New Balance's 1080 line has long been a favourite daily trainer. This year's model is softer, plusher and has a new outsole. Have they thrown the baby out with the bath water or is it refreshed with new life?
New Balance 1080 v14 Introduction:
An Improvement On A Great Shoe?
New Balance’s 1080 v13 has been one of the top daily trainers of 2023. It ranked number 4 in our Top 5 shoes to buy for new runners.
After some big changes with the v12, when this premium model became more cushioned, 2024’s 1080 v14 is new on the market. It not only looks very similar to its predecessor but also has some similarities to the More model.
Is the pillow like 1080 v14 still the top trainer for daily miles? Or have the recent changes degraded it to a recovery shoe and reduced its versatility?
Specs:
Stack Height: 38mm in the heel to 32mm in the forefoot
Drop: 6mm
Weight: 300g | 10.6oz
Price: $165 | £160
New Balance 1080 v14 Upper:
Super Comfortable
Silke: First of all, the step in comfort of the 1080 v14 is very pleasant. Every part of the upper seems perfectly chosen and the used materials create a high value feel. In fact, there are so many similarities in the upper between the More v5 and the 1080 v14 that you could easily say this one is the younger brother.
The double layer synthetic mesh is breathable yet it provides the amount of padding you would expect from a daily trainer. It is not a race shoe therefore comfort plays a big part in its success and this shoe delivers. The tongue is gusseted. There is a classic lacing system and some rubberized overlays that create a secure lockdown. It feels very good on foot!
The collar and heel area are identical to the More v5 with, in my opinion, a perfect heel cup. Soft to the achilles tendon while holding the heel firmly.
Overly Warm
Tim: At first sight you may have thought that the 1080 v14 is more a 1080 v13 or even just a new colorway of the 1080 v13. In my opinion, it would not be a bad thing, as the v13 is one of the best daily trainers on the market.
But is it as simple as it may look?
Let’s first have a look at the upper. As the premium daily trainer of the New Balance line, the 1080 v14 has the features that make the shoe comfortable and pleasant to wear. The first thing you will notice while handing the shoe is the material. It not only feels premium to the touch but also on foot. The mesh is made of two layers, like in the 1080 v13, but they are not exactly the same. To provide a bit more structure and stability, New Balance changed the pattern of the mesh. As a consequence the material feels less elastic, and the lockdown therefore reinforced. Nevertheless it comes with a drawback for me, the breathability. Where I considered the first version to be average in terms of breathability, I find this new model not breathable enough and experienced an unpleasant feeling of overheating several times.
Breathability aside, the shoe features a right amount of padding on the tongue and the heel area, a gusseted tongue and flat laces that all together ensure a secure and comfortable lockdown. The addition of rubberized overlays at the front of the shoe and the two plastic N shapes on the lateral and medial side also play a role in the lockdown and provide structure to the upper.
The shape of the last and roominess of the toe box is very similar to the v13. The shoe is still true to size and I find the toe box roomy enough for my liking. Finally, like its predecessor, you can remove the insoles that are, in my opinion, inferior to the materials in the rest of the upper..
Overall it’s still a good upper, comfy, secure (more than the v13), with enough room for my feet but not breathable enough.
Premium Feel
Andy: I have never run in a 1080 before this version arrived on my doorstep. When I opened the box, I was very impressed with the quality of the upper. Both materials and build quality seemed top notch. As both my colleagues have pointed out, comfort is a key feature of the 1080 v14. On foot, I find it gives great lockdown.
As far as breathability goes, I think I am more on Silke’s side of the fence. Despite using it during some warm runs, I have never found myself to be overly hot. It certainly isn’t the most breathable shoe in my collection, however, I don’t find it a sauna.
I can see why many people very much enjoy the 1080 range. It certainly offers a premium feel of comfort.
Midsole:
The 1080 v14 Is Soft!
Silke: Like the More v5, the 1080 v14 impresses with high sidewalls and volume of soft midsole foam. Soft, softer the superlative, has a name and it is Fresh Foam X. This midsole compound delivers the softest ride on the market that I have experienced.
The rocker geometry creates a smooth ride that feels best when striking from heel to midfoot. An explosive toe-off is not what you should expect and it’s not what you get. Compared to the long ago v11 there is more cushion but less response. As a midfoot striker I found tempo runs to demand more effort.
Does the squishy midsole get wobbly and unstable? Sorry I am the wrong person to be asked. I don’t overpronate and I am not a heel striker. I ran half marathons in the Rebel V2, used them on lighter trails even and never twisted my ankle. Therefore, a shoe like this offers me no fear of wobble!
Familiar Look But a Different Ride
Tim: I agree with Silke, the Fresh FoamX is one of the softest foams on the market for daily trainers. Without knowing the precise details while writing the review, I would say that the volume of foam is the same as in the v13. Visually, you could notice that the aesthetic of the foam has changed a little bit but the foam seems to react the same way.
The foam itself is soft, easy to compress even with my light weight (which is not the case with the More v5 for instance) and, unlike Silke, I consider it to have a bit of responsiveness. Of course it is not a shoe you’re going to use for a tempo session. But, thanks to the foam and the shape of the rocker, I feel comfortable pushing the pace with them without feeling my energy being sapped. Don’t forget that I’m a heel to midfoot striker and therefore you could have a very different feeling if you are a midfoot or a forefoot striker.
