Sole F80 Review

Sole Fitness has carved out a niche for producing “hotel-quality” equipment—gear that is unpretentious, hefty, and remarkably durable. The F80 is the poster child for this approach. Its signature Z-frame provides a stable, shudder-free foundation that handles 350-pound sprinters without a hint of vibration. Under the hood, the 3.5 HP motor delivers consistent, quiet power, though its incline motor still moves at a more leisurely pace compared to the snappy responses found on high-end rivals.

Perhaps the F80's most refreshing characteristic is its lack of a "walled garden"; there is no mandatory monthly subscription here. The updated 10.1-inch Android touchscreen is wide open, supporting direct screen mirroring so you can binge Netflix or follow a Peloton session via the integrated speakers. While it doesn't offer the cinematic, world-traveling software experience of a NordicTrack, it is the undisputed champion for runners who prefer to curate their own entertainment without being nickel-and-dimed.

Exercise Quality

Running on the Sole F80 feels remarkably stable and secure. The combination of a heavy steel frame and an extra-wide belt allows you to naturally lengthen your stride and focus on your workout without constantly checking your footing. The deck provides effective cushioning for your joints, and the redesigned 2026 console ensures your tablet sits at perfect eye level for a distraction-free viewing experience.

However, the new layout has a significant ergonomic drawback: the primary control buttons are positioned quite far forward on the motor hood. For runners with a shorter reach, adjusting speed or incline mid-run can feel like a precarious lean over the front of the machine. While it remains a reliable, sturdy workhorse, it lacks the refined “road feel” and intuitive control finesse found in its top-tier competitors.

The Sole F80 offers a genuinely spacious 60" x 22" running surface that provides enough room to let your guard down, even as fatigue begins to set in. Its “Cushion Flex Whisper Deck” is designed to reduce impact, delivering a noticeably springy feel that helps protect your joints during grueling endurance sessions. A high-torque 3.5 CHP motor, paired with heavy 2.36-inch steel rollers, creates a fluid momentum that keeps the belt moving smoothly through every foot strike.

The running deck, while comfortable, has less give than many others in our test, giving it a feel that is much more like outdoor running. Our testers found that adding a 1% or 2% incline gives the platform an almost perfect “trail run feel”. Because of its massive footprint and the reach required to operate the console, the F80 is a dream machine for tall runners over six feet, but it can feel somewhat oversized and overwhelming for shorter users or those in compact apartments.

When it comes to holding a steady pace, the F80 is unmatched. In our calibration tests, it was nearly dead-on, missing perfect accuracy by just a single foot over a timed distance. You can absolutely trust the numbers on the screen.

Is it good for HIIT? Unfortunately, no. While the drive motor is strong, the incline mechanism is agonizingly slow. It takes a full 39 seconds to sweep from flat to steep—twice as long as the Echelon Stride 6. By the time the deck finally reaches the target height, your interval might be half over, making this a poor choice for rapid hill repeats.

The F80 shines as a truly standalone machine—no subscription required. It comes pre-loaded with all the classic workout profiles you need, from Hill and Fat Burn to HIIT and 5K training. While launching a quick manual run requires a few more taps than on previous models, it's a minor annoyance for a system that otherwise frees you from the “app trap.”

Companion App/Connectivity

The F80 covers the connectivity basics nicely, using Bluetooth to sync with your phone or heart rate strap. Sole offers a confusing mix of apps—a free “SOLE+” app for data tracking and a paid “STUDIO” subscription ($39/mo) for guided classes—but frankly, you can ignore them.

The real strength here is the open ecosystem. Unlike locked-down competitors, the console comes pre-loaded with entertainment apps like Netflix and YouTube. You aren't forced into Sole's paid world; you can simply stream your own shows or run alongside your favorite third-party fitness app without jumping through hoops.

User Interface/Ease of Use

The F80 keeps things refreshingly simple. While it lacks the futuristic polish of the NordicTrack X16, it avoids the “walled garden” trap. Most competitors force their specific app on you; Sole lets you choose. Using a third-party app requires a few extra taps at startup, but you can do it while the belt is moving, making it a small price to pay for true software freedom.

