Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
8.3/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• ABZORB® cushioning• ACTEVA®LITE foam• Synthetic mono mesh• N-Durance® rubber compound• Wide sizing available
Upper
Like many shoes, the New Balance 780 v5 has a breathable mesh upper. This model uses fewer TPU overlays than the previous model. allowing for a more flexible and unique fit. The New Balance 780 v5 upper is made out of a mono synthetic mesh material. The upper offers good ventilation, however, keep in mind that they are not water resistant. For additional comfort, the 780 v5 features a padded tongue and collar. The shoe has two-toned laces and also offers some reflective overlays, making low light running safer. The New Balance 780 v5 has a removable insole, allowing you to add your own orthotic or preferred insole if you want. The midsole of the 780 v5 is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable.
Midsole
The New Balance 780 v5 has a dual-layered midsole. The ACTEVA®LITE portion is a lightweight EVA foam. This foam is a specialized foam that offers more compression resistance and is quite a bit lighter than your typical EVA foam. On top of this specialized foam, the New Balance 780 v5 features ABZORB® technology, a unique layer of cushioning that is designed to add comfort and absorb shock. This midsole is responsive and well cushioned. Many reviewers found that this midsole needed very little “breaking” in. The New Balance 780 v5 has a lightweight cushioned midsole that works well for daily running or even long runs.
Outsole
The New Balance 780 v5 features an outsole that is made out of N-Durance® rubber and a specialized blown rubber. This combination provides traction and durability. The New Balance 780 v5 has a full contact outsole, ensuring a well balanced gait when running. The outsole is both flexible and responsive. The shoe has moderate treads along the outsole and is designed for roads and pavements. The New Balance 780 v5 maintains traction in wet conditions. Overall, the New Balance 780 v5 offers a competent outsole.
Breathability
The mono synthetic mesh material of the New Balance 780 v5 provides optimal breathability. This shoe offers comfort by keeping your feet well ventilated when running. Due to the extreme level of breathability, the New Balance 780 v5 does not prevent water from entering. Because of this, the 780 v5 performs best in hot and dry conditions.
Comfort
Comfort is one of the main selling points of the New Balance 780 v5. The dual-layered midsole featuring the ABZORB® cushioning and the ACTEVA®LITE specialized foam adds plenty of comfort to the 780 v5. The upper portion utilizes mono synthetic mesh material, keeping your feet well ventilated and more comfortable. The standard cushioned tongue and collar also contribute to this shoe’s level of comfort. Many reviewers have found that this shoe is comfortable from first use and did not say they needed a break in period.
Style
The New Balance 780 v5 is available to both men and women in various color options. The colors range from neutral color options to more vibrant colors, providing an option for both modest and flashy runners. The New Balance 780 v5 features the typical “N” logo for New Balance and color contrasts between the upper and midsole layers. This shoe has a standard design. Overall, the New Balance 780 v5 may not be the most stylish shoe, but it’s affordability and various color options make it a desirable running shoe.
Durability
N-Durance® rubber and blown rubber on the outsole of the New Balance 780 v5 was designed to provide maximum amounts of durability. The ACTEVA®LITE layer of the midsole is designed to reduce the amount of compression, making this foam midsole more durable than others. The 780 v5 has a traditional sock liner and a removable insole, both of which are constructed in a durable fashion. Essentially, for a shoe that is on the more affordable spectrum, the New Balance 780 v5 does a good job of also providing good durability.
Protection
The New Balance 780 v5 offers adequate protection. The N-Durance® rubber outsole and dual-layered midsole protect your feet upon impact as well as absorb shock from the harsh impact of running on roads and pavement. The wide toe box provides toe protection and gives ample room (although some runners consider this to be a negative aspect). Additionally, the New Balance 780 v5 is designed to provide heel support, keeping it in place while running. This shoe is a traditional running shoe and provides support and structure, which help to protect your feet and ankles from injury. The New Balance 780 v5 blends protection and support while still maintaining a relatively lightweight.
