New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 Multi Tester Review: 7 Comparisons

Article by Zack Dunn, Jeff Beck and Sally Reiley

New Stability Contemporary Foam X 1080 v14 ($165) 

Professionals:

Midsole may be very smooth and offered nice impression safety & cushion: Zack/Jeff/Sally

Higher is comfy and feels nice on foot: Zack/Jeff/Sally

True-to-size match: Zack/Jeff/Sally

Toe field width is sufficient, if not good: Jeff

Outsole is straightforward but well-engineered Zack/Jeff

Zack/Jeff/Sally: Gusseted tongue gives nice midfoot lockdown 

Sally: Nice basic aesthetics

Sally: Trip feels a bit firmer and stiffer and responsive than V13 with a wider and extra steady base

Cons:

Midsole might be barely extra responsive / energetic: Zack/Jeff/Sally 

Could possibly be thought-about dear by some at $165:. Zack

Blurs the road to FreshFoam Extra in efficiency and function: Jeff 

Greater than an oz of weight acquire from v13 resulting from wider platform upfront (Sally: feels barely heavy) Jeff/Sally

Most comparable footwear

ASICS GEL-Nimbus 

Saucony Triumph 22

Stats

Spec Weight: males’s 10.4 oz / 300g, womens 8.3 oz / 235g

Prior Model Weight:  males’s 9.28oz / 263 g

  Pattern Weights: males’s  11.46 oz / 325g US M10.5

                            girls’s 8.5 oz / 240 g (US W8)

Stack Peak: males’s  38mm heel /  32mm forefoot ( 6mm drop spec) 

Platform Width 10.5D: 98.67mm heel / 84.53mm midfoot / 124.94mm forefoot

                        1080v13 10.5D  98.55mm heel /  81.20mm midfoot / 120.41mm forefoot

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Jeff: That is my sixth consecutive 1080 (began with the v9) and I’ve been in all places with the shoe – some variations have been below the radar winners whereas others felt like an enormous miss. Final 12 months’s v13 (RTR Evaluate) was a giant change from the v12, whereas this 12 months’s shoe is concurrently a giant change and a refined refinement of the v13.

Visually I believed the shoe had grown fairly a bit, however its listed and measured heel stack is equivalent (38mm) from final 12 months. It has grown in platform  width within the midfoot and forefoot, and as a toe field width snob with a barely wider than common foot, I don’t hate that. 

on observe, however  only a bit too smooth for my liking. 

Sally: V14 returns simply sufficient firmness to liven the journey, with an improved extra structured higher and a modified outsole, all in a terrific wanting package deal. I really like the aesthetics with the deep blue colorway and the big N emblem on the lateral aspect of the shoe, small N on the within. 

My W8 pair matches properly TTS, instantly comfy with a plushly padded heel collar and tongue and simply sufficient cushioning throughout. The higher is now a brand new triple jacquard mesh for elevated breathability. 

The heel maintain for me is strong and I had no hotspots anyplace throughout my check runs.

Zack: By way of first impressions, I used to be very excited to do this shoe, as I cherished the earlier variations of  the1080, in addition to different NB footwear, akin to 880, Insurgent, and Propel. Due to this fact, once I first received this shoe and put it on, I used to be instantly met with the acquainted match and really feel of an NB shoe. 

On first strive on, this shoe has such a cushty match, as effectively matches very true to dimension. The  higher offered a really safe match, and I can inform proper off the bat it was extraordinarily well-engineered.

One factor I actually loved concerning the higher was the texture of the fabric, because it feels smooth but breathable, which is very nice for heat climate, whereas nonetheless being comfy. 

I actually loved the tongue, as it’s gusseted and helps  present unbelievable lockdown. The heel and the tongue have been each very comfy and smooth, whereas not being overly plush. General, I actually appreciated the higher and felt it was very effectively made. 

Midsole & Platform

Jeff: The midsole sticks with New Stability’s very smooth and plush Contemporary Foam X foam that they used final 12 months. It has a really related design, with a mix of convex and concave trapezoids lining the edges and the uncovered parts of the outsole. 

The largest change is how a lot wider the platform is than the earlier model, including ~5mm to the forefoot and ~3mm to the midfoot. It didn’t develop any heightwise, however the additional extensive platform makes the shoe really feel far more cushioned if including to the 1080’s weight.

On that observe, “extra cushioned” could be TL:DR breakdown of this shoe for me. The 1080v14 has one of the plush and cushioned midsoles on the market. There’s a stage of soppy squish that the majority footwear can’t contact, creating an excellent smooth touchdown in each the heel and forefoot. Nevertheless, it doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of dynamic rebound, giving little or no bounce after the smooth touchdown. It’s extremely comfy, however positively limits the footwear potential, however extra on that under.

Zack: Jeff made some nice factors that positively correspond with my ideas on the shoe as effectively, so I’ll strive my finest to not repeat an excessive amount of. The shoe may be very plush and cozy. It makes use of NB’s signature Contemporary Foam X foam that performs excellent for straightforward to average paces day by day coaching and that’s precisely what this shoe is meant for. 

I agree with Jeff that, whereas the shoe may be very comfy and smooth, it does lack an inherent responsiveness however truthfully, should you’re utilizing the shoe for what it’s supposed for (which is on a regular basis working; regular runs, simple runs, and so forth.), then I really feel that responsiveness isn’t actually wanted. It doesn’t have fairly the rebound that one thing like a Nike Invincible has, although I might argue that the shoe isn’t as smooth. Wouldn’t it be a pleasant addition? Definitely. however I feel the 1080 performs completely tremendous with out it when used for day by day simpler working. 

Sally: As Jeff says, the midsole is wider and now a bit firmer, and the geometry has been modified to incorporate a slight rocker profile. 

The stack peak stays 38mm/ 32 mm for a 6mm drop, however the firmer foam means a smoother and considerably extra responsive journey for me. I discovered 1080 V13 too smooth for a lot aside from strolling the canine in consolation; that is smooth however not as sinking-into-mud smooth. (It’s a far cry from the responsiveness of our efficiency race footwear which have a carbon plate to counteract the smooth foams, however it’s nonetheless a pleasant comfy journey at average paces.) 

These minor tweaks within the foam present nice shock absorption on the run however with out a lot bouncy rebound, and lend to a constant and clean albeit not too thrilling journey. I discover it nice for these mid-long regular marathon coaching runs (and the softness protects my legs). 

Outsole

Jeff: The outsole is the largest departure from the v13. Final 12 months New Stability had a pair of separate rear pods and a collection of six diagonal rubber strips with uncovered midsole in between. 

Within the v14 they expanded the 2 rear pods, and used a single U-shaped piece to line the outside of the shoe from midfoot to toe again to midfoot, with  a separate extensive strip of rubber working down the middle – similar to the newest Contemporary Foam X Extra v5.  New Stability  claims the forefoot has additional stiffness and sturdiness within the forefoot, and that appears utterly believable. 

The uncovered midsole appears surprisingly sturdy, with negligible put on on the froth by means of 25 miles. The rubber additionally reveals just about no put on, whereas additionally having good traction, a formidable feat. Final 12 months’s outsole wasn’t an issue, however the v14 replace looks as if a strong improve.

Zack: The outsole is certainly one of many areas that obtained a drastic change. It receives extra rubber in excessive put on areas, which NB claims additionally provides extra stiffness underfoot. Personally, I can’t inform that a lot of a distinction 

The outsole gives tremendous traction and doesn’t appear to have worn  down very a lot, even after 40 miles.

Sally: Aspect by aspect, the V13 and V14 outsoles appear to be completely different footwear altogether. There may be now added rubber in high-wear areas for added sturdiness, and I agree with Jeff that this extra rubber makes the shoe really feel firmer and extra steady underfoot. Sure, this modified outsole is perhaps the rationale (together with the broader platform) that the shoe weighs greater than its predecessor, however the resultant firmness is effectively price it (to not point out elevated sturdiness). This rubber gives loads of grip and I had no issues with traction on moist and/or sandy surfaces, and – weirdly necessary to me – this outsole is comparatively quiet underfoot. 

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Jeff: As I discussed above, this shoe is extremely smooth and plush underfoot. The journey doesn’t endure from that, but it surely isn’t going to be the shoe anybody ought to attain for when anticipating a fast run. 

The brand new forefoot geometry and outsole design  helps it keep out of the “sluggish” vary, however it’s removed from the quickest turning over shoe, and there’s actually not a lot bounce to talk of. Nevertheless, it has a phenomenally smooth touchdown, making it a super shoe for the day after a tough run, or should you’re planning on a protracted gradual day.

Because the 1080 has grown, it’s getting nearer and nearer to the Contemporary Foam Extra. Whereas the FFM has a better stack, they’re very related in efficiency, with the FFM simply being that a lot softer. The 1080 is a bit more versatile than its greater brother, however is equally and but extra consolation centered.

