I think they are great shoes, better than most simple retro sneakers. I used to hate all running or walking dedicated sneakers but as I get older my definition of comfortable shoes or practical shoes has changed dramatically.
Now, I prefer some more technical looking shoes like these over simple retro sneakers like 991, 993, 2002R or 991 v2 or like that. These Made and retro y2k type of runners are comfortable compared to something like Dunk Low or AF1 Low or like that, but not as comfy or durable or practical as these real technical runners or walking shoes of today.
For me, the Made shoes are the most overrated junks, they are comfy for just casual shopping or office work, for that type of things, I use them sometimes, but basically my research work now requires me a lot of walking like 20 km or more every day, so I think the Made or 2002R type of casual shoes are not durable enough for me. I once used my 990 v3 and v5 for my work, they lasted just a few weeks. After that, I decided not to buy any real expensive casual shoes. The true lifestyle shoes are really weak, just last for a few weeks or at best a few months for me. I can stomach that if they are priced like airmax 90, ML1906R, MR530 or P6000, but the Made shoes or the 90/60 series shoes cost more than 200 US and lasting for only 3 weeks or 4?
I cannot accept that. So, now I always wear either those NB 1080 v13, NB Fresh Foam X More 4, NB 1906R, Nike Motiva SE, Nike Pegasus 40, Nike Air Peg 2k5 or NB Rebel v4 all black one for most of my works and other things that require a lot of walking or running.
For me they are ultimate practical lifestyle shoes that can handle my running workouts great, not just simple running shoes. To me they look stunning, I actually prefer them over the say NB 990 v6 now. In my area, the suede shoes are useless in summer or rainy season. I also prefer Vegan shoes I just hate the idea wearing dead animal skin on my feet these days.
So, now I have 4 pairs of these in Carbon grey black (this one), Red, Collage Navy Yellow and Grey (the Gray Day edition).
I think if you like the snug fitting shoes, you should try them.
They run small, but I think they are really great shoes the upper hugs securely and achieving decent lockdown is super easy with them. I think they are a half or even one full size smaller than the v12. So, most people must go half a size up on them. I got size 10 US and they fit better than my first pair 9.5.
Many sneakerheads or hyperbeasts think they are ugly, but I think they will be a big hit not just as running shoes but also lifestyle shoes and they may even become like next 2002R as their life as serious running shoes is over.
I mean the 2002R, the 990, the 993, etc. were all originally running shoes technical shoes, not fashion shoes as we know of them today. So, the 1080 series may also become popular casual shoes someday in near future. I think the V12 and the v13 have potential to go there. They look cool in person, they are durable, they are very breathable, they are super well-made and super well cushioned. There is nothing like them.
Now at least in Japan, they sell these all black or Carbon Grey 1080 v13 through their lifestyle line shops, not through their running shops. And my pair came in their grey lifestyle shoe box. My Rebel LB4 also came in their grey box. So, I guess they consider these at least this colorway fashion/running hybrid sneaker.
I think these are at least for me the new age Ultraboost or better version of Ultraboost. They are much better than any Adidas sneakers to be honest and cost less than the shitty way outdated Boost shoes.
UPDATE: Honestly, after trying these all black or carbon 1080 v13 and the More v4 in similar colorway, I have changed my view on sneakers drastically. And decided to do sorting out things to get rid of those unused shoes.
Now, I think for pure walking, the NB WRPD Runner may be your best option even if they are pure lifestyle shoes.
For walking and running hybrid use cases, the 1080 v12 and v13 are also very good for that, plus they can also handle long runs very well. and the v13 can even go fast, I feel them pretty fast to me, I can go really fast in them. So, for me the 1080v13 may be the most versatile shoes; they can be great for running, walking, as a pair of casual sneakers for travel, etc. More Trails are also great, but they are not as versatile as the 1080 v13 or Nike Motiva as the stack height is quite much taller. But they are actually bouncier and feel faster to me than the 1080 v13. I know it is odd, but they feel like that to me.
So, now for me, the 860v2, the 90/60, the 990v6, the 992, the 993, the 990 v4, the Nike VK2, the 991 v2, etc. are all irrelevant shoes as I think I will never buy that kind of shoes ever again.
I mean they are not as comfy as the WRPD or the dedicated running or walking shoes, and not as simple or classic as Jordan 1 or Cortez or the original 991 or even the 2002R, also they are not as flashy as the 1906R or the Vomero 5, or the Peg Zoom 2K5.
So, now my very favorite pure lifestyle shoes are these 5:
1 NB 1906R
2 NB WRPD Runner
3 Nike Cortez
4 Nike airmax 90
5 Nike Zoom Peg 2k5
In fact, I just wear either one of these or my NB or Nike running or walking shoes these days. I think I will sell all my 550's, AF1's, Forums, P6000's (except the all-black one), 90/60's (except the pink one), all my 23 pairs of Ultraboosts and all Adidas ZX shoes.
I already sold all my Reeboks and Pumas.
So, if I have to be with only one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, what would they be? I think I will choose the airmax 90 or aimrax 1. They are that special to me and nothing else can be as nostalgic as they are to me.
UPDATE2: I think the NB 1080 v13 is just a bit too soft for a long walk, I love them for running, but not sure for walking now. I think you should try them before you actually order; they are really really soft, unbelievably responsive, and that the new foam qualities are great for running but not for walking, in my opinion. I prefer Nike Motiva, Nike Structure 25, NB WRPD Runner and Adidas Adister 2.0 for walking better. I never realized a foam being too responsive and soft sometimes does not work great for walking. I think if this foam is a bit firmer and more structured, then it was perfect for walking. But then, I think it will be worse for running. So, I think it is great as it is. Many YT reviewers tell you these shoes are just for recovery runs or walking, but to me they feel fast; the faster I go the more responsive it becomes at least I feel it like that. So, unlike the previous 1080 series shoes, I like them for real running, but dislike for walking long.
UPDATE3: I took them for long run and walk hybrid sessions 2 times in this week and I changed my mind on them again.
I think they are great even for a mid-distance walk now, I think until up to like 17km or 10 miles or like that. And they are great for long runs and even really fast pace running at least for me.
Many YT guys say they feel slow, but I do not think so, and I do not think any shoes are slow or fast, it is you or your brain is making the illusion of fastness or speed.
So, as soon as I hear some so-called reviewers saying something is really fast, or slow, I just move on.
Anyway, the shoes are not bad at all even for walks, just do not really work for super long walks or standing all day kind of activities. Honestly, I wish the foam were a bit firmer in these, but even as they are now, they work just fine and much better shoes than the V12 in most ways (maybe except for super long walks). I think this v 13 is a lot bouncier feeling shoe than the v12.
For me the v12 was a great walking shoe, this one is some of the best walking running hybrid shoes ever.
So, I think I will get another pair of them in the new white- pink colorway if I do not get another pair of the Adidas SL2.
Now, I have been debating the SL2 vs the v13.
