Does the title give it away? This review is probably going to mostly be a love note to the New Balance 1080 v14. It’s changed from the moderate cushioned shoe that I fell in love with 6 or 7 years ago, but now I love it for a whole different reason.
The sign of a great running shoe for someone who tests new models every single week? It remains in the rotation and becomes a go to on the days when you get to pick your shoe!
If you liked the V13, then you’re going to be super happy with this minimal update.
The New Balance 1080v14 is a great cushioned daily trainer that can go for miles. It’s a solid long run shoe pick for runners who enjoy a more max cushion feel.
I’ve said before I wasn’t sure when they started adding to cushion to a shoe that used to feel more like the Nike Pegagus. So it’s changed categories for me, but New Balance Fresh Foam is a winner in my book and I don’t think it’s just the cool fall mornings causing me to say that.
200 Mile Update
The New Balance 1080 has been a go to training shoe for me many years over and the v14 remains the same. In fact, I just started testing the new v15 coming in January and realized it was a good time to update my thoughts here.
- I’ve got well over 200 miles on the v14, I’m not meticulous with tracking but I’ve run it in all year long amidst testing.
- I’d say they would easily cover another 200 miles for my running (all easy miles in these and some treadmill).
- It remains well cushioned and is holding up very well.
- Outsole is still in great shape, though shows wear faster than any other area.
- I do think they are going to break down faster for heavier runners based on the way this cushion feels.
- The 6mm drop is such a nice middle ground for so many who need to work away from higher drops.
If it feels like I’m gushing, well that’s true. There are some shoes that you just know when you put then on they’ll feel good and this is one of those.
Who is it Good For?
Who is the New Balance 1080 v14 a good fit for, let’s break it down by some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Will work for many and they also offer extra wide
- Heavier Runners: Great option
- Long Runs: Will work well for marathon training for most runners
- Front of the Pack: Faster runners will enjoy these for easy runs or recovery days
Can you run a marathon in this shoe? 100%. Is it a fast shoe for speed work, tempos or hitting a sub 3:30? No.
New Balance 1080v14 Review
I enjoyed a full year of miles in the 1080v13, but something about the 1080v14 felt different in a good way on the very first run. While there is a bunch of technical jargon about geometry changes, what I felt was just a little less sinking in to the foam.
That could be from the slight roll added or slight changes to the foam, but it works.
Cushion and I are friends. My legs love it on long runs and I’ve not been afraid to test out a huge variety of the new max cushioned set, but they aren’t all winners. This one felt great from the first step and I immediately took it out for 10 miles without a concern.
The base of the shoe is just slightly more flared or wider now, which also adds some stability. That’s a key feature that was lacking when many started shoving more foam into the midsole.
One notable change from last year, the shoe gained up 1 oz of weight. Which seems a little odd when the stack height remained the same, but seems to be related to adding some additional grip along the outsole which does make the shoe better in wet conditions.
That being said, are you likely to notice the weight in an easy run shoe? Probably not.
100% this is going on our list of best long run shoes!
I mean it says a lot when their marketing states if they could only make one shoe, this would be it!
NB 1080 V14 Specs
- Weight: 10.5oz Men’s, 8.3 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 38mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in 8 Colors
- Available in Wide and Extra Wide
- Available on NewBalance.com for $165
- PSSSTTTT v13 is discounted and truly a good shoe as well
Quick Take
- Available in different widths so there’s a fit for every runner.
- Updated cushion so that it doesn’t feel super plush or squishy.
- Versatile shoe that will be great for running or walking.
- This is not a shoe for speed workouts, rather easy runs and recovery runs.
- Some have said the thicker mesh isn’t super breathable in warmer temps.
If you’ve never run in this shoe before then let’s back track a moment. This is going to fall under the category of a max cushioned trainer that can take you for many miles. It’s a reliable shoe that’s durable (as noted we’ve been using the last versions in our rotations for years).
Whether you need a shoe for long walks, long runs or days on your feet we like this one. It hits that sweet spot with cushion of feeling really great without being overly soft.
