New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 vs ASICS GlideRide Max: Two Soft Everyday Trainers Compared

Introduction

Soft everyday trainers dominate the market right now, and two of the best to hit shelves recently are the ASICS GlideRide Max and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14. Both sit at a similar price point, both use soft foam underfoot, and both are designed for cruising rather than speed. The GlideRide Max runs $170 and the 1080 v14 runs $165, so this is a genuinely close call for anyone shopping in that range.

After putting real miles into both, the comparison comes down to ride character: coddling comfort versus a rockered, slightly firmer roll. Here is how they stack up.

Two Soft Shoes, Two Different Rides

Neither of these is a speed shoe, and neither is a super max stack shoe in the $200 mold. They are soft workhorses: they give you back roughly what you put into each stride, without race foam fighting for you. That makes them best judged on fit, comfort, and daily usability.

Stack height is close but not identical. The GlideRide Max measures around 44-46 mm in the heel, while the 1080 v14 comes in around 38-40 mm. Both use a 6 mm drop. Despite the numbers, the GlideRide Max does not feel dramatically taller on foot, though a side-by-side walk test reveals a slight lift, perhaps a few percent higher off the ground.

ASICS GlideRide Max: The Rockered Contender

The GlideRide Max is a big departure from the GlideRide 3, which was firmer, faster, and plated for workouts. This version is a soft, rockered cruiser, and it has flown somewhat under the radar, likely because it launched sandwiched between two big releases in the same category.

Its standout features are a new FF Blast Max foam, soft and bouncy underfoot, plus a partial EVA plate that stops short of the forefoot. That means you keep some forefoot flexibility instead of the rigid feel of a fully plated shoe. The prominent rocker tips you along, giving a reinforced, assisted rolling sensation.

On foot it feels more streamlined than the name suggests: it is not as soft as the Glycerin Max and not as protective as the MagMax, making it the pick for slightly quicker days like progression runs or strides within the soft shoe category. It runs true to size with a comfortable padded upper, though the forefoot is a touch narrower, and some runners may notice pressure from the lacing over the top of the foot.

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14: The Soft Standard

The 1080 v14 is fully plated in the sense that it has no plate at all: it is a pure soft foam shoe, with 100% Fresh Foam giving a sink-in, coddling step from the first mile. It wins the softness contest clearly, and it feels more flexible and closer to the ground than the GlideRide Max.

The v14 firms up the midsole by 3-5% over the v13 and smooths out the rocker. If you do not care about having the latest model number, the previous version remains a strong value option at a lower price. Either way, the 1080 line is tried and tested for daily miles.

For walking, standing, and casual all-day use, the 1080 takes it: more ground feel, more flexibility, and a softer step. It feels like the more traditional pick of the two, offering generous cushioning while retaining some classic daily trainer character.

Overall Buying Advice

The simplest summary: softness goes to the 1080 v14, roll and rocker go to the GlideRide Max. Both have comfortable uppers and run true to size, and neither is ideal for hard speed workouts or very long 20-plus mile efforts, where a firmer or max stack shoe would serve you better.

It is also worth noting that your preference can shift with your training phase. On tired legs, very soft shoes can feel like running on pudding, and some runners gravitate toward firmer, more efficient-feeling platforms. If you already know you prefer soft and squishy, both of these deliver.

Which One Should You Buy

For most people, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 is the recommendation. It is the tested, reliable choice for daily miles, offers more ground feel and flexibility, and doubles as a great walking and casual shoe with plenty of colorways available. Choose the ASICS GlideRide Max if you specifically want a rockered, slightly more protective ride with a bit of pop from the top foam layer, and you do not mind a narrower forefoot and a $170 price tag.

Conclusion

Both are excellent soft everyday trainers, and neither will disappoint if soft comfort is the priority. The 1080 v14 is the safer, more versatile pick for the majority of runners, while the GlideRide Max rewards those who want a rolling, assisted ride. Match the shoe to how you actually run, and either one will put in the work.