New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 Review

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Comfort and Fit

The 1080's upper is simple. Materials are soft to the touch, and there is ample padding around the high-contact areas of the ankle and heel. The tongue is lightly padded and gusseted, which works well to keep it in place while walking or running. Achieving a perfect lockdown is relatively simple, although the laces don't move through the loops quite as easily as we would like. We didn't experience any issues with rubbing or abrasion along the Achilles, ankle, or heel; however, we noticed some hotspots on our pinky toes.

The overall fit runs a bit short. The toe box appears to have plenty of room, but the outside of the upper tapers towards the center a bit too early, which caused some rubbing on the pinky toe for our tester. Adjusting the lacing helped some, but there was still more contact than is normal. The shoe fits slightly wide through the midfoot and heel. We had to loosen the laces near the toe box and run the midfoot much more snugly than usual. This could be a result of the slightly short length for size, so we recommend trying multiple sizes and widths (the 1080 comes in a wide and extra-wide option).

Cushioning

Cushioning is what makes the 1080v14 a standout. There is a lot of foam, with 40 mm at the heel and a 5 mm heel-toe drop, and the foam is soft. Actually, soft is an understatement; it's insanely soft. Some runners might find it squishes too much, while others may fall in love. It was a little too soft for us on most days, but it can be enjoyable for recovery runs. Alternatively, we know folks who refuse to use anything else for easy running.

Of course, a soft feeling has a few drawbacks. First, the shoe is unstable. There is a broad base intended to provide some support, but it does more to prevent ankle rolls than to offer support for landing. There is significant support along the inside of the arch, but the forefoot of the shoe really lacks direction. As a result, we think runners who need support or suffer from a pronation-related injury will likely want to avoid the 1080. Second, due to the softness of the midsole, the 1080 does not feel comfortable at fast paces. The foam compresses underfoot, which slows the landing impact and feels very plush. But it doesn't rebound much at all, leaving you with a sensation of trying to push off a pillow or soft mattress. Landings are smooth and super comfortable, but we felt like we had to climb up and out of the foam as we pushed off the ground. Overall, the cushioning in this shoe is excellent, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

Breathability

The engineered mesh upper of the 1080v14 breathes surprisingly well. It's a little above average, which is a pleasant surprise.

Typically, shoes with a soft-feeling upper don't breathe well. While the 1080v14 isn't the highest-scoring shoe for breathability, it does keep our feet well-ventilated on hot days.

Traction

Traction on wet or cold pavement is fine. The large, oblong lugs of the outsole aren't the best on looser surfaces, such as crushed gravel paths.

However, those issues are most notable when pushing off the ground hard at faster paces, which is not this shoe's forte. Overall, we think traction could be improved slightly, possibly by adding siping to the lugs.

Should You Buy the New Balance FreshFoam X 1080v14?

If you're looking for a shoe that is both soft and protective, you might like the FreshFoam. If you want protection but prefer a more “typical” ride or a more versatile shoe, there are better options. Similarly, we strongly recommend avoiding this shoe if you have a history of pronation-related injuries. The 1080v14 is a pretty niche shoe. It's great at providing a soft ride, and that's about it.

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