Our verdict

The Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance is an entry-level tennis shoe that simply gets the job done. We found that it ticks all the right boxes to make a racquet sports session enjoyable for most beginner and recreational players. Unless they play in hot conditions of course because it is a rather stuffy shoe! Overall, we believe that the value-to-price ratio of this New Balance shoe is fair but it might be worth exploring slightly more expensive alternatives for notably better performance.

Кроссовки New Balance 327 в женских и мужских размерах Pros

  • Fair value for money
  • The New Balance 550 in Cream Blue Drops December 14th
  • New Balance Women's 500 Classic in Blue Beige Synthetic
  • Sufficient stability
  • Sturdy toe drag guard
  • Reliable grip

Кроссовки New Balance 327 в женских и мужских размерах Cons

  • Not breathable at all
  • Кроссовки New Balance 327 в женских и мужских размерах

Audience verdict

72
Decent!

Who should buy

Karl Lagerfelds New Balance lawsuit:

  • you are just starting out with racquet sports and don't want to invest a lot of money
  • you want a basic tennis shoe with decent performance on all fronts
  • Donald Glover x New Balance RC30 Golden Hour 29cm
  • New balance 574 серые с бирюзой

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance review

Who should NOT buy

Even as a budget-friendly shoe, the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance has some pretty tough competition in its price range. Thus, we highly recommend considering a few more alternatives before going for this NB shoe.

New Balance Herren Furon v7 Destroy FG in Blau Schwarz Grau Gelb:

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance lab test

Cushioning

Heel stack

We are very glad that New Balance added more cushioning to the 4th iteration of the 796 because its predecessor certainly lacked in that department.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Heel stack

Seeing 28.4 mm on the caliper, we can confirm that the 796 v4 has just as much cushioning as the average tennis shoe. And it offers a sufficient amount of impact protection too.

Test results
796 v4 28.4 mm
Average 29.3 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
25.3 mm
Heel stack
33.0 mm

Forefoot stack

Measuring the shoe's forefoot stack returned a reading of 20.9 mm which is also on par with the average.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Forefoot stack

Having this much cushioning for the balls of our feet helped us stay on our toes throughout the whole session.

Test results
796 v4 20.9 mm
Average 19.6 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
16.1 mm
Forefoot stack
23.4 mm

Drop

Based on our caliper measurements, the difference in stack heights in this NB shoe is 7.5 mm. This is not too far from what is stated by the brand (8.0 mm).

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Drop

It is a very balanced offset which, in our opinion, is going to feel at home for the majority of players.

Test results
796 v4 7.5 mm
Average 9.7 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
6.2 mm
Drop
14.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

We are pleasantly surprised with the brand's choice to replace REVlite foam with FuelCell for the 4th version of the 796. The latter treated us to a notably softer and livelier ride as we dashed to the net and back.

Pressing a Shore A durometer against the shoe's cut-up midsole, we got a reading of 25.5 HA. This is 18% softer than the REVlite foam of the v3 and is 12% softer than the average tennis shoe midsole.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Midsole softness
Test results
796 v4 25.5 HA
Average 28.4 HA
Funktioner New balance Kort Ärm T-Shirt Impact.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
17.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
34.0 HA

Insole thickness

The cushioning is topped off with a padded insole. Our caliper shows 4.7 mm of thickness in the heel which is standard for a tennis shoe insole.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Insole thickness
Test results
796 v4 4.7 mm
Average 5.2 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
3.9 mm
Insole thickness
7.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance is slightly small (20 votes).

New Balance Kinderen New Balance Kinderen Audazo V5 Command JNR IN Maat 35.5?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 29 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Schuhe NEW BALANCE WX577RK5 Schwarz

Our feet were happy with the toebox space provided by the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance in a D medium width. And it looks like the shoe's gel replica confirms its true-to-size fit.

Measuring the mold's widest part with a caliper, we got a standard reading of 92.5 mm. This is on par with the average of tennis shoes we tested in the same size and width.