When it comes to aesthetics, I’m a fan of the more subdued colors that came out with this model. However, in a recent Instagram poll over 60% of you said you prefer the bright, bold colors!! So maybe the bright blue will be more to your fancy.
Either way, I do like the look of the shoe. Some of these max cushioned options (cough Ghost Max 2) look very geriatric.
NB 1080v14 Fit
In general, I find that New Balance does not run narrow or wide, but very normal. I often recommend them because they do offer wide versions when you need more. I use the same size in NB as other brands.
While it’s not a wide toebox, it is comfy with plenty of room.
The padded heel collar felt great and the laces were just long enough for me to do a heel lock, so no issues with anything sliding around. It does have a full padded tongue, so not the most breathable of shoes compared to many of the lightweight racers, but no issues. It’s breathable exactly as you’d expect a daily trainer to be.
Similar Shoes to the New Balance 1080
As noted, way back I would have compared this to a Pegasus, but now it’s tilted in the more cushioned running shoe category:
- Saucony Triumph 23 – Higher heel drop at 10mm, but similar cushion
- Asics Novablast 5 – Wider flare could feel a bit more stable to some, not quite as soft
- Nike Vomero 18 – A big change in their line up, this is a truly cushioned shoe that should have good durability
Our Verdict
We love this shoe because it’s going to be a pair that you grab over and over again. It’s a max cushioned trainer that doesn’t feel overly plush, so you can take it for miles and miles without sinking in to the foam. It still feels great at over 200 miles and is a durable trainer.
1080V14 vs 1080V13
I had some immediate initial impressions about what was different and felt validated to see one of my running coaches, Alison Staples, post her similar thoughts as well.
- V14 is heavier
- V13 feels even softer
- V14 less likely to sink and makes you roll forward better
- V14 feels more stable
- Same heel to toe drop in both
- Same stack height in both
Since I’ve mentioned a great deal that she shoe has changed, a look at what I mean. Here’s the New Balance 1080V10 – as you can see the stack height was less, total cushion less and different heel collar. It didn’t have any padding around the heel, the tongue and the cushion was more mild.
I used to feel like this was a shoe I could include in my lightweight speed workout running shoes.
And while it absolutely has managed to remain light, it doesn’t feel like a fast shoe anymore. When you begin to add a lot more cushion, you lose some of that quick rebound off the ground. So now I would definitely file this under a long run daily trainer.
I really like seeing how this shoe has changed because it’s pretty reflective of what we are seeing across the industry right now. So I assume that in another few years, we’ll start moving back the other way.
What is Fresh Foam X?
New Balance Fresh Foam X is an innovative cushioning technology developed by New Balance. It is designed to provide a responsive, comfortable, and lightweight running experience. Fresh Foam X is an evolution of the original Fresh Foam, offering enhanced performance and improved energy return.
And let me just tell you I am a BIG fan of Fresh Foam X. For me, it really does have that nice blend of cushion without sinking in to the shoe.
Sneaker Freaker does a great job breaking down what it means that every brand has their own midsole:
“In its most basic form, EVA is made by combining two different plastics. It’s then expanded – that is, made into a foam – to produce the squishy stuff that makes soles. Each step of the process can be tweaked to give the final product slightly different properties.
For example, one manufacturer might use different ratios of the two primary ingredients while another might mix in some additives. Then there are all kinds of ways to mold the plastic and expand it into foam, each of which produces a slightly different product.”
I can absolutely verify that they’ve continued to drop weight over the years. I loved the 980 when I first tried it, but this is lighter though maybe less springy.
All right there you have it! Our first impressions of the New Balance 1080v14 review. Hopefully this is helping you to make some decisions, but as always feel free to ask questions!!
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Amazing post! I was just looking for a pair of easy or long run shoes. Do you think this will do well together with the kinvara 14 in a rotation? (You may have been quite influential in that decision too lol).
ohh yes, I have been going back and forth with them. I like having the less cushioned option as well, I think the compliment each other in working different muscles.