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The previous edition of (1080 v13) showed a new path for and the 1080 line. However, some runners experienced challenges with the shoes. They became too soft and lively to serve as a solid daily trainer. Therefore, New Balance made several small updates that give 1080 v14 a distinctly different feel from v13.
New Balance 1080 v14 remains soft and highly cushioned but feels more stable underfoot. It feels more solid. More robust. Yet still fun and bouncy.
New Balance 1080 v14 - Simple and stable
I like when a shoe is simply built but still well-made. That's v14. One foam type in the midsole that just works. Not too many frills, just a lot of Fresh Foam X, slightly firmer than in the latest edition, and a good roll through the stride thanks to the shoe's 6mm drop.
6mm drop might sound low, but because the sole is softer, it feels more like an 8mm drop. I can usually have trouble with low-drop shoes because my calves and Achilles tendons typically get more strained when I run a lot in low-drop shoes, but this hasn't been the case with 1080 v14; here it just feels natural.
The outsole also has a different appearance. In the previous version, the rubber coating was made like fingers running obliquely down the shoe's outsole. It provided greater flexibility to the shoe but was perhaps also one of the reasons why some found the shoes slightly unstable. The new outsole design is more classic, offering a really good grip while providing a more stable feeling underfoot.
New Balance 1080 v14 - A modern classic
Another classically made component is the shoe's upper. The latest several editions of have had an upper that was quite sneaker-like. Meaning it was made in very comfortable mesh types that didn't always provide the structure needed in a running shoe.
The upper on 1080 v14, however, is quite classic. There is reinforcement over the midfoot that holds the foot well in place and helps you get a good “lockdown” in the shoes. Furthermore, there is a firm heel counter that also holds the foot well in place, and plenty of padding on both the tongue and around the ankle. Otherwise, it is made in a breathable mesh that, as mentioned earlier, provides good structure and a lot of hold around the foot.
I think New Balance 1080 v14 is a running shoe that almost all runners can use. It's uncomplicated, solid, and really nice to run in. Although the drop is on the low side, it feels natural to run in the shoes, and if you're one of those who might have thought the previous version was a bit too lively, you'll be pleasantly surprised.
The only minor downside I can think of is that 1080 v14 is actually a bit heavier than the previous version. At a weight of 284g, it is still well below the 300g that I like my
to be under, but it would have been nice if 1080 v14 had weighed 266g like the previous version.
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