Article by Zack Dunn, Jeff Beck and Sally Reiley
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 ($165)
Pros:
Midsole is very soft and provided great impact protection & cushion: Zack/Jeff/Sally
Upper is comfortable and feels great on foot: Zack/Jeff/Sally
True-to-size fit: Zack/Jeff/Sally
Toe box width is adequate, if not good: Jeff
Outsole is simple yet well-engineered Zack/Jeff
Zack/Jeff/Sally: Gusseted tongue provides great midfoot lockdown
Sally: Great classic aesthetics
Sally: Ride feels a bit firmer and stiffer and responsive than V13 with a wider and more stable base
Cons:
Midsole could be slightly more responsive / energetic: Zack/Jeff/Sally
Could be considered pricey by some at $165:. Zack
Blurs the line to FreshFoam More in performance and purpose: Jeff
More than an ounce of weight gain from v13 due to wider platform upfront (Sally: feels slightly heavy) Jeff/Sally
Most comparable shoes
ASICS GEL-Nimbus
Saucony Triumph 22
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 10.4 oz / 300g, womens 8.3 oz / 235g
Prior Version Weight: men’s 9.28oz / 263 g
Sample Weights: men’s 11.46 oz / 325g US M10.5
women’s 8.5 oz / 240 g (US W8)
Stack Height: men’s 38mm heel / 32mm forefoot ( 6mm drop spec)
Platform Width 10.5D: 98.67mm heel / 84.53mm midfoot / 124.94mm forefoot
1080v13 10.5D 98.55mm heel / 81.20mm midfoot / 120.41mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Jeff: This is my 6th consecutive 1080 (started with the v9) and I’ve been all over the place with the shoe - some versions have been under the radar winners while others felt like a massive miss. Last year’s v13 (RTR Review) was a big change from the v12, while this year’s shoe is simultaneously a big change and a subtle refinement of the v13.
Visually I thought the shoe had grown quite a bit, but its listed and measured heel stack is identical (38mm) from last year. It has grown in platform width in the midfoot and forefoot, and as a toe box width snob with a slightly wider than average foot, I don’t hate that.
on track, but just a bit too soft for my liking.
Sally: V14 returns just enough firmness to liven the ride, with an improved more structured upper and a changed outsole, all in a great looking package. I love the aesthetics with the deep blue colorway and the large N logo on the lateral side of the shoe, small N on the inside.
My W8 pair fits nicely TTS, immediately comfortable with a plushly padded heel collar and tongue and just enough cushioning all around. The upper is now a new triple jacquard mesh for increased breathability.
The heel hold for me is solid and I had no hotspots anywhere during my test runs.
Zack: In terms of first impressions, I was very excited to try this shoe, as I loved the previous versions of the1080, as well as other NB shoes, such as 880, Rebel, and Propel. Therefore, when I first got this shoe and put it on, I was immediately met with the familiar fit and feel of an NB shoe.
On first try on, this shoe has such a comfortable fit, as well fits very true to size. The upper provided a very secure fit, and I can tell right off the bat it was extremely well-engineered.
One thing I really enjoyed about the upper was the feel of the material, as it feels soft yet breathable, which is really nice for warm weather, while still being comfortable.
I really enjoyed the tongue, as it is gusseted and helps provide fantastic lockdown. The heel and the tongue were both very comfortable and soft, while not being overly plush. Overall, I really liked the upper and felt it was very well made.
Midsole & Platform
Jeff: The midsole sticks with New Balance’s very soft and plush Fresh Foam X foam that they used last year. It has a very similar design, with a mixture of convex and concave trapezoids lining the sides and the exposed portions of the outsole.
The biggest change is how much wider the platform is than the previous version, adding ~5mm to the forefoot and ~3mm to the midfoot. It didn’t grow any heightwise, but the extra wide platform makes the shoe feel much more cushioned if adding to the 1080’s weight.
