Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
8/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Abzorb midsole material• Acteva foam• Ndurance and blown rubber outsole• Mesh upper• Torsional stabilizer
Upper
The part of the shoe that wraps around the foot from above is called the upper. A good upper provides stability and security, while not hindering the flexibility and breathability of the shoe. The upper of the 1260 v5 is made of a mesh design throughout. Mesh is a frequent choice for uppers, and for good reason. Mesh is both flexible and breathable thanks to the way it is woven with holes intentionally in it. Atop the mesh sit synthetic overlays, which add extra stability and security to the top of the foot. These work great in tandem with the mesh design. Finally, the upper also contains padding in the tongue and collar, as well as a padded insole, all to increase comfort. The upper of the 1260 v5 is very good overall and has a lot to offer.
Midsole
The midsole of the 1260 v5 is made of several materials, for varying purposes. First, the Abzorb foam, which is a New Balance creation, is designed to absorb shocks and impacts well, and disperse force evenly to prevent pain. The midsole also features Acteva Lite foam, which is another New Balance design. This foam is similar to EVA foam, except that New Balance claims it is significantly lighter than standard EVA. This foam also adds cushioning and protection from impacts and helps with energy return. The midsole also features extra cushioning in the heel in the form of nitrogen in the heel of the shoe. Finally, the midsole features a torsional stabilizer they call T-beam. For those who overpronate, this provides some extra stability. Overall, the midsole of the 1260 v5 is jam-packed with features and is a very strong aspect of the shoe.
Outsole
The outsole of the 1260 v5 is made of blown rubber. Blown rubber is a special type of rubber that has air mixed into it while it is being formed. This makes the rubber more lightweight and a bit more soft upon impact than other rubber outsoles. The tradeoff is in durability. Blown rubber is still fairly durable, but definitely falls shorter in this department when compared to a common alternative, carbon rubber. To compensate for this, the shoes have New Balance ’s own blend of rubber, dubbed Ndurance, in high wear areas. This helps reduce the overall wear on the outsole. The outsole of the 1260 v5 is pretty solid and does a decent job at providing traction and durability.
Breathability
Breathability refers to how well a shoe can circulate air in and out of it. The upper of the 1260 v5 is made of mesh, which, as mentioned previously, is exceptionally good at allowing circulation of air. Again, this is primarily due to the holes in it. Apart from this, the 1260 v5 doesn’t do much to set itself apart in terms of breathability. That said, considering the main factor is usually the upper, the breathability of the shoe is pretty solid.
Comfort
Comfort is definitely something that should not be forgotten with running shoes. The 1260 v5 is pretty good in this department, thanks mostly to the midsole and the upper. The midsole contributes with its many components that cushion and protect the foot. The two foams, the Abzorb and Acteva Lite both reduce impacts and provide extra cushioning for the feet, adding to the overall comfort of each stride. The extra Nitrogen cushioning in the heel also provides some extra protection and comfort. The upper is extremely comfortable thanks to its features as well. The mesh design’s flexibility and breathability are both big reasons why the upper is comfortable. The security of the synthetic overlays also add to the comfort of the upper. Finally, the padding in the tongue, collar, and insole of the 1260 v5 make for an even more comfortable shoe. Overall, comfort is pretty strong in the 1260 v5.
Style
New Balance has seen a bit of an uptick in popularity when it comes to styling. Their shoes have started gearing towards the everyday shoe/athletic shoe combo seen commonly from companies like Nike. The 1260 v5 is not one of these shoes, however, and favors a more classical running shoe design, reminiscent of brands like Asics. The shoe itself is pretty colorful and bright, and comes in a myriad of colors. Overall, the 1260 v5 is a decent looking running shoe, but it might be a bit difficult to implement as an everyday shoe.
