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New Balance 1080v15

By apr mag
 — 
January 20, 2026
NEW BALANCE
INDEX# NB.1080.26.45

All-new for 2026, New Balance’s running division here unveil the 1080v15, the latest entry to one of the brand’s longest serving silhouettes by way of the 1080, one catered towards the power wearer, the every day, at every level of runner. This continues on from its 14 predecessors perfectly, making use of Infinion Foam instead of the previously employed Fresh Foam, boasting heightened cushioning and performance.

The new iteration is self-touted as a redefinition of what a modern running shoe can be, presented with an overhauled appearance that makes subtle tweaks to its predecessor — the V14 — and continues its trajectory as a frontrunner for daily trainers in the running space. Volt yellow covers uppers entirely, with blue, silver, and white accenting throughout.

TEXT by HARTCOPY
New Balance 1080v15 Product Index
New Balance 1080v15
New Balance 1080v15
New Balance 1080v15 Product Index
IMAGES via NEW BALANCE
Use Case
Intended use case by the brand, broken down into three categories: Trail, Road, and Race
Cushion
The softness of the shoe’s sole, determined by it’s use of foam. More cushioning increases the level of impact protection while running with minimal cushioning comes closer to a natural running experience (e.g. barefoot). Since there are different types of foams, the equation of “the more foam the softer” does not always work. It is crucial to consider which type of foam it is. Ranging from Hard to Super Soft.
Padding
The amount of padding in the upper. Ranging from No Padding to Very Padded.
Flexibility
The ability to flex when compressed from heel to toe and when twisted. Flexibility and Stability are highly interdependent. As a rule of thumb you can say: the more flexible, the less stable. Ranging from Stiff to Flexible.
Stability
The amount of support provided to the natural rolling movement of the foot. The main factors influencing stability are the sole’s construction and its width. The construction of the upper and the type of lacing can also add to stability. Special Lacing is not considered within this category. Ranging from Free to Supportive.
Traction
The ability of the shoe to maintain stable contact with the ground, mostly determined by the construction of the sole. Added components from external brands such as Vibram or Megagrip can highly influence traction. Ranging from Slick to Very Grippy.
Breathability
The overall mesh density of the upper. Ranging from closed to open
Propulsion
The amount of forward pushing energy return determined by the construction of the sole. Various sole types can add a propulsive effect to the sole such as a Rocker construction or a carbon plate in combination with an energy-returning foam. Ranging from Relaxed to Aggressive.
Drop
The difference in height from heel to forefoot. Ranging from 0mm to 12mm.
Stack Height
The amount of forward pushing energy return determined by the construction of the sole. Various sole types can add a propulsive effect to the sole such as a Rocker construction or a carbon plate in combination with an energy-returning foam. Ranging from Relaxed to Aggressive.
Width
The shoes overall width at its base. This category only refers to the upper to provide information for the overall fit. Ranging from Narrow to Wide.
Width
The overall weight of the shoe. For comparison, we always use the weight of size US 9 for men. Ranging from Ultra Light to Heavy—Ultra Light (<240g), Lightweight (240–280g), Medium (280–320g), Heavy:  (>320g).

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