New Balance 880v15 vs 1080v15
Fresh Foam X 880v15 or 1080v15? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.
The short answer
Want a sturdy, protective daily trainer? Get the Fresh Foam X 880v15.
Want the softest cushion we carry, in a light package? Get the 1080v15.
Get the Fresh Foam X 880v15 if
- You’d like a little less squish underfoot
- You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
- You’d rather spend $20 less
Get the 1080v15 if
- You want the softer, more cushioned ride
- You want more bounce and energy back
- You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
- You like a less rigid forefoot
On the run
Fresh Foam X 880v15: The sturdy, protective trainer. Dense, protective cushioning with a stiff, rockered forefoot that levers you forward. It’s dependable rather than exciting, and it softens a little with miles.
1080v15: The softest, lightest max cushion. A big change. New Balance’s new foam is the softest of any shoe here in lab tests, noticeably bouncy and much lighter than the v14. That softness can feel a little unstable for runners who need support.
Specs side by side
| Fresh Foam X 880v15 | 1080v15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.99 | $169.99 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 40.5 / 34.5mm* | 40 / 34mm* |
| Drop | 6mm* | 6mm |
| Weight, men’s | 9.9 oz* | 9.2 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 8.3 oz* | 7.3 oz |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Plate | None | None |
| Widths | Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra wide | Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra wide |
| Built for | Easy days, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear | Easy days, Long runs, Recovery runs, Walking & all-day wear |
| Expected life | 400–500 miles | 300–400 miles |
Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.
Fit
Fresh Foam X 880v15. A squared-off toebox with good toe height, in the widest range we carry: narrow through extra-wide. Lace it firmly to stop heel slip.
1080v15. True to size. Reviewers disagree on width, with some calling it roomy and others narrow, so try it on. The heel can slip on turns.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Fresh Foam X 880v15 · Shop the 1080v15 · Compare other running shoes