In the end the 1080v14 retains the smooth and cozy nature of the v13, and simply will increase that consolation throughout the board. That does paint it within the nook considerably, making it much less versatile than earlier variations, however for these of us who don’t want one shoe to do all issues, the v14 can cleanly slot into your simple day shoe – or for gradual/heavy runners like myself, it’s possible you’ll discover your very effectively cushioned day by day coach, since consolation continuously supersedes efficiency for these of us in the back of the pack. And this shoe has consolation to spare.

Jeff Rating: 9.45/10

Trip (50%): 9 Match (30%): 10 Worth (15%): 10 Fashion (5%): 9  

Zack: The journey of this shoe is one which I feel works completely for what it was supposed for. As said beforehand, it has a smooth and cushioned journey, whereas not being too plush or overly smooth. The midsole doesn’t really feel too overbearing for my part, akin to footwear with very max stack heights can really feel. 

One factor I want to actually level out is how steady and safe the shoe feels whereas working, which suggests the journey doesn’t really feel sloppy, which is widespread in high-stack trainers. One factor I’ll observe is that exterior of day by day working paces (simple, possibly average), the shoe isn’t the one for something comparatively quick. Nevertheless, to reiterate, the shoe was not made for these sorts of runs. 

The  new iteration of the 1080 will get very near what I think about to be the top of what a day by day coach working shoe must be. It has a cushty higher with a terrific lockdown, a smooth and cozy midsole (whereas not being overly plush), and an outsole that works nice. With very minor modifications, it appears NB took the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it” to coronary heart.I might say that could be a excellent factor. 

Zack’s Rating: 9.6 / 10

Sally: The NB 1080 V14 is an excellent comfy smooth effectively cushioned day by day coach that gives a constant clean journey, with out the bounce of some foams nor the hyper responsiveness of some foam/plate mixtures. I agree that this can be a reliable shoe for straightforward runs and restoration runs, any runs with a extra mellow cadence and fewer want for fast turnover or toespring. However my conclusions differ a bit from Jeff’s and Zack’s in that I feel the V14 is now a extra versatile day by day workhorse kind of shoe that may deal with the miles comfortably and effectively. The V13 was too smooth and mushy for me and I struggled with foothold, however this V14 is firmer and extra structured and extra enjoyable to run in. So I see it as NB noticed the failings within the V13 and glued them ! Completely different runners expertise footwear in a different way (right here right here for RTR’s multi-tester critiques!) and I’m a petite feminine runner vs Jeff’s bigger and  heavier profile and wider foot. This can be a unbelievable replace and now a terrific shoe for straightforward miles and energy walks with my canine, with the plush consolation and beauty of a wear-it-all day shoe. 

Sally’s rating: 9.6 / 10

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7 Comparisons

New Stability 1080 v13 (RTR Evaluate)

Jeff: Fairly just a few references above, the v13 appears and feels fairly a bit much less cushioned, however each midsole stacks are equivalent in peak, simply wider within the v14. The v14 higher is extra construction, and the outsole is extra sturdy and stiffer. The v14 is softer underfoot, making it a significantly better shoe for straightforward days, whereas the v13 is a extra versatile shoe.

Sally: Hmm, I differ right here. I discover the V14 firmer and extra versatile, with a extra structured higher, improved geometry and revamped outsole that contributes to added firmness underfoot. For me (I’m a petite feminine runner) the V13 was too smooth and tough to get transferring and tough to get a great lockdown. I positively want the brand new V14 as a flexible well-cushioned simple run day by day coach after which some.

ASICS Novablast (RTR Evaluate)

Sally: (W8 in each) Like many reviewers and lots of runners, I’m a giant fan of the Novablast 4. It’s likewise a really versatile well-cushioned comfy day by day coach that’s at all times in my rotation. These two footwear serve related roles and can attraction to related runners for related causes, however I feel the Novablast 4 will get the sting for extra uptempo efficiency. Each are simple run cruisers, however Novablast is a bit bouncier and simpler to choose up the tempo in. 1080 V14 is perhaps extra versatile for restoration runs and even all-day put on. Novablast 4 wins for worth at $140 vs $165 for 1080.

Topo Specter 2  (RTR Evaluate)

Sally: (W8 in each) TOPO and New Stability are each Boston-based corporations (as I’m) however the similarities cease there. TOPO is far newer and smaller however quick rising, specializing in footwear to make individuals “transfer higher” with roomy toe containers, low heel to toe drop and safe midfoot maintain. The Specter 2 is their excessive efficiency, max cushioned day by day coach designed for up-tempo lengthy distance working. It’s powered by a full PEBAX midsole. Each are very comfy on the foot, however I might select the Specter 2 for my quicker exercises and the 1080v14 for the better extra mellow miles. 

