By Kieran Alger
In past generations, you’d probably describe the New Balance 880 as a cheaper, basic alternative to the New Balance 1080. A kind of no-frills 1080. But the 880v15 has undergone a serious makeover. This much-transformed shoe now has a bigger stack, new uppers and a whole distinct ride that sets it further apart from its stablemate.
So which New Balance daily trainer will now suit your running needs best? We’re here to break it down and help you decide. Read my New Balance 880v15 vs New Balance 1080v14 comparison to find out.
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Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price
The New Balance 1080 V14 stack height drops in at 38mm / 32mm with a 6mm drop. The updated 880v15 now has a bigger, max-cushioned stack with 40.5mm in the heel and 34.5mm in the forefoot with the same 6mm drop.
When it comes to weight, the New Balance 1080 V14 put on a bit of weight. In our US Men’s 9.5 test shoe, it now tips the scales at 10.1oz / 285g. That’s close to an ounce heftier than the 1080 v13. Though it’s still lighter than the 880v15 which lands at 10.6oz / 299g.
When it comes to price, you’ll pay more for the New Balance 1080 V14. At $165 it sits firmly in the midrange bracket for a daily trainer. The New Balance 880v15 launches at $140 in a really competitive space with shoes like the Nike Vomero 18 and the new Under Armour Velociti Infinite 2.
Stats
New Balance | 1080v14 | 880v15 |
|---|---|---|
Best for | Daily miles | Daily miles |
Support | Neutral | Neutral |
Cushion | Max cushioning | Max cushioning |
Stack Height | 38mm heel | 40.5mm heel |
Drop | 6mm | 6mm |
Weight | 10.1oz / 285g | 10.6oz / 299g |
Suggested Retail Price | $165 | $140 |
Fit | Half size up | True to size |
Rating | 8.2/10 | 8.2/10 |
Design
Let’s start with the midsoles then and the New Balance 880v15’s rockered midsole uses the same FreshFoam X as you got in the 880v14 but there’s now more of it. That significantly changes the ride but more on that in a mo.
The New Balance 1080v14 also has a tweaked ride. The rockered midsole cut from FreshFoam X remains but there’s some increased stiffness in the forefoot to help with toe-off. The midsole feels like it’s tuned slightly firmer than the previous 1080v13.
Up top, both shoes combine soft and flexible, engineered and nicely breathable mesh uppers with highly padded heel collars and cushioned gusseted tongues. It’s all very plush and big-mileage friendly. There’s little to choose between the two. However, the 880v15 is more spacious with a more generous fit. The 1080v14 is more wrapped and less airy overall.
Flip them over and there’s a healthy covering of outsole rubber to boost the grip and durability. The 880v15 uses the same flex groove setup that we got in the old 1080v13 while the 1080v14 has moved to a two-piece forefoot outsole with a horseshoe ring and a central section to take care of the key landing zone.
New Balance 1080v14
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New Balance 880v15
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Fit
I ran in my regular New Balance size, a US 9.5 in both shoes. I had no trouble with locking and heel hold in either shoe. They’re solid in that regard. But the fit is different.
The New Balance 1080 v14 comes up quite short in the toe box. It’s notably more snug with a touch less flex for the toes, too. It’s just a bit more cramped across the top of the mid foot, something you notice, if like me, you’ve got quite high feet.
The New Balance 880v15 is much more spacious and airy in the toe box with more wiggle room and flex in the uppers. The fit is overall much more disappearing and on balance I prefer the freer feel of the 880v15 over the locked-in hugging of the 1080v14. There’s an argument to half size up in the 1080v14 if you prefer a more spacious fit.
Performance
In testing, I’ve run more than 40 miles in the New Balance 1080 V14 and more than 30 miles in the New Balance 880v15. I’ve done a lot of easy miles, some faster efforts with some runs up to 90 minutes. As usual, I covered a mix of road and light off-road river paths.
The 1080V14 is back to being marginally firmer with a bit of stiffness to the outsole and some additional resilience. That smooths the transitions and makes the ride a bit more immediate. There’s now a quicker response with the foam returning faster.
But it still ticks all the boxes for a plush and softer, max-cushioned comfort shoe. It’s a very capable easy-day recovery option that definitely rivals shoes like the ASICS Gel Nimbus 27 and the Saucony Triumph 22. But there’s some swifter pace potential, too.
The New Balance 880v15 is a bit of a surprise. Not only is it very different to the past-gen 880v14 but if you’re expecting a marshmallow softness from the big wedge of FreshFoam X, that’s not quite what you get. The big stack is soft but actually feels firmer and denser and although you've got FreshFoam X in both shoes, it’s not the same. The foam in the 880v15 is notably softer.
But I enjoyed the balance of cushion and response from that now bigger max-stack. It’s soft enough but not too sinky with a happy immediacy in the return. It maintains a good level of cushioned road protection and stability. The extra stack of FreshFoamX dampens more of the road than the more direct 880v14 but without being clumping or slappy. For a big stack shoe it’s certainly not what I’d call bouncy but there’s more energy than I got from the more traditional 880 v14.
The New Balance 1080v14 returns far quicker and has more energy to it. There's more immediacy and more punch. I also noticed the rockering much more in the 1080. The 880v15 runs a bit flatter while the 1080 feels smoother, faster and urges you to go a little bit faster than the 880.
If past generations of the New Balance 880 simply felt like a cheaper version of the 1080, that's definitely changed. It now cuts a unique path, doing a different job. If you want a shoe that offers a bit more cushion, a bit more protection without feeling sludgy, the 880 really does that job well.
My Verdict
Would I choose the New Balance 1080 v14 or 880 V15? It’s a toss up. Both are good for easy, cruising daily miles. There’s loads of comfort, plenty of cushioning and good stability in two great workhorses that serve up a healthy dose of versatility.
The marginally heavier New Balance 880 V15’s softer, cushioned edge is better suited to your easier, lower pace, maybe longer miles. The New Balance 1080v14 has a more energetic, snappier, rolling ride. Good for longer miles with a bit more speed, a bit more pace or when you might drop some faster intervals in the mix.
You’ll pay slightly more for the 1080v14 but if you’re looking for the most versatility, it’s the better option. It’ll cater for a wider range of your weekly miles. If you just want a reliable, comfortable, go-to easy shoe, the 880v15 is excellent.
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