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What replaced the New Balance 1080 v14?

Updated July 30, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

The 1080 v15 replaced the v14 on January 15, 2026 with the line's biggest foam change in a decade: supercritical Infinion replaces Fresh Foam X. It stands 2 mm taller, runs about 1.5 oz lighter, and costs $170. Reviewers called it the best 1080 in years.

New Balance 1080 v14, men's shoe, side profile
1080 v14 · 2024
New Balance 1080 v15, men's shoe, side profile
1080 v15 · 2026

At a glance

  • The 1080 v15 is 1.5 oz lighter
  • 2 mm more heel stack
  • Drop is unchanged at 6 mm
  • New midsole foam
  • List price up $5

Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: 1080 v14 vs v15.

Stay on your shoe, or switch?

Changed character

The v15 changes what a 1080 feels like, this time in the direction people wanted: lighter, bouncier, and springier than any version before it, on the tallest platform yet. If you left the line during the v13 era, this is the version worth a second look. Just know it is plush first and stable second.

Stick with the 1080 v14 if

  • You want maximum stability; the v14's firmer, wider platform has it
  • Discounted v14s are everywhere and the v15 costs $170

Move to the 1080 v15 if

  • You want modern bouncy foam; the energy return jump is real
  • The v14's weight made every run feel like a slog

What loyalists said about the update

The best reception in years. One lab scored it 91 out of 100 and called the foam swap long awaited, and multiple reviewers framed it as an accessible entry into super-trainer territory. The gripes are minor: a high-volume fit that can run sloppy, thin heel padding, and a warm upper.

Still want the original?

Buy remaining 1080 v14 stock

Stocked at Amazon

Availability last checked Jul 30, 2026.

Ready to move on?

Beyond the 1080 v15, these come closest to what the 1080 v14 did.

Asics Gel-Nimbus 28, men's shoe, side profile
  • 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 v14: 0.6 oz lighter, 5.5 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop.

Hoka Clifton 11, men's shoe, side profile
  • 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 v14: 1.3 oz lighter, 4 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $10 less at list.

Questions runners ask

Is the New Balance 1080 v14 still available?
Yes. The New Balance 1080 v14 is still widely stocked on Amazon in both men's and women's sizes, often below its original list price now that a newer version exists.
Is the 1080 v15 a downgrade from the New Balance 1080 v14?
Not a downgrade, but a different shoe. The 1080 v15 scores well with new buyers while changing the ride that New Balance 1080 v14 loyalists bought it for. Read the spec changes before assuming it will feel familiar.
How much lighter is the 1080 v15?
1.5 oz lighter in a men's US 9: 9 oz against the New Balance 1080 v14's 10.5 oz.
What is the closest current alternative to the New Balance 1080 v14?
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.