Flagship Daily Trainer Gets Real Foam Upgrade
Quick Answer: New Balance 1080v15 Review: The New Balance 1080v15 is the brand’s flagship cushioned daily trainer, and this version swaps Fresh Foam for a new, livelier Infinion foam. The result is lighter, more energetic and more planted than the v14, a plush ride that still handles uptempo miles. The fit is slightly slimmer than the roomy v14, so wide-footed fans should note the change, but most runners get the best 1080 yet. It fits true to size. Check the latest price on Amazon.
The New Balance 1080v15 is the latest version of the brand’s premium cushioned daily trainer, and it is the most significant update in years. The headline is the midsole: New Balance retired Fresh Foam in favor of Infinion, a new foam that is lighter and livelier while keeping the plush, protective feel the 1080 is known for. Livelier here means more energy return, the springy sensation of the foam pushing back as you stride.
The result is a shoe that feels fresher and more energetic than the v14, with a notable drop in weight. It is still a soft, comfortable long-run cruiser first, but it now has more life for picking up the pace. The one change to know about is fit, which is a touch slimmer than the famously roomy v14.
Specs
Here are the specifications for the New Balance 1080v15:
| Category | Premium cushioned daily trainer |
| Weight | ~9.2 oz / 261 g (men’s US 9.5); ~7.3 oz / 208 g (women’s US 7) |
| Stack height | ~40 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 6 mm |
| Midsole | Infinion foam (TPEE-based, blended with EVA), no plate |
| Upper | Engineered knit |
| Best for | Cushioned daily miles, long runs and easy uptempo work |
| Price | Launched at about $170 in 2025. Check latest price |
Best for
Runners who want a plush, protective daily trainer for high-mileage weeks, and 1080 fans who want more energy and less weight than before.
Pros
- New Infinion foam is livelier with better energy return
- Noticeably lighter than the v14
- Plush, protective ride that still suits long runs
- More planted and secure than before
- Handles easy uptempo miles better than a pure cushion trainer
Cons
- Slimmer fit than the roomy v14 may disappoint wide-footed fans
- Premium price for a daily trainer, at about $170 at its 2025 launch
- Still a cushioned trainer, not a true speed shoe
- Long-time Fresh Foam fans will need to adjust to a new feel
What’s new in the New Balance 1080v15
The big change is the foam. New Balance replaced Fresh Foam with Infinion, a TPEE-based compound blended with EVA that is softer yet more responsive, with more energy return than the 1080 has ever had. The shoe also lost meaningful weight, and the fit was tightened through the midfoot and forefoot for a more secure, performance-leaning lockdown. Taken together, these changes move the 1080 from a soft, roomy cruiser toward a livelier, more capable trainer. Nothing about the plush, protective character is lost, which is the clever part: the shoe feels familiar to long-time fans while doing more on the run. The main thing to weigh is the fit, since the extra security comes at the cost of some of the old generous room.
Who should buy the New Balance 1080v15
Buy the 1080v15 if you want one plush, protective shoe for the bulk of your training. Its deep cushioning suits easy days and long runs, and the new foam gives it enough life for steady and uptempo efforts, so it does not feel like a one-speed shoe. It is a strong pick for higher-mileage runners who want comfort without a dead, heavy ride, and for anyone stepping up their distance who wants a shoe that protects the legs. It also works well as a do-most-things trainer alongside a lighter, faster shoe for workout days, since it covers the easy and long miles with room to spare.
Who should avoid it
Skip it if you loved the wide, roomy fit of the v14 and cannot size around the slimmer forefoot, because this is the one area where the update takes something away. Runners who want a firm, fast, low-profile trainer will also find it too soft and too tall, and it is not the shoe for serious speed work or racing. Budget-focused buyers may balk at the premium price, since there are capable cushioned trainers for less. And anyone who needs built-in support for overpronation should look at a stability model, as the 1080v15 is a neutral shoe with no guidance features.
How does the New Balance 1080v15 fit?
Here is how the V15 fits and feels.
Fit and sizing
The 1080v15 fits true to size in length, but the volume is slimmer than the v14, with a more contoured, secure midfoot and forefoot. Most runners can order their usual size and enjoy the more locked-in feel. Wide-footed runners who relied on the v14’s generous room should try before they buy, or choose one of the wide-width options New Balance offers, which are a real strength of the brand.
Upper and step-in comfort
The engineered-knit upper is soft and comfortable, with a more performance-minded hold than the outgoing model. Step-in comfort is plush and premium, in keeping with a flagship trainer, while the closer midfoot keeps the foot better centered on the platform. The result feels secure without being tight, which suits both easy miles and the occasional faster effort.
How does the New Balance 1080v15 perform?
Here is our evaluation of performance.