But if you need even more room, this NB shoe is generously offered in wide and extra wide versions too.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Schuhe NEW BALANCE WX577RK5 Schwarz
Test results
796 v4 92.5 mm
Average 92.8 mm
Compared to 20 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
88.7 mm
Schuhe NEW BALANCE WX577RK5 Schwarz
96.0 mm

Tecnologias New balance Chaussures Football 442 1.0 Team FG

The rounded toebox shape also contributes to the in-shoe space of this New Balance shoe. Our caliper showed an above-average reading of 70.7 mm in the big toe area of the shoe's toebox.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Tecnologias New balance Chaussures Football 442 1.0 Team FG
Test results
796 v4 81.0 mm
Average 76.9 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
74.7 mm
Tecnologias New balance Chaussures Football 442 1.0 Team FG
81.0 mm

Toebox height

On the downside, the shoe's toebox height turned out to be a bit shallower than average. 

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Toebox height

With a caliper measurement of 22.0 mm, it is pretty low to the toes.

Test results
796 v4 22.0 mm
Average 24.8 mm
Compared to 20 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
20.7 mm
Toebox height
29.2 mm

Stability

Кроссовки New Balance 327 в женских и мужских размерах | Lateral stability test

We didn't expect a lot of support from a shoe under $100 but the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance surprised us in a good way.

Quick cuts and crossover steps felt nice and stable in this NB shoe and its steady base also gave our feet and ankles sufficient push-off power.

But even though we felt a step up in stability over the v3, we can still think of even more stable shoes in the same price range. The TPU Wingwall of the New Balance Uomo NB Numeric 288 Sport in Nero Bianca, for example, offers a lot more side support than the raised foam walls of the 796 v4.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance vs New Balance Uomo NB Numeric 288 Sport in Nero Bianca comparison

Torsional rigidity

Zrównoważony New balance 680 V6 Xialing.

The shoe was almost unyielding in our manual test. And because of how hard it was to twist, we rated its torsional rigidity with a high score of 4 out of 5.

Test results
796 v4 4
Average 4.3
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Кроссовки New Balance 327 в женских и мужских размерах | New balance 100 nb black red men unisex slip on sandals suf100br-d

We should also mention the shoe's very sturdy heel counter as it did a great job locking our heels and ankles down in place.

You can see from our manual check how resistant the whole rearfoot is to squeezing and pushing. We readily gave it the highest stiffness score of 5.

Test results
796 v4 5
Average 3.9
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
New balance 100 nb black red men unisex slip on sandals suf100br-d
5

New balance 327 trainers Grey 5.5

Last but not least - platform width. It contributed to the overall stability of the NB 796 v4 quite significantly.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance New balance 327 trainers Grey 5.5

The midsole flares out on the lateral side showing 114.6 mm in the widest area. It is even a few millimeters wider than average.

Test results
796 v4 114.6 mm
Average 111.9 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
105.3 mm
New balance 327 trainers Grey 5.5
117.4 mm

New Balance 997.5 ML997HJB

Checking the widest part of the shoe's heel, we were amazed to see almost 10 mm more compared to v3!

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance New Balance 997.5 ML997HJB

Ominaisuudet New balance Maastojuoksukengät Nitrel V4 All Terrain.

Test results
796 v4 92.5 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
82.4 mm
New Balance 997.5 ML997HJB
99.7 mm

спортивні new balance

Playtesting the 796 v4, we could feel its resistance to bending even though there was no shank inside the midsole! Such stiffness added a touch of snap and stability to the ride of this NB shoe.

When we measured the force it takes to bend it, our gauge indeed showed an above-average reading of 37.5N. That is 20% stiffer than the average tennis shoe.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance flexibility

Test results
796 v4 37.5N
Average 31.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
18.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
52.0N

Weight

As a budget-friendly shoe that doesn't carry a ton of features, the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance doesn't weigh so much either.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Weight

Our scale recorded 12.2 oz (346g) in a men's US size 9 which is slightly lighter than a typical tennis shoe.

Test results
796 v4 12.20 oz (346g)
Average 12.84 oz (364g)
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
10.30 oz (292g)
Weight
14.71 oz (417g)

Breathability

Продам кроссовки фирмы new balance 38?

Because we have no idea what else could explain the total absence of breathability in the 796 v4!

Not even a tiny streak of smoke passed through the shoe's toebox in our smoke-pumping test!

We saw no hints of ventilation pores or perforations in the upper transparency test either.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Breathability microscope test

What's more, a closer look at the fabric through our microscope revealed the most tightly woven material we've ever seen on a tennis shoe.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Breathability under microscope

Maybe this New Balance shoe could work for chilly weather but it is otherwise a pretty suffocating experience. Thus, we gave it the lowest breathability score - 1 out of 5.

