Monday, January 20, 2025

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 Multi Tester Review:7 Comparisons

Article by Kurt Biesemans, Jen Schmidt, Courtney Kelly, and Sam Winebaum

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 ($140/159,95€)

Introduction

Kurt: The New Balance 880 occupies a central position in the brand's lineup as a versatile neutral daily trainer designed for runners seeking comfort and durability for everyday use. It’s part of the Fresh Foam family and sits between the lightweight, faster models like the New Balance Rebel or FuelCell Propel, and the more cushioned, premium long-distance shoes like the New Balance 1080.

The 880 focuses on providing a reliable, balanced ride, making it an excellent choice for runners who want a shoe that performs well for a variety of runs—from easy recovery jogs to moderate long distances. Its combination of moderate cushioning and stability makes it a workhorse shoe for those who value consistency and comfort in their training routine.

Sam: The 880 v15 has long been New Balance’s middle of the road all around daily trainer. With the v15, it follows recent trends towards higher stack heights and broader platforms, so more cushioning and more stability. Fresh Foam X, a non supercritical foam continues as the midsole, even as many shoes in its price category have gone with supercritical foams for their lighter weight and more energetic rides. Did New Balance thread the needle and deliver both a more cushioned ride and some of the agile, any pace spunk of prior 880’s. Please read on to find out!


Courtney: New Balance Fresh Foam v15 is a versatile daily trainer that offers you a cushioned, yet firm and responsive ride. Users of Fresh Foam Version 14 will still enjoy the ride of the tried and true trainer, but with some noticeable enhancements. NB added 3mm more foam to the heel and 5mm more foam to the forefoot, lowering the drop 2mm from its predecessor to 6mm. There is a versatility and approachability that sets the 880 apart from other max stack trainers


Pros:

  • Versatile, reliable, stable, neutral yet stable allrounder: Sam/Jen/ Kurt/Courtney

  • Breathable upper, gusset tongue, comfortable tongue and heel padding: Kurt

  • Gain in stack height means a more cushioned and protective ride Sam/Jen/Kurt

  • Smooth ride due to low drop and accentuated rockers and some flex: Kurt/Sam/Courtney

  • Slightly less stack then competitors makes it approachable: Courtney

  • Modem look: Kurt/Sam 
  • Lower price point for what seems like a workhorse shoe: Courtney



Cons:

  • Reduced grip on wet or slippery surfaces: Kurt/Sam 

  • Weight (due to increased stack height and platform width): Kurt/Sam

  • While a stretch at $140, some supercritical for the next version: Sam

  • Narrow heels could experience some slippage: Jen


Most comparable shoes

Salomon Aero Glide (Kurt)

Asics Gel Nimbus (Kurt)

Brooks Ghost 16 (Kurt)

Saucony Ride (Jen)

Brooks Ghost Max (Jen)

Nike Vomero (Jen)


Please find the testers full run bios at the end of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Spec Weight: men's 10.7oz / 304g US 9.5

Sample Weights:

   men’s 9.8 oz /278g US8.5 (v14 8.52 oz / 242g US8.5)10.7 oz / 306g US10

   women: 8.6 oz / 244g US 8.5

 Stack Height: 

v15: 40.5mm heel /  34.5 mm forefoot (6mm drop spec) 

v14: 37.5 mm heel / 29.5 mm forefoot ( 8mm drop spec) 

Platform Width: 

v15: 90 mm heel / 80mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot US M8.5

v14: 85mm heel / 75mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot  US M8.5


First Impressions, Fit and Upper


Kurt: The New Balance 880V15 makes a strong first impression with its sleek yet functional design. It is your ultimate workhorse designed to take you on your everyday runs with ease and comfort. Whether you're logging recovery miles or pushing through steady runs, the 880 V15 has you covered. The flashy colorways will also bring a sleek, modern look to your runs.

The toe box has a solid width and height, lengthwise it’s true-to-size fit, accommodating a wide range of foot shapes. Wide and extra wide options available

The gusset tongue stays comfortable in place during runs preventing any slipping or bunching

The excellent tongue padding works seamlessly with the lacing system ensuring a soft feel. It allows pressure distribution across the forefoot when tightening the shoe. 

The padded collar provides plush support around the ankle, enhancing stability and reducing irritation

A redesigned upper with modern flair. The engineered mesh upper feels soft and breathable with a secure yet flexible fit. 


Conclusion: The New Balance 880v15 excels in comfort and fit, thanks to a combination of thoughtful design elements. The padded collar provides plush support around the ankle, enhancing stability and reducing irritation. A gusseted and well-padded tongue stays securely in place, offering soft cushioning that eliminates pressure points on the top of the foot. Paired with a well-designed lacing system, these features work together to evenly distribute pressure and create a snug, personalized fit. 


