Sole F80 Review

Sole Fitness and its associated brands (Spirit and XTerra) build some of the best treadmills on the market. Based out of Salt Lake City, Sole offers a full array of fitness machines for the professional and home exercise market. Sole says that the inspiration for the F80 was for hotel use, which feels apparent in many aspects of its design. It's easier than most to move around but far from portable. The machine feels commercial quality, operates without a subscription, and feels user-friendly. A 3.5 HP motor works well to power the 60" x 22" 2-ply silicone belt, while the incline motor struggles to make adjustments. Boasting a 350-pound weight limit, the steel-framed machine feels sturdy, yet the Cushion Flex Whisper deck provides comfortable dampening whether you run or walk. Sole's website claims, “The F80 treadmill offers an industry-leading aluminum frame,” but we verified the entirety of the frame on this model is actually made of steel. The thin kick plates on the sides of the running surface are, however, made of aluminum.

The F80 lacks the immersive tech of some of the fancier models we've tested, but it can be used without a subscription or Wi-Fi. The relatively large hood is fairly simple, with easy-to-use shortcuts, buttons, and programs, while the 10.1" display keeps track of your workout. The Android-powered display allows you to save multiple user profiles, track your progress, and store your user settings. The console has built-in speakers that are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to stream music. The F80 will also allow you to mirror a phone or tablet to its screen, letting you enjoy your own media through its display. Built-in fans don't move much air, but the tablet holder is perfectly positioned. For users wishing to eschew the subscription model classes or want to bring their own classes to a quality machine, the F80 could be a great choice.

Performance Comparison

Exercise Quality

With its robust steel frame and large belt, it was easy to dig in and forget that you were running in place on a machine. The quality of our stride benefitted from the wide track width and cushioned deck, while the updated hood felt neat and free of distractions. A tablet holder rests above the console in an easy-to-view spot for users who benefit from a distraction. Sole's redesigned hood puts the tablet and peripheral buttons in a good viewing area. However, the buttons are so far forward that interacting with them while running can be difficult, especially for users with shorter reach. Compared to the best treadmills we've tested, the exercise quality is solid but doesn't stand out.

At 60 inches long and 22 inches wide, the F80 has a very large running surface. The two-ply silicone belt and Cushion Flex Whisper Deck felt slightly bouncy initially, but we quickly adapted to its feel and found it comfortable throughout the miles. The F80 uses a flywheel attached to its motor; this is designed to keep the motor cooler and running smoother. Theoretically, this protects the machine from excess wear and tear while creating a fluid feeling of momentum while running. We loved the wide surface and long deck for running at any pace without worrying about kicking the side rails or stepping off. This treadmill is great for taller users with long strides and long reach. Conversely, the treadmill isn't a great fit for shorter runners. With a speed range of .5 to 12 mph, we found it suitable for everything from walking and jogging to high-intensity sprint workouts. At full sprint, we found the deck cushioning to feel unnatural, but that could be alleviated by setting an incline.

In our speed-accuracy test using a rolling measuring wheel, we measured the deck for exactly 60 seconds with the speed set at six mph. The test was performed four times, and the average length was calculated. In that test, the F80 clocked exactly 529 feet, which is more accurate than any of the other treadmills we've tested. Perfect accuracy would have been 528 feet, leaving the F80 within tenths of a percent. The general range of incline adjustment on this treadmill is normal, but it makes incline adjustments very slowly. Moving from the lowest to the highest incline takes 39 seconds on this machine, leaving it less effective in HIIT or Hill workouts; that's more than twice the amount of time it took the Echelon Stride 6 to make the same range of movement.

There is enough built-in functionality on this machine to use as a standalone unit without needing apps or subscriptions. Several pre-programmed workouts like Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, HIIT, 5K, 10K, Custom, HRC, and Fitness Test can be accessed and customized on the fly. Starting manual workouts isn't as quick and easy as it was on the previous model, but the extra steps didn't feel too arduous.

Companion App/Connectivity

The F80 uses Bluetooth to connect to your device or heart rate chest strap. The machine can be paired with the free SOLE app, which doesn't enhance its usability but records your workouts on a tablet or phone. It can also be paired with the SOLE+ app (also free), which has a slightly cleaner user interface but only barely enhances its usability. Sole also offers a STUDIO app for a monthly fee of $39 that includes over 3000 prerecorded classes with instructors, music, and the ability to earn Fitcoin, a Sole virtual currency that gives you ranking on a virtual leaderboard. Your STUDIO membership can be used on all Sole fitness equipment and allows you to track your workouts and progress. Notably, the apps preinstalled on the tablet favor entertainment over fitness, but the machine can be used with any fitness app. Some of the models we've tested recently utilize Bluetooth FTMS, allowing enabled apps to control and adjust the treadmill for you, simulating a natural experience. This model uses Bluetooth but does not feature Bluetooth FTMS.

User Interface/Ease of Use

Compared to other high-end treadmills, we didn't find the F80 interface to be very user-friendly, but if it's the only machine you're using, you'll adapt to the UI/software. Compared to some higher-end models like the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, this console feels very basic, but it's not limiting. Many of the top treadmills on the market today require you only to use their app when exercising; Sole leaves the app choice up to you. If you're using STUDIO or another fitness app, you'll have a couple of extra steps when starting your workout, but you're able to do that once the belt is turning, which minimizes frustration.