Test results
796 v4 1
Average 3.4
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Tecnologias New balance Saco Core Performance Small

Most tennis shoes use large overlays made of rubber or TPU to protect the inner side of the forefoot from toe dragging.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance toe drag guard comparison

However, the NB 796 v4 chose a more targeted approach by placing a rubber patch in the most high-wear area.

That piece resisted our sandpaper test rather well. Even though we applied the Dremel at 10K RPM speed for 22 seconds, it didn't burn through the entire patch. For that, we give the shoe's toe guard durability a high score of 4.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Tecnologias New balance Saco Core Performance Small test

But we are still in doubt that the exposed mesh and foam around this patch can stand up to aggressive sliding.

Test results
796 v4 4
Average 2.6
Compared to 8 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
Tecnologias New balance Saco Core Performance Small
5

Toebox durability

Our next test shows that the shoe's mesh won't survive regular brushes against outdoor courts.

Our Dremel dug into the fabric quite easily, cutting almost all the way through. But because the material showed some resistance, we bumped up the toebox durability score to 3 out of 5.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance toebox durability test

Test results
796 v4 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The inner lining, on the other hand, is a very frail one. Only 4 seconds of exposure to sandpaper destroyed the shoe's interior mesh completely.

Thus, we couldn't rate the heel padding durability of this NB shoe any higher than 1 out of 5.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Heel padding durability comparison
Test results
796 v4 1
Average 3.1
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Disclaimer: In this review, we are testing the Padel version of the NB 796 v4.

According to specs, the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance uses NDurance rubber for the outsole. But the more NB shoes we test, the more we find that this compound can vary from one model to another. Especially when you are comparing a $90 shoe (NB 796) and a $135 shoe (NB 996).

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Outsole hardness

In the case of 796 v4, the hardness measurement showed a fairly standard durometer reading of 84.0 HC. However, its wear resistance doesn't seem to live up to the average...

Test results
796 v4 84.0 HC
Average 86.1 HC
Funktioner New balance Kort Ärm T-Shirt Impact.
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
79.0 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

Drilling the shoe's rubber outsole for 22 seconds at 10K RPM speed, our Dremel burned a 1.2-mm deep dent.

This is deeper than what we normally see in tennis shoes. But let's not forget that the 796 v4 is also cheaper than the average.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Outsole durability test
Test results
796 v4 1.2 mm
Average 0.8 mm
Compared to 31 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The fact that the NB 796 v4 packs an extra millimeter of rubber in the outsole (5.1 mm) gives us hope for its decent durability.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Outsole thickness

Test results
796 v4 5.1 mm
Average 4.2 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
3.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

Disclaimer: In this review, we are testing the Padel version of the NB 796 v4.

Even though the shoe's grip wasn't the tackiest, we found it solid for a beginner/recreational player whose playing style is not very aggressive.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance traction pattern

Price

We believe that the below-average retail price of the Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance is fair and the shoe offers great value for money. It is a solid entry-level option that's over 50% cheaper than the average tennis shoe.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Price

Test results
796 v4 $90
Average $136
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
$80
Price
$200

Tongue padding

The tongue and collar of this New Balance shoe are nicely padded. We recorded 7.0 mm of padding in the tongue which is a common amount of foam for tennis shoes.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Tongue padding

The padding gets even more generous in the collar of the shoe.

Test results
796 v4 7.0 mm
Average 7.7 mm
Compared to 33 tennis shoes
New Balance x Hanon M1500CHF Chosen Few UK8
2.5 mm
Tongue padding
13.1 mm

New Balance Balance Furon V7 Pro Firm Ground Football Boots Mens

More affordable tennis shoes rarely gussets on the tongue and the 796 v4 doesn't have one either.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance New Balance Balance Furon V7 Pro Firm Ground Football Boots Mens

This resulted in some minor tongue shifting during side-to-side movements.

Test results
796 v4 None

Heel tab

zapatillas de running New Balance neutro talla 46.5.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Heel tab
Test results
796 v4 None

Removable insole

The shoe's insole is easily removable.

Característiques New balance Sabates Running 1080 V10 Performance Removable insole
Test results
796 v4 Yes