This meticulous attention to comfort makes the 880v15 a reliable choice for runners seeking a perfect balance of support and ease on any run.


Jen: The Fresh Foam X 880 has been known for being a well-rounded daily trainer through all of its fourteen previous versions, and New Balance didn’t shake things up too much with the fifteenth iteration. 


V14 was a significant departure from the previous two versions, including a major drop in weight and slight drop in stack height, and v15 is largely similar to its predecessor. The most significant change is an increase in overall stack height, moving to a substantial 40.5/34.5 mm with now a 6 mm drop. 

The fit is relatively narrow, particularly in the midfoot, but true to size. While the padded heel collar is comfortable and not too high, it seems to be just slightly wider around the Achilles and I did notice slight heel slippage, although I doubt that would be an issue for higher-volume feet. 


The one-piece engineered mesh upper provides secure lockdown and doesn’t feel heavy, with a padded tongue that effectively prevents lace bite. 

Nothing revolutionary here, just the well-executed basics and reliable fit that have characterized the 880 since the beginning. 

Sam: The 880 v15 has a totally fine upper. Somewhat broader and higher in the toe box than the v14 it has a similar very secure fit at midfoot through to the heel. 









Compared to the v14 runners who were slightly over the edge and had to move to the wider version may find enough room here. 

I for one, with a narrower foot, found the toe box a touch too voluminous.


Courtney: This shoe has great step-in fit and is true to size. The laces needed very little adjusting to get a solid lockdown. As snug as this shoe fits, lace bite was never an issue as the semi-gusseted tongue provided plenty of plushness that became unnoticeable. 


The heel collar features wrap-around cushioning that is comfortable, yet stiffer than some competitors. This stiffness did not cause any irritation during my runs, but added to the secure lockdown around my foot. The upper is made of single layer engineered mesh that proved breathable and comfortable.


Midsole & Platform

Kurt: We see a substantial  increase of 3mm at the heel and 5mm at the forefoot in stack height reducing the drop to 6mm. New Balance is using its Fresh Foam X, which was introduced in 2019. It is slightly firmer Fresh Foam X compared to the 1080. Furthermore, the midsole has been made a bit stiffer and 5mm broader at the heel and midfoot , giving it a more stability and responsiveness in addition to more cushioning.

A rounded profile with more prominent heel and forefoot rockers gives the shoe a smooth heel-to-toe transition, followed by a powerful toe-off.


Compared to similar shoes, the 880V15 has a somewhat narrower platform at the back and midfoot.

Jen: Fresh Foam X has been around a while, as Kurt mentions, and it is still a solidly comfortable choice if not quite as light or bouncy as some newer midsole options. The additional stack height in the v15 seems to add some extra cushion. I found the midsole to provide a stable, neutral ride best suited to easy runs.

Sam: Yup, Fresh Foam has been around for a while with the market in 2024-2025 moving increasingly to more energetic and lighter supercritical foams. I found the 1080 v13 overly soft and ponderous and the same with the More while I found the v14 not that exciting or easy to move at slow paces. Here I am not sure the foam is much different in firmness or density but the geometry is for me the most effective yet in a Fresh Foam X trainer.

The platform is widened at the heel and midfoot by 5mm contributing to decent stability.


The front and rear rockers are clearly more accentuated making the shoe easier to roll off the heel and then to toe off.


While  the shoe is higher in stack, the new outsole design adds both more responsiveness and some flex.


Bottom Line: The midsole and platform was a surprise. Soft \with some bounce it has a smooth flow and decent stability due to the geometry delivering a well rounded daily training ride.


Courtney: The midsole of the 880 is stacked with 40.5mm of Fresh Foam X at the heel providing plenty of cushion for your everyday runs. Fresh Foam X is made for underfoot comfort and responsiveness and and has 3% bio-based content.

 

Although the 880 is a high stack shoe, it feels relatively low to the ground compare to the last year's or so ever rising maximal cushion shoes. I find running in a firm shoe with ground feel is especially reassuring in the winter as ice, snow, and potholes can be unstable. 


Like the other testers, I found the geometry of the shoe nicely executed. The 880’s rockers support an efficient gait cycle with an early forefoot rocker transitioning to an easy toe off. I found myself easily able to pick up the pace when needed and wanting to run those extra miles.


Outsole

Kurt: The outsole has a vertical design pattern that optimizes the function of the Fresh Foam X, promoting a smooth and efficient transition from heel to toe.The outsole has  NDurance rubber that is reinforced with carbon. The rubber covers a large portion of the sole focusing on high-impact areas like the heel and the forefoot. The midfoot portion has less rubber enhancing the performance of the Fresh Foam X in this zone and helping with transitions.


