New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 Review: A Firmer Take on a Fan Favorite

Introduction

The New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v14 arrives as the update to the 1080 v13, a shoe that was a firm favorite among the runners who tested it extensively. The big question with any sequel to a beloved daily trainer is whether the changes improve on the formula or dilute it. With the v14, New Balance has taken a middle path: the same 6 mm drop, the same 38 mm and 32 mm stack heights, and the same Fresh Foam X midsole name, but a noticeably different feel underfoot.

Pricing stays at £165 in the UK and $165 in the US, putting it directly against cushioned rivals like the Asics Gel-Nimbus, Brooks Glycerin 16, and Saucony Hurricane 24, and above the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 in cost. Our men’s UK size 8 pair weighed 276 g, up from 257 g on the v13, so there is a real jump in weight worth factoring in.

What’s New in the v14

The headline change is in the midsole. While it still uses Fresh Foam X and offers a high level of cushioning at both the front and rear of the shoe, the foam feels firmer and more resilient than the v13. You do not sink into it in the same way. Instead of that plush, squishy character, the v14 delivers a more protective quality that holds up better over longer runs.

Beyond the foam, New Balance has added higher sidewalls to improve stability, tweaked the engineered mesh upper for better breathability, and redesigned the outsole pattern with more rubber at the forefoot and heel to boost durability and add to the stable experience.

Fit and Sizing

Fit is largely unchanged from the v13, which is good news for returning buyers. In UK size 8, the shoe ran true to size with plenty of room around the forefoot and enough space ahead of the big toe. The engineered mesh upper keeps similar padding at the tongue and collar, and lockdown remains snug and secure.

New Balance has slightly scaled back the padding at the back of the shoe, but in practice this does not change the experience much: it is still a well-padded, comfortable upper. The main improvement targets breathability, so if you found the v13 upper a little thick or poorly ventilated, the v14 addresses that. Based on testing, going true to size is the safe recommendation.

Ride and Running Experience

If you loved the soft, plush feel of the v13, be prepared for a change. The v14 is not as soft, and it does not envelope your foot in the same squishy way. What you get instead is a moderate bounce, a nice rocker, and a smoother, more controlled and stable ride. The firmer midsole edge is not harsh or uncomfortable, just noticeably more resilient.

This shift makes the v14 better suited to longer runs than its predecessor, and it should appeal to runners who never fully warmed to the v13’s maximal softness. It still works well for easy and recovery runs, and the reasonable weight for a cushioned shoe means you can comfortably run at moderate or slightly up-tempo paces.

That said, the extra 20 g of weight does take away some of the light-for-category appeal the v13 had. It is not a heavy shoe, but in a category where grams matter, the difference is noticeable. If you want a dedicated plush easy-day shoe, the v13 arguably still does that job better.

Durability and Outsole

The reworked outsole holds up well. After around 60 km of running, testers reported very little wear, an improvement over the v13’s outsole. The rubber is standard rather than anything special, and grip is fine rather than exceptional, but there were no slippage issues across test runs.

How It Compares

Within its price bracket, the 1080 v14 sits well but no longer stands out the way the v13 did. There are clear similarities in overall feel to the Brooks Glycerin 16. The Saucony Hurricane 24 offers similar versatility but with a more memorable underfoot feel, and it is arguably the better recovery-run pick. Against the Asics Gel-Nimbus, the 1080 v14 comes out ahead as the more versatile option.

If you are willing to spend more, shoes like the Adidas Superblast or Hoka Skyward X offer a more distinctive ride for the same types of runs. The tricky reality of today’s daily trainer market is specialization: if you want a dedicated plush easy-day shoe or a genuinely versatile shoe that handles fast sessions, there are stronger options. The 1080 v14 is a very solid, comfortable daily shoe that does not excel dramatically in any single area.

Buying Advice

For a general runner looking for a comfortable daily shoe to cover easy runs and everyday mileage, the 1080 v14 is a fine option and will be more than good enough for most people. Fans of the older, firmer 1080 versions (v11 and v12) should appreciate the return toward a more resilient midsole, though it remains softer than those models.

If the v13’s plush feel won you over, the v14 may feel like a small step back; many testers still preferred the v13 overall for its lighter weight and softer ride. And if you need true versatility for intervals, tempo work, or marathon training, there are better-suited shoes in this price range.

Conclusion

The Fresh Foam 1080 v14 is a comfortable, protective, and stable daily trainer that trades some of the v13’s plushness for resilience and long-run comfort. It is a well-balanced compromise rather than a standout, and whether it is the right choice depends entirely on which feel you prefer underfoot. Softness loyalists should look at the v13; everyone else gets a very dependable daily shoe.