New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 review

After conducting an in-depth lab analysis, we believe the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 is:

• A great choice for runners who found previous versions lacking in cushioning or want 1080-level stack height at a lower price.
• Ideal for neutral runners seeking a max-stack shoe without the usual premium cost.
• A solid daily trainer for those who aren’t hard on outsoles and prefer joint-friendly cushioning without a bulky or overly wide midsole.

We believe that runners who loved the grounded feel and moderate stack of previous 880 models will be disappointed with this update. The v15 now sits much taller, stripping away its balanced ride. In our view, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is a far better alternative at the same price—it’s lighter, more responsive, and delivers a smooth, fun ride.

Additionally, we think this version won’t appeal to those who prefer a versatile daily trainer. The 880 v15 is noticeably stiffer than expected, making it less adaptable for natural foot movement. If flexibility is a priority, we suggest checking out the Nike Pegasus 41 or the HOKA Mach 6.

The 880 was once seen as the smaller sibling to the 1080, but that’s no longer the case. With a towering 39.7 mm stack height in the heel, it delivers ultra-cushioned comfort. Quite a departure from our 33.0 mm measurement on the Fresh Foam X 880 v14.

This shift is a double-edged decision—more cushioning isn’t always the ultimate upgrade, despite what brands suggest in recent years. While it enhances joint protection and comfort, it often brings added weight, reduced agility, and a potential disconnect for runners who favor lower-stacked, more grounded shoes. And that’s exactly where the 880 stands now.

The forefoot stack is an astonishing 35.4 mm—skyrocketing from 25.0 mm in the previous model. After testing hundreds of shoes in the lab, we can confidently say that seeing a jump of over 1 full centimeter in stack height is extraordinarily rare.

The new maximalist midsole completely transforms the ride, favoring forefoot and midfoot strikers. In our lab tests, we measured a true heel-to-toe drop of just 4.3 mm.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15 comes (no surprises here!) with Fresh Foam X, the go-to compound for New Balance daily trainers. That usually means a plush feel.

But not this time. Right off the bat, we noticed this shoe felt noticeably firmer than both its predecessor and other Fresh Foam X models, reinforcing what we already explained in our guide about foams—despite sharing the name, midsole formulations can vary significantly between shoes.

In this case, our Shore A durometer measured 19.6 HA, making it clear that this shoe is no longer cloud-soft but balanced. It’s also a sharp contrast to last year’s 15.6 HA, though this shift makes sense given the increased stack height.

Fresh Foam X is an EVA-based foam, which often struggles in cold conditions. That said, a 20% increase in firmness after 20 minutes in the freezer is actually better than expected.

We found that the insole doesn’t bring anything particularly noteworthy to the table, but it does contribute 4.7 mm of extra cushioning to an already thick midsole. 

Runners seeking a rockered ride will get exactly that, aligning with New Balance’s recent design changes—something we’ve also observed in models like the Balos.

The heel incorporates an improved angle to assist heel strikers, while the forefoot features a moderate toe spring. Based on our measurements, it initiates early and rises just 4.5 cm. This geometry works especially well on easy runs.

The fit has seen some refinement as well. The previous version leaned toward a slightly more accommodating shape, but New Balance has adjusted it, bringing the 880 closer to an average fit. However, we found that the difference isn’t drastic and can be easily modified by swapping between thick or thin socks.

From our batch of measurements, we recorded 95.0 mm at the widest point of the toebox—right in line with what we expect from a daily trainer.

Our second measurement, this time in the big toe area, came in at 74.6 mm—just a fraction above our current average. Once again, it’s slightly narrower than the v14, which measured 76.2 mm.

We found ample space for upward toe movement, making it a great option for those who often feel restricted in other shoes.

Our calipers measured a reasonable 28.5 mm, ensuring a good fit that enhances overall comfort.

At first glance, the towering stack height of the 880 v15 might suggest a major stability downgrade, but that’s not the case. New Balance countered the shift with a firmer foam and a noticeably-stiffer structure to maintain support.

This version stands out as one of the most stable 880 models we’ve tested, but that stability comes at the expense of a more natural and connected ride. We believe this trade-off certainly won’t appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more flexible running experience.

As mentioned earlier, torsional rigidity skyrocketed to 5/5—matching carbon-plated shoes. This marks a drastic shift from every other 880 model, so those loyal to this series should take note of this significant change.

