New Balance 1080 v15 review

After pushing the New Balance 1080 v15 to the limit, we concluded that it’s amazing for:

• Neutral runners who want a plush daily trainer that stays comfortable over long, easy miles.
• Longtime fans of the 1080 series who were waiting for a real upgrade in foam and overall feel. It's here!
• Runners who love ultra-soft midsoles and are fine paying a bit more for a premium daily trainer with strong cushioning and comfort.

We think the cloud-like midsole of the 1080 v15 can be a deal-breaker for runners who prefer a more balanced and controlled ride. If that's you, we believe there are better choices like the Saucony Ride 19 or the HOKA Clifton 10.

We also do not recommend the 1080 v15 for runners with stability needs. From our perspective, the ride can feel wobbly, even at easy paces. We are convinced that options such as the Saucony Tempus 2 or the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 are superior daily trainers for those seeking support.

One thing loyal users of the 1080 series expect is top-tier shock absorption, and our lab testing confirms that the new midsole delivers.

With 147 SA in the heel and 126 SA in the forefoot, it clearly beats the average and feels like an ideal option for heavier runners or long run fans.

Fresh Foam X was long due for a replacement, as many competitors had already moved ahead with more advanced foams in training shoes, with the Adidas Adizero EVO SL and Nike Vomero Plus as clear examples. In 2026, New Balance finally responds.

The 1080 v15 introduces the new Infinion foam. It is a TPEE-based foam, similar to Lightstrike Pro, blended with 20% EVA and offering a clear jump in energy return over the previous version. In our lab, it reached 65.9% of bounce in the heel and 69.1% in the forefoot, making the 1080 series more versatile and better suited for runners who want performance during training.

Leaving complex equipment aside, we used our digital callipers to check the real stack height of the 1080 v15. We measured 37.0 mm, which matches exactly what we recorded last year.

In our view, this is a positive outcome. Many brands now push past 40 mm even in daily trainers, but the 1080 v15 feels better with a less extreme setup.

Since New Balance keeps the drop at 6 mm, a forefoot measurement close to 30 mm was what we anticipated, especially given how the drop feels on the run. After testing, we measured 30.6 mm, confirming there is plenty of foam up front too.

Last year we saw a larger gap between the stated drop and the measured value, but with the new Infinion foam, the NB 1080 v15 shows a real drop of 6.4 mm. This stays true to the series DNA and makes the shoe an appealing option for midfoot strikers.

In recent years, the most polarising trait of the 1080 series has been its extremely plush feel underfoot. For fans of that sensation, we confirmed in the lab and during our runs that this shoe still feels like running on clouds.

The new Infinion foam felt very soft on the run, and our lab testing backed that up with an 8.5 HA reading. That is 29% softer than the 1080 v14, so anyone worried about losing that marshmallow-like feel can relax, as it goes even further.

Since this is a completely new foam, we also cut a small piece and examined it under the microscope. What we saw was a very lightweight, open cell structure, marking the first use of a supercritical process in the 1080 series.

The 1080 v15 uses a moderate forefoot rocker and a large, aggressive heel bevel that helps the rolling motion for heel strikers, especially with its mid-drop setup.

We are glad that New Balance avoided going fully super-rockered like some competitors. Thanks to a non-maximalist stack height and decent flexibility, the ride feels more natural and less artificial underfoot.

We created a gel mould to check the fit of the 1080 v15, as we do with every shoe. From our testing, the first measurement came out at a near-average 94.8 mm of width.

It is also worth noting that New Balance stands out for offering multiple width options in the 1080 series, including standard, wide (2E), and even extra-wide (4E) in some markets like the US.

It feels clear that New Balance aimed to make the 1080 v15 work for as many feet as possible, as we again measured an average result. Our digital callipers recorded 73.2 mm when checking the toebox.

It almost feels like they designed the shoe around our lab averages, because we measured a toebox height of 27.1 mm.

Combined with the soft and stretchy knit upper, this setup leaves plenty of room and avoids pressure, and with these measurements plus multiple width options, the 1080 v15 fit should suit most runners.

New Balance has many strengths as a brand, but road outsoles are usually not where they stand out. That said, the 1080 v15 posts a solid 0.56 grip score, working well on both dry and wet roads.

We know it is not outstanding, but in our view, is clearly good enough and also a small step up from the 0.52 we measured on version 14.

The outsole combines exposed Infinion foam through the midfoot with segmented rubber patches placed only in key contact areas.

Two black rubber pods sit under the heel, while green rubber covers the forefoot. Long vertical cutouts split the foam to allow flex, and the midfoot shows pod-like shapes that are slightly textured for better grip.

