New Balance 680v9 Review

The New Balance 680v9 is a solid buy if you want one affordable athletic shoe that handles walking, commuting, errands, and the occasional jog without asking you to think about it. It is not a performance trainer, and it is not trying to be. That is the whole point.

Here is the tradeoff in one line: you get approachable cushioning, a stable ride, and genuine everyday usefulness, but you give up the refined underfoot feel and long-mileage durability of a shoe like the New Balance 880.

So why do people hesitate? Because the name sounds like a serious running model. The 680 sits in that numerical range that suggests engineering, and buyers assume it competes with proper daily trainers. It does not. It competes with the shoes you wear to the grocery store, the airport, and the gym warmup. Once you accept that, the 680v9 makes a lot of sense.

At a Glance: New Balance 680v9 Review

Category	Assessment
Best for	Walking, daily wear, beginner running, commuting
Cushioning	Comfortable for everyday use, not plush or premium
Fit	Approachable, but check width options before buying
Durability	Good for the price, with expected outsole and upper wear
Style	Sporty and easy, less lifestyle-focused than a retro sneaker
Value	Strong if you want one affordable multipurpose shoe
Main drawback	Feels basic for serious runners or max-cushion seekers
Verdict	Recommended for practical daily use and entry-level running

That table is the short version. The rest of this review is the long version, and it matters most if you are deciding between the 680v9 and something a step up.

Quick recommendation

• Buy it if: you need one reasonably priced shoe for walking, errands, commuting, gym warmups, and occasional running.
• Choose something else if: you run high mileage, need a responsive race-day shoe, or want maximum underfoot softness.
• Editor’s choice: the New Balance 680v9 for buyers who value versatility and price over advanced running performance.

[Affiliate: Check the current price on Amazon]

What the New Balance 680v9 Is Designed to Do

The 680v9 is an affordable everyday running shoe. Not a stability shoe. Not a speed shoe. Not a max-cushion recovery trainer. It sits at the bottom of New Balance’s running range, and that positioning tells you almost everything about who should buy it.

Its job is to be comfortable enough for a short run and durable enough to wear the rest of the day. That sounds like faint praise, but it is exactly what a lot of buyers actually need. Most people shopping in this price bracket are not chasing a personal best. They want one pair of shoes that works for the gym, the walk to the train, and the weekend errands without falling apart.

That is a real use case, and it is underserved. The sneaker market is split between lifestyle shoes with no cushioning and performance shoes that cost twice as much. The 680v9 fills the gap in the middle.

Where it sits against the 880 and the 520

The New Balance 880 is the more performance-oriented daily trainer. It has a more developed midsole, a smoother transition, and better long-term durability for people who run regularly. If you log real miles, the 880 is the smarter buy.

The New Balance 520 is the lower-cost alternative. It is cheaper, simpler, and more basic. If price is the only thing that matters, the 520 gets the job done.

The 680v9 sits between them. It is more capable than the 520 and less refined than the 880. Whether that middle position is worth it depends entirely on how you use the shoe.

See our New Balance sneakers hub.

Who this shoe is really for

• Beginner runners who want a comfortable starting point without committing to a premium running shoe.
• Walkers and commuters who prefer running-shoe cushioning and breathable construction over flat casual sneakers.
• Buyers who want a practical second pair for travel, gym use, or everyday rotation.
• Anyone who wants one shoe that does several jobs reasonably well.

And who should be cautious: high-mileage runners, runners who need a specific stability solution, and anyone expecting a highly energetic or plush ride. If that is you, keep reading, but plan to spend more.

Design, Cushioning, and Ride Comfort

Cushioning and underfoot feel

The midsole is where the 680v9 lives or dies, and the honest answer is that it is balanced rather than remarkable. It cushions enough for daily walking and short runs. It does not deliver the deep, sinking softness of a premium max-cushion model, and it is not supposed to.

That moderate cushioning is actually a feature for a lot of buyers. A softer shoe can feel unstable when you are standing for long stretches or walking on uneven pavement. A moderately cushioned platform feels more controlled. You get less sink and more support underfoot, which matters more than plushness if your main activity is walking rather than running.

Perceived comfort also depends on your body weight, your pace, your foot shape, and what you are used to. A heavier runner may find the cushioning compresses faster. A lighter runner may find it perfectly adequate. The shoe’s intended role is the useful guide here, not a universal feel.

Walking and standing comfort

Walking is one of the strongest use cases for the 680v9. The running-shoe platform gives you more cushioning and a better rocker than a flat lifestyle sneaker, and that difference shows up over a long day.

For commuting, travel days, and casual standing, it holds up well. It is not a dedicated walking shoe with a specialized footbed, so if you stand for ten-hour shifts on hard floors, you may want something with more underfoot protection. The New Balance 880 is the natural step up if the price difference is acceptable to you.

But for the person who walks the dog, takes the train, and runs a few errands, the 680v9 covers all of it without complaint.

