New Balance 880v14 Review
This week, one of the most versatile New Balance running shoes in the roster, our New Balance 880v14 review. The New Balance 880v14 is a neutral, cushioned road running shoe designed to be versatile enough for a variety of distances, at a variety of paces. Running shoes are so specialised these days that no one shoe can “do everything”.
The New Balance 880v14 comes really close and is better than its previous ‘v13’.
Fresh Foam X
The level of cushioning and durability is high enough for the 880v14 to be used for your everyday training runs. The midsole is made from Fresh Foam X, a cushioned midsole foam used across their everyday-type training shoes. However, did you know different New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes will have different densities of Fresh Foam from heel to forefoot? A midