New Balance 1080 v15 Review: The Best Jogging Shoe of 2026?

The New Balance 1080 series has long been a popular choice among runners as a daily jogging shoe. With the significantly updated 1080 v15 now available, many runners are wondering whether it’s worth the upgrade.

I hadn’t tried the 1080 series before, but after reading glowing reviews from other runners, I was eager to give it a shot — so I bought a pair.

It far exceeded my expectations. It may be the best daily jogging shoe I’ve tried in recent years.

In this review, I’ll cover the New Balance 1080 v15 in detail — including ride feel, propulsion, and sizing. By the end, you’ll know whether this shoe is right for you.

Product Specifications

Item	Details
Model	1080v15
Brand	New Balance
Retail Price	¥22,000
Stack Height	Forefoot: 34mm / Heel: 40mm / Drop: 6mm
Weight	272g (9.6 oz) — US 9.5 (27.5cm), measured

Why I Bought the New Balance 1080 v15

Until recently, I was using the Nike Pegasus 41 as my daily jogging shoe. I was happy with it overall, but after injuring my knee following a full marathon in March 2026, I decided to dial my easy jog pace back by another notch.

When running at a slower pace, more cushioning helps reduce the impact on your feet. I had been avoiding overly cushioned shoes because I was running at a fairly quick pace before.

The Pegasus 41 is a solid, traditional shoe in the best and worst sense — its ground feel is relatively firm. It offers sufficient cushioning, but it felt a bit underwhelming for truly slow running.

So I decided to pick up a new shoe with higher cushioning. I considered the Nike Vomero series and ASICS Gel-Kayano or Gel-Nimbus, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy something too heavy.

I’d heard excellent things about the New Balance 1080 v15 and wanted to try it for myself. Having never worn the 1080 series before, curiosity played a role too.

Real-World Running Test

Here’s my review based on actual running.

How I Used It in Training

I put the 1080 v15 to work in training right away. It’s mainly used for jogging, with my pace typically falling between 8:51/mile (5:30/km) and 7:15/mile (4:30/km).

After injuring my knee and glutes and spending some time unable to run properly, I was finally back on my feet. I used the 1080 v15 for jogging sessions ranging from 60 to 100 minutes.

The first thing that struck me was the cushioning — it was immediately obvious the moment I put the shoe on. I generally avoid thick-cushioned shoes, but this delivers the most cushioning I’ve felt in any jogging shoe to date.

I did some A-skips and B-skips before running, and you can feel the bounce clearly even then. This isn’t just soft, passive padding — there’s genuine energy return.

I started running at a slow pace of around 8:51/mile. The combination of bounce and stability felt unexpectedly harmonious. Springy without being squishy, with just the right rebound firmness — it made running genuinely enjoyable.

The closest comparison from other brands is the ASICS Novablast, but the 1080 v15 feels even more cushioned to me.

I could have pushed the pace further, but this was an Easy-intensity jog, so I deliberately kept the effort in check.

My pace drifted up to around 7:31/mile (4:40/km) without any real effort. The propulsion is as impressive as the cushioning.

After the jogging session, I ran five strides at just under 4:50/mile (3:00/km). Even at that pace, the shoe’s relative lightness meant there was no issue generating speed at all.

Overall, an outstanding experience. This may well be the best jogging shoe purchase I’ve made in recent years.

Cushioning, Rebound, Stability, and Fit

The 1080 v15’s cushioning is exceptional. Even after runs exceeding 100 minutes, the cushioned feel holds up. And it’s not just plush, passive padding — the firmness is well-calibrated, delivering a satisfying bounce throughout.

What’s equally impressive is that the shoe combines that bounce with strong stability — something that’s normally hard to achieve. It’s an excellent match for slow, easy jogging.

I generally don’t expect a jogging shoe to be fast, but the 1080 v15 is, in the best sense, a shoe that works “fast and slow.” It handles the full range.

As I’ll explain in the Sizing section, the shoe runs large. Runners with very narrow feet may find it doesn’t suit them. For me, however, the fit was just right — plenty of toe room with no tightness anywhere. The overall fit is excellent.

Design and Build Quality

Let me walk you through the design of the 1080 v15. The upper is made of mesh, which makes the initial foot entry feel very comfortable.

The lace eyelets are built solidly and feel durable.

The heel structure feels substantial and well-built — it gives you a confident sense of durability in a daily trainer.

Sizing

I went with 27.5cm (US 9.5) for the 1080 v15. Compared to most shoes, the fit runs noticeably large.

I normally wear 27.5cm, which is a true fit for me — shoes that run even slightly small can feel tight. With the 1080 v15, however, there’s noticeably more room across the width and at the toes, even at 27.5cm.

Compared to the FuelCell Rebel v5 from the same brand, the 1080 v15 runs considerably larger. If the Rebel v5 already feels roomy on you, going a half size down in the 1080 v15 may be worth considering.

Below are my own foot measurements along with a sizing comparison across my other shoes.

Weight

The 1080 v15 weighed 272g (9.6 oz) in size 27.5cm (US 9.5) on my scale — lighter than it looks. That explains why it feels so comfortable and responsive in motion.

Traction

Traction was my biggest concern going into New Balance. I’ve been using the FuelCell Rebel series, and I found its traction underwhelming on wet surfaces.

The 1080 v15, however, surprised me. The traction is excellent — it barely slipped even on wet asphalt after rain. This was well beyond my expectations.

Durability

I’ll continue to update this section as I log more miles. After roughly three uses, the durability looks very promising.

Condition Right Out of the Box

Here is the condition of the midsole as delivered.

Here is the condition of the outsole as delivered.

Who Should Buy the New Balance 1080 v15?

Here’s who the New Balance 1080 v15 is a great fit for.

As a jogging shoe, the 1080 v15 suits runners at every level — from 4-to-5-hour marathoners through to elite runners. In my own experience, it can comfortably handle paces up to a moderate-intensity run, making it a versatile option for daily training.

Given that roughly 80% of training volume is typically done at jogging pace, a shoe this good at that effort level is more than enough.