Despite the rubber the shoe does not perform well on wet and slippery surfaces.


Jen: As Kurt points out, the NDurance blown rubber in the forefoot and heel adds durability but without much gripping power. It performs quite well on dry pavement and I would expect reasonable longevity.


Sam: Agreeing with my colleagues, a durable outsole that, as outsoles can, can contribute to the smooth flow of the shoe, and a with a better flow than v14’s.

This said, the outsole has below average grip on wet surfaces due to its smooth, non lugged geometry. Even a full on contact design with cuts would have better grip as does the outsole of the Topo Specter 2 or new UA Infinite Mega.


Courtney: Grippy NDurance rubber make this daily trainer ready for the tougher conditions with flex grooves that run the length of the forefoot giving it a bit of flexibility. I found the outsole just needed a bit of breaking in and scuffing up of the rubber to get the necessary traction. 


The running I have been doing outside has been icy and snowy, and I generally just avoid icy patches when I see them. For me, I found the shoe to be just okay on ice and snow. Though time will tell, the outsole seems quite durable and ready to stand up to all the miles.


Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations


Kurt: The New Balance 880v15 offers a pleasant and versatile ride, excelling on easier slow and long runs while holding its own during more uptempo efforts. 


The shoe provides a very comfortable fit with excellent foot lockdown, thanks to its gusseted tongue and padded collar, which also enhance overall comfort. I appreciated the firmer cushioning, which allowed for solid ground contact and a stable feel throughout my runs. However, while the outsole performs well in dry conditions, New Balance could improve the outsole design and rubber for better grip on wet surfaces to enhance its performance in all weather conditions.

Score: 8.93/10

Ride: 8.5, Fit: 9.5, Value: 9, Style: 9.5  

😊😊😊😊😊


Courtney: The 880 is a great daily trainer for a variety of paces and running abilities due to the firm yet cushioned ride. As Kurt mentioned, the security and lockdown of this shoe makes it an easy choice for daily miles. It provides the protection one needs in a daily trainer as well as a solid foam and rubber outsole that helps you roll forward. This is a shoe I would buy again as a workhorse trainer, balancing a not too soft, not too firm ride. 

Score 9 /10

😊😊😊😊

Ride:8.5 great ride, wanted to keep running in this shoe!

Fit:10 great lockdown and step-in

Value: 9 reasonably priced for a shoe that will hold up

Style: 8 I love the large N logo and topography style design


Jen: For a shoe to make it to v15, the designers have to be doing something right. While runners who have loved previous versions may be divided about the higher stack height, which is clearly the biggest update, I found the extra cushion quite pleasant. Its comfort and durability are on par with trainers in the next price tier, making it a relative bargain at $140. The 880v15 checks all the boxes as a reliable workhorse more than capable of carrying 880 devotees and new converts alike through their daily mileage.  

Score: 8.7/10

Ride: 8.5 - not particularly poppy, but smooth and enjoyable

Fit: 8.5 - I’d love just a smidge more room in the toe box and a more locked-in heel

Value: 9.5

Style: 9.5 - with six colorways in the women’s version, there is likely something for everyone

😊😊😊😊1/2


Sam: The v15 grows in weight, stack height, and platform width, yet due to its rockers and outsole design, ends up a better shoe for me than its predecessor. It has more forgiving cushion depth, a nice softer bounce feel, a smoother flow  and increased upper comfort. It does lean easier paces than its predecessor due to the fairly substantial weight increase of 36g / 1.27 oz to just over 10 oz in a US9 and its increased cushion.


With its 40.5 / 34.5 stack height, it is now a “mini max” stack height trainer. It is a very solid choice as a single shoe rotation for the moderate paces runner and for me is now the best “non speed days” choice in the New Balance line up. I only wish New Balance had been bolder and moved the 880 to a lighter more energetic supercritical foam although, I must say, the Fresh Foam X here gets close in feel of these foams but for its relatively higher weight.

Score 9.1 /10

Primary deduction for weightand time for a lighter supercritical foam, even at the $140 price point with a much more minor deduction for forefoot hold for my narrow foot and wet grip.

😊😊😊 1/2


5 Comparisons


New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v14 (RTR Review)

Sam: Covered in detail in the review. Increased stack height and platform width leads to a more cushioned 880, if a heavier one.


Accentuated rockers and the new outsole design lead to a smoother any pace (and particularly at slower paces) ride.


Salomon Aero Glide (RTR Review)

Kurt: The Aero Glide has a similar feel in terms of cushioning but is less responsive. The toe box of the Salomon has more vertical space which makes it not look as sleek as the New Balance. The stack height is lower, especially in the forefoot but the drop is 4mm more (10mm vs. 6mm). 


