The staple shoe of many runners’ rotations, the 1080 v15, has had a revamp. The days of Fresh Foam are done. The freshest foam is now Infinion. That’s not the only change. In fact, the 1080 has had a top to bottom renovation. Much like the Ship of Theseus, if you replace all the parts of a 1080, is it still a 1080?
It certainly retains the premium feel and price which would be expected of a flagship daily shoe. So we need to ask what does Infinion bring to the party? The TPE-EVA blend adds a burst of supercriticality to the mix. New Balance promises that it will keep that first run feeling for longer. While the Fresh Foam X of the previous versions soaked up the road without giving a huge amount back, the Infinion foam has more of a pop to its step.
Sounds pretty promising. Let’s dive into the details.
Upper and Fit of the New Balance 1080 v15
What works for me
First, and most glaringly obviously, the neon green. This seems to have split the opinion of the Meta Endurance world. The younger runners don’t seem to appreciate the glorious green whereas us older folks enjoy the splash of colour in our lives. That said, we know by now that colour doesn’t impact the performance of a shoe. What does impact the performance is the comfort and breathability.
Thankfully, the 1080 v15 has both of these on tap. Step in feel is, as you would expect from a flagship daily trainer, very good. This is helped by the padding around the heel and ankle area. While not a crazy update in the amount of foam, it makes a difference in the heel collar where the tab is slightly lower, more squared and more generously padded. Meanwhile, the tongue remains gusseted to help with the lockdown of the shoe. It has enough padding to reduce lace bite but not so much that it is unwieldy.
Another very noticeable difference to the upper is the number of perforations for breathability. While we haven’t been blessed with tropical temperatures in England over the past couple of weeks, I have run a lot in the 1080 and not felt uncomfortable once. The perforations have also helped with water egress from the shoe which has proved very useful in our current climate.
The lace chain and New Balance N logo on either side of the shoe are made of a more rigid plastic which adds a little more structure and hold to the upper. The laces themselves, while not particularly noteworthy, have remained steadfastly tied through the deepest of puddles.
What doesn’t work for me
As far as the upper goes, there isn’t much negative to report. For those with wider feet, it is probably worth looking into the wide and extra wide versions provided by New Balance. Overall, the upper performs well offering no rubbing hotspots or irritation. It’s what you want from a daily shoe upper.
It takes a while to dry too, but that’s what radiators and hairdryers are for.
Midsole and Ride of the New Balance 1080 v15
What works for me
This is where we find the big news from New Balance. The v13 saw a major redesign and the heel stack heading upwards. Now, in the v15, we find the stack increasing by a further 2mm. Not only has the midsole gained height, it has also lost a considerable amount of weight. From 236g to 208g in the men’s sample size.
This is thanks to the new Infinion foam. Fresh Foam X, an EVA compound, offered moderate energy return and some found the shoe flattened out over longer runs leaving something to be desired. Infinion offers a supercritical nitrogen charge to the TPEE-EVA blend. The change is really reflected in on foot feel. There is definitely more pop to the foam as shown by my Stryd data which has me producing similar paces with less power exerted. It seems to be about 5% more efficient for me and my running style
More than that, it is a genuinely pleasant foam to run in. When the paces are low and slow, it offers some good cushioning. Along with the geometry of the midsole, it makes for an easy ride. If you want to push the pace a little more, it is much more accommodating than the Fresh Foam X. The reduction in weight also makes this a more pleasurable experience.
Over longer runs, the foam also holds out well. So far, the longest run I have taken in the 1080 v15 is 16.5km but I could easily have continued. There is no real noticeable flattening out of the foam. Again, this is backed up by the Stryd data which shows consistent power and pace throughout. There’s no working harder at the end of the run.
With the balanced and neutral cushioning, this should be a shoe which works for most runners. While it is a soft shoe, it doesn’t feel very unstable. It has a wide platform and offers a comfortable roll through the foot strike.
What doesn’t work for me
My biggest gripe from the ride came from my attempt at going fastest in the shoe. Finishing off a particularly damp run with a set of strides, I found that the insole wrinkled up and it became a very unpleasant end to a great run. I will have to try again when the weather allows a drier run.
For most, this will find its place as a daily shoe. It will probably lack in comparison to shoes like the EVO SL which offer that true superfoam bounce. That said, for most runners who like to keep things simple, the extra energy return and longer lasting bounce of the foam will make this a good workhorse for most runs.
Outsole of the New Balance 1080 v15
Grip and Traction
Through deep puddles there has been no issue. On dry pavement (when I have been lucky enough to find any) it has been fine. The rubber offers a fairly quiet landing for my footstrike and on most surfaces it has been fine. The only occasions when I have felt a little under threat of a tumble is when it comes to patches of rogue pavement mud. On corners where the verge and path have merged, the outsole definitely suffers a lack of traction. It probably won’t win any awards in the road to trail or gravel sections this year, but it isn’t supposed to.