The heel counter leans more toward stability shoes than daily trainers, earning a 4/5 rating. While this enhances support, it does come at the expense of comfort. In running shoes, you can't have everything.

We expected a wider platform, but New Balance kept the dimensions in check. And honestly, we’re glad—at 113.3 mm in the forefoot, it maintains a versatile fit that works for a broad range of runs and doesn’t feel as clunky as we feared.

We noticed a similar approach in the heel—at 89.2 mm, it actually falls below the average. With the firmer build, it now makes more sense, as it was likely the only way for New Balance to maintain a compact design.

We found that this shoe isn’t just significantly more rigid torsionally—it’s also 67% stiffer longitudinally, and that's a huge change. Last year, we measured 20.6N, but this time the force meter hit 34.3N.  

This dramatic increase reduces everyday comfort, making the shoe feel noticeably stiffer underfoot and far less appealing for casual walks or all-day wear.

The shoe is also noticeably heavier, now tipping the scales at 10.10 oz or 286g.

That’s well above average and a significant jump from the 8.9 oz or 251g we recorded in the v14. We were pleased with that version, but more foam inevitably adds weight—unless comfort or durability takes a hit. It seems New Balance prioritized cushioning this time.

The mesh upper feels soft and comfortable, though it falls a step below the Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 in quality—a trade-off that comes as no surprise given the lower price point.

As for breathability, we put it to the test and found airflow to be just average, earning a 3/5 rating. While it’s not the most ventilated shoe, this score is fairly typical for an all-season daily trainer designed for versatility.

New Balance prioritized comfort by using a thick mesh that barely allows light to pass through, even with its generously sized ventilation holes. This approach enhances softness but inevitably limits airflow compared to thinner, more breathable uppers found in other daily trainers.

We appreciate the abundance of ventilation holes, but their effectiveness is hindered by a secondary layer beneath the main mesh.

Without these perforations, the shoe would likely have scored a disappointing 1/5 in our lab test.

Additionally, we discovered that the upper has some stretch, making it a great option for runners with high-volume feet. Generous padding throughout enhances step-in comfort, especially around the heel counter, where it helps balance out its rigidity.

Earning a 3/5 in our breathability test with those oversized ventilation holes is no small achievement. The 880 v15 handled it well!

When we tested the heel with our Dremel, the 880 v15 delivered another strong result—scoring 4/5 and once again outperforming the average shoe. Solid durability!

The outsole sticks to New Balance’s familiar design from recent years, but with noticeably less rubber coverage than its predecessor and most competitors. In our opinion, that’s bad news for runners who wear down outsoles quickly, as durability could take a serious hit.

We measured an 85.7 HC hardness rating, and combined with the minimal rubber coverage, it explains why this shoe has average-at-best traction. In our evaluation, grip was far from shoes like the PUMA Velocity Nitro 3.

If it’s not the grippiest, is it at least super durable? Unfortunately, it’s not.

After testing with the Dremel, we discovered 1.1 mm of damage—right around the average. However, with such minimal rubber coverage, this could become a bigger concern over time.

There’s not much outsole thickness here—in fact, quite the opposite. We measured just 1.9 mm of rubber, a significant drop from last year’s 3.4 mm.

If New Balance had retained the previous outsole, this shoe would have been simply too heavy. It’s clear they opted for a thinner, weight-saving design, though it comes at the expense of durability.

If cushioning-per-dollar were a metric, this shoe would shine—it’s now part of the max-stack club while keeping a very reasonable price. With its plush comfort and solid build, we believe it’s a great value, possibly an even better deal than the 1080!

New Balance included a reflective N logo on some models—but not this one.

New Balance could have easily trimmed weight by slimming down the tongue—but they didn’t. Instead, they prioritized plush comfort, opting to cut grams from the outsole.

We measured the tongue at 7.1 mm thick, providing a comfy feel that shines on long runs. Additionally, we found that the flat laces hold securely in place, threading neatly through punched eyelets for a snug, pressure-free lockdown.

One detail that caught our attention was the absence of a tongue loop—a common feature in many running shoes. However, it’s unnecessary here, as the semi-gusseted design securely holds the tongue in place.

As seen in recent New Balance road shoes, there’s no heel tab of any kind. Instead, the model name is printed on the back, keeping the design minimal and streamlined.

Want to swap in your own insole? No problem, as the stock one isn’t glued to the midsole, making it easy to remove and replace.