Breathability and daily wear

The athletic upper breathes. That matters more than people expect. A breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cooler in warm weather, dries faster if you get caught in rain, and handles repeated daily wear better than a leather or synthetic lifestyle shoe.

The tradeoff is style. The 680v9 looks clearly athletic. It works with joggers, jeans, and casual shorts. It does not work with business-casual outfits or anything built around a minimalist leather sneaker. If your wardrobe leans smart, this is not the shoe for that.

Socks matter too. A moisture-wicking running sock will keep the shoe fresher and more comfortable than a cotton everyday sock, especially if you wear the same pair several days a week.

[Affiliate: Check running sock options on Amazon]

Fit, Sizing, and Width Options

Is the New Balance 680v9 true to size?

Start with your usual New Balance running-shoe size. That is the safest general recommendation, and it works for most people. But fit varies by foot shape, and it can vary between versions of the same model, so treat that as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

The important distinction is length versus volume. A shoe can be long enough and still feel tight across the forefoot or over the instep. If the length feels right but the shoe pinches, the problem is volume, not size. Sizing up will not fix that cleanly.

Try the shoe later in the day if you can. Feet swell during normal activity, and a shoe that feels fine in the morning can feel tight by evening.

Who will find the fit most comfortable

Average-width feet are the safest match. If that is you, your normal size should work.

If you have wider feet, look for a wide or extra-wide version before you consider sizing up. New Balance is one of the better brands for width availability, and the 680v9 is often sold in multiple widths. That is the right first adjustment.

Sizing up to solve a width problem usually backfires. You get more room in the toe box, but you also get heel movement, and a slipping heel reduces control and causes its own set of problems. Width selection beats length inflation almost every time.

[Affiliate: Check available widths on Amazon]

Fit checks before keeping the shoe

• Allow roughly a thumb’s width in front of your longest toe, without the heel slipping when you walk.
• Check for pressure at the little-toe area, the arch, the tongue, and the top of your foot.
• Test the shoe with the socks and any insole you actually plan to use.

That last one catches people out. If you swap in a supportive insole, it changes the volume of the shoe, and a fit that worked with the stock insole may not work with the new one. Decide before you commit.

Build Quality, Durability, and Ownership Costs

Materials and construction

The 680v9 is an affordable model, and the value comes from a sensible balance of upper materials, cushioning, and outsole coverage rather than luxury construction. You are not paying for premium foams or exotic uppers. You are paying for a shoe that does its job at a fair price.

When you get the shoe, inspect a few things: the stitching, the shape of the heel counter, the outsole rubber coverage, and whether the upper creases without creating a pressure point. Those are the details that separate a well-made budget shoe from a badly made one.

Durability depends on your body weight, your mileage, the surfaces you walk on, how often you rotate the shoe, and how you clean it. There is no single lifespan number that applies to everyone.

What is likely to wear first

Budget daily trainers tend to wear in predictable places:

• The outsole under the heel and forefoot, where you load the most weight.
• The upper at the flex point, where the shoe creases as you walk.
• The midsole in the most heavily loaded section, where the foam compresses over time.

Here is the thing most buyers get wrong. Visible upper wear is not always the first sign that the shoe needs replacing. Loss of cushioning, uneven wear on the outsole, and new discomfort matter more. A shoe can look fine and still be dead underfoot.

Rotating the 680v9 with another pair helps. It lets the cushioning recover between wears and reduces the daily stress on any single shoe.

Cost per wear

Think about cost per wear rather than sticker price. If you use the 680v9 several times a week and it replaces separate walking, commuting, and gym shoes, the value is strong. One shoe doing three jobs is cheaper than three shoes doing one job each.

But a cheaper shoe is not automatically better value. If it becomes uncomfortable quickly, or if it is wrong for your main activity, you will replace it sooner and spend more overall. Value is about fit and suitability, not just the number on the tag.

That is the real comparison against the New Balance 520 and the New Balance 880. The 520 is the lowest-cost option. The 880 costs more but may make more sense if you run frequently and want a shoe that lasts through real mileage.

[Internal: See our New Balance 880 review]

Real-World Use: Running, Walking, Travel, and Daily Wear

Running

The 680v9 works for beginner runners, shorter easy runs, treadmill sessions, and occasional jogging. If you are just starting out and you want a comfortable shoe to build a routine, it will not hold you back.

Where it struggles is high weekly mileage, long-distance training, fast workouts, and anything that needs an energetic, refined transition. Those demands belong to a more advanced daily trainer.

The bigger point: comfort and fit matter more than the model’s running label when you are choosing a first pair. A shoe that fits you well and feels good will serve you better than a technically superior shoe that does not.

Walking and commuting

Walking and commuting are the 680v9’s strongest use cases. You get decent traction, everyday cushioning, a breathable upper, and the convenience of one shoe that works across your whole day.

The style tradeoff is real, though. It looks athletic, so it pairs better with casual clothing than business-casual outfits. If your commute ends in an office with a dress code, this is a shoe for the walk, not the meeting.

