New Balance 1080v14 Review: Crushes at Cruising

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the New Balance 1080v14

CARYN: I’ve waxed poetic in this forum many times about the New Balance 1080. The 1080v10 is in my top five shoes of all time (yes, really), particularly the mermaid colorway. For those that don’t remember that beauty, it came with a pastel, multi-colored, sock-knit upper with the most perfect foam underfoot. It was bouncy, soft but not mushy, and fit like a glove. I happily put hundreds of miles on each pair before reordering another.

Sadly, New Balance really took a sharp left for the next two versions, until last year’s v13 finally returned the 1080 to its rightful place at the top of my daily trainer podium. When I was given the chance to review v14, I held my breath and hoped that things hadn’t gotten too crazy over there. I’m all for innovation, but what’s the phrase? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

On paper, it seems that not much has changed. The midsole geometry has seen some tweaks, but the foam remains the same. Fit improvement is always welcome, so New Balance threw on a new engineered mesh with increased breathability this time around. Lastly, the underfoot materials get a bit of a durability upgrade with an increased forefoot stiffness and additional zonal rubber in high-stress areas. 

Anyway, let’s see how different this thing is, for better or for worse.

BIG GUY CHAD:  This is my second year in a row reviewing the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 series. Last year’s model was one of the few shoes I have reviewed in my time with Believe in the Run that just didn’t work for me. Don’t get me wrong, the ride felt pretty good and soft shoe fans went wild for the shoe. But the instability from the soft and bouncy Fresh Foam X left my post-tib tendon in a world of hurt and I had to use Meg’s miracle tendonitis wrap for a few nights.

The big wigs hit the specs with this version, and from my perspective, there were definitely a lot of substantive changes from v13 to v14. However, here’s the big question: will those changes finally allow me and the 1080 to get along? Let’s see.

KALEB: I like reviewing shoes with Chad because we come from different sides of the running spectrum. Shoes that work for the 6-foot-something man of a man that is Chadwick (sources are still confirming whether or not that’s his full name) are going to feel very different on the feet of Kaleb “Baby Toes” Kabakjian (thankfully not called that in high school). Foam durometers, stability levels, and even our own personal injury histories make for a nice range of perspective in the same review. If a shoe works for both of us, it’ll probably work for you. If the jury is split, you have a balanced view. Reviews are only as helpful as they are relatable, and between all the reviewers at Believe in the Run, hopefully everyone can find a runner similar enough to themselves to know if a shoe is right based on their writing.

As Caryn noted, the 1080 series has been a hit across all kinds of different runners in the past few years, especially with v13. It’s a daily trainer that isn’t afraid to lean towards the cushioned end of the spectrum, rather than trying to cater to all audiences and doing a mediocre job at everything. Ironically, this has made for a shoe that can in fact be a solid all-rounder, and do a whole range of jobs pretty darn well, from recovery to long, steady efforts. Version 14 seeks to continue the success built by the earlier models while continuing to emphasize the cushy comfort the 1080 has become known for. So, is the 1080 the Freshest FreshFoam shoe yet, or does it stray too far into the mush?

What we like about the New Balance 1080V14

CARYN: Thanks to an early mail drop from New Balance, I was able to log close to 100 miles in the 1080v14 prior to writing this bad boy. The fact that I did not vibe with the bright blue Papa Smurf colorway (i.e. the New York City Marathon colorway) and still put this many miles on the shoe should give you an idea of where things landed for me.

I don’t mind the more classic aesthetic look of the shoe with the New Balance logo. It’s uncomplicated, which I always dig. The upper is soft, lightweight, and breathable. There is nothing remarkable about any component of it, other than the fact that it has ample space for my wide-ish dogs, and that I completely forgot about it on the run. This might be a hot take, but I don’t always need the shoe to be able to handle every type of pace, adapt to any terrain, and be comprised of the lightest, most advanced materials out there. Would I take a shoe that does my laundry and makes me dinner? Yes, of course, but let’s not get carried away. A well-done, classic daily trainer is just fine by me– and that’s exactly what you get with the New Balance 1080v14.

While I liked v13, I did feel like the structure of the shoe and compliance of the foam limited the it’s flexibility. What I mean by that is that while soft, the geometry of the shoe led to it feeling somewhat stiff in nature, and the shoe didn’t feel like it flexed well through my stride. This updated version has changed that entirely, and the shoe really molds to your stride with a slight increase in ground feel.

Though technically the stack and drop are unchanged from the prior version of the shoe, New Balance redesigned the midfoot geometry of the shoe, which I think is the primary contributor to the shoe’s updated stability and comfort.The foam feels more compliant underfoot (not mushier, just more flexible), and as a result my stride feels more natural, while still heavily cushioned. 

BIG GUY CHAD:  Buckle up, because this list of things I like about the 1080v14 is going to be long. Let’s start with aesthetics: I dig the look of this shoe. I know Robbe has said that he’s got something against blue shoes, but call me Elvis because you better not step on my blue faux-suede shoes. The big and bold N for New Balance on the lateral side of the shoe with the smaller, more demure N on the medial side is nicely done. I feel like brands are really going all-in on being big and bold on the logos, and I’m here for it.

I’m also enamored with the upper on the 1080v14 compared to last year’s model. The mesh is incredibly breathable with great venting all the way from the midfoot and around the toe box. The v13 tended to get a bit warm, but even on some sweltering summer runs I had no issues with overheating. The upper also maintains the accommodating fit of the v13, which still provides great lockdown without any lacing or knotting tricks.

Most importantly, the ride of the shoe for me has improved to the point where it has my post tib tendon jumping for joy. The 1080v14 is slightly less bouncy than the v13 (which I had compared to the bounce of the Asics Novablast 3), but what it loses in bounce makes up for in comfort and stability. The stack height and drop remain the same from the v13 (38 mm/32 mm, 6mm), but the changes in the shoe’s geometry make it inherently more stable. I attribute this to what I believe is a more pronounced rocker, a slightly stiffer or firmer ride, and a wider base underfoot. I had absolutely no issues with stability in the over 20 miles I ran in this shoe for testing.

KALEB: The 1080v14 showed up on my doorstep over a month ago, and since they were under embargo until now, I was able to log over 50 miles in my pair. Right off the bat, that should tell you that I enjoyed the shoe, because as a Gen Z-er, I’m legally obligated to make self-deprecating jokes about my attention span, and 50 miles is a good long while to spend in a trainer.

The prevailing theme of the 1080 is softness, and version 14 hits the nail on the head. Starting below deck, the thick slab of Fresh Foam X juiciness feels bottomless in the best way. Even in a world where 45 mm of heel stack has already been done, the 38 mm of foam in the 1080 feels like absolutely plenty. New Balance says they reshaped the midsole for a bit more roll through the stride, and whatever they did, it works. The 1080v14 doesn’t necessarily want to go fast, but it does want to keep going. I ran almost exclusively easy miles in the 1080, and the Fresh Foam always kept me moving forward with just enough bounce to balance out the squish.

Up top, an uber-soft mesh upper accentuates the bottom half of the shoe. To me, it felt a little warm, but not unbearable, and for the amount of comfort it provides, it’s worth the warmth. The laces are flat and don’t put too much pressure through the tongue, while still providing a solid lockdown. 

There’s honestly not a ton to say about the 1080v14, and that’s not because it isn’t a great shoe. Rather, the elements present are simple and seamless, so there isn’t much that sticks out about it rather than soft and comfy, two things that folks often look for in a trainer. New Balance has found what works, and like a smart company, they aren’t trying to fiddle with a good formula until they have to.

What we don’t like about the New Balance 1080V14

CARYN: I don’t have much to say here besides the fact that this shoe is not the lightest thing I’ve ever put on my feet. With a women’s 7 weighing in at 8.3 oz, I’m sure my 8.5 is a touch heavier even. As someone that wore the Asics Gel Kayano for a decade, however, most things in the present-day daily training world feel pretty, pretty good. 

BIG GUY CHAD:  I know it sounds like we’re spoiled, but with the market being flooded by daily trainer options that are shedding weight, the 1080v14 gained over an ounce. Normally that wouldn’t be too big of a deal, but I feel like by changing the geometry and making the midsole wider and firmer, the weight gain was underfoot as opposed to in the upper (which I actually imagine is lighter given the increased breathability). Overall, even an incredibly solid daily trainer can get knocked down a peg or two because it comes in at over 10 ounces for a US M9; it’s just the times we live in.

KALEB: New Balance says that the 1080 is “cushion[ed], surprisingly lightweight with a bold and progressive upper”. Now the cushioned part is absolutely true, but at over 10 ounces, this shoe is what grandmothers might affectionately call “husky.” It’s not a cinder block, but it is just noticeably hefty on the run.

Given that the stack height has remained the same, it’s always difficult to rave about a shoe if it has gained weight. Now, since the main use case of the 1080 isn’t fast running, but recovery and daily miles, I don’t think this is a dealbreaker; it simply shifts the 1080 further towards the max-cushion category rather than the do-it-all trainer that it has been in the past. Like I said at the beginning, New Balance seems to be okay leaning into the chonky identity of the 1080 line rather than trying to create the most perfectly rounded running machine, so I’m frankly okay with a little bit of weight gain. 

The only other gripe I have with the 1080 is the foot shape. I’m not a total barefoot-running guru (though I have certainly been known to log my fair share of dogs-out, toe-splayin’ grass miles… or even track miles), but the toe box of the 1080 felt like it was slowly giving me bunions. The medial side of the toe bumper curves in just a bit too quickly, and it leaves my big toe rather squinched up against the rest of my little piggies. It seems to be less of a width thing as much as it’s a shaping or proportion issue, because I’ve run in narrower shoes with no problem. Heck, maybe I’m the problem.

Final Thoughts on the New Balance 1080v14

CARYN: I’m so here for this update. The 1080v14 is a fantastic easy running shoe that provides exactly what it advertises – a soft, trustworthy ride that eats up miles while treating your legs to some stable, well-constructed Fresh FoamX. I’d definitely recommend considering this one in your next daily trainer search – I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best true daily trainers releases this year. Bravo, New Balance. 

BIG GUY CHAD:  The 1080v14 is one of my favorite daily trainer releases for 2024 thus far, arguably knocking its firmer sibling, the 880v14, off the podium. The comfort is top notch in both the upper feel and underfoot, and the ride has become far more stable, which was my only knock on the v13. All in all, New Balance has another winner in the 1080v14.

KALEB: For me, the 1080v14 lands itself firmly in the max-cushion, easy day category, and it does so in fantastic style. It’s a shoe I can simultaneously not think about and consciously enjoy underfoot. As a runner who prioritizes nimbleness in a shoe, the 1080 isn’t the trainer I’m going to pick up every day, but when I do, it’ll be a soft treat for tired legs, and that’s as important a role as any in a good rotation. 

You can pick up the New Balance 1080v14 on October 10, 2024, for $165 directly from New Balance using the buttons below.