The console of the F80 is populated by large, easy-to-read buttons that quickly orient the user. After a few workouts on this machine, the buttons start to feel too populous and redundant. On the crossbar, there are rocker switches that control speed and incline, where you can adjust the speed by tenths of a mph. There are also contact heart rate sensors, but using them while running is awkward as the bar is quite low, and getting your palms on them is challenging, especially while running at an incline since the bar doesn't ride with the running deck. The middle of the console houses a wireless phone charger; it charges in landscape mode and is not large enough for a tablet but works with all of the latest phones we tried. There are quick speed adjust buttons at seemingly random intervals of 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 12, while incline presets have been set to 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 15. Pressing the 7 on the right side will take you to 7 mph; pressing the 7 on the left will take you to the 7th incline position. While the F80 is light on immersive technology, that may be one of its best attributes: no subscriptions, no monthly fee, just a solid piece of equipment that won't leave you paying extra to use it.

Features

While not the most feature-packed treadmill we've reviewed, the F80 features are useful. There are basic console features like water bottle holders and wireless charging. A tablet holder sits above the console, where it's easily viewed with a soft gaze. The treadmill uses Wifi and Bluetooth to connect to apps, classes, and accessories. You can mirror a device to the tablet, giving you full control of your desired media. There are two speakers built into the console that provide adequate sound quality. The 10.1" Android screen is bright with high resolution and excellent touch sensitivity. Two fans oriented below the speakers move air, but just barely; we found it difficult to direct the airflow toward the runner. A tethered lanyard attaches to the user and acts as an emergency stop should they fall off the treadmill; pulling the cord stops the treadmill much faster than hitting the stop button.

Like many other manufacturers, Sole advertises their treadmills as having incline adjustment between 0 and 15 levels. While this is true, the incline is commonly misunderstood; the 15 levels or positions are not to be mistaken for the grade or percent incline. The degree of incline measured (0.55 to 6.80) translates to a measured grade of .96% to 11.92% at its height. These measurements are taken with the deck unloaded as the weight of a runner's step pushes the deck downward, approaching level. The deck of this machine is supported by six elastomers that isolate it from the frame to provide what Sole calls the Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which softens our impacts from each footfall. It's not as compliant as the NordicTrack EXP 7i but soft enough to give your knees a break.

Ease of Assembly

We use this metric to assess the difficulty of setting these machines up ourselves, and this treadmill was relatively difficult to get together. The F80 requires some assembly and a bit of heavy lifting. The massive 285-pound box arrives by freight, and unless you've opted for the $199 room-of-choice delivery or $350 delivery and setup, you'll want to call a friend or two. Getting the box to its setup location wasn't easy. Having a utility knife and diagonal cutters is very helpful.

Once removed from the box, you'll need to remove the substantial packaging. The treadmill deck is assembled and locked together with a pin that prevents it from rising during shipping. Wires need to be routed through the vertical risers to plug into the console, which isn't hard but does create several potential pinch points. After finalizing assembly, plugging the machine in, and powering it up, it asks you to lube the belt before use. Lubricating the belt with the included silicone lube isn't complicated, but it does take a few minutes, and it's important to get the belt perfectly aligned afterward. Assembly was difficult enough that the delivery and setup options started to look really attractive.

Storability

This metric looks at how the treadmill can be stored when not in use and how convenient it is to own. The F80 scores poorly in this metric despite its folding deck. While it is still fairly wide and quite tall, it's significantly shorter with the deck folded up, and unlike many other treadmills, the Sole can be rolled easily on hard, level floors. This is a full-sized treadmill; it's unlikely to be hidden anywhere, but reducing its 3053 square inch footprint can make room for other activities. If you don't have a dedicated long-term place for a treadmill, the Sole may not be the machine for you.

To fold the unit up, you simply lift the rear of the deck into a locked position. To unfold, simply depress the lever, and the hydraulic damper gently lowers the running surface. When folded, the machine is still 70 inches high and 37 inches wide with slightly more than half its unfolded footprint, so it's important to note that you won't be hiding this thing in the corner of a room.

Noise Level

As part of our metrics, we have tested the noise levels produced by different treadmills. To measure the decibel output of each treadmill, we used a professional sound level meter from a fixed distance at various speeds. We perform these tests multiple times with and without a user on the belt.

The F80 produces 50 dB without a user on its track and 54.1 dB with a walker at a speed of 1 mph. At four mph, the treadmill generates 58 and 64 dB with a jogger on the belt. When the speed increases to 7.5 mph, the machine makes 64.1 dB, and with a runner on the belt, it registers 69 dB. These values are louder than many other machines we've tested, giving the F80 a lower score.

Should You Buy the Sole F80?

The F80 is a solid-feeling machine with some nice features, but it doesn't wow us. The F80 shines for those who don't want to be tied to an app, it's not the only treadmill that can be used app free, but fitness machines without attached monthly fees are becoming harder to find. We appreciate the flexibility of not being tethered to an app, and the entertainment apps provide some relief from the monotony of fitness classes. The machine's motor and incline adjuster both felt underpowered; getting up to speed and especially making incline adjustments took much longer than expected; as such, we wouldn't recommend this for HIIT or Hill workouts. The newly updated console is easy to clean and nice looking but sits so far forward that our smaller testers had difficulty interacting with the tablet and quick keys while running. This machine is better suited for taller users and those with long reach.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

If you appreciate the full-sized tread surface and ability to use the app of your choice, check out the Horizon 7.4 AT. With an almost identical deck size and greater incline range of .7 to +14.7, the Horizon impressed us with its comfort and interface. This model's speed and incline adjuster wheels are perfectly positioned and easy to use. If you'd like a model that is easy to store, consider a folding model like the Echelon Stride 6. Its running surface is even larger, it has a 12.4 mph top speed, and it can raise to a 10.5% incline.