Make 3 interest-free payments. 
The New Balance 1080 Running Shoes are one of the most popular choices for daily miles. New Balance often states if it could make one running shoe, it would be the 1080. Even though the previous version proved to be very successful, the latest edition - the New Balance 1080 v14 - boasts a number of updates.
This article dives into the technical upgrades, along with how they perform on the run. We’ve tested them for over 100 kilometres of running and across various intensities. We hope this helps you decide whether or not the New Balance 1080 V14 are right for you, and what to expect from them.
New Balance 1080 v14 Tech
Key stats
- Men’s approximate weight: 302 grams
- Women’s approximate weight: 236 grams
- Forefoot stack height: 26 mm
- Rearfoot stack height: 32 mm
- Drop: 6 mm
- Midsole: Fresh Foam X
- Upper: Triple jacquard mesh
Midsole construction
The 1080 v14 still features the same Fresh Foam X material as the previous version. It’s worth noting that the exact composition and properties of Fresh Foam X varies from model to model.
Even though the Fresh Foam X is technically the same, the forefoot displacement is 6.5% higher, and the rearfoot displacement is 11.5% higher than before. In short, this means the midsole should feel more cushioned. Next, higher sidewalls and more vertical sidewall geometry improve the inherent stability of the midsole.
Outsole construction
This is arguably the most important update, as it has a major impact on the cushioning experience. To explain further, the Fresh Foam X compound in the 1080 is very soft. Some runners found the previous version was too soft in the forefoot, and this led to the midsole ‘bottoming-out’. This is the accepted terminology for when the midsole compresses so much it feels like you’re losing cushioning.
To overcome this problem, the outsole section of the new model is 9% stiffer. This might not sound like much, but the adjusted stiffness and new rubber pattern should have a significant impact on how the cushioning feels and performs.
Upper construction
The upper now features a triple jacquard mesh. This is an ultra premium material that offers best in class comfort and performance. The new design should offer more breathability than the previous version.
1080 v14 Test Runs
As mentioned earlier, we’ve run over 100 kilometres in the New Balance 1080 v14. We also tested them out over a range of paces and distances, as you can see in the Strava images below. The next section of the article presents how the cushioning performed.
Please note, we know our test paces might (and are likely to) translate into different effort levels for you. Our focus is on presenting how the cushioning performs at various efforts, which should be much more relevant.
Easy run performance
At easier efforts, the midsole feels very soft and plush. At the same time, it definitely feels more structured and responsive than the last version. It’s likely you’ll experience smoother and more fluid transitions from landing to take-off. While the midsole feels more stable than before, the New Balance 1080 v14 aren’t the most stable feeling neutral running shoes. This is ultimately because the cushioning is very soft.
Overall, they’re perfectly suited to easy miles, and it’s likely you’ll love running in them if you have relatively stable feet, and you prefer a soft underfoot sensation.
Steady run performance
The midsole feels very good when you pick up the pace slightly. When we tested them at 4.30-4.35 minute/kilometre pace, the midsole felt livelier and bouncier to run in. Again, this pace will mean different things to each runner. Our suggestion is this effort will be around 15-25 seconds faster than your easy run pace.
Overall, the cushioning feels very dynamic and comfortable at steadier paces - and we expect a lot of runners will find the New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes perform extremely well at this intensity.
Hard steady run performance
This intensity is easier than tempo, but requires a relatively high effort level. It’s testament to the Fresh Foam X cushioning that it performed well for a 25 kilometre run averaging 4.04 minute/kilometre pace. However, this was definitely the midsole’s limit.
The midsole was simply compressing too much, and our perception of effort was higher than it would have been in a more responsive option. Additionally, while this is very anecdotal, we did experience more muscle and tendon soreness/fatigue the following day than normal.
1080 v14 cushioning summary
It’s an impressive material that delivers great versatility. Although, as stated above, it has a clear ceiling. Yes, you can use the New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes for some harder runs, but it’s likely you’re making it unnecessarily difficult for yourself.
Most runners will find the 1080 v14 cushioning feels best for their easy to steady pace miles. So in reality, the cushioning is most suited to everyday runs. Importantly, it will work best for runners who enjoy a soft and flexible underfoot experience.
In contrast, runners who are heavy on their heels, or who have a very prominent heel strike might not like the New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes. This is because the midsole might compress too much, and you may feel as if you’re having to get 'up and over' the cushioning - particularly during slower paced runs.
Upper fit
The upper feels very comparable to the previous model. It still offers a sock-like feel - and the stretchy and flexible nature of the material helps it to conform to the shape of your foot.
We did experience some hot foot for the first 15-20 kilometres of running. By this, we mean the upper was causing some excess heat and irritation in the forefoot area. The reason for this going away is unknown. It could be because the upper stretched slightly, the midsole compressed a bit, or we just got used to it.
With this in mind, you can wear the New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes if you have broader/wider shaped feet. However, there are likely better fitter fitting options. They’ll probably work best for runners who don’t have a broad forefoot, or who prefer an encapsulated feel.
Importantly, if you liked the fit of the New Balance v13 Running Shoes, it's very unlikely you'll have any problems with the fit of the v14.
New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes summary
There’s no doubt the updates to the New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes are really well thought out. The alterations don't change the DNA of the shoe, but they definitely enhance the overall performance.
If you’re looking for soft and plush feeling daily mileage running shoes, these are one of the best options. The New Balance 1080 v14 Running Shoes have also been exceptionally popular with Run4It customers since their release in early November 2024 - so we know they're going down well.
