New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14   Review

The Brooks Ghost 16 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14 are both daily trainers, but they give you slightly different versions of what that means. The Brooks is the more stable option, with a slightly firmer feel and better energy return under the forefoot, making it a touch more responsive during easy runs and steady daily mileage. The New Balance is a bit more cushioned, with slightly better heel and forefoot protection and a roomier fit, though it doesn’t feel especially energetic either, and both shoes are better kept to easy and steady efforts. The Brooks suits runners who want a steadier, more traditional trainer. For a little more cushioning, comfort, and room in the fit, the New Balance is the pick for relaxed daily miles.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 has had several major updates that make it a very different shoe from the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14. The v15 is much taller, sitting 5 mm higher in the heel than the v14. With its less pronounced heel-to-toe drop, the forefoot of the v15 sits 7 mm higher, so there is more cushioning underfoot. New Balance also changed the outsole grip pattern on the v15, leaving a bit more of the foam exposed and fully gusseted the tongue to improve lockdown. Overall, the v15 feels much more like a running shoe, while the v14 is more of a walking shoe.