On that note, “more cushioned” would be TL:DR breakdown of this shoe for me. The 1080v14 has one of the most plush and cushioned midsoles out there. There’s a level of soft squish that most shoes can’t touch, creating a super soft landing in both the heel and forefoot. However, it doesn’t have much in the way of dynamic rebound, giving very little bounce after the soft landing. It’s incredibly comfortable, but definitely limits the shoes potential, but more on that below.
Zack: Jeff made some great points that definitely correspond with my thoughts on the shoe as well, so I’ll try my best not to repeat too much. The shoe is very plush and comfortable. It uses NB’s signature Fresh Foam X foam that performs just right for easy to moderate paces daily training and that is exactly what this shoe is intended for.
I agree with Jeff that, while the shoe is very comfortable and soft, it does lack an inherent responsiveness but honestly, if you’re using the shoe for what it’s intended for (which is everyday running; normal runs, easy runs, etc.), then I feel that responsiveness is not really needed. It doesn’t have quite the rebound that something like a Nike Invincible has, though I would argue that the shoe is not as soft. Would it be a nice addition? Certainly. but I think the 1080 performs perfectly fine without it when used for daily easier running.
Sally: As Jeff says, the midsole is wider and now a bit firmer, and the geometry has been modified to include a slight rocker profile.
The stack height remains 38mm/ 32 mm for a 6mm drop, but the firmer foam means a smoother and somewhat more responsive ride for me. I found 1080 V13 too soft for much other than walking the dog in comfort; this is soft but not as sinking-into-mud soft. (It is a far cry from the responsiveness of our performance race shoes that have a carbon plate to counteract the soft foams, but it is still a nice comfortable ride at moderate paces.)
These minor tweaks in the foam provide great shock absorption on the run but without much bouncy rebound, and lend to a consistent and smooth albeit not too exciting ride. I find it great for these mid-long steady marathon training runs (and the softness protects my legs).
Outsole
Jeff: The outsole is the biggest departure from the v13. Last year New Balance had a pair of separate rear pods and a series of six diagonal rubber strips with exposed midsole in between.
In the v14 they expanded the two rear pods, and used a single U-shaped piece to line the exterior of the shoe from midfoot to toe back to midfoot, with a separate wide strip of rubber running down the center - very similar to the most recent Fresh Foam X More v5. New Balance claims the forefoot has extra stiffness and durability in the forefoot, and that seems completely plausible.
The exposed midsole seems surprisingly durable, with negligible wear on the foam through 25 miles. The rubber also shows virtually no wear, while also having good traction, an impressive feat. Last year’s outsole wasn’t a problem, but the v14 update seems like a solid upgrade.
Zack: The outsole is definitely one of the areas that received a drastic change. It receives more rubber in high wear areas, which NB claims also adds more stiffness underfoot. Personally, I can’t tell that much of a difference
The outsole provides fine traction and does not seem to have worn down very much, even after 40 miles.
Sally: Side by side, the V13 and V14 outsoles look like different shoes altogether. There is now added rubber in high-wear areas for added durability, and I agree with Jeff that this additional rubber makes the shoe feel firmer and more stable underfoot. Yes, this changed outsole might be the reason (along with the wider platform) that the shoe weighs more than its predecessor, but the resultant firmness is well worth it (not to mention increased durability). This rubber provides plenty of grip and I had no problems with traction on wet and/or sandy surfaces, and - weirdly important to me - this outsole is relatively quiet underfoot.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Jeff: As I mentioned above, this shoe is incredibly soft and plush underfoot. The ride doesn’t suffer from that, but it isn’t going to be the shoe anyone should reach for when anticipating a quick run.
The new forefoot geometry and outsole design helps it stay out of the “sluggish” range, but it is far from the quickest turning over shoe, and there’s really not much bounce to speak of. However, it has a phenomenally soft landing, making it an ideal shoe for the day after a hard run, or if you’re planning on a long slow day.
As the 1080 has grown, it is getting closer and closer to the Fresh Foam More. While the FFM has a higher stack, they are very similar in performance, with the FFM just being that much softer. The 1080 is a little more versatile than its bigger brother, but is similarly and yet more comfort focused.
