New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 review: Fresh kicks, no tricks

New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080 Series is one of my all-time favourite running shoe franchises. I love the squishiness, comfort, and relaxed running experience the shoes provide. I wear the 1080 for walking as much as I do for running; it’s one of the most versatile shoes in my rotation.

Because of this, I’m always surprised to hear people, especially beginner runners, say that the Fresh Foam 1080 is too soft and feels somewhat unstable. I guess my ankles are more used to controlling high-stack running shoes, so shuffling around the Fresh Foam 1080 never felt like a choro.

New Balance listened to this type of feedback and made the latest iteration, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14, the subject of this review, more stable than its predecessors. Since I liked the previous two iterations a lot, I wondered how the ‘new and improved’ Fresh Foam X 1080v14 would feel.

I’ve been running, walking, and practically living in the shoes for the last month or so, giving me plenty of time to see how the shoe compares to the best running shoes, including one of my personal favourites, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13. Let’s dive in!

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 review

Price and availability

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 was launched in September 2024 and is available to buy now at New Balance for a recommended price of $165. It’s the same MSRP/RRP as the 1080v13, which is good news for runners. The shoes come in more colourways than before in an effort to make them more appealing to a broader set of runners.

Specifications

• Weight: 300g/ 10.4oz (men’s US 9.5), 235g/ 8.3oz (women’s US 7)
• Drop: 6mm
• Stack height: 38 mm (heel), 32 mm (forefoot)
• Foam: Fresh Foam X platform
• Upper: New engineered mesh
• Best for: Daily training, recovery, plantar fasciitis
• Sizing: Go half size up your normal shoe size

Design and materials

New Balance made subtle changes to the Fresh Foam X 1080v14. The brand claims it has updated the midsole geometry to increase stability. To address the squidginess issues, the forefoot section is now slightly firmer to help people find their balance easier. This also provides a firmer toe-off platform than before. (Although, again, it’s far from being firm.)

The drop and stack height remained the same (6 mm and 38/32 mm, respectively). The shoes are neither too tall nor too sharply sloped – they feel comfortable enough to wear as daily runners or walking shoes. The front of the midsole seems to curve more than before, offering a rocker-like mechanism for better toe-offs.

The ‘Second Skin’ mesh upper has been updated; the new engineered mesh is said to be more breathable and has a more performance fit. I liked the knit-like upper of the previous iterations, and the Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is very similar and allows for more ventilation in the toe box. The shoes have traditional lacing, with the top eyelets reinforced for durability. 

The outsole has also been tweaked. New Baalnce applied more rubber in high-wear areas to increase the durability of the Fresh Foam X 1080v14. The change is quite obvious – the outsole pattern is completely different from the 1080v13.

Performance and comfort

The Fresh Foam X 1080v14 feels familiar to its predecessors, which is understandable, as the changes can be considered incremental. I appreciate New Balance didn’t try to label the improvements, saying the upper is now 3% more breathable, as those claims are always impossible to verify under real-world circumstances.

The slightly firmer forefoot is also imperceptible; I’m sure it’s more stable, but for me, it feels the same (or, at least, very similar). All this is good news for those like me who liked the previous two 1080s.

The shoes are as comfortable as they’ve ever been, and the Fresh Foam X is as peppy as I remember it. Although not a tempo shoe, I always found the Fresh Foam X series quite springy, allowing me to run faster if I want to. I woulnd’t necessarily reach for the shoes before a tempo session, but this peppiness make the shoes more versatile than some other, more specialised running shoes.

Overall, a very similar running experience to before, for better or worse, with only slight but welcome improvements.

Who’s the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 for?

I’d recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 for anyone looking for a comfortable daily trainer for running, jogging, and walking. Thanks to the new colourways, the shoes can also be used as sneakers, which isn’t surprising for a company as well-established in the fashion footwear scene as New Balance. The 1080v14 feels and looks good, so if that’s the kind of running shoes you like, you’ll appreciate them.

Should you buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14?

If you have any life left in your Fresh Foam X 1080v12 or 1080v13, I’d say you can give the 1080v14 a pass, at least until the inevitable discounts start rolling in. The shoes are great, but much like Apple Watches, they only offer minor improvements over their predecessor. If you haven’t any of the 1080s before, now is a good time to jump on board, thanks to slight tweaks that make the 1080v14 better suited for those runners who don’t like their footwear too soft. They are also worth a try if you’ve already put way too many miles in your previous 1080s.

Verdict

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is a minor upgrade over its predecessors. The changes are small, which is understandable, considering the 1080 series has already been expertly fine-tuned as is.

This begs the question: did we need another iteration just yet? I appreciate people might want to upgrade if they’ve already put 300-400 miles in their shoes, but otherwise, the 1080v14 is pretty much the identical shoe as before.

I would like to propose a deal not just for New Balance but also for the wider performance footwear industry. We don’t need massive changes every year; in fact, people often get upset if their beloved franchise changes too often.

Instead, make the shoes more sustainable year on year without changing the running dynamics too much. That would be a win for us all. Little to no information is available about the sustainability of the materials used and the processes involved in making the Fresh Foam X 1080v14 – how about making it less taxing on the environment?

Another criticism, so to speak, is making the shoes more like every other shoe on the market. I appreciate some people don’t like the softness of the 1080’s midsole, but they can go with the 880s – or any other, firmer shoes, for that matter. There is no need to tweak all shoes so they are all exactly the same (Brooks and Saucony started to do this by launching a max-cushioned version of all their franchises).

Let the 1080 be what it’s always been: a comfortable daily trainer that is easy to wear for running and walking. Just don’t forget to make it more sustainable, please. 

Also consider

Similar to the Fresh Foam X 1080v14, the Glycerin 20 offers plush cushioning for a smooth, comfortable ride. It uses DNA Loft v3 cushioning, which is responsive and soft. The shoe has a breathable mesh upper and offers a stable, supportive fit, making it a great option for daily training and walking.

Known for its soft, plush ride, the Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 features the brand's new PureGEL technology, offering an even softer heel strike. It's designed for stability and comfort with an engineered knit upper for breathability. If you're looking for a shoe that performs well on both short and long runs, this could be a great alternative.

The Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 offers maximum cushioning with the ZoomX foam, which is both soft and responsive, giving it a bouncier feel. The Flyknit upper ensures a snug, breathable fit, while its wide base provides stability, making it an ideal option for runners looking for a versatile, everyday trainer.

The Hoka Clifton series is known for its lightweight, cushioned ride, similar to the Fresh Foam series. The Hoka Clifton 9 features an updated midsole with more stack height for an even cushier experience, making it perfect for runners who want a soft, smooth ride.