Durability
Durability is another huge thing to consider with any shoe. The 1260 v5 is pretty durable thanks to its outsole and midsole. The outsole of the shoe is made up of two rubber compounds: the blown rubber material and the Ndurance material. Both of these materials resist abrasions well, though the Ndurance material is particularly adept at this. The Ndurance is also placed in high impact areas, to help mitigate any wear and tear on the bottom of the shoe. The midsole contributes with its foam. The Acteva foam and the Abzorb foam both do a pretty good job of retaining their original shapes after being exposed to repeated impacts. This does a lot to extend the lifespan and usability of the midsole. As a whole, the 1260 v5 is a pretty durable shoe.
Protection
The two foams in the midsole, the Abzorb and the Acteva both are designed to provide cushioning and protection. They both do a great job at absorbing impacts and dispersing them to make each stride more safe and comfortable. The midsole also adds some protection from overpronation with its torsional stabilizer, which helps promote a better stride. The midsole adds a great deal of protection to the shoe and makes the 1260 v5 an overall well-protected shoe.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness can be thought of as how well a shoe returns energy with every step. The determining factor is usually the midsole, because of how it is positioned within the shoe. The midsole of the 1260 v5 draws most of its responsiveness from its Acteva foam. This lightweight foam is springy and returns energy very well with every step. Apart from this, there isn’t too much that encourages responsiveness in the 1260 v5. That said, the overall responsiveness of the shoe is pretty decent.
Support
The main parts that help support the foot in the 1260 v5 are the upper and the midsole. The upper adds support mostly through its synthetic overlays. These overlays secure the foot within the upper and give the shoe a snug fit. This snug fit paired with the flexibility of the mesh makes the foot well supported from above. The midsole provides support through its great amount of cushioning within the heel of the shoe and in the two foams. These pieces all reduce the shocks and forces upon the shoe and support the foot quite well.
Terrain
For most commonly ran on terrains, there should not be any issues in using the New Balance 1260 v5. Like most trainers, they will likely have the most success on city terrains, including roads and sidewalks. On other terrains like grass or dirt, however, they should still be perfectly usable with no major issues. The only terrains to avoid are more extreme ones, which the 1260 v5 might not be suited for. Rain also should not be a major issue for the shoe, so long as caution is taken.
Price
The New Balance 1260 v5 was fairly expensive at debut. This isn’t a huge surprise, as New Balance shoes tend to be on the more expensive side, and the 1260 is also one of the higher end models. Currently, the 1260 v5’s price is decently varied. If found for their lower end, the shoe is a fantastic value given all the features it offers. Price overall is decent for this shoe but is also subject to change.
Drop
The drop on these shoes is fairly standard, at about 8 mm. This drop is fairly average for a trainer, and should probably not be a major source of issues for most runners.
Stability
The New Balance 1260 v5 is quite stable overall, as a result of the upper and midsole of the shoe. The upper’s stability stems from the synthetic overlays, which securely, but comfortably, hold down the foot from above. This is particularly effective thanks to the flexibility of the mesh also present in the upper. The end result is both a good range of motion and a good security at the top of the shoe. The midsole contributes once again with its cushioning and torsional stabilizer. The foams in the midsole absorb shocks and impacts well, which helps to make each step more stable. The torsional stabilizer helps stabilize the stride as well, particularly for overpronators.
Flexibility
Flexibility is usually reliant on the upper of a shoe and is a great feature that allows for natural foot movement. The upper of the New Balance 1260 v5 is pretty flexible, thanks mostly to its mesh design. As mentioned above, mesh design is very flexible, thanks to the way it has holes intentionally woven into it. This mesh is the main proponent of flexibility in the shoe and does a pretty good job overall.
Traction
Traction is the shoe’s ability to grip different surfaces. The outsole’s rubber materials are pretty good at gripping, and traction, as a result, is pretty solid. Again, traction will definitely be best on more common terrains than on more extreme terrains.
Bottom Line
Overall, the New Balance 1260 v5 is a pretty impressive shoe. It offers a lot in terms of stability and cushioning, and is great for those who need or prefer a highly protected and stable shoe. Despite not being the latest model, the 1260 v5 is a solid shoe in its own right. If found at their lower end of prices, the 1260 v5 would be a pretty good choice for anyone seeking a well-cushioned trainer.