Ultimately the 1080v14 keeps the soft and comfortable nature of the v13, and just increases that comfort across the board. That does paint it in the corner somewhat, making it less versatile than previous versions, but for those folks who don’t need one shoe to do all things, the v14 can cleanly slot into your easy day shoe - or for slow/heavy runners like myself, you may find your very well cushioned daily trainer, since comfort frequently supersedes performance for those of us at the back of the pack. And this shoe has comfort to spare.
Jeff Score: 9.45/10
Ride (50%): 9 Fit (30%): 10 Value (15%): 10 Style (5%): 9
Zack: The ride of this shoe is one that I think works perfectly for what it was intended for. As stated previously, it has a soft and cushioned ride, while not being too plush or overly soft. The midsole does not feel too overbearing in my opinion, such as shoes with very max stack heights can feel.
One thing I would like to really point out is how stable and secure the shoe feels while running, which means the ride does not feel sloppy, which is common in high-stack trainers. One thing I will note is that outside of daily running paces (easy, maybe moderate), the shoe is not the one for anything relatively fast. However, to reiterate, the shoe was not made for those kinds of runs.
The new iteration of the 1080 gets very close to what I consider to be the pinnacle of what a daily trainer running shoe should be. It has a comfortable upper with a great lockdown, a soft and comfortable midsole (while not being overly plush), and an outsole that works great. With very minor changes, it seems NB took the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to heart.I would say that is a very good thing.
Zack’s Score: 9.6 / 10
Sally: The NB 1080 V14 is a super comfortable soft well cushioned daily trainer that provides a consistent smooth ride, without the bounce of some foams nor the hyper responsiveness of some foam/plate combinations. I agree that this is a dependable shoe for easy runs and recovery runs, any runs with a more mellow cadence and less need for rapid turnover or toespring. But my conclusions differ a bit from Jeff’s and Zack’s in that I think the V14 is now a more versatile daily workhorse type of shoe that can handle the miles comfortably and efficiently. The V13 was too soft and mushy for me and I struggled with foothold, but this V14 is firmer and more structured and more fun to run in. So I see it as NB saw the flaws in the V13 and fixed them ! Different runners experience shoes differently (here here for RTR’s multi-tester reviews!) and I am a petite female runner vs Jeff’s larger and heavier profile and wider foot. This is a fantastic update and now a great shoe for easy miles and power walks with my dog, with the plush comfort and good looks of a wear-it-all day shoe.
Sally’s score: 9.6 / 10
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7 Comparisons
New Balance 1080 v13 (RTR Review)
Jeff: Quite a few references above, the v13 looks and feels quite a bit less cushioned, but both midsole stacks are identical in height, just wider in the v14. The v14 upper is more structure, and the outsole is more durable and stiffer. The v14 is softer underfoot, making it a much better shoe for easy days, while the v13 is a more versatile shoe.
Sally: Hmm, I differ here. I find the V14 firmer and more versatile, with a more structured upper, improved geometry and revamped outsole that contributes to added firmness underfoot. For me (I am a petite female runner) the V13 was too soft and difficult to get moving and difficult to get a good lockdown. I definitely prefer the new V14 as a versatile well-cushioned easy run daily trainer and then some.
ASICS Novablast (RTR Review)
Sally: (W8 in both) Like many reviewers and many runners, I am a big fan of the Novablast 4. It is likewise a very versatile well-cushioned comfortable daily trainer that is always in my rotation. These two shoes serve similar roles and will appeal to similar runners for similar reasons, but I think the Novablast 4 gets the edge for more uptempo performance. Both are easy run cruisers, but Novablast is a bit bouncier and easier to pick up the pace in. 1080 V14 might be more versatile for recovery runs and even all-day wear. Novablast 4 wins for value at $140 vs $165 for 1080.
