Expert consulted: 
I was always under the impression that I needed a special pair of shoes for race day. But is it really necessary when you’re not chasing an aggressive time goal? I just wrapped a three-race spring training cycle with 137 miles logged, and I relied on only one pair of shoes along the way: the New Balance 1080 v15.
I just ran the L.A. Marathon in March. Though I wasn’t trying to PR, I was intrigued by the idea of running comfortably, since I’ve experienced ankle pain in carbon-plated shoes. I’ve heard raves about the New Balance 1080 for years—from fellow runners and editors to my brother who’s a physical therapist—and decided to give it a try.
Why is the New Balance 1080 so popular?
Pros
- Comfortable and versatile everyday trainer that received positive feedback from walkers and runners alike
- Wide toe box accommodates for foot swelling during longer runs, and multiple widths available
- New "Infinion" foam is more responsive and bouncy than past versions of this shoe
Cons
- High, soft foam is not a good match for those with stability issues like overpronation or supination
- Despite responsiveness for a max-cushion shoe, it's still not going to be as fast as a shoe designed for speed
| Size range | 5–13 (in narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide widths) |
| Weight | 7.3 oz |
| Heel/Toe Drop | 6 mm |
| Colors | 11 colors |
Versatility
Sports medicine physician Jordan Metzl, M.D. says New Balance shoes are well-constructed and could be a good fit for people of all ages and with different fitness routines.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, whose scientists test footwear and apparel of all sorts, declared the previous version of this shoe (the New Balance 1080 v14) the best overall running shoe for women. They called it ideal for: “Runners of all levels and speeds who need an everyday sneaker that fits perfectly.” Our consumer testers agreed, noting it’s good for daily runs, walking, and working on your feet.
Updates to the 1080 v15 vs. v14 model
A lot can change between models. The v15 update was significant as it introduced a new foam that New Balance calls “Infinion.” Grace Wu, senior product analyst in the Textiles Lab, says that the updated foam strikes a delicate balance between feeling plush and responsive. “As someone who prefers a softer feel to more ‘bouncy’ shoes, I’m surprised by how much I like the responsive feel. It’s still soft, but you’re not sinking in as much because of the responsive nature.”
We both agreed that it’s very flexible, making for smooth transitions and a soft heel-toe transition for most runners. It shed more than an ounce in weight compared to the previous v14 model, which keeps you light on your feet and came in handy during my long-distance races. (Heavy cushion is often a reason people opt for a more streamlined race shoe). Both Wu and a run club founder I discussed the shoes with noted that the bounciness in the new foam makes a slight compromise in stability compared to past 1080s.
Size customization
One of the marquee features of the 1080 is its nearly customizable fit: It comes in four widths (narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide) in both women’s and men’s sizing. We also just named the v15 the best walking shoe for wide feet.
This extra width adjustment can help eschew the common running adage that you need to “size up to account for swelling” during long runs. Width accommodated for, the shoe clocks in true to size.
137 miles, a marathon, and two half marathons later…
Outdoor runs
The majority of the miles I logged in these shoes has been on road runs. I also took them on a 19-mile trail run as my peak training before the Los Angeles Marathon this spring.
The smooth heel-to-toe transition and flexible forefoot enhance my natural stride. The toe box is wide enough (in my standard width pair) to accommodate for toes spreading and pushing off with every step. It almost has a webbed-toe feel during push-off. I feel soft landings and smooth transitions between different terrain like concrete, asphalt, and dry trail. I was surprised by how agile they felt for a max-cushion shoe; they didn’t feel as clunky as others I’ve tried.
Treadmill runs
The treadmill has a way of making everything feel more difficult—I often feel early fatigue in my knees on the treadmill. This really put a spotlight on the responsive foam. The bouncy feedback helped those harsh treadmill landings feel a little smoother.
Also, I noticed that my feet didn’t get too hot, and it can be easy to overheat on the treadmill. The perforated upper felt breathable.
Race performance
The L.A. Marathon was my hardest marathon yet (it was my fourth), and I was so grateful to have these shoes accompany me. It was a heat wave—88 degrees in early March—and after training during New York winter, the late-morning sun creeping high in the sky hit hard around mile 18.
My theory of having a comfortable pair of shoes for race day was put to the test in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I had to slow down to a walk, and these shoes caught me. After walking for about a mile split between a few intervals, I was able to get back into my rhythm and finished strong at 4:00:49.
I also ran two half marathons in these shoes: The NYC Half and the Brooklyn Half. The races were very different—the former cold and over highways and bridges, the latter hot and through a park with a boardwalk finish. Both of these races followed L.A., so I wasn’t pushing my training further, I just wanted to do a good job and stay safe and comfortable. I finished each within a minute of the other (1:47:05 and 1:48:08, respectively), right in my sweet spot pace around 8 minutes per mile.
What do walkers think?
I’ve logged my fair share of steps in these, whether that be recovery walks after long runs or commuting around New York City, including up and down countless flights of steps in the subway. They’ve also become my go-to shoe for travel days spent at the airport.
Wu, who regularly tests walking shoes for Good Housekeeping, took these on a two-week trip and said that her “feet felt less fatigued” than when wearing the sneakers.
As a third checkpoint, I consulted our database of consumer testers’ feedback. Walkers have praised past models of the 1080, and that held true for the v15. “I felt like it gave me a boost on long walks and hill work,” commented one tester. “My feet felt less tired, and it definitely gives a spring to the step.”
Additional considerations:
Speed
I picked this as my spring race shoe in search of comfort and reliability, but it isn’t the best pick if you’re chasing a personal best time. The foam is designed for cushion first and foremost, and while it is more responsive and lighter than many other max-cushion shoes, like the Hoka Clifton 10, it can still feel a bit soft for speed workouts.
It’s a neutral shoe
This a neutral running shoe that supports the natural motion of the foot. As a runner with a neutral stride, I like that it’s effortless to wear and enhances my flow, unlike a stability shoe that is designed to make a correction.
However, the soft foam and high stack height—40 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, for a 6 mm heel-toe drop—could feel unstable if you struggle with overpronation or supination, which is when the ankle rolls excessively inward or outward during strides.
Maintenance
I’m a stickler for clean shoes, and once these were subjected to the stickiness of spilled gel packs and Gatorade stations during a road race, I was able to scrub the foam stack clean with a wet towel and some dish soap. Wu also noted that the mesh upper was easy to spot clean, and I noticed the reflective strips looked brighter after a quick wipe.
Durability
The clean-up photos above were taken in May 2026; overall, they’ve held up really well to my heavy testing. All 137 miles have been logged since February 2026. As you can see, the foam looks ever so slightly compressed at the midfoot, but the heel and toe stack look solid. Inspecting the outsole, I see the most wear at the toe and lateral edges, though it’s minor, and the tread is still in good shape.
The takeaway: A comfy everyday trainer can be your race day shoe
Running is about the process, not being the first one to the finish line. If you have a life goal of running a marathon, but aren’t worried about an aggressive speed or are intimidated by all the specialized running shoes out there, this is an excellent option to consider.
This shoe made my rigorous spring training schedule easier on my mind and body, knowing I had one reliable option to support my knees through every stride. It eliminated the stressful pre-race shoe shopping and performed shockingly consistent—within a minute—in my two half marathons this spring. We’ve been marketed to believe that comfortable shoes don’t perform, but that’s not true. It’s all about what makes you feel your best on race day.
Grace Wu (she/her) is the senior analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
