The New Balance 1080v13 was one of New Balance’s bigger selling running shoes during its life cycle when it was released in October 2023. That version of the 1080 raised the bar for daily trainers that guaranteed a plush ride and was also more than suitable for a stroll in non-running mode.
And it also helped anchor the continued wave of chunky stack trainers that also pulled in a crowd that focused less on thr miles and more on comfort. Hoka and On have benefited greatly from this segment of the market — especially in the healthy care industry — and New Balance remains present to gobble its share of pie with the 1080.
But could the latest iteration, v14 live up to the hype of its established predecessor?
Long story short, yes, it certainly has. The 1080 (both v13 and v14) has predictably been the trainer of choice by New Balance athletes who can spot running or walking in the 1080 silhouette.
Social media, races and during interviews all tell the same story. And v14 definitely feels as good as the marketing materials make it seem. The Fresh FoamX midsole improved tremendously from last year’s model, finally getting the right mixture of soft but stable, which was the only mark against the v13 — depending on who weighed in on the shoe. Opinions were split between the “too soft: good” crowd and the “too soft: sad face emoji” crew. But the adjusted formula of the v14 seems to have firmed up the ride (just enough) and retooled the rest of the package that keep the shoe recognizable, yet refined.
Changes and Notable Features
The biggest change on the v14 from its predecessor is the improved Fresh FoamX midsole. While both models use the same type of foam, the rejuvenated Fresh FoamX gives the v14 a bit of a firmer ride (both shoes are still extremely cushioned), allowing for added stability and the confidence to push some faster paces. The shoe is further bolstered by side walls that are slightly raised and the foot lands more of a centered strike — always good in preventing injuries and ensuring a comfortable stride.
Another small change is the newer engineered mesh of the upper, as the shoe feels breathable in warmer climates. And the last notable adjustment is weight. The 1080v14 gains about an ounce over the prior model and this isn’t subtle. While some may shy away from the extra stockiness, I think the added weight benefits the shoe overall. It makes up for the v13’s overly squishiness and its iffy stability that was a complaint for some last year.
Personal Opinions
The New Balance 1080v14 is the excellent contender for putting little thought into heading out to log some miles. It’s super soft, reliable and comes in some great colors. For a shoe that isn’t advertised as a stability shoe, the stability bar has been raised in this generation with a cushioned ride that a lot of stability shoes simply don’t offer. It’s ideal for running on pavement (which happens to be around half my runs) and I would definitely recommend it to someone who wants a reliable shoe and or is beginning their running journey. At just over 50 miles in v14, I didn’t see obvious signs of damage or wear outside of a bit of dirt.
Further, New Balance made great changes to the 1080 and appears to have taken a hard look at everything runners thought was wrong or needed to be tweaked on the shoe. The implementation of these changes mean I can confidently say there was not a moment I didn’t enjoy the ride. Days after hard workouts or times or when I just needed time on my feet for a walk, the 1080v14 did just what it needed to be the best trainer for those situations.
Overall Thoughts
The New Balance 1080v14, at $165, is certainly worth grabbing off of the shelf at your local running store. If you want a reliable workhorse that can get you through volume miles without losing its feel or veering from keeping the ride stable. The Fresh FoamX feels like pillows on your feet and the colorway I received meant that I often caught myself grabbing for the v14 by default just to walk outside. Overall, I’d say the New Balance 1080v14 is one of my favorite shoes this year to put easy and recovery miles on.
Besides the slightly heavier feel, the New Balance 1080v14 is one of the better daily trainers that will top the list of those to rule in the coming year. While the shoe may not shine during tempo workouts — which isn’t its specialty — there’s definitely a use for it if you want to do some speed work without wearing a carbon-plated shoe.
THE BREAKDOWN
Specs for the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14
· Weight: (10.5oz / 298g) and (8.3oz / 235.6g)
· Stack height and drop: 38mm and 6mm
· Important features: Fresh Foam X midsole, engineered triple jacquard mesh mesh upper, rocker profile
· Price: $165
· Release date: October 2024
How We Tested This Shoe
· Men: Size 11.5 (10.5oz / 298g)
· Women: Size 8 (8.3oz / 235.6g)
· Running conditions: Easy runs, daily training, tempo runs on asphalt and gravel/dirt paths
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 – Men
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 – Women
