By Brian Metzler

Every runner’s shoe quiver needs a model like the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 in it. 

It’s a comfortable and reliable everyday trainer with a premium feeling that can be a workhorse shoe for a runner ramping up their miles to train for a half marathon or marathon. Nothing new there, right? Wrong. Although this shoe has been the marquee model of the New Balance line for years and always a good everyday trainer, it underwent significant changes over the past year that have brought enhanced comfort and performance. 

The 1080 has evolved and generally improved through the years, though in recent years it has paled in comparison to so many training shoes that feel so bouncy and responsive. This one isn’t bouncy, but it feels more propulsive — at least to the point that it feels like it’s working with you and helping you move forward. And that’s largely because the Fresh Foam X midsole material isn’t as marshmallow soft as it’s been in the past and also has a new forward-angled geometry that makes it feels like it’s doing some of the work for you. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 ($165) is still a very good go-to training shoe for slower to moderate paces, but it’s a notch above compared to previous versions.

What’s New: The v14 rides a lot smoother than the previous editions thanks to a new, slightly firmer configuration of the Fresh Foam X midsole that has higher sidewalls and a more pronounced rocker geometry that adds both stability and forward propulsion. The new edition also features a triple jacquard mesh upper that provides increased breathability in key areas and a full-coverage rubber outsole for improved durability and traction

Fit/Feel/Ride: The FreshFoam X 1080v14 fits true to size with a medium-volume interior and plenty of wiggle room in the toe box. The stretchy upper is breathable and supportive, helping really dial-in a locked-down fit with the softly padded gusseted tongue and secure rearfoot that’s enhanced by an interior heel counter. The step-in feel is comfortable but not excessively plush like some other premium-level daily training shoes. But it’s the ride that really feels great about this shoe. The changes to the shoe’s geometry and midsole were immediately noticeable as I started running and sensed a forward-leaning sensation to every stride. The midsole still feels soft, absorbent, and responsive, but it produces more of a rolling sensation than a bouncy feeling, and that’s good for the slower to medium-paced running this shoe is best at. 

Why It’s Great: New Balance has continued to improve its franchise everyday training shoe since adding its FreshFoam X midsole compound to it two years ago, but the geometry of those shoes made them feel a bit flat. Not bad, but just not very vibrant. But the new geometry adds a bit of subtle repulsiveness to the latest edition. It’s not overwhelming, but it is just enough to feel like it puts a slight spring in my step and helps me roll through one stride and into the next. It’s not meant to be a high-energy training shoe like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 or the Asics Novablast 4, but it’s much improved with a much livelier feel than ever before.

Specs

Weights: 8.4 oz (women’s 8);  9.9 oz. (men’s 9)

Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm; 38mm (heel), 32mm (forefoot) 

Why You’ll Love it: I love that it’s still relatively light for a well-cushioned everyday trainer and it’s also slightly lower to the ground. As training shoes have evolved, the prevailing trend has been to load up shoes with high-stack midsoles, and while that has resulted in a lot of super-cushy shoes, it’s also led to shoes that are both slightly heavier and lack feeling for the ground. I really liked the soft rolling sensation for medium-length to longer runs (8 to 15 miles), even though the sweet spot was running at moderate (Zone 2, Zone 3) paces. Because the midsole foam isn’t mushy soft and actually slightly firmer, I was able to feel the ground better than in many shoes, and that enhanced my ability to control how I land and lift off the ground, and that ultimately improved my agility and stride turnover.

Pro: It’s one of the most comfortable shoes I have worn this year. While the interior has just enough padding, the tongue does a great job of staying in place and contributing to the overall fit and comfort out on the run.

Con: While I would consider this an everyday trainer, it’s not quite as versatile as some other shoes because it’s not a shoe I’d prefer wearing for faster-paced runs. It can hold its own for moderately fast tempo runs, but it just doesn’t have the giddy-up for running 5K race pace or doing shorter workouts like mile repeats.