New Balance 880 v15 Preview
Long standing New Balance favourite, the 880 is back for a 15th iteration. Slightly firmer than its 1080 sibling, the 880 v15 is a firmer, more stable proposition. This ensures that it gives runners who need stability a safer way to get through their miles. Not everyone wants a giant marshmallow underfoot, this is where the 880 comes into its own.
Changes this year make the 880 v15 bigger and more cushioned. Runners will find an extra 3mm of foam in the heel to make those landings soft and easy. Up front, another 6mm have been added to the 880. Legs will be saved from that daily pavement pounding meaning you can reach your start lines fresher.
The new 880 comes with a whopping 40.5mm in the heel. Obviously, adding more in the forefoot than the heel will change the drop of a shoe. In this instance, New Balance have removed 2mm of drop. This time out, we find 6mm drop instead of the previous 8mm. More foam in the forefoot means more to push on for toe off and a smoother ride through the gait cycle.
With a 300g weight, the 880 v15 is no waif. However, it is well within the boundaries of a daily trainer where protection is more of a priority than pace. Available in Spring 2025, the New Balance 880 will retail for $140. A very competitive price for a trainer which has gained so much stack.
Despite the claims of more firmness than the 1080, the 880 continues the march towards max stack which may not impress all runners. While it is getting harder to find a low slung shoe to get the daily running in, keep your eyes on Meta Endurance to see what else is to come out of the excitement at TRE!
