New Balance 1080 v15: The Flagship Gets a Supercritical Upgrade

In this quick overview, we’ve broken down the features of the New Balance 1080 v15 and updates to the 1080 v14 to give you everything you need to know about this max-cushion daily trainer and whether you need to upgrade.

New Balance 1080 v15 Specs

• Weight: 9.2 oz (men’s 9) / 7.3 oz (women’s 8)
• Stack: 40 mm / 34 mm
• Drop: 6 mm
• Midsole: Infinion (Supercritical TPEE/EVA blend)
• Upper: Engineered double-layer mesh with a contoured fit
• Outsole: Strategic rubber placement with reduced coverage compared to v14
• Category: Premium neutral max-cushion daily trainer
• Purpose: Easy runs, long runs, recovery runs, walking

New Balance 1080 Series Overview

The New Balance 1080 series has long served as New Balance’s top-tier neutral max-cushioned daily trainer, sitting comfortably above the reliable NB 880 workhorse and just below the maximalist NB More line. Its identity has always centered on premium comfort - the kind of shoe you grab for long miles, recovery days, or when your legs just need a little extra plush protection.

Historically, the line has evolved from a standard balanced trainer into a high‑stack, highly cushioned, mildly rockered mileage shoe. While the NB 880 remains the stable neutral running shoe with a traditional ride and flatter geometry, the NB 1080 leans into a softer, more dynamic experience with a distinct rocker to roll you through your stride.

The v15 continues this lineage but aims to fix recent complaints about weight and responsiveness by adopting modern foam.

New Balance 1080 v15 vs v14 in a Nutshell

• Foam: Swapped EVA-based Fresh Foam X for livelier, lighter Infinion supercritical foam
• Weight: 1 oz lighter, making the shoe feel much more nimble
• Ride: Bouncier and more resilient energy return compared to the denser, "sinking" feel of v14
• Fit: A slightly slimmer, performance-oriented fit versus the spacious, relaxed fit of the v14
• Stack: Added approximately 2mm of stack height for extra protection without added bulk

New Balance 1080 v15 vs v14 in Detail

Upper

The 1080 v15 introduces a completely redesigned upper featuring a double-layer engineered mesh. Breathability is adequate for most conditions, though the double-layer design can run warm in high heat.

While it retains the premium plushness expected of a 1080, like a padded gusseted tongue and soft heel collar, the fit has shifted. It feels more contoured and slightly slimmer through the midfoot and forefoot compared to the notably roomy v14. This provides a more secure, performance-leaning lockdown, though runners with wider feet might miss the generous volume of the previous version (luckily, wide widths are available).

Midsole

This is the headline update. The move to Infinion (a supercritical foam) changes the character of the shoe. While the 1080 v14 offered a dense, pillow-like softness that some found "dead" or prone to bottoming out on long runs, the v15 delivers a ride that is soft yet energetic. The foam compresses nicely for comfort but snaps back with noticeable resilience. It feels modern and alive underfoot, making later miles in a long run feel less like a slog. Despite adding a couple of millimeters to the stack height, the new foam keeps the overall package significantly lighter.

Outsole

To achieve the impressive weight drop, New Balance trimmed the outsole rubber. The v14 had a tank-like outsole with extensive coverage that contributed to its stability but also its heaviness. The v15 features a more segmented pattern, placing rubber strictly in high-wear zones. This helps the shoe flex more naturally and promotes the nimble feel, though it may sacrifice a touch of the "planted" stability that the heavier v14 outsole provided. Traction remains reliable for standard road use.

Who is the NB 1080 v15 for

The 1080 v15 remains a daily trainer first and foremost. It specializes in easy daily mileage, recovery runs, and long and slow distance runs where having a protective running shoe is a priority number one.

The difference now is that the lighter weight and bouncier foam make it far less of a burden if you decide to pick up the pace slightly. It’s not a speed shoe (you have the Rebel for that) but it’s a much more versatile cruiser than before.

It’s also a good shoe for walking or standing all day due to the high stack and comfort-focused upper.

NB 1080v15 Pros and Cons

Pros:

• One of the lightest shoes in the max-cushion category
• The Infinion foam is a major upgrade in liveliness compared to Fresh Foam
• Capable of handling faster paces than previous 1080 models
• The upper materials feel luxurious and soft against the foot
• High stack height offers excellent impact absorption for high-mileage runners

Cons:

• Fans of the v14 toebox might find the v15 narrower (though wide widths are available)
• Sits at the premium end of the daily trainer market
• The plush, double-layer upper can run warm in hot weather