New Balance 1080v15 running shoe

New Balance 1080v15 Upper

The upper of the New Balance 1080v15 running shoe is made of knitted Jacquard mesh material, which means the thickness of the fabric varies to provide better foot support. Where more structure or rigidity is needed, the mesh is thicker. The upper fits true to size, and instead of the usual “violin” shape, it has a straight, tube-like design — average width at the toe box (though narrower than the previous version), wider and more accommodating through the midfoot, and again average width at the heel, but also narrower than before. The tongue is thick and gusseted, so it doesn’t slip during runs. The heel collar is more padded than average and firmer, offering both secure foot lockdown and great comfort.

New Balance 1080v15 Midsole

The midsole of the New Balance 1080v15 is made of a foam called Infinion, which debuts in this model. Infinion is a supercritical foam that is more durable, lighter, softer, and bouncier than the previously used FreshFoam. Upon ground contact, the foam compresses and quickly returns to its original shape, offering excellent energy return. This results more in reduced fatigue during longer runs than in faster speeds. In this daily trainer category — to which the 1080v15 belongs — that’s a major advantage. The name “Infinion” hints at “infinity,” and while you can’t literally run infinitely in it, it does help you run longer distances with less fatigue compared to other shoes. Because the foam is softer, the curved midsole geometry is less pronounced, making transitions a bit slower — it’s a shoe for distance, not for speed. That doesn’t mean you can’t pick up the pace in it, but there are faster shoes out there. Its weight is also on the lighter side for its class. Like the upper, the midsole follows a straight, tube-like shape with minimal curves on either side. Normally, midsoles are more curved on the inner side, but here the curvature is nearly symmetrical, which enhances stability — important given the softness of the Infinion foam.

New Balance 1080v15 Outsole

The outsole of the New Balance 1080v15 is made of two parts. The forefoot section uses a softer rubber compound for excellent traction, even on wet surfaces. The heel section uses a firmer compound for better durability. The segmented design and partial coverage reduce the shoe’s weight, improve midsole flexibility, and decrease torsional stiffness.

Who is the New Balance 1080v15 for, and what kind of running is it best suited for?

The New Balance 1080v15 is a lightweight, comfortable daily trainer that also supports longer runs. It’s been completely redesigned compared to the previous version, resulting in a significant weight reduction. The upper is breathable and comfortable, the midsole is soft and responsive, helping delay fatigue, and the outsole combines two rubber densities for both grip and durability. If you only use one pair of running shoes, the 1080v15 is a great all-rounder. It’s also a solid choice for beginners, offering comfort and flexibility over the first 800–1000 km.

What has changed in the New Balance 1080v15 compared to the previous version?

The New Balance 1080v15 has been completely redesigned compared to the FreshFoam X 1080v14.

The upper is slightly narrower, made from lighter, more breathable material. The midsole wraps around the upper less than before, but the narrower design still offers excellent foot hold.

The midsole now features the new supercritical Infinion foam — more elastic, dynamic, lighter, and durable than the FreshFoam used previously. The outsole geometry has also been modified — it’s less curved on the inner side, improving stability. The forefoot rocker is smaller and the foam softer, leading to smoother but less aggressive transitions. The outsole height has increased by 2 mm, giving better cushioning and more responsiveness.

The outsole layout has been redesigned as well — still segmented, but with a new pattern. It now uses two different rubber compounds for a balance of durability and traction.

All these changes result in a weight reduction of 37 grams, which is a significant improvement. The new midsole offers better endurance for longer runs, reducing fatigue more effectively.