Travel and everyday errands

For travel, the 680v9 is a genuinely useful pick. It is lighter and more flexible than many casual sneakers, and it can handle airport walking, sightseeing, and a hotel-gym session without complaint.

The packing value is real. One versatile pair can replace separate walking and workout shoes, which frees up space in your bag.

The downside of using one pair for everything: if it gets soaked or heavily worn during a trip, you have no backup. If you travel a lot, consider a second pair or at least a way to dry the shoe overnight.

[Internal: See our guide to the best New Balance shoes for walking]

What Most Buyers Get Wrong About the New Balance 680v9

The biggest mistake is assuming a running shoe has to feel extremely soft to be comfortable. It does not. Moderate cushioning can give you a more controlled experience for walking and daily wear, and control matters more than plushness when you are on your feet for hours.

The second mistake is assuming the cheapest New Balance running shoe is the best value. It is not always. A modest step up in price can be worth it if the shoe fits you better or lasts longer for how you actually use it.

The third mistake is trying to fix a width problem by sizing up. If the shoe is available in a wide or extra-wide version, that is the correct adjustment. Going up a size trades one problem for another.

The fourth mistake is judging the 680v9 against premium running shoes. It is a daily trainer at a budget price. Compared against its actual peers, it holds up well. Compared against a shoe that costs twice as much, of course it falls short.

New Balance 680v9 vs Alternatives

Shoe	Best for	Comfort profile	Main advantage	Main limitation
New Balance 680v9	Everyday running, walking, commuting	Balanced and practical	Strong versatility for the price	Less advanced than premium trainers
New Balance 520	Lowest-cost casual running and walking	Basic, straightforward	Usually the budget-first choice	Feels less refined for frequent running
New Balance 880	Frequent running, higher mileage	More developed daily-training comfort	Better long-term running platform	Higher price
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080	Maximum comfort, softer cushioning	Plush and premium	Great for comfort-focused runners	More expensive, less budget-friendly
New Balance 574	Lifestyle wear and casual outfits	Firmer, more casual	Better retro styling	Not suited to sustained walking or running

When the New Balance 680v9 is the better buy

Choose it over the New Balance 520 when you want a more capable everyday shoe and the price gap is reasonable. The 520 is fine, but the 680v9 gives you more shoe for not much more money.

Choose it over the New Balance 574 when walking comfort and athletic function matter more than retro styling. The 574 is a great lifestyle shoe, but it is not built for sustained walking or running.

Choose it over the New Balance 880 or Fresh Foam X 1080 when you run occasionally and want to keep spending under control. If running is a small part of your week, the extra money is hard to justify.

When to spend more

Move to the New Balance 880 if you run regularly and expect to accumulate substantial mileage. It is the more polished daily trainer and it will hold up better over time.

Consider the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 if you prioritize plush cushioning and are comfortable paying a premium for it. It is the comfort-first choice in this lineup.

The key is that spending more should be justified by frequency and need, not by the assumption that every runner needs the most expensive model. Most casual users do not.

[Internal: See our New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 comparison]

Who Should Buy the New Balance 680v9?

• Budget-conscious runners starting a running routine.
• Walkers and commuters who want more support than a flat casual sneaker.
• Travelers looking for one athletic shoe that handles several daily activities.
• Buyers who prefer a stable, uncomplicated ride over aggressive speed or specialized tech.
• Shoppers who can get the correct width and whose main use is walking, casual running, or everyday wear.

If you see yourself in that list, the 680v9 is a straightforward recommendation.

Who Should Skip It?

• Runners training frequently or preparing for long-distance events.
• Buyers seeking maximum softness, bounce, or a premium underfoot experience.
• People who need a formal-looking shoe for office wear.
• Shoppers with a pronounced fit issue that the available widths cannot solve.
• Anyone expecting one shoe to replace a dedicated running shoe, walking shoe, and performance trainer indefinitely.

No single shoe does everything. The 680v9 does a lot of things well for the price, but it is not a specialist, and pretending otherwise sets you up for disappointment.

Final Verdict: Is the New Balance 680v9 Worth It?

For practical daily use, walking, commuting, beginner running, and occasional workouts, yes. The New Balance 680v9 is worth buying. It balances price, comfort, versatility, and approachable fit better than many overly specialized or purely lifestyle alternatives, and it does it without asking you to overthink the purchase.

The qualification is simple: it is a value-oriented daily trainer, not the best choice for serious mileage or buyers who want premium cushioning. Judge it by that role and it delivers.

The decision framework:

• Buy the New Balance 680v9 for one affordable, versatile athletic shoe.
• Buy the New Balance 520 if the lowest reasonable price matters most.
• Buy the New Balance 880 if running is a regular, high-mileage activity.
• Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 if maximum cushioning matters more than budget.

Check the current price and available widths before you buy. Width availability is the one thing that most often decides whether this shoe works for you.

[Affiliate: Check the New Balance 680v9 price on Amazon]