The Sole F80 treadmill has been out for a number of years and has a solid reputation for being a quality machine that requires very low maintenance. In fact, it is one of the best values at the $1,500 price range, which is a very competitive price point. This treadmill is geared for runners and it is designed to take a beating. What you won't find on the Sole F80 treadmill is a bunch of bells of and whistles. What you will find is a running machine that offers a very satisfactory cardio workout.
I've been out to the Sole Treadmill corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah a couple of times, and I have talked to the upper management about their individual products and their corporate strategy. The company’s focus is to offer the most durable treadmills at a value price.
What you get on the Sole F80 Treadmill...
- Power 3.0 Continuous Duty HP Motor - The continuous duty rating is the horsepower the motor runs at without straining. At 3.0 HP you have a motor that will not strain at higher speeds or under the weight of heavier individuals. This is an industrial gauged motor built to last. That is why it is backed with a lifetime warranty. This motor very rarely has a service issue.
- 20" x 60" Treadbelt - The extra long 60" length is ideal for running. In fact, it is highly recommended for runners who use long strides. You won't feel like you are about to fall of the end of the belt. It is also ideal for taller users.
- Crowned 2¾" Rollers - Most people in the market for a treadmill do not realize the importance of the rollers. The larger the rollers the better, and at 2¾", the rollers on the Sole F80 treadmill are about the largest you will find at this price range. The advantage with larger rollers is first, you have a larger surface for the treadbelt to run on. That means there is less wear and tear. It also means there is less chance for slippage. With larger rollers there are fewer revolutions which also means there is less strain on the motor and less wear on the bearings. The other benefit is that the larger rollers contribute to a quieter running machine.
- 250 Lb. Unit Weight - I've read customer reviews where they complain about the weight of the Sole F80 treadmill and mentioned it was not that easy to move around. First, you don't want to move it around. This is definitely not one of those treadmills you want to fold up and move it into a closet to save space. You want to locate it somewhere and leave it there. You may fold it up to save some space. However, there is a real advantage to this heavy weight, and that is stability. No matter how fast you run or how much you pound the surface, the treadmill is not going to move about which is not the case with cheaper budget models.
- Warranty - I feel one of the most revealing features of a treadmill is the warranty. It provides insight into the durability and required maintenance of the machine. As mentioned, the Sole F80 comes with a lifetime motor warranty and a 5-year parts and 2-year labor coverage. Now Sole could not provide this type of extensive warranty if there were continual service issues. They would go broke servicing their machines.
I've been in the treadmill industry for over 15 years. In my Sole F80 Treadmill Review, I rank it a best buy for many of the reasons listed above. It also is the treadmill I most frequently recommend when people contact me for advice.
Here is what I consider one of the best testimonial for the Sole F80 treadmill. I was talking to one of the sales people at Dick's Sporting Goods. I asked, out of the many treadmill brands, which was the one he recommended the most. He stated, "Without question the Sole treadmills. Just get on one and compare it to the other brand we sell. It is like night and day." He was right.
Review by Fred Waters, author of the Treadmill Ratings and Reviews site.