So, if the foam seems to react the same and the shapes are really close, is the ride of the 1080 v14 similar to the one of v13?
The answer is no, but it does not come from the foam or the shape of it in my opinion, it comes from the outsole (spoiler alert!) and the upper. We will come to the first one in the next part of the review. However, overall, with those changes the ride is now firmer (still very soft, but firmer than previous model) and the stability has improved. I would now consider the shoe to be average in terms of stability which I guess will please a lot of people!
A Fine Comfort Cruiser
Andy: In line with Silke, I have no issue with shoes being unstable. In fact, I enjoy something with a more unstable ride. With that in mind, I found that the 1080 v14 gave a very enjoyable ride for my general and easier paced runs.
The Fresh Foam X is soft, shock absorbing and the rocker geometry gives a good roll through the gait cycle. I wouldn’t say that it is one of the more exciting trainers in my rotation but it is good to have a dependable and comfortable ride on hand. For me, if offers a similar dependability to the Glycerin 21 but with a touch more bounce and give.
During my testing with the 1080 v14, I haven’t used it to push the pace. The size and weight of the shoe have always made me avoid it for harder sessions. It has been used for days after those sessions and done the job very well.
New Balance 1080 v14 Outsole:
Versatile Grip
Silke: In comparison to the More v5, New Balance have made some slight changes on the outsole. It looks almost the same. However, they are depicting the Fresh Foam X cellular pattern onto the rubberized parts. After more than 100k, there is and should be no wear at all.
That said, if you are just a bit heavier I think the exposed midsole foam will show signs of abrasion very quickly. I did runs in dry and also in wet conditions the grip worked excellently. Also taking corners sharply at a higher pace did not produce slipping or sliding.
Of course I also did some light trails in the 1080 v14. On more cobbled parts, the outsole and I would say the whole shoe felt slightly unstable due to the soft foam. Just like when you are driving a 4×4 with low tire pressure on deep puddled uneven ground.
The Biggest Change
Tim: At first glance, you might say it’s very similar to the previous version, but it’s not. The outsole is probably the part that has changed the most. At the same time New Balance changed the position and quantity of rubber. To say it simply there is more area covered by rubber and its thickness has been increased. I guess for two main reasons that will please most of the runners, first the life duration and second to improve stability.
For the first point, it’s true that depending on your gait cycle, the previous model may not have been the longest-lasting shoe on the market. My 1080 v13 showed significant signs of wear after only 300km, and the good point is that New Balance added rubber exactly where the signs of wear are for me (the outer part of the heel).
For the second, the stability, it’s also true that the previous model was not considered as the most stable shoe on the market. This was mainly due to the softness of the Fresh FoamX and the lack of any stiffening assistance. Thanks to the new shape of the outsole, and the increased amount of rubber, the shoe is now a bit stiffer which overall improves stability. It’s still not the most stable shoe on the market, but it’s more stable than the previous version.
For the grip, and even if I ran more than 50km with them spread over nearly 10 sessions, I only ran on dry and not technical surfaces. Therefore, I can only say that when it’s dry and not technical, you should not encounter any grip issue.
New Balance 1080 v14 Conclusion:
The 1080 v14 is a Solid Daily Choice
Silke: After more than 105k, I am still not sure what to do with e 1080 v14. It is such a comfortable, soft shoe. It feels great having it on foot. The rocker makes a smooth ride. I could go on and on. But, and there is always that “but”, I have the feeling that I don’t get enough bounce back from the midsole.
I did a 22k longer run, a faster tempo run, some light trails, some running in the rain. Everything is possible with this shoe. However, I would choose a firmer, more responsive midsole for really long runs. Then, I would choose a firmer model for more tempo oriented runs.
Overall, I see myself using this shoe and feeling surprised after 800k not knowing what felt special about it. Maybe this is the secret power of the 1080 v14? It is just the one you take for your daily runs.
Looking for a daily trainer with a higher fun factor and you do not have stability issues? Try the Rebel v4. Its FuelCell midsole compound is now partially Peba and delivers the fun ride you want.
You need a daily trainer with a lot of comfort but a firmer yet more responsive ride? Have a look at the Brooks Ghost Max. This is also a very comfortable model with a long lifetime guarantee.
The 1080 v13 Might Be Better
Tim: The New Balance 1080 v14 is a solid daily trainer if you like soft shoes. In my opinion, the changes made to the previous version make the shoe even more accessible to a wider audience by increasing the stability and lifespan. Nevertheless, for my personal liking, those changes remove a bit of what makes the v13 a banger. It’s less soft, less responsive and less breathable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a shoe I would recommend, especially for new runners, but personally I would continue to use the previous model.
A Good First Impression
Andy: Being my first 1080, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was hoping for a dependable, comfortable daily trainer which I could lace up with no fuss and get on with a run. That’s what I got. I agree with Silke that there are more exciting shoes on the market. That said, I also agree with Tim that it is a great shoe for a new runner who just wants a versatile shoe to get them going.
I can see myself keeping this in rotation alongside the Glycerin 21 for banking those morning runs. This will come out on days after a session when my legs crave some softness and pace isn’t an issue.
Tim
30 years old
169cm (5’5″) – 57kg (125lbs)
Heel/Midfoot striker – Cadence runner
Moderate pronator