Running shoes keep getting stiffer year after year, so it is refreshing to see New Balance pushing the other way. The 1080 v15 is slightly less stiff than its predecessor and posted a reasonable 15.1N result.

The good news with the 1080 v15 keeps coming. We found a major weight drop thanks to the new Infinion foam, going from 10.1 oz or 285g in the 1080 v14 to just 9.0 oz or 255g in version 15. That is a strong 10% improvement that highlights the value of advanced, supercritical foams.

The difference while running is striking. In this weight range, a 10% reduction is easy to feel underfoot, even more so than in heavier shoes where similar changes can go unnoticed.

Aside from plush cushioning, a soft and premium-feeling upper is the other key trait loyal 1080 fans expect every year, and we can confirm that the knit upper delivers on that promise.

Even with comfort as the main focus, New Balance managed to build an upper that also handles airflow well, earning a 4/5 score in our lab breathability test.

That is not easy with a knit construction, yet the shoe features many ventilation holes spread across the upper that clearly help air move in and out.

Using our microscope, we examined these vents up close and confirmed that their placement and finish are precise and in line with the shoe’s premium price.

Overall, the upper gets almost everything right, as it stays lightweight, feels very comfortable around the heel, and offers good airflow through the forefoot.

The 1080 v15 returns to a more compact design than recent versions, which is why we recommend it only for fully neutral runners. The very plush foam also matters here, and runners with support needs, even mild ones, should look elsewhere.

The softer foam and the new outsole design bring a more flexible build, which we see as a positive change as many shoes are moving in the opposite direction. As a result, this 3/5 flexibility feels refreshing and boosts comfort during easy runs, which make up a large part of the 1080’s use.

New Balance used a firm heel counter that earned a 4/5 rating, adding extra stability to the rear of the shoe. At the same time, generous padding with high-quality foam keeps it comfortable and pleasant.

We clearly felt during our runs that the 1080 v15 has a more compact shape than most competitors and earlier versions, and our lab measurements confirm it. With just 108.9 mm in the forefoot, this shoe truly goes against the current trend.

The 1080 v15 is also narrower than its predecessor in the heel, measuring just 91.4 mm.

While this sits around the average range, the ultra-plush Infinion foam limits stability, so as noted earlier, it is best suited for neutral runners.

Knit uppers, because of their soft and pleasant feel, are usually more delicate than mesh, and adding ventilation holes often makes durability an even bigger concern.

However, we saw a very strong result here. After running the Dremel at 5K RPM, damage was minimal, which earned the 1080 v15 an excellent 4 out of 5 score.

To our surprise, the heel padding earned a lower 3/5 score. This is one of the few shoes we have tested where the toebox outperformed the heel.

When it comes to outsole durability, the New Balance 1080 v15 delivered an acceptable result. Using a tyre tread gauge, we measured 1.0 mm of wear.

Everyone expects a daily trainer to handle at least 500 miles, and New Balance clearly played it safe with the 1080 v15.

We noted that NB placed 3.0 mm of rubber under the Infinion foam, a smart move given the shoe’s low weight and one that could allow future versions to trim rubber if durability improves.

The insole landed in the common range we see in the lab, between 4 and 5 mm. More precisely, we measured 4.3 mm.

The insole is fully removable, so swapping it for a thinner or thicker option is easy if you want to fine-tune the fit.

Two factors explain why the 1080 v15 posts a below-average result in this test. First, the 20% EVA content makes the Infinion foam less effective than full TPEE options. Second, ultra-plush foams (like this one) lose softness more easily than firmer midsoles, where changes stay more limited.

The 1080 v15 delivers excellent reflectivity and ranks among the best shoes we have seen in recent months for visibility during night runs.

There are no major changes to the lacing system, as New Balance sticks with flat laces running through reinforced eyelets, along with a tongue loop that helps keep everything centred and secure.

The tongue is a key part of the 1080 v15, as it strongly shapes the premium step-in feel buyers expect. Its 8.5 mm thickness works very well here, especially thanks to the high-quality foam New Balance used.

We also liked the semi-gusseted design with two elastic straps that are ventilated as well. These are the kind of premium details we expect from a high-end daily trainer, and they are not always included.

The 1080 v15 comes with a small price increase, which is never great to see, but in this case it feels justified. For just 5 more dollars than last year, you get a clearly improved foam, a premium-quality upper, and a noticeable weight reduction—all in the same shoe. And now it feels like a fair deal for runners who care about energy return.

However, it’s also worth noting that New Balance’s unusual currency conversion can make the 1080 feel overpriced in some markets outside the US.

Aesthetically, the heel design of the 1080 v14 was not the most appealing we had seen. This update fully addresses that, showing more detail, better materials, and added comfort, while still skipping a pull tab.