The forefoot has plenty of rubber coverage and the heel has a pad on both lateral and medial sides. There is plenty of exposed Infinion foam at the midpoint of the sole but it seems fairly hardy so far.
Durability
This is the biggest question I have with the 1080 v15 and its new foam. After about 80km, it is still retaining that box fresh feel. However, I am hoping that it doesn’t follow the Rebel in its longer term feel. I will keep the review updated when I have reached a few hundred kilometres. That was a shoe that felt fantastic until it didn’t after a disappointingly short amount of time. Although, different runners have different experiences of longevity so your mileage may vary.
As ever with a new foam compound, there are no previous versions to help make educated guesses on. We will have to do it the old fashioned way, run in it till it can’t take anymore and see what the mileage meter says.
As far as the bottom of the shoe is concerned, outside of general road filth, there is very little to indicate that it is suffering from the travails of the road. The exposed foam we mentioned above has a couple of dings from sharper rocks but nothing that concerns me about longer term use.
Conclusion
Value for Money
With the new technology comes a greater price. Whilst the American market only sees a $5 increase, the UK is paying a whopping £10 more than the v14. Now, the ride is better, the comfort is improved and it offers more versatility. Is that worth the increased cost?
The answer to that question probably lies in the durability. If it lasts for the same length of time as the Clifton 10 or the Rebel v5 before the joy is stamped out of it, the value for money is low. On the other hand, if it can blast out hundreds of kilometres with that box fresh feel, as New Balance claim, then it is a good proposition for those wanting a more premium feeling shoe.
It is definitely an improvement over the v14 but will it beat the whole $150 segment of light, fast, fun shoes which are all the rage at the moment?
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The 1080 v15 is a comfortable daily trainer which can be taken on longer runs and offers enough pop to handle some faster work. For me, its limitations come with the very top end of speedwork after my issue with the slippy insoles on my strides.
For most runners, the weight and bounce will make it a good companion, it suits my high cadence short stride style well. Outside of the heaviest runners who may find the super critical midsole bottoming out, most people should find it a fun run. It would make a good suitcase shoe. If you are going away and can only take a single running shoe with you. The 1080 v15 would be a decent travel buddy.
Final Verdict
The 1080 v15 is a very worthy update to the franchise. It adds some extra life to the run and means that recovery runs are easier as the same paces are run with less power. Furthermore, it feels more energetic for longer on the run. While it didn’t work for me on the fastest of reps it will work for most runners for most runs. It is a 1080, but better!
Is it going to be a shoe of the year for most people? Probably not. Will it be a shoe which you run many miles in with comfort and a smile on your face? Absolutely. The biggest question remains about the durability and the impact that has on value for money. Keep your eyes on our pages online for a revisit in a couple of hundred more kilometres!
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
New Balance 1080 v15 vs. New Balance 1080 v14
A much more enjoyable and versatile shoe this year. The Infinion foam is livelier, lighter and gives more back for more miles. Both are comfortable but the new version is definitely an improvement on the last.
New Balance 1080 v15 vs. Nike Vomero Plus
This one is closer and more down to personal preference. Both are cushioned and versatile. The 1080 v15 is a lighter and more nimble package. Meanwhile, the Vomero Plus probably offers a little more cushion and bounce in the midsole. Either shoe will be a very good choice for most runners looking for a daily shoe which offers a little more.
New Balance 1080 v15 vs. Brooks Glycerin 23
One will definitely offer durability and a long lasting value for money. The other is lighter, more nimble and livelier. If you are looking for a shoe which can get you through hundreds of miles in comfort, then head for the Brooks Glycerin 23. However, if you are looking for a midsole foam which has a little more pop for picking up the pace, the 1080 v15 is your Huckleberry.
Other People’s Takes on the New Balance 1080 v15
Raoul’s Take on the 1080 v15
This shoe arrived at the perfect time. I have been doing a lot more road mileage lately, preparing for my first road marathon and have been doing easy runs in a mix of shoes. The 1080 v15’s made a measurable difference in recovery week to week. Their ability to absorb the load truly saved my legs at the end of a big block of work for me.
This is not a boring shoe. I found it light, enjoyable to run in and would recommend it as a daily trainer to the majority of the market. Performance first. I believe New Balance has a winner.
Silke’s Take on the 1080 v15
I have run hundreds of kilometers in different versions of the 1080 over the years. The last version (v14) had a nice rocker but lacked life and fun. From my first run in the 1080 v15, the fun was back. The new Infinion foam still offers a smooth but now peppier ride. I use the 1080 v15 mainly for daily training.
With the 1080 v15, I can go very slow as well as picking up the pace. I really enjoy the 6mm drop which is not usual amongst its competitors. Thumbs up for making the shoe lighter and bouncier. Another thumbs up for this lemon colourway that feels fresh and makes me think of the upcoming spring.