Responsiveness
The New Balance 780 v5 is considered to be a responsive running shoe. This lightweight shoe responds well to the ground. Any shoe that can offer this much comfort and still feel responsive is a well-balanced shoe. The 780 v5 utilizes the dual-layered midsole to minimalize impact and return energy while running. The N-Durance® and blown rubber outsole provide flexibility and responsiveness. Overall, the New Balance 780 v5 is a good blend of comfort and responsiveness.
Support
The outsole, midsole, and upper portions of the New Balance 780 v5 provide a good amount of support. The outsole’s moderate treads and two-type rubber provides good traction without fear of slippage. The 780 v5’s midsole also offers support. The dual-layered components of the midsole resist compression and support the underfoot. This shoe is ideal for neutral pronators and will work with a variety of runners. The upper portion of the New Balance 780 v5 features a mono synthetic mesh that is supported by TPU overlays. Although this version uses fewer overlays, providing more flexibility, it still maintains a supportive nature. Along with the overlays, the 780 v5 also has a two-toned lace system that secures the foot in the shoe.
Terrain
The New Balance 780 v5 performs best on roads and pavement. This shoe is ideal for long runs due to the added levels of cushioning. The moderate treads provide traction but are not designed to battle extreme trails and offroad running. Although the 780 v5 outsole performs well in wet conditions, remember that the uppers are not water resistant. Ideally, this shoe should be used on roads and pavements in dryer conditions unless you do not mind wet feet.
Price
The price of the New Balance 780 v5 is another one of its top features. This shoe averages in at about $85, making it an affordable option. Despite the New Balance 780 v5’s cheaper price and less than stylish appearance, this shoe is a pleasantly comfortable and durable, and definitely worth the lower price.
Drop
The New Balance 780 v5 has a 12mm drop. This is a traditional drop for a running shoe. The 12mm drop is thought to help provide propulsion while running and help to protect your heel upon impact.
Stability
The New Balance 780 v5 is not a stability shoe, but it does provide enough stability for neutral runners. The N-Durance® outsole of the New Balance 780 v5 provides a stable platform. The ACTEVA®LITE midsole foam is a shock resistant foam that is resilient and stable. The New Balance 780 v5 is a great running shoe for neutral pronators, but for runners seeking extra motion control for under or overpronation, might want to look elsewhere.
Flexibility
The New Balance 780 v5 is designed to be more flexible than the previous model. To achieve greater flexibility, the upper portion is designed with fewer TPU overlays. The fewer overlays allow the 780 v5 to bend more easily and to contour naturally to your feet. This enhanced design still maintains structural and functional support, but it does give the New Balance 780 v5 a more flexible nature. Both the outsole and midsole offer a degree of flexibility, making the 780 v5 a comfortable and moderately flexible running shoe.
Traction
The outsole portion of the New Balance 780 v5 provides adequate traction while running. The N-Durance® rubber is specially designed to provide traction on smooth, flat surfaces like roads and pavement. The durable blown out rubber on the outsole is also good at providing grip. The moderate treads that run alongside the outsole hold tight to the road while running. Many reviewers appreciate the fact that the 780 v5 even maintains traction in wet conditions, even if the upper lets in water.
Bottom Line
The New Balance 780 v5 is an exceptionally comfortable running shoe. This shoe is affordable and comes in a variety of color options. The N-Durance® rubber outsole provides traction and maximum durability. The moderate treads that run along the outsole help to keep this shoe well balanced. The New Balance 780 v5 has a dual layer midsole. The ABZORB® cushioning adds comfort and helps to distribute impact. The ACTEVA®LITE foam layer helps to protect against compression. This specially designed foam is also lighter than most EVA foams. The 780 v5’s upper is made out of a mono synthetic mesh material. This mesh is breathable, keeping your feet well ventilated while running. The material is not waterproof, so your feet will not stay dry in wet conditions. The uppers also feature a two-toned lace system and reflective overlays, making low light running safer. The New Balance 780 v5 is an affordable and comfortable running shoe, ideal for long runs and everyday use.
