The versatile workhorse returns for its 14th iteration with a more conservative update.
By Ali Ball
- Weight: 300g (M), 235g (W)
- Stack height: 38mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot)
- Heel-to-toe drop: 6mm
- Type: Neutral/road
- Best for: Beginners, easy runs, long runs, high-mileage runners
The shoe
What can I say about the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 that hasn’t been said before? It was one of the first running shoes I purchased at the beginning of my running journey and the shoe I wore for my very first marathon (and my second and my third…). And I’m not alone in that. I know countless people who love this shoe. New Balance itself has even said that, if it were only to create one shoe, it would be the 1080.
Why? Well, it’s comfortable, responsive, and it works well for lots of different types of running. As Danny Orr, general manager of tech running at New Balance, puts it: ‘It’s the one shoe you need in your arsenal because it will meet all your needs.’
But that’s not to say the 1080’s journey has been smooth sailing. Version 10 was excellent. Version 11? The less said, the better. Version 12 was okay, but version 13, which launched last October, proved the 1080 was finally back on track. In fact, last year’s update was a pretty significant one, introducing a beefed-up midsole, a lower heel-to-toe drop and a new rocker geometry. However, some felt it was a little too soft, with some instability issues as a result.
So, when the latest iteration arrived at my house for testing earlier this month, I wasn’t sure which way things were going to swing.
As it turns out, v14 looks and feels pretty similar to its predecessor, with most of the key updates centred — unsurprisingly — around stability and support, rather then the ride of the shoe.
Chris Morfesi, senior product manager at New Balance, tells RW that it’s always a ‘fun challenge’ to update a shoe that has such a positive response from runners.
‘With Fresh Foam X 1080 v13, we made exciting changes to the 1080 franchise, including a new version of Fresh Foam X providing more lightweight cushioning [and] a new rocker profile for a smooth transition,’ he says. ‘With the Fresh Foam X 1080 v14, our goal is to maintain so much of what made Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 special, while adding slight tweaks to make sure all runners could enjoy the 1080 experience.’
I’ve been using the 1080s in my shoe rotation ahead of the Berlin Marathon this month and have clocked up over 100km in them so far. These are my thoughts.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 vs 13: What’s new?
At first glance, there’s not a huge amount of change between the v13 and v14 in terms of appearance — it still looks very much like the 1080 (which is a very nice looking shoe may I add).
Instead, most of the updates have been focused on increasing the shoe’s stability and support. This means the midsole geometry has been updated slightly, with a new engineered mesh upper enhancing breathability. New Balance claims this is for ‘versatile wearability’, which could be an attempt to widen the 1080’s appeal outside of running, in a similar vein to how the Hoka Clifton and Bondi are popular trainers among walkers, doctors and nurses. However, Morfesi also tells me that New Balance want to encompass every runner in the 1080.
‘Whether [they’re] completing their first 5K, training for a marathon, or running for their mental health, we want to make sure that runner is taken care of in their running journey,’ he says.
How does the 1080 v14 fit?
I mentioned this in my review of the SuperComp Trainer v3, but it seems like New Balance has tweaked its sizing over the past year. Previously, I’ve ran in a UK 8.5, but in both the SC Trainer v3 and Fresh Foam X Balos I’ve found a UK 9 has provided a more optimal fit. In the 1080 v14, I’ve been wearing an 8.5, and while the fit has been excellent in terms of midfoot support (more on this below), I do think I could use slightly more room in the toe box, having sustained a bruised toenail on my most recent 25km long run.
Having said this, if you compare the v13 with the v14, I’d say New Balance have reduced the overall volume of the upper. It’s not instantly obvious, and given a first glance at the two shoes I think a lot of people will attribute the difference to the midsole stack. However, the stack height hasn’t actually changed (it’s still 38mm in the heel/32mm in the forefoot). Instead, the v14 appears to have a shallower toe box, which could be the reason why my toe has sustained some bruising, rather than it being down to the actual length of the shoe.
All this aside, the overall fit of the 1080 v14 is fantastic. It feels slightly narrower than the previous iteration, which, combined with the new engineered mesh upper, provides a more secure midfoot hold. In fact, it reminds me a little of the older 880 v13 in terms of increased stability.
The padding on the tongue and around the heel collar also feels more paired back than the v13, striking that Goldilocks balance between offering too much and too little. In cutting back on some of that plush padding, we’ve ended up with a more breathable shoe overall, too.
What’s it like to run in the 1080 v14?
Like its predecessor, the initial step-in feel of the v14 is soft and protective — a winner for those easy, recovery runs.
At the same time, just like with the v13, the brand has increased the stiffness in the forefoot to help with toe-off. The result is an even more versatile ride, with the improvements to the upper/overall fit of the v14 adding a newfound nimbleness to the shoe. I’ve found myself tackling tempo runs with confidence, and although the underfoot sensation is cushioned, it’s certainly not mushy and you get a nice amount of responsiveness and bounce from it.
Given the 1080 is a popular choice among high-mileage marathon runners, New Balance has also added more rubber to the outsole in high-wear areas. It’s still early days, but after 100km in these, I’ve seen no signs of wear and tear yet.
Finally, other than that one toenail incident, I’ve not had any issues with rubbing or hotspots in these. I’ve worn them for three separate long runs (27km/32km/25km) and the level of cushioning has been spot on, with no irritation from the upper or heel counter, either.
RW Verdict
Offering an ideal blend of cushioning, breathability, support and bounce, the 1080 v14 really is a beautifully versatile shoe that will appeal to runners of all levels. Do the changes have me shouting from the rooftops from all to hear? Not really. But I think New Balance has deliberately gone for a conservative update here and fans of the previous iteration — myself included — will probably be thankful for this, with the shoe retaining its core characteristics.
That said, the tweaks to the upper make a noticeable improvement to the shoe’s stability, although it is worth bearing in mind that shallower toe box if you’re someone with slightly more volume in your foot.
Overall then, if you’ve been holding out on buying a fresh pair of the v13s in anticipation of the v14s dropping soon, I’d say it’s worth waiting a little longer. You’re going to be getting a pretty similar shoe — for the same £160 price tag — albeit with a slightly more secure fit and some more versatility.
If you’re after a firmer ride, however, I’d look to the 880 v14 instead. It still uses New Balance’s Fresh Foam X in the midsole, but the ride is ‘soft’ rather than ‘super soft’. Alternatively, the Asics Novablast 4 offers a trampoline-like level of bounce, with slightly stiffer midsole cushioning, for a cheaper price of £135.
As for what’s next for the 1080, Morfesi is remaining fairly tight lipped.
‘The 1080 is our signature running experience focused on meeting the needs of the runner’s everyday kilometres,’ he says. ‘With that in mind, we’ll always be pushing to deliver on the runner’s expectation of cushion, comfort, and visually compelling running footwear. The idea of crafting a signature running experience for everyday kilometres gets us incredibly excited about the possibilities for future versions.’
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 is on sale globally from October 10th for $270
