Shoes similar to the New Balance 1080
Ranked by ride similarity. Specs are men's US 9.
Amazon links on this page pay us a commission. It never changes your price. Details
THE SHORT ANSWER
The closest current match to the New Balance 1080 is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28. The Nimbus is the most common cross-shop: another tall, plush, premium cruiser at a similar price. It runs a little firmer and more structured than the modern 1080, with a narrower width range.
The New Balance 1080 is a plush, rockered max-cushion cruiser in a full range of widths. Everything below is measured against the current 1080 v15 (9 oz, 6 mm drop, 40 mm heel). No shoe matches it exactly, so each pick lists what carries over and what does not.
- 9.9 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 43.5 mm heel
- $165 list
The Nimbus is the most common cross-shop: another tall, plush, premium cruiser at a similar price. It runs a little firmer and more structured than the modern 1080, with a narrower width range.
Against your New Balance 1080 v15: 0.9 oz heavier, 3.5 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $5 less at list.
- 9.2 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 42 mm heel
- $155 list
The Clifton is the lighter way to get a tall, soft, rockered daily. The trade is a snugger fit and fewer width options than New Balance offers.
Against your New Balance 1080 v15: 0.2 oz heavier, 2 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $15 less at list.
Chasing a specific older version?
If it is a particular 1080 you miss, start from that version's page: what replaced it, and where old stock still exists.
Questions runners ask
- What is the most similar shoe to the New Balance 1080?
- The Asics Gel-Nimbus 28. The Nimbus is the most common cross-shop: another tall, plush, premium cruiser at a similar price. It runs a little firmer and more structured than the modern 1080, with a narrower width range.
- Do any of these match the New Balance 1080's 6 mm drop?
- No. The closest matches all sit at a different drop than the New Balance 1080's 6 mm, so give any switch a couple of adaptation weeks.
- Why switch away from the New Balance 1080 at all?
- The usual reasons: a version you loved got discontinued, an update changed the ride, or the fit moved away from your foot. The list above is ranked by how closely each shoe matches the current 1080 v15, with the differences called out honestly.