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Review: New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
The new version of the New Balance FreshFoam X 1080 in its fourteenth edition has been unveiled, and we've already been running with it for two weeks. The opportunity to test it on different sessions and surfaces for a full review below. Revolution or simple evolution? Find out in this article!
|
DROP |
6 milimeters |
|
WEIGHT |
298 grams |
|
TYPE OF RUNNER |
Leisure and confirmed |
|
SHOE TYPE |
Training |
|
CARBON PLATE |
NO |
|
SELLING PRICE |
190 euros |
|
AVAILABILITY |
Gusseted tongue
FreshFoam X cushioning
New upper
3 reasons to run with the new 1080v14 :
Are you looking for a shoe with maximum comfort?
As soon as you slip them on, your feet feel like slippers. This New Balance FreshFoam X 1080 offers all the comfort you'd expect from this type of shoe. With its FreshFoam X cushioning, there's no revolution, since it's the same foam as the previous version - but its density has been modified to meet consumer expectations. It's a shoe we'll be using mainly for jogging or long outings, where the aim is to achieve maximum comfort. Experienced runners - on the other hand - will also find it ideal for "slower" jogging to recover as much as possible.
You are preparing for a marathon with a target time of over 4 hours:
We tend to favour carbon-plate models, but it all depends on the pace at which you run and the duration of your runs. Here, for a marathon lasting more than 4 hours - you'll find it much more worthwhile to go for this model, which will provide comfort and cushioning throughout the kilometers. The structure of the shoe ensures stability over longer distances. It's also less demanding than a carbon-plate shoe, so you'll have less muscle soreness after such a run.
You can run on roads, tracks or forest paths:
This is the strength of this model: excellent grip on both wet and dry roads. You can run just as well on firm ground as on softer terrain (forest paths). Obviously, this is not a trail model 😅. A leisure runner who's not looking for performance, but wants an "all-purpose" model, can totally go for it. There are much more dynamic shoes out there, but it's perfectly possible to do road or track sessions in them, for example.
NEW BALANCE
FreshFoam X 1080 v14
NEW BALANCE
FreshFoam X 1080 v14
2 points to remember about the new 1080v14 :
It's not a revolution compared to the previous version!
That's the question we've regularly been asked: there are improvements, but the feel isn't radically different. In our opinion, the most notable point is the shoe's fit. It has been reworked and fits the foot better than the previous version. If you tend to have a wide foot, take a half size up, it won't be a problem. The foam has also been reworked for a little more firmness up front and greater stability. Apart from that, the overall feel is very similar, and if you enjoyed the previous version, you won't be disappointed with this one! As is the durability, which was a quality of the thirteenth version and remains so this year. With the aim of reducing the carbon footprint, the foam in the Fresh Foam X midsole contains around 3% bio-based components, a nice touch for the American brand.
It has nothing to envy its competitors from other brands!
This was already the case for version 13, which we particularly liked, and it's the same for this one. We've placed it in the same range as an ASICS Nimbus 26, Saucony Triumph 22 or Brooks Glycerin 21, for example. Of course, you'll need to appreciate the shoe's very soft feel, but if you do, it'll be hard not to like this model for its comfort. Compared to the competition, it's a real winner, and one of our favorites.
Our shoe rotation tips at New Balance :
Shoe rotation means using two or three different models in your training week.
This is something we recommend if you have a performance-oriented profile and run more than 4 times a week:
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (road racing) - FuelCell SuperComp Pacer (fast training) - FreshFoam X 1080 v14 (jogging and long runs) - FreshFoam X Balos (jogging and long runs with maximum cushioning)
General opinion on the shoe
It's hard to find fault with this new training model from New Balance. Last year's version was very successful, but lacked stability due to the very soft cushioning. The foam remains the same, but the proportions have been improved, providing greater stability with a little more firmness at the front. The price remains unchanged at 190 euros, which is no mean feat. As you can see, this new version is a success in our opinion, and the few shortcomings we could find - have been remedied!
Highlights
Weak points
Size: if you have wide feet, you can take a half-size larger for greater comfort while remaining held in the shoe.
NEW BALANCE
FreshFoam X 1080 v14
Hello,
Very interesting opinion!
I've been running for 2-3 years with the 880 model, which regularly follows the 1080.
For fast sessions and intensive jogging, I've always felt better in the 880 because it holds me better (mesh less elastic).
Would it be possible to have a comparison between the 2 models?
Little or nothing is said about the 880.
Thank you
Hello,
Yes, of course, the 880 will be lighter, less "comfortable" than a 1080, with less cushioning and a smaller sole unit.
So the 880 will obviously be a little more "dynamic", even if that's not its main asset either.
In short, an 880 will be more for someone looking for comfort but without the maximalist cushioning found on a 1080 🙂
I hope I've answered your question.
Thanks for the review!
How does it compare to the Triumph 22, especially for a light weight (70kg) and a heel stride? I'm afraid the 6mm drop is problematic compared to the drop of the Triumph 22 or Glyerin 20/21?
Thanks again!
It's totally in the same range as a Triumph or a Glycerin 🙂 Yes, there's a 6mm drop, but it's no more of a problem than that since the shoe is maximalist with a lot of cushioning. If we were on a minimalist shoe, it wouldn't necessarily have been ideal, but that's not the case here 🙂
Hello, thank you for this article, it is indeed increasingly difficult to find THE right shoe!
Personally, I run with 880s (between 40 and 60km / week), I also do Trail with Salomon, and in December I'm starting a 100km road race.
What do you recommend? two pairs of shoes? change at the 50th or so? a pair of 1080s and a pair of X Balos? or two 880s?
Many thanks!
Hello, the 880 is an excellent shoe, but for 100km, we'd recommend a 1080 or a Balos, which will be much more comfortable. In my case, I'd even go for a 1080, which in theory will be a little more stable than a Balos (which is even softer) when you start to sag as the kilometers go by 🙂
Hello, I'm a new 1080 V4 buyer and I'm quite satisfied. Having problems with my left foot in particular, this model fits perfectly despite its weight of 298g. I'm able to manage my running paces, which are between 3.50 and 4.20, without any worries. So I highly recommend 👌
Great! Thanks for your feedback 🙂
thank you for your analysis! it's really great for helping people who are a little lost in this jungle of names, each one more exciting than the next, there are really too many models...
Hello,
Your material feedback is always great and ultra-professional. Bravo!
I'm looking for shoes with lots of cushioning for my next marathon. I'm 90 kg and 1m93 for 3h06 on marathon.
During my last marathon, I had nike vaporfly 2 and I had a lot of pain in my muscles and knees. Do you think the 1080s could do the job for me on a sub 3h00?
Hello, indeed the Vaporfly (or carbon shoes in general) are more demanding. The 1080 will clearly be less dynamic but much more comfortable, so it'll be fine for marathons.
Hello,
For a 1st marathon with +/- 6min/km, do you recommend New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V14 or Mizuno Neo Vista or Asics Superblast 2?
Thank you