The console is functional but busy, covered in large buttons that feel a bit redundant over time. We appreciated the rocker switches on the crossbar for micro-adjustments, though the contact heart rate sensors are virtually useless—placed too low to reach without stooping, especially since the bar doesn't rise with the incline.

A central wireless charger keeps your phone topped up in landscape mode. The preset buttons are slightly odd—jumping irregularly from 5 to 7 to 9—but they get the job done. Ultimately, the F80's “low-tech” vibe is its best feature: it's a powerful tool that never asks for a monthly subscription.

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Features

The F80 prioritizes useful tech over gimmicks. The crisp 10.1-inch touchscreen is responsive, but the real highlight is screen mirroring—you can cast your own movies directly to the display or just prop your iPad in the perfectly positioned holder.

Physical features are a mix of hits and misses. We loved the wireless charging pad and the robust safety lanyard, but the built-in fans are a letdown, barely moving enough air to cool you down. The speakers get the job done, but for serious sessions, you'll likely prefer your own headphones.

Don't confuse “Level 15” with a 15% grade. We measured the F80's max incline at a true 12% slope. It's a common marketing quirk, but the result is still steep enough for most training. Underfoot, the “Cushion Flex Whisper Deck” uses six elastomers to dampen impact. It isn't quite as plush as the NordicTrack X16, but it offers a forgiving ride that will definitely save your knees on long days.

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Ease of Assembly

We use this metric to assess the difficulty of setting up these machines ourselves, and this treadmill was relatively challenging to assemble. 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 the $350 delivery and setup option, you'll want to call a friend or two. Having a utility knife and diagonal cutters is very helpful.

The treadmill deck arrives locked with a shipping pin that must be removed before setup. While routing the console wires through the vertical risers is straightforward, you need to be careful to avoid several clear pinch points along the way. Once powered on, the machine requires a quick belt lubrication with the included silicone; this is a simple task, though you'll need a few extra minutes to ensure the belt is perfectly realigned afterward. Ultimately, the assembly process was taxing enough that opting for professional delivery and setup began to feel like a very wise investment.

Storability

Despite its folding deck, the Sole F80 continues to score lower in storability metrics for 2026. While the “Easy Assist” folding mechanism significantly reduces its 3,135-square-inch footprint to roughly 11.6 square feet, the machine remains quite wide and reaches a towering 71.5 inches when upright. Its saving grace for portability is the rare four-wheel transport system; unlike most heavy treadmills that require you to tilt them onto two wheels, the 274-pound F80 can be pushed flat across level, hard floors with surprising ease. Nevertheless, this is a commercial-grade machine that demands respect for its size. Even folded, it is nearly impossible to “hide” in a multipurpose room, so if you lack a dedicated long-term workout space, this behemoth may not be the right fit for your home.

To fold the unit, you simply lift the rear of the deck until it clicks into a locked upright position. When you're ready to run, depressing the release lever engages a hydraulic damper that gently lowers the deck to the floor. Even when folded, the Sole F80 remains a substantial presence at 72 inches high and 38 inches wide. While this position cuts its footprint by roughly half, it's a machine meant for a dedicated gym space rather than being tucked away in a corner or hidden behind furniture.

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 those of many other machines we've tested, resulting in a lower score for the F80.

Should You Buy the Sole F80?

The F80 is a workhorse, not a show pony. Its superpower is freedom—specifically, freedom from the mandatory monthly fees that plague the industry. We love that you can stream Netflix or just run without a login. However, don't buy this for HIIT. The speed and incline adjustments are sluggish, making rapid intervals frustrating. It also has a specific ergonomic quirk: the console sits far forward on the deck. While this is fine for tall runners, shorter users will find themselves straining to reach the controls mid-stride.

What Other Treadmills Should You Consider?

If you appreciate the full-sized tread surface and the ability to use your preferred app, 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.