New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 Review: Keeping It Cozy

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

Sweater weather is quickly approaching. As long as you don’t live in South Florida like me, you’re probably familiar with the fuzzy feelings associated with slipping on your favorite cozy sweater. It fits you just right and somehow manages to feel soft and comforting, never overbearing.

For reviewers, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v13 was our “cozy sweater” when it came to running shoes. With a plush midsole, smooth upper and light weight, we felt like we had found our perfect daily trainer.

But, just like every shoe model, the time came for the 1080 to update. We waited with bated breath to receive the new 1080 v14, available October 10. Will it retain its cozy sweater status? Or will it be downgraded to a discarded T-shirt in the back of our closets? Read on to find out.

However, Mandy thought the shoe was too soft to offer any energy.

“The underfoot feeling of the 1080 v14 is like walking or running on a sponge,” she says. “While it felt great for walking the dog and running errands, I noticed a lack of pep or spring underfoot on my runs. Because I need all of the help I can get to make it through my summer runs, I had a hard time getting into any rhythm. That said, I will walk all day in these shoes.”

Kate was somewhere in the middle of the debate, saying, “The 1080 is just peppy enough and stays comfortable for regular training runs. That said, I generally prefer a firmer shoe. This one is great for soft-cushion-loving runners, but it’s a little too soft for me to choose it for my regular rotation.”

While I definitely consider myself to be one of the soft-cushion-loving runners Kate describes, everyone has different preferences. If you’re not sure whether you’re on Team Soft or Team Firm (or somewhere in the middle!), your best bet is to head into your local Fleet Feet and try a few different pairs on. Fleet Feet outfitters will provide personalized recommendations based on your preference, your foot shape and the way you move.

The 1080 v14 keeps comfort top of mind with a silky smooth upper that wraps around your foot like a glove.

“I love the 1080 because I know exactly what I’m going to get with it, like putting on my favorite sweatshirt,” Mandy says. “It fits true to size and feels great as I slip my feet into it. The upper is nice and breathable, which has been put to the test because the weather in the South has been hot and humid. While there have been days when I’m not sure if it’s sprinkling or if it’s just sweat from my hair, my feet have never felt too hot to walk or run.”

New Balance tweaked the upper to add more breathability by adding a layer of perforated mesh for increased ventilation, a welcome update for us Southern runners battling through summer training.

However, Tony and Max found the upper to run a bit warm.

Regardless, we all lauded the fit of the 1080 that somehow seemed to fit each one of us perfectly–even Max, our narrow-footed reviewer and Heather, our high-volume reviewer.

“A 1080 that fits my foot! I’m so excited!” Heather says. “I’ve wanted to love this shoe for years, but the updates since the v10 destroyed any hope of my high volume feet [feet that take up lots of space within the shoe] being able to enjoy the shoe. The v14 is the first 1080 since then that really felt like a great fit. My foot feels secure and it fits true to size. The upper is breathable and comfortable. I know it’s not vastly different from the v13, but I did have a pair of those and I think the upper in the v14 accommodates my foot better.”

Because the 1080 v13 was one of my favorite trainers, I still had my pair on hand allowing me to do a side-by-side comparison. I put one on each foot and walked around. The upper and fit felt the same, while the midsole of the v14 had slightly more bounce to it. That could be because it’s a slightly more responsive foam compound, but more likely it's due to the fact that my v13s have over 200 miles on them while my v14s were fresh out of the box.

While we found the v13 and v14 to feel remarkably similar underfoot, the main difference you’ll notice in the tech specs is the weight. The 1080 v14 has gained a full ounce from the previous model, and we wanted to know why. We reached out to New Balance for comment.

“There are two changes in the 1080v14 that contribute to the slight weight increase,” they say. “First, an upper material that’s focused on delivering the utmost comfort for everyday runners. We wanted to ensure that the 1080v14 was more breathable than the 1080v13, so there’s an additional thin layer of comfortable mesh that allows us to deliver holes through the mesh for increased breathability. There are also very small tweaks in the geometry of the midsole to deliver a slightly more stable underfoot ride for every day running.”

That being said, I didn’t notice a difference in weight when I put one on each foot, although that slight weight increase could add up over time.

Nevertheless, if you enjoyed the 1080v13 I think you’ll enjoy the v14, too.

We took a look at some comparable models to see how they stack up against the New Balance 1080 v14. Here’s what we found.

The 1080 v14 shines as a maximally cushioned neutral daily trainer, similar to the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 and the Brooks Glycerin 21. All three shoes are similar in weight, stack height (note that Brooks measures their stack height using just the midsole, while ASICS and New Balance include outsole measurement as well) and price.

The main difference between the three shoes will come down to the heel-to-toe drop, the underfoot feel and the fit of the upper. In my opinion, the New Balance 1080v14 is the softest option of the three.

With a plush, pillow-y midsole, the 1080 v14 is the perfect choice for runners who don’t shy away from softness.

“I’d recommend the 1080 v14 to anyone who likes a soft, cushy underfoot feel,” says Kate. “It’s great for standing on your feet all day, and it’s perfect for everyday training runs. Soft cushion lovers will like it for long runs, too.”

I wore this for my 14-mile long run last weekend, and I plan to make this my long run shoe for my TCS New York City Marathon training. Plus, the shoe is available in a limited-edition colorway, pictured above, to celebrate the iconic race.

Because of its accommodating upper and availability in wide sizing, you’ll likely be able to find your perfect fit in the 1080 v14.