New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14  Running Shoe Review

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 and HOKA Bondi 9 are two comfort-focused daily trainers, each built rather differently. The Fresh Foam in the New Balance is very soft, but it can feel like running on sand, as it gives back much less of the energy you put into it. The HOKA has even more cushioning than the New Balance, but its foam bounces back much better. The standard version of the New Balance fits a bit more snugly than the HOKA, but both shoes are available in Wide versions.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 and ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both cushioned daily trainers, but they deliver that comfort in very different ways. The ASICS feels like the more modern option, pairing generous cushioning with noticeable bounce to create a fun, protective ride that stays lively for daily miles and steady efforts. The New Balance comes in heavier with a lower drop and focuses more squarely on cushioning and reliability, offering a stable, predictable platform that prioritizes comfort over energy return.

The New Balance X 1080v15 is a major update to the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14. After several years of relatively minor updates, the 15th iteration of the 1080 series replaced the entire midsole, getting rid of the actual Fresh Foam and replacing it with a bouncier, supercritical component that New Balance calls Infinion. This makes the v15 a much livelier daily trainer, with more cushioning in the heel. While it's a worthwhile upgrade over the v14, it's not without tradeoffs: the softer foam of the v15 bottoms out a bit faster during long runs, and the forefoot doesn't provide as much protection against heavy impacts.