New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15:
Which to Choose

On paper the two share the same DNA — neutral support, no plate, 6mm heel-to-toe drop, and the same high-cushion, long-run mission — and both deliberately trade snap for pillowy comfort, so neither is a tempo or 5K racer. The meaningful differences are three. First, the midsole: the v14 rides on Fresh Foam X, a soft EVA-based compound that cushions impact well but returns energy in a muted, comfort-first way; the v15 replaces it with a new supercritical TPEE/EVA foam that is softer underfoot yet distinctly springier and more lively, so the v15 feels more energetic when you lean into it while the v14 stays willing-but-unhurried. Second, weight: the v14 comes in around 10.5oz (roughly 298g) in a men's sample, while the v15 trims to about 9.2oz (roughly 261g) — close to an ounce lighter, which is a lot for a max-comfort trainer and makes the v15 feel less lumbering on the run. Third, stack: the v14 sits at about 38mm heel / 32mm forefoot, and the v15 adds roughly 2mm underfoot to about 40mm / 34mm, keeping the same 6mm drop but giving slightly more protection for long time on feet. Both remain soft enough to feel a little vague at very slow paces, and both top out in effectiveness somewhere just under 5:00/km before the soft platform loses its edge — but the v15's lighter, bouncier foam makes that upper range feel a bit more accessible.