Sole F85 Review + Pros & Cons (2018)

Quick Summary

Tops in its series, the Sole F85 with Bluetooth is a leading residential treadmill with health spa quality. It’s foldable for convenient home use but equipped to support long distance running and intense interval training. This folding treadmill has a 4.0 CHP motor and an extra-large track and automated incline. A 10.1″ screen shows workout progress, plus the new F85 can connect with mobile devices and fitness apps.

Learn more from our Sole F85 review below.

Specifications

Model	Sole F85
Rating Our custom rating considers all of the treadmill's features, specs, warranties, and 100's of user & expert reviews, to save you time!	96%
List Price Suggested retail price, typically higher than the price you'll pay with our recommended retailers.	$2,999
Best Price Since prices change daily, this link goes to our preferred retailer for the current best price. Note: MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price.	$1,999
Speed Treadmill Speed is measured in Miles Per Hour (mph). Average running speed is 5-9 mph.	0.5 - 12 mph
Incline Treadmill Incline measures the angle of the deck, and how steep it is relative to the floor (0% is flat, and 15% is like a steep hill).	0 - 15%
Motor The Treadmill Motor is what turns the belt as you run. We recommend at least 2 HP (Horsepower) motors, 2.5+ HP for jogging, and 3.0+ HP for running.	4.0 CHP
Deck Treadmill Deck dimensions are measured in inches: Width x Length. The wider and longer the deck, the safer it is (55-60 inches long recommended for running).	22" x 60"
Belt The Treadmill Belt is the surface you run on. The thicker the belt, the less impact on your joints. At least 2-ply (1 inch) recommended.	Cushion Flex Shock Absorption (2-Ply 1")
Folding? Some treadmills are designed to conserve space by folding up. This is a convenient option, but some features might be reduced.
Programs Treadmill Programs allow you to complete a workout with changing speeds and inclines, without changing anything manually.	10
Max. Weight Treadmill Max User Weight is the amount of weight, in pounds (lbs), that it can safely support, which can represent durability.	400 lbs
Heart Rate Heart Rate programs allow you to track how many times your heart is beating per minute (bpm), and some control the workout for you.	Pulse Grips & Wireless Chest Strap
Dimensions Dimensions are included to help you figure out if this treadmill will fit properly (Length x Width x Height and Height x Depth).	83" x 37" x 57" Folded: 72" x 47" Weight: 265 lbs Rollers: 2.75"
Display Treadmill Display refers to the screen you'll look at to monitor workouts. LED and LCD displays are similar to TV screens.	10.1" Backlit Blue LCD
Cooling Fans Treadmill Cooling Fans are designed to help keep you cool during an intense workout.
Accessory Tray Some treadmills include an accessory tray for holding items such as water bottles, wallets, keys, or MP3 players like iPods.
Speakers Treadmills that include a sound system allow you to listen to your MP3 player/iPod through built-in speakers (no headphones).
Quick Controls Quick Controls allow you to select speed, incline and even workout programs with the touch of a button (usually on the handles).
Warranty The warranty is a very important part of your investment. The longer the warranty, the longer you can get free/discounted repairs by the manufacturer.	Frame: Lifetime Motor: Lifetime Deck: Lifetime Electronics: 5 Years Labor: 2 Years (In-Home)

Our Rating

Rating: 96/100. The Sole F85 is advertised as “The Best Folding Treadmill On the Planet” and lives up to high expectations. As the top folding treadmill from Sole Fitness, the F85 has always been a solid choice for home gyms. With the addition of Bluetooth, the treadmill now appeals to a wider audience than ever. Specs include a 22″ x 60″ running area, a thick track with incline and 2.75-inch rollers, a commercial 4.0 CHP motor and 10 workout programs including customized routines. The Sole F85 shows progress on a 10.1” console screen, plus it lets a tablet computer serve as a programming center that can save and wirelessly share exercise stats. This top-notch folding treadmill is also equipped with a sound-muffling deck that absorbs shock up to 40% more effectively than outdoor tracks do. The Sole F85 Treadmill has a sale price of $1999 including a five-year warranty on parts and electronics, making it one of this year’s best buys for shoppers with $2000 treadmill budgets.

Pros:

Foldable with hydraulic assist
Commercial 4.0 CHP motor
Spacious 22″ x 60″ running surface
Power incline with 30 levels
10 workout programs
Wireless pulse transmitter included
Syncs with mobile apps to share data
Tablet holder
Music friendly (MP3 player port, speakers)
CushionFlex Whisper Deck
Lifetime coverage on motor, frame and deck
Long warranty on parts and electronics
In-home labor and great customer service from Sole

Cons:

Large footprint when unfolded
Short side rails

Introduction

The Sole F85 is a high quality folding treadmill for home use. It builds upon the bestselling F80 with even hardier components and more horsepower. This cardio trainer has commercial parts such as a multi-layered track and 2.75” rollers, and its tech integration is better than ever. The new Sole F85 Treadmill console has a 10.1” screen, a secure tablet computer holder, iPod compatibility and Bluetooth connectivity for data sharing. Also included are small yet much-appreciated extras such as water bottle holders and cooling fans. Here are details about the workout programming, features and warranty.

Workout Programs

Along with the other Sole treadmills, the F85 has a 10-item program menu. Included are manual mode, two heart rate controlled workouts, two programs created by the user, and five classic treadmill workout programs: Cardio, Fat Burn, Hill, Interval and Strength. These workout programs can be set for different durations and control the treadmill’s speed and incline. Multiple user profiles for the treadmill can be set up with the Sole Fitness mobile app.

Sole F85 Features

All Sole home treadmills have foldable frames. With hydraulic technology the F85 can practically fold and unfold itself. To protect small children, it locks securely into each position.

Workout progress is shown on a 10.1-inch graphic screen with adjustable angle and an improved shelf for a tablet computer or smartphone. The new F85 Treadmill can also use a Bluetooth compatible mobile device to display workouts, store workout stats and share fitness data wirelessly. It connects with the Sole Fitness app, which can sync with iHealth, MyFitnessPal and other mobile apps that let users easily manage their all-over fitness activity.

The Sole F85 has a 22” x 60” tread track, which is the roomiest available in this year’s Sole Fitness treadmill series. The track is multi-layered for durability and moves over high quality 2.75″ rollers to minimize noise and wear.

For extra challenge the track has 30 ramp settings up to 15 degrees. The incline is controlled by programs, with monitor controls, or with buttons based on the handlebars.

Sole’s commercial quality deck, the CushionFlex Whisper Deck, helps make treadmill running up to 40% gentler on joints compared with outdoor running. It also absorbs the sound of each step for quieter home workouts.

Continuous heart rate readouts are available through touch sensors on the handlebars and a wireless chest strap. A chest strap is included with the sale price.

Other features on the Sole F85 are cooling fans, bottle holders and an accessory tray.

Warranty & Guarantee

The Sole F85 Treadmill warranty package includes:

– Frame: Lifetime
– Motor: Lifetime
– Deck: Lifetime
– Parts & Electronics: 5 years
– Labor: 2 years (In-home)

Direct customers get a 30-day trial period with a money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

The Sole F85 is the top folding treadmill from a leading international brand. It offers more power than most individual trainees need, but for the most avid runners or homes with multiple exercisers it’s one of the best choices available when priced at $1999.