| Brand: | Sole Fitness |
| Expert Rating: |  |
An Industry Standard & Best Buy
When we’re asked for a recommendation for a durable treadmill at a reasonable price, our go to model is the Sole F80.
Testing at Sole Headquarters, Salt Lake City, UT.
We’ve had the opportunity to visit the Sole headquarters a couple of times and each time we were very impressed with the Sole staff and management’s commitment to building the best treadmills in their price range.
The Sole F80 Treadmill has gotten consistently solid reviews over the years since it is a very durable machine at a moderate price.
We are not the only resource to give the Sole F80 a “Best Buy” rating. A popular consumer magazine also gave the Sole F80 a “Best Buy” and rated an “Excellent” in all categories of construction, ease of use, user safety, ergonomics, and exercise range.
This most recent upgrade includes Bluetooth capability so you can track your workout stats on your smart device. A big plus in achieving your fitness goals.
For the money, the Sole F80 treadmill includes heart rate control, large 2.5″ rollers, powerful 3.5 HP motor, and a warranty for lifetime frame/motor/deck, 5 year electronics, and 2 year labor. The Sole F80 was also upgraded with an extra wide 22″ x 60″ treadbelt. Because of the durability of the Sole F80, it is very popular for runners looking for a moderate priced treadmill that can withstand abuse.
Along with the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, this is one of the most popular mid-range treadmills in the industry.
Click here to read our comparison of the Sole F80 and the NordicTrack Commercial 1750.
WEEKEND SALE ENDS MONDAY: The Sole F80 is priced at $1,599.99 with free shipping. A great value!
Shop For The Sole F80 Folding Treadmill at Sole.com
At the Sole Headquarters.
Bluetooth Capability -- One of our favorite features Sole recently added is Bluetooth capability so you can track your stats using your smart device. Download a free app from Sole Fitness and you’re ready to go!
Crowned 2.5″ Rollers -- The crowned 2 1/2″ rollers are some of the largest you will find in this price range. In general, larger rollers are better, since they revolve less. The increased size results in less wear on the rollers, motor, belt and bearings. Since they are ‘crowned,’ the roller is slightly bigger in the center. This allows the belt to track better, reducing the need for adjustments and further increasing the longevity of the belt.
Cushion Flex Running Deck -- We were impressed with the Cushion Flex running surface which, in a study, was shown to lessen impact by 40%. This is an upgrade from the Sole F63 and F65 treadmills. It does a better job of shock absorption and reducing the possibility of injuries and strains. It is also advertised as being quieter than other decks with a reversible deck that is wax lubricated.
Incline -- The deck on the Sole F80 Treadmill inclines to a full 15% for those that like the intensity of hill training. Several treadmills in this price range only go up to 12%.
Built-In Speakers -- The sounds system allows you to connect your iPod or phone and play music directly out of the machine. The sound system is adequate at best.
Folding Deck -- The Sole F80 is a folding treadmill with a patented all gear rack & pinion system with the Safety Lock Deck. It is one of the more stable folding treadmills and has Easy Assist folding so that you can lower the deck slowly without it crashing to the ground. Many of Sole’s folding treadmills are used in hotel chains for in-room workouts.
Programs -- The Sole F80 treadmill has six preset programs, two customized workout programs, and two heart rate programs. This provides a variety of challenges for both the novice and the elite athlete. However, the number of programs they provide in comparison to the competition is on the low end.
Speed & Incline Control -- There are speed and incline controls on the arm rests. Having the controls on the arm rests makes for simple adjustments in contrast to awkwardly having to reach over to the console. This is especially true if you are running.
Console -- The console is one of the better designs we’ve seen. The 9″ white backlit LCD display is visually appealing and the console also includes a cooling fan. Controls are present for speed, incline, time, distance, calories burned, pulse and pace displayed simultaneously. There is no need to scroll for information. There a 1/4 mile track and a peak and valley graph so you can visualize your progress.
Message Board -- A scrolling alphanumeric message board is present to help guide you through set up for the machine. This feature is designed to help users avoid frustration when they are trying to operate the console. Overall, we felt the layout of the console was very intuitive. You don’t need a programming degree to activate programs or make adjustments.
Click Here to See a Comparison Chart of All Sole Fitness Models
There are a number of factors that resulted in the Sole F80 treadmill receiving our “Best Buy“ award:
The combination of price, quality, and features makes this an excellent buy.
It should be noted since reviewing both Sole Treadmills and Ellipticals, we have received only one email from a customer asking where to get a minor mechanical problem fixed. More impressive is the fact that we have never had a complaint regarding customer service, except for units bought through Dick’s, which does their own service. It appears Sole does an excellent job standing behind their products.
A closing note. One of our team members was at a fitness equipment store that did not carry Sole, but stocked competitive brands. In talking to the store manager, he said if he had a choice of a treadmill at $1,500, he would go with the Sole F80.
The F80 will adequately accommodate both joggers and runners. Serious runners should also consider the Sole F85.
ConsumerSearch.com Review
Based on a variety of reliable sources, ConsumerSearch.com rated the F80 “Best mid-range folding treadmill.” They mentioned it has comparable features found in more expensive models.
