New Balance Elipse vs 1080 V15: Which Daily Trainer Deserves Your Miles?

Introduction

New Balance currently sells two daily trainers that overlap more than their price tags suggest. The long-running 1080 is now on its 15th generation and returns with a new lightweight supercritical foam, while the Elipse is a Fresh Foam X daily trainer built for comfortable, happy mileage. The Elipse costs noticeably less, but the 1080 V15 brings newer technology and a livelier ride. This comparison breaks down where each shoe wins so you can decide which one fits your budget and your running.

Quick Specs Compared

The Elipse carries close to 38mm of stack in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop. The 1080 V15 sits higher, with around 39.5mm in the heel and 33.5mm in the forefoot, and a lower 6mm drop. On weight, the 1080 is the lighter shoe: 8.8oz (249g) in a UK 8.5, versus 9.5oz (268g) for the Elipse in the same size.

Price is where the gap is widest. The Elipse runs £130 in the UK and $145 in the US, while the 1080 V15 costs £170 and $170. That difference matters, because in most other respects these are very closely matched shoes.

Midsole and Ride

The midsole is the biggest differentiator. The Elipse uses a substantial stack of Fresh Foam X, the foam previously used in the 1080, tuned to be soft with a decent level of bounce back. The 1080 V15 gets the newer, lighter supercritical foam, which is more resilient, bouncier, and lets New Balance pack in more stack while keeping the shoe lighter. Both midsoles are rockered, with the 1080 maybe marginally more so.

In testing, the 1080 V15 delivers a springier, more energetic ride with more impetus at toe-off, and there is more foam under the forefoot for a less grounded feel. It cushions well at easy paces but can also push marathon pace without feeling like you are digging your way out of the shoe. The Elipse feels firmer and more connected to the road, broader and inherently more stable, but it is heavier, duller and somewhat blockier. It rewards a quicker foot turnover with lighter landings and is best suited to easy and moderate paces, with some mild tempo work possible.

Upper, Fit and Sizing

Up top, these are very similar shoes. The Elipse has a multi-layered engineered mesh upper, while the 1080’s single-layer mesh is more perforated and a touch airier. Both feature cushioned gusseted tongues, generously padded heel collars that are nearly identical, and almost the same lacing setup.

Fit is close between the two. Both run true to size for most testers, with no slipping, hot spots or irritation. The 1080 V15 feels slightly narrower and suits skinny, narrow feet a little better, while the Elipse sits slightly wider and more compact across the top of the toes, offering a touch more room in the toe box and slightly more noticeable heel padding. The Elipse also feels a bit denser underfoot, especially landing at the heel where it carries a big wedge of foam.

Outsole, Grip and Durability

Both shoes use rubber outsoles with good forefoot coverage and heel pads, with similar amounts of rubber and slightly different traction patterns and flex grooves. Grip has proven solid on dry pavements and roads, and durability is expected to be very similar between the two.

One caveat: the 1080 V15’s midsole foam feels a little more delicate, so despite good rubber coverage, the exposed sections may wear sooner than on the Elipse, whose thicker rubber sits proud and shields the midsole well. The 1080’s rubber is the grippier of the pair.

Which One Should You Buy?

If price were no object, the 1080 V15 is essentially the superior shoe in every area: better bounce, more comfort, nicer foam, and a slightly more refined upper and structure. It is the more do-it-all option and the one most testers would rather lace up for everything from easy miles to tempo sessions.

But price is exactly where the Elipse fights back. At £130/$145 it offers a lot of premium detail for the money, and as a dependable, stable shoe for easy and cruising paces, it does the job well. For beginners or casual runners on a budget who want a comfortable shoe for daily wear and the odd 5k, the Elipse has real merit. If you can afford the extra, the 1080 V15 is the more memorable, more versatile pick; if you just want to tick off miles cheaply, the Elipse is a solid choice.

Conclusion

These are two competent, nicely versatile daily trainers that can absorb a lot of training miles across a good range of paces, best at the easier end. The 1080 V15 is the better all-round shoe with livelier foam and more versatility, while the Elipse is a reliable, stable budget-friendly alternative built on proven Fresh Foam X. Choose the 1080 V15 if performance matters and budget allows; choose the Elipse if value and steady easy miles come first.