Saucony Ride 17 and 18  (RTR Review )

Jen: The Ride is Saucony’s similarly long-lived and well-loved trainer, slightly lower in stack height at 35mm heel/ 27 mm toe for a 8mm drop. V17 of the Ride weighs in at 8.9 oz for a USW8, quite comparable to the 8.6 oz for the 880v15. 

Sam: Jen says it well. I found the Ride 18 somewhat bouncier and softer and less stable. Very similar fitting uppers.


Hoka Clifton 10 (RTR Review)

Sam: The Clifton 10 is the first Hoka with an 8mm drop at 42mm heel / 34mm forefoot, so 2mm more at he heel and the same height at forefoot as the 880.  The Clifton, formerly a light agile daily trainer, joins the big shoe parade. Much as with the 880, v15 its midsole is a non supercritical foam which I find somewhat firmer and less energetic than the 880’s Fresh Foam X. The Ciifton is 17g lighter and that balances out somewhat given its less ride.  The Clifton upper is a bit more performance oriented with a more secure toe box.I found the Clifton a more stable shoe (and Hoka calls it out as “inherently stable”) but also more rigid and with a less effective forward flow.


Nike Vomero (RTR review for v17)

Jen: The Vomero 17  is similar in stack height at 39.5 mm heel / 30mm forefoot ( 8.5mm drop spec) while we go to  46 mm / 36 mm in the upcoming v18, both with 4 mm more drop than the NB880v15. Both are well-cushioned daily trainers better suited to daily mileage than uptempo running, and sit at a similar price point ($150 for the Vomero v18 vs. $140 for 880v15). The Vomero has slightly more room in the midfoot and a thicker upper, and outweighs the 880v15 by 0.7 oz (9.3 oz for the Vomero in a USW8 vs. 8.6 oz for the 880v15). 


Adidas Supernova Rise 2 (RTR Review)

Sam: The Rise 2 has an all supercritical foam midsole, I believe it's an EVA/PEBA blend. Its support comes from its elaborate underfoot hardened EVA foam Support Rods and its outsole. All a bit too much of both for my tastes in comparison to the simpler 880’s single foam and broader platform approach  Its stack height is considerably lower and more traditional at 35.5mm heel / 25.5mm and its weight about the same. The Supernova upper is simpler, lighter and for me somewhat roomier as a result, even if volumes are about the same. I find the lower stack Supernova snappier and more responsive while the 880  is more cushioned and not quite as agile. Both are priced the same at $140.


Saucony Triumph 22 (RTR Review)

Courtney: The Triumph 22 is another max stack stable neutral trainer that can be compared to the 880 v15. The slightly lower midsole stack feels a bit more sluggish than the 880. The softer Powerrun PB foam and less aggressive heel and forefoot rockers create a less energetic toe off. The Triumph’s double bonded layer upper is a bit warmer and stretchier than the 880’s. For those needing a softer, wider toe box and platform the Triumph may be the better choice. $160


Asics GEL-Nimbus 27  (RTR Review)

Courtney: The Nimbus is a higher stack daily trainer that is somewhat clunkier and measures wider than the 880. I found the 880 to have a firmer ride with a well placed forefoot rocker allowing me to push the paces more. The 880’s upper is a stiffer fabric with added cushioning while the Nimbus is more minimalist through the tongue with added stretch for comfort. The platform width of the Nimbus adds more stability to landings, but with that comes a less energetic toe off. For those running in wet or icy conditions, the Nimbus’s AsicsGrip rubber provides more grip and is the superior choice. At $165, the Nimbus comes in a little pricier with less versatility.


Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


The Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is available now

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Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

Tester Profiles

Kurt has a background in long distance triathlon. In recent years his focus is back on running. He recently ran various city marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt Is running on Belgian soils meaning mostly flat surfaces. He likes to hit the nearby trails which are mostly gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favorite trails are transformed into muddy terrain. 


Kurt regularly joins a run or trail race to keep the engine going. But he also likes ‘bigger challenges: he ran Tour du Mont Blanc in days in 2024, ran his first ultra trail (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days with his family and is on the starting list of Tenerife Blue trail in 2025. He is 1m86cm and 77kg. 


Jennifer Schmidt  found trail running in her mid-20's and began dabbling on the roads a few years later. Trail 50k's and road marathons are nearest and dearest to her heart, but she loves chasing competitive and personal goals on any surface and over any distance. These days, you can find her primarily on the sweet California singletrack around Auburn and Truckee, usually averaging 70-95 mpw. Depending on the season, she also competes in the USATF road and XC circuits for Sacramento Running Association's racing team. She has a marathon PR of 2:41 and was recently selected as an alternate for the USA team for 50k world championships.


Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s  with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below! Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes

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