I purchased a Sole F80 for our home at the beginning of the year. I am an avid runner (25 miles per week) and my wife likes to run and walk daily. In addition, we have two 14 year old children who are also active in sports. We are very pleased with all aspects of our treadmill purchase. We looked closely at the inexpensive treadmills at Sears and decided on the Sole F80 because of the high reviews.
It is used daily in our home and currently lives in the corner of our family room. It is easy for my wife to move the F80 in to position and lower the deck and after use, put the F80 back. At 190 lbs, I was concerned with the construction of the F80 and found it to be very well made and very stable during use even with my weight and speeds. I currently am training at 8 -- 8.5 mph.
Recommendation -- Highly recommended and excellent value!
“My wife and I have used our new sole treadmill for a few months now, and can say it has met every need that we have. This treadmill is very sturdy and super quiet. It has a pretty good speaker system on it too. It should last for many years. Much safer than running up and down a busy highway. Well built product/worth every penny.”
“I bought this treadmill online without even trying it in stores. This had me a little worried because I wanted a nice and stable treadmill since I like to run. Well, I was NOT disappointed in this treadmill. It is by far better than any treadmill I have used anywhere (including gyms)… Over all, this is a WONDERFUL machine, if you don’t buy it its your loss.”
Go to SoleTreadmills.com for further details.
*Our Sole F80 Treadmill Review is based on personally testing the equipment, in addition to feedback from company officials, customers and sales professionals. We attempt to be as accurate as possible. Changes in options, features, warranties and prices can change without notice.
I have interesting in treadmill SOLE F80, could you tell me what is the better price?
Hi Jorge,
We rarely see the Sole F80 Fall below the current price. Not sure of your time frame to purchase, but generally around Thanksgiving holiday specials they may reduce it $50 and $100. That’s the largest discount we’ve seen in several years so the current pricing is a good value.
I would like to buy this treadmill and have it installed in a second floor bedroom and set up by your people on delivery how effective has this been?
Hi William, we do not provide delivery or set up. Sole offers free curbside delivery, to have it set up in your second floor bedroom would be an additional $239. Hope this helps!
I am a real runner and my need for a treadmill is to avoid bad weather and as I get older harder to run in dark. I had a Sole F73 I bought in 2008 and basically wore it out after 8 years. I bought the F80 in May of 2016 and have about 2400 miles on the machine. These do what they say and can take a beating. I do regular maintenance and can even work on my treadmill myself I have those skills.
Ok the speed is accurate I have check it and recheck it at times. Easy to do this is a bike computer and putting the wheel on the treadmill. My bike computer is dead accurate to within a ferw feet in a mile. You can also check speed by measuring the belt and counting the revolutions. My way is easier.
I never use the preprogramed stuff at all I set the thing in manual and adjust according to what I what to do. Normally in the winter I run 30-50 miles a week on this at about 10 minute miles I am slow. Never had a problem with the belt tracking or motor. I did need a new right speed control since I use it all the time manually it was replaced under warranty. Now I am going to replace the belt again under warranty. It is working fine but now they suggested I change because it is getting worn on the running surface wearing down outside rubber. More of a saftly caution that anything else.
The preformance it great althought it changes speed slower than most treadmills.. I actually like that at my age of 57 I don’t need to be wiping out. One thing I have to do on all my treadmills is crazy but I sweat huge amounts. The floor and the counsole get full of sweat, including the side rails. This will corrode the electronics pretty fast and I don’t know why others do not have this situation. What i do is cover the entire console with plastic see through sheeting and it protects the entire console. I have open for the key to be inserted and to make speed adjustments but the rest is covered. This saves me completely having to clean the treadmill daily top to bottom. I just wipe down the front area by the start and stop and saves time.
Many may think this is crazy but I know what I am taking about and as a real runner who gets a real workout I know this is a problem. Finally the heart monitor really does not work that great it did on my old treadmill but this one seems finicky. Again I don’t care I have my own heartrate monitor I use for when running outside. Sole is great with service under warranty and I do think this is a good treadmill. Most people are interested in many features I am not as long as I can control the speed and incline. I am not a person who can listen to music or watch TV while I am on a treadmill. I have to be focused as my balance is not the best I can get my feet tangled easy if I do not concentrate on running smooth. I have some dystonia at times. Real runners go out to run usually a set type workout and know what they want to do.
Typically I start the treadmill at 5 mph and go up till I am running at about 6 mph. I then vary the speed at times going up to 7 and then drop down and even at times go to a fast walk if it is a long interval. At times I will run 1/2 mile work outs in a series of repeats. 10 years ago I could jump and run on the treadmill much better but as now I am cautious as a few times have take a fall but the safety chord stopped the treadmill when pulled. I even have to change the clip on safety chord to a safety pin as the clip on part that is the spring rusted out ( sweat.)
This has been a long and I hope helful review. If you are a real runner than I think you might understand. I would any day rather be outside but if you like to run ever day then that is not always possible. I tend not to get board as I make a game out of workouts depending on what I what to accomplish.
thanks Mark for your valuable feedback.
Thanks, Im buying 2016 model f80 barely used and enjoyed your review.