Midsole and cushioning
Infinion is the story. The new foam is soft and protective underfoot, yet there is a clear jump in energy return over Fresh Foam, so the ride feels bouncier and less muted, with more of that spring back at toe-off. The tall stack keeps long runs comfortable, while the added responsiveness stops the shoe from feeling flat on faster days. It is a genuinely better midsole, not just a rebrand, and it is the main reason the v15 is worth the upgrade.
Ride and running performance
On the road, the 1080v15 is a plush cruiser that now has some spark. It does its best work at daily training and long-run paces, where the cushioning and the lower weight make the miles feel easy, and it has enough life for fartleks and steady efforts when you want to press. It is not a speed shoe, and it will not replace a tempo trainer, but as an everyday workhorse it is more versatile than before and rarely feels like a chore to run in.
Stability and support
This is a neutral shoe, which means it has no medial post or guidance to slow inward roll, so it will not correct overpronation. Even so, the tightened fit and broad platform make it feel more planted and centered than the roomy v14. Runners who need real stability should look at a guidance or stability model instead.
Outsole, grip and durability
New Balance uses durable rubber across the outsole, and the 1080 has a long record as a high-mileage trainer that holds up well. Plan on the usual 300 to 500 miles of useful life as a broad guideline rather than a fixed number, with dependable grip on dry and damp roads. It is a road shoe, so leave the gravel and trails to something with more aggressive lugs.
Is the New Balance 1080v15 good for walking?
Yes, the 1080 has long been a favorite for walking and standing, and the v15 keeps that appeal. The soft, tall cushioning is forgiving for long walks, travel and hours on hard floors, and the lower weight helps on all-day wear, so it is easy to be on your feet in. The rolling, cushioned platform feels natural at walking speed rather than clunky, which matters over a full day. The one caveat is the slimmer fit, so walkers who want maximum toe-box room should try it on first or pick a wide width. For anyone who wants a single shoe that runs and walks in comfort, it is one of the safer choices in this class.
New Balance 1080v15 vs the 1080 v14
Feature | 1080v15 | 1080 v14 |
Midsole | Infinion, livelier | Fresh Foam X, softer feel |
Weight | Lighter | Heavier |
Fit | Slimmer, more secure | Roomier, wider |
Ride | More planted and energetic | Softer, less lively |
Price |
The v15 is the pick for the lighter, livelier ride and the better energy return. The New Balance 1080 v14 still makes sense if you find it discounted or you prefer its roomier fit and the classic Fresh Foam feel.
New Balance 1080v15 alternatives
Runners who want the same everyday comfort for less money, in a firmer package, should look at the New Balance 880v15 (check price | read review). It is a more traditional, lower-cost daily trainer that trades some of the 1080’s plush bounce for a steadier, no-frills ride.
Those who want a firmer, more maximal cushioned feel often cross-shop the Hoka Bondi 9 (check price | read review), which stacks more foam and adds a stronger rocker to roll you through each stride.
If the one thing that puts you off is the slimmer fit, the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 (check price | read review) is another plush, protective daily trainer with a more generous, structured fit that suits higher-volume feet. Which one wins depends on whether you value the 1080’s new energy, the 880’s value, the Bondi’s max cushion or the Nimbus’s roomier hold.
Price and value
The 1080v15 launched at about $170 in 2025, a premium daily-trainer price, and the new foam and lower weight make it easier to justify than before. It is not the cheapest cushioned trainer, but you are paying for a genuinely improved ride and flagship comfort that holds up over high mileage. For a runner who logs a lot of easy and long miles, that is money well spent. For current pricing, use the button below.
Final verdict
Best for: higher-mileage runners who want a plush, protective daily trainer with more energy and less weight than before.
Avoid if: you need the wide, roomy fit of the v14, or you want a firm, fast, low-profile shoe.
Fit: true to size in length but slimmer than the v14; wide-footed runners should size carefully or pick a wide width.
Verdict: the New Balance 1080v15 is the best 1080 in years, with a livelier foam, a lighter build and a more secure fit. Just check the slimmer shape if you loved the old room.
Frequently asked questions
It is New Balance’s new midsole foam that replaces Fresh Foam in the 1080v15. It is lighter and more energetic, so the ride feels bouncier without losing the plush feel.
Yes. The 1080 is a longtime favorite for walking and standing thanks to its soft, tall cushioning, though the slimmer fit means wide feet should try it on or pick a wide width.
Yes. New Balance offers the 1080v15 in multiple widths, which helps because the standard fit is slimmer than the roomy v14.
Yes. Its plush, tall cushioning and lighter weight make it a comfortable long-run and high-mileage trainer with enough energy for steady efforts.
Yes in length, but the fit is slimmer than the v14. Most runners can order their usual size, while wide-footed runners should try it on or choose a wide width.
No, it is neutral. Runners who need support should choose a stability or guidance model instead.