Topo Specter 2 (RTR Review)
Sally: (W8 in both) TOPO and New Balance are both Boston-based companies (as I am) but the similarities stop there. TOPO is much newer and smaller but fast growing, focusing on footwear to make people “move better” with roomy toe boxes, low heel to toe drop and secure midfoot hold. The Specter 2 is their high performance, max cushioned daily trainer designed for up-tempo long distance running. It is powered by a full PEBAX midsole. Both are very comfortable on the foot, but I would choose the Specter 2 for my faster workouts and the 1080v14 for the easier more mellow miles.
Topo Atmos (RTR Review)
Sally: (W8 in both). The Atmos debuts as TOPO’s first max cushion daily trainer with a similar stack height to the 1080 at 38/33. Both of these shoes have that I-can-wear-it-all-day comfort level, both are versatile and great well-cushioned neutral daily trainers.The Atmos, however it takes the cake for its amazing ride - it is possibly one of the smoothest easy rolling shoes I have had the pleasure to run in. It is bouncier and peppier than the 1080V14, but each shoe has its niche.
New Balance Fresh Foam More v5 (RTR Review)
Jeff: The FFMv5 is effectively the 1080v14 Plus - two very similar shoes with a ~5MM higher stack in the FFM. Both are incredibly soft and plush, and weigh nearly the same. If you found the FFMv5 too soft or too much, the 1080v14 could be exactly what you want.
ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 (RTR Review)
Jeff: Very similar shoes, just the ASICS or New Balance version of the same concept. Both are very comfortable with performance being the lower priority. The 1080 has noticeably more cushioning underneath the forefoot, while the Nimbus upper is more plush and has more room in the toebox. Otherwise, they’re borderline the same shoe - and both are great.
Zack: I definitely agree with Jeff that these shoes are extremely similar, both on paper and on foot. Both shoes were ones that I enjoyed very much for daily running, as they were both soft and extremely comfortable. I will say the New Balance upper slightly takes it for me as I feel it is ever so slightly more comfortable, as in the Nimbus I had slight troubles with lacing and a hotspot every once in a while. Other than that, the shoes feel almost identical to me, so for most people, it would probably just be a brand preference at this point.
Saucony Triumph 22 (RTR Review)
Jeff: While New Balance went wider and softer with its latest version of its longstanding big daily trainer line, Saucony went the other way by increasing the stack height and changing to a more performance-centric PWRRUN PB midsole. Both very well cushioned, the Saucony has a slightly wider toebox and is much more versatile, working for your easiest runs, your medium pace runs, as well as some of the faster stuff, while the New Balance really only slots in for easy runs or daily training for those who favor softness over everything else. That said, it is much softer landing than the Triumph, though it lacks the bounce the Triumph 22 has.\
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Tester Profiles
Zack Dunn: is a collegiate runner at Lewis University. I’ve been running for 8 years, and focused solely on running after giving up on years of baseball and wrestling. I race distances between 800 meters and 10K whether it be on the track, the roads, or on cross country courses. I do most of my training on the roads, some training on the track, and occasionally run trails logging anywhere from 65-80 miles a week. My typical training consists of easy days, long days, workouts (fartleks, tempos, interval training, etc.). My typical training paces range from 7’30 a mile on easy days to sub-5 minutes a mile on fast interval days, and with many paces in between. My personal bests are 4:20 for 1600m, 8:42 for 3000m, 14:51 for 5K, and 25:24 for 8k.
Jeff Beck is the token slow runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and gear can differ from those who routinely finish marathons in three hours or less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails around Denver, CO (and sometimes on the treadmill when the weather gets too much for a Phoenix native). Jeff only got into running in his 30s, as a result his career PR's are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has finished several ultra marathons, from 50K up to 50 miles, and is still debating if he wants to go down that road again.
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past eleven Boston Marathons, two NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights. With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and two consecutive 2nd place in Age Group W60 awards in NYC, she competed in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships at the 2022 London Marathon and ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02, placing 6th in the world in her women’s 60-64 age group. She also competes in USATF races with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally is 5’2’’ and 105 pounds and lives in Marblehead, MA, training outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
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