The Sole F80 folding treadmill was created as a durable, folding treadmill for hotels that could withstand abuse while still running smoothly and quietly.
Fast forward to present, and it’s one of the most popular treadmills for home use.
With several modifications and expanded functionality, the current model continues to beat comparable computers at similar price ranges, making it one of our Best Buys in the price category.
Let’s take a look at some of the Sole F80’s top features…
Folding Treadmill Sole F80 15 percent incline, 3.5 CHP motor, and wireless Monitoring of the Heart Rate
3.5 horsepower motor
Speed ranges from 0.5 to 12 miles per hour.
incline: 0% to 15%
22″ x 60″ running surface with 2.5″ rollers
4 layer, 2 ply belt
ten different programs
Pulse grips for monitoring heart rate; chest strap compatible
Sound system with MP3 compatibility
There are two cooling fans.
The console has a 9.0″ LCD display.
375 pound weight capacity
57″x 37″x 82″ overall dimensions
Frame, motor, and deck have a lifetime warranty; electronics and parts have a five-year warranty, and labor has a two-year warranty.
Users adore the new Sole F80 treadmill, as seen by the numerous positive reviews. Taller users, in particular, appreciate the extra few inches on the running area. Because the user weight limit is a whopping 375 pounds, the extra inches can be a game changer.
Note that the equivalent NordicTrack Commercial 1750 has a maximum weight capacity of only 300 lbs., so if you’re a big guy, this one might be a better fit.
The Advantages
The 3.5 horsepower motor and 10 programs (two of which are bespoke) can provide you with terrific exercises similar to those found in a professional gym without the need to pay a membership fee or go outside in the cold. Although some treadmills may have more workout programs, they are broad enough to help you achieve your fitness goals.
The new Bluetooth wireless technology, which was first launched on a select models a few years ago, allows you to track your exercises and sync your results with any of your favorite fitness applications via the Sole app (Fitbit, Apple Health, etc.). This feature is becoming more common on treadmills, and it’s a feature that a growing number of users are requesting.
With a more powerful engine, wider console, and stronger guarantee, the new Sole F80 is a good step up over the entry-level F63 and mid-range F65 models. It comes with everything you need and is suitable for people of all sizes and fitness levels.
In addition to the big deck, you’ll receive Sole’s proprietary Cushion Flex Whisper Deck, which can minimize joint impact by up to 50% while still enabling smooth, quiet workouts.
It has an Easy Assist folding system that allows you to fold and unfold the treadmill with a single release. The Message Board scrolls instructions for any of the F80’s functions, so you don’t have to keep looking through the manual to figure out what to do.
To increase the intensity of your workouts, you can run up to 12 mph and incline up to 15 different levels. The machine is compatible with any wireless chest strap, so you may measure your heart rate with the grips or wirelessly.
Check out the top-of-the-line folding model, the F85, if you believe you’ll need a bigger motor for more intense exercises. However, the F80 is ideal for most home gyms, providing plenty of versatility in a well-built, well-designed treadmill that will last for years regardless of how hard you train.
Overall, the new Sole F80 treadmill is a great pick, especially if you can get it on sale for roughly $1500.
The Negatives
The only disadvantage, as we often like to point out, is that the display, while improved, remains a basic LCD display interface. Some treadmills, such as the NordicTrack Commercial 1750, feature a touch screen display with internet access.
Still, there are a lot of checks in the Sole column when comparing the F80 and the 1750, thus it makes sense for many people to choose the F80.
How Does the F80 Stack Up Against the Other Sole Treadmills?
The Sole treadmill lineup presently consists of six machines, with the F80 being one of the company’s best-selling models for several years.
Although that can be said about most Sole treadmills, it has the ideal blend of functionality and affordability.
Let’s take a look at all of them to see how the F80 stacks up against the competition…
F63 Sole
The entry-level F63 is the series’ entry-level model, which comes with an astonishing lot of features for a sub-$1000 price tag.
A 20″ x 60″ well-cushioned deck, 6.5″ LCD display, up to 15 levels of incline, Bluetooth workout tracking, wireless heart rate monitoring, 10 built-in routines, a 3.0 CHP motor, and a 325 lb. maximum weight capacity are all included.
F65 Sole
The F65 has all of the advantages of the F63 plus a larger 22″ x 60″ deck, a larger 7.5″ display, a stronger 3.25 CHP motor, and a maximum weight capability of 350 lbs.
F80 Sole
The F80 includes all of the features of the F65, plus a 9.0″ LCD, a 3.5 CHP motor, and a 375 lb. maximum weight capacity.
You also get a better warranty than the F63 and F65, with a lifetime frame, motor, and deck warranty, as well as 5 years of parts and electronics and 2 years of labor.
F85 Sole
The F85, the series’ top folding variant, adds a 10.1″ TFT LCD display, a 4.0 CHP, and a 400-pound maximum weight capacity to the F80’s list of features.
The two non-folding variants are the S77, which is a non-folding version of the F85, and the TT8, which is a light commercial model featuring both inclination and decline.
As you can see, the Sole F80 is a step up from the F63 and F65, offering a much higher maximum weight capacity, a larger display, and a longer guarantee. The F85, as well as the non-folding S77 and TT8, is the only folding Sole treadmill that is more advanced.
Which Sole Treadmill Is Right For You?
Workout Programs and Quick Select Buttons on the Sole F80 Folding Treadmill Console
Let me begin by mentioning that any of the Sole treadmills will serve you well. As you can see from the F63’s specifications, even the entry-level model is jam-packed with capabilities that you’d expect to see on computers twice its price.
However, we recommend the F80 as our top pick for home use because it can handle more weight than the entry-level versions with a higher maximum weight capacity, and the wider belt allows you to stretch out farther. It also comes with a beefed-up motor that is powerful but quiet, as well as a solid guarantee to back it all up.
If your budget is under $1000, opt for the F63 because you won’t find anything better at that price point. It’s one of the most affordable treadmills available.
You don’t need to upgrade to the F85 unless you have a large number of users who use the treadmill frequently and one or more of them is overweight. The Sole F80 is capable of handling any situation.
If you don’t want a foldable treadmill, the S77 is a good option…similar it’s to the F85, but it’s around 40 pounds lighter and an inch shorter. And while the TT8 is an amazing beast, it may be out of reach for most people at $1000 more than the F80. However, the ability to decline is quite great.
The Bottom Line on the Sole F80
Sole Fitness has improved on what was already a fantastic treadmill for in-home usage, as is customary. The steel frame will endure a lifetime, and the Cushion Flex deck will reduce impact on your hips and knees.
The company has always placed a premium on the quality of their machines as well as the exercises they provide. And, at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.
What’s the greatest way to improve the Sole F80 folding treadmill? Aside from the larger, easier-to-read console, the Bluetooth functionality is a must-have. Tracking and sharing workout results is becoming increasingly common, and being able to do so on a Sole treadmill is a welcome addition.
We believe this is the finest overall pick for home usage among the Sole models, which is why it tops our Best Buys list again this year. Take a look at the F63 if you want to save some money. It’s on sale for slightly under $1000. Look into the F85 if you want even more power.
All three treadmills are robust, durable folding treadmills that will endure for years with no maintenance. With all of their cardio machines, Sole continues to give cheap quality, which is something you don’t see very often.