My first run in the New Balance 1080 v10 was this morning. So how did it go?

Good is what I will say, just good.

I am still recovering from the after-affects of the COVID-19 vaccination from Thursday and not back to 100% yet, but feeling a lot better than I did yesterday. So I was not 100% ready to run, but I couldn’t wait to get into my new shoes.

However, how I felt is not why I am not jumping up and down about how great the 1080v10s are. It was all about how they fit.

Based on comments by other runners, the reviews and videos I watched about them, almost all the reviews stated that they are true-to-size and have a decently wide toe-box. I will go along with the true-to-size as far as length goes, but for me and my idea of a wider toe-box, not so much.

They are very snug, so I hope that the upper stretches out a bit to fit my feet better, I have heard that they might. As it is now, I can run in them, but they will not be the long-distance shoe that I am looking for if they do not form to fit my feet.

I love the way they feel underfoot, the 1080 v10s have that cushioned, but firmish feel that I look for in my running shoes. And at 8.5 ounces for my size, 8.0’s are light and cushioned enough that I would be able to use them as race day shoes for a half or full marathon if I wanted to.

All I have to do is get the toe-box fit issue ironed out or get another pair in an 8.0 or 8.5 wide. I am not a fan of the performance-fit style of running shoes, and prefer a little more room due to the Tailor’s Bunionette on my right foot.

Otherwise, even with the 10-15 mph breeze (headwind) this morning, I didn’t have any issues maintaining an easy pace and a 170+ cadence in the 1080v10s for the 3.0 miles that I ran. I can’t say that about most shoes. Unfortunately, the snugness did cause some metatarsal squeezing and the right foot was beginning to grumble a little more than it has been lately.

There is a lot I like about the 1080 v10s, but the fit/comfort issue are ones that I can’t overlook and, if not resolved within a reasonable break-in period, will be the one thing that stops me from wearing the 1080v10’s regularly.

Time will tell on these.