit. The 1080 is a Made in the UK style, meaning the shoe is made at the NB factory in Flimby, the Lake District which has a production team of over 210 employees producing around 30 000 units each week and offering superior quality from expert shoe makers.
From 2011 the numbering
system has been simplified so that the
numbers do not need to be changed with every new model, and will in future always stay the same.
26
www.sgb-sports.com
their updated styles are due.
www.newbalance.co.uk
Old Number 1064 850 760 740
New Number 1080 940 860 870
New Balance 1080 features:
● Pliable upper synthetics create a secure midfoot wrap through careful construction and material modernity
● Open vamp shape creates a flattering silhouette, removes any possible irritation areas, yet still holds the foot securely on the bottom
● Slight reconfiguration to midsole and outsole geometries allows for more ground contact through midstance as well as more underfoot blown rubber forefoot coverage; the result; a tangible feel of an increase in cushioning
● Reconfiguration of lateral crash N-ergy and Abzorb allowing for a more shock absorbing impact, smoother lay down into a foam-based forefoot ● Blown Rubber
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