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Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Jun 19, 2026 06:14 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 16, 2026 02:05 PM
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New Balance
Heel Stack Height
39.4 mm
Weight
286.6 g (10.11 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.3 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
37.2 mm
Weight
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
14.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
New Balance AC Runner
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 is a better running shoe than the New Balance AC Runner. The 880v15 is both lighter and better cushioned, so you'll feel more nimble on your feet while also being better protected from impact. The AC Runner has a much steeper heel-to-toe drop, so it could be a better choice if your Achilles tendon needs support.
Variants
- Fresh Foam X 880v15 (Black Cement/Sea Salt/Silver Metallic - (Women - US 7))
- Fresh Foam X 880v15 (Black/Black/Black Metallic - (Men - US 9))
- AC Runner (Altitude/Black/Black Metallic - (Men - US 9))
- AC Runner (Navy/Black/Dark Silver Metallic - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.8
4.7
Forefoot Stack Height
32.1 mm
22.8 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.5
4.1
Outsole Arch Width
77 mm (3.0")
53 mm (2.1")
Heel Stack Height
39.4 mm
37.2 mm
Weight
4.9
4.4
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.2
4.7
Rocker Stiffness
7.7
4.1
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.2
4.2
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.9
4.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
286.6 g (10.11 oz)
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.4 mm
37.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
32.1 mm
22.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.3 mm
14.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
12.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
90 mm (3.5")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
77 mm (3.0")
53 mm (2.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
111 mm (4.4")
107 mm (4.2")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.28
2.25
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.46
4.69
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
283 mm (11.1")
280 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
67 mm (2.6")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
93 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.8
8.8
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-0.9 mm (-0.035")
-2.5 mm (-0.100")
Toe TTS Deviation
0.8 mm (0.030")
-2.2 mm (-0.085")
Forefoot Fit: Height
4.9
4.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-6.0 mm (-0.236")
-6.0 mm (-0.237")
Arch Fit: Width
9.7
9.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-0.9 mm (-0.035")
-0.8 mm (-0.031")
Length Fit
5.0
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.2
7.1
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
23 mm (0.9")
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
26.1%
15.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
16.8°
23.4°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.2
4.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
49 mm (1.9")
30 mm (1.2")
Toe Apex Position
62.2%
65.6%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.0°
16.7°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Fresh FoamX
Primary Foam Type
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Round
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
3.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
8.5%
Breathability
4.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
1.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
13.7 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
31.6 hrs
Time To Dry
52.6 hrs
Water Absorption
6.2
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
50.3%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
6.0
1.9
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
73.3%
67.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
6.2
4.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
73.7%
71.5%
Heel Cushioning
6.9
7.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.21 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
8.48 J
8.63 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.65 J
15.55 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.3
4.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.35 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.72 J
4.88 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
11.56 J
6.91 J
Heel Firmness
8.5
8.7
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
46.6 N/mm
50.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
59.5 N/mm
61.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
83.5 N/mm
83.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.8
9.8
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
63.9 N/mm
85.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
82.2 N/mm
116.6 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
113 N/mm
165 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.5
4.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
7.20 J
4.61 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.96 J
4.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.81 J
4.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.69 J
4.38 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.7
4.1
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
108 N
31 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
4.9
4.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
56.4%
53.7%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.3
6.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
19.1 N/mm
13.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
381 N
240 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
11.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
18.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
9.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
11.1 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.4 mm
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15
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Comments
New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 vs New Balance AC Runner: Main Discussion
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