What replaced the New Balance 1080 v12?
Updated July 30, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The 1080 v13 replaced the v12 in October 2023 and rebuilt the shoe: a taller, much softer max-cushion platform, the drop cut from 8 mm to 6 mm, and a narrower structured-mesh upper in place of the stretchy knit. Long-time wearers split over it immediately.
At a glance
- The 1080 v13 is 1.1 oz lighter
- 4 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 8 mm to 6 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $5
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: 1080 v12 vs v13.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
A different shoeThe v13 is a reboot wearing a familiar name: new geometry, new fit, much softer foam. Some reviewers liked the result. But if you bought 1080s for the v12 formula, this was a different shoe, and often in a different size, since the narrower mesh sent many people up a half.
Stick with the 1080 v12 if
- The v12's stretchy knit fit is why you own 1080s
- You want a shoe that lasts; the v13's outsole wore fast
Move to the 1080 v13 if
- You want a taller, much softer max-cushion ride
- The v12 felt heavy and you will trade some stability for an ounce
Where the New Balance 1080 is now
The line has moved three versions past the New Balance 1080 v12, and the current model is now the 1080 v15 (2026). Measured against your shoe:
- The 1080 v15 is 1.3 oz lighter
- 6 mm more heel stack
- Drop moved from 8 mm to 6 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $10
What loyalists said about the update
The backlash version. Doctors of Running found the foam so soft it lacked structure and flagged outsole wear inside 30 miles. Fit complaints piled up from long-time wearers whose usual size no longer worked, and user reviews called the ride mushy. Positive reviews existed too, and the split itself became the story.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining 1080 v12 stock
Sizes running outDiscontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.
Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the 1080 v13, these come closest to what the 1080 v12 did.
- 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 v12: 0.4 oz lighter, 9.5 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $5 more 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 v12: 1.1 oz lighter, 8 mm more heel stack, the same drop, $5 less at list.
Questions runners ask
- Is the New Balance 1080 v12 still available?
- For now. Amazon still lists the New Balance 1080 v12, but the size run is thinning and prices swing with remaining stock. If your size is there, this is the late window, not the early one.
- Is the 1080 v13 a downgrade from the New Balance 1080 v12?
- Treat the 1080 v13 as a new model that borrowed the name. Very little of the New Balance 1080 v12's ride carries over, so shop it against alternatives rather than buying on loyalty.
- How much lighter is the 1080 v13?
- 1.1 oz lighter in a men's US 9: 9.2 oz against the New Balance 1080 v12's 10.3 oz.
- Did the drop change from the New Balance 1080 v12 to the 1080 v13?
- Yes, from 8 mm to 6 mm. A drop change this size affects where your foot loads at landing, so plan a few easy runs to adapt.
- Is the New Balance 1080 still made?
- Yes. The current version is the New Balance 1080 v15, released in 2026, 3 versions on from the New Balance 1080 v12.
- What is the closest current alternative to the New Balance 1080 v12?
- 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.