Topo Atmos (RTR Evaluate)

Sally: (W8 in each). The Atmos debuts as TOPO’s first max cushion day by day coach with the same stack peak to the 1080 at 38/33. Each of those footwear have that I-can-wear-it-all-day consolation stage, each are versatile and nice well-cushioned impartial day by day trainers.The Atmos, nonetheless it takes the cake for its superb journey – it’s presumably one of many smoothest simple rolling footwear I’ve had the pleasure to run in. It’s bouncier and peppier than the 1080V14, however every shoe has its area of interest.  

New Stability Contemporary Foam Extra v5  (RTR Evaluate)

Jeff: The FFMv5 is successfully the 1080v14 Plus – two very related footwear with a ~5MM larger stack within the FFM. Each are extremely smooth and plush, and weigh almost the identical. In case you discovered the FFMv5 too smooth or an excessive amount of, the 1080v14 might be precisely what you need.

ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 (RTR Evaluate)

Jeff: Very related footwear, simply the ASICS or New Stability model of the identical idea. Each are very comfy with efficiency being the decrease precedence. The 1080 has noticeably extra cushioning beneath the forefoot, whereas the Nimbus higher is extra plush and has extra room within the toebox. In any other case, they’re borderline the identical shoe – and each are nice.

Zack: I positively agree with Jeff that these footwear are extraordinarily related, each on paper and on foot. Each footwear have been ones that I loved very a lot for day by day working, as they have been each smooth and intensely comfy. I’ll say the New Stability higher barely takes it for me as I really feel it’s ever so barely extra comfy, as within the Nimbus I had slight troubles with lacing and a hotspot each occasionally. Aside from that, the footwear really feel nearly equivalent to me, so for most individuals, it will in all probability simply be a model choice at this level. 

Saucony Triumph 22 (RTR Evaluate)

Jeff: Whereas New Stability went wider and softer with its newest model of its longstanding massive day by day coach line, Saucony went the opposite approach by rising the stack  peak and altering to a extra performance-centric PWRRUN PB midsole. Each very effectively cushioned, the Saucony has a barely wider toebox and is far more versatile, working to your best runs, your medium tempo runs, in addition to a number of the quicker stuff, whereas the New Stability actually solely slots in for straightforward runs or day by day coaching for individuals who favor softness over all the things else. That stated, it’s a lot softer touchdown than the Triumph, although it lacks the bounce the Triumph 22 has.

Index to all RTR critiques: HERE 

Looking for the 1080 v14 at our companions, together with New Stability under, is far appreciated and helps assist RoadTrailRun

Tester Profiles

Zack Dunn: is a collegiate runner at Lewis College. I’ve been working for 8 years, and centered solely on working after giving up on years of baseball and wrestling. I race distances between 800 meters and 10K  whether or not or not it’s on the observe, the roads, or on cross nation programs. I do most of my coaching on the roads, some coaching on the observe, and sometimes run trails logging anyplace from 65-80 miles every week. My typical coaching consists of simple days, lengthy days, exercises (fartleks, tempos, interval coaching, and so forth.). My typical coaching paces vary from 7’30 a mile on simple days to sub-5 minutes a mile on quick interval days, and with many paces in between. My private bests are 4:20 for 1600m, 8:42 for 3000m, 14:51 for 5K, and 25:24 for 8k.  

Jeff Beck is the token gradual runner of the RTR lineup, and as such his viewpoints on shoe and kit can differ from those that routinely end marathons in three hours or much less. Jeff runs 20 miles per week on roads and trails round Denver, CO (and typically on the treadmill when the climate will get an excessive amount of for a Phoenix native). Jeff solely received into working in his 30s, because of this his profession PR’s are 4:07 for the marathon and 5K at 23:39. Jeff has completed a number of extremely marathons, from 50K as much as 50 miles, and continues to be debating if he needs to go down that highway once more.

Sally is a lifelong runner and mom of 5 who agreed in opposition to her higher judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the previous eleven Boston Marathons, two NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights. With a Boston PR of three:25:55 in 2022 (ninth place in AG) and two consecutive 2nd place in Age Group W60 awards in NYC, she competed within the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships on the 2022 London Marathon and ran an all-time PR of three:24:02, putting sixth on the earth in her girls’s 60-64 age group.  She additionally competes in USATF races with the Better Lowell Highway Runners workforce. So as to add which means to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Staff Eye and Ear and has raised over $320,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally is 5’2’’ and 105 kilos and lives in Marblehead, MA, coaching outdoor 12 months spherical. She blames her love of snowboarding out West for any and all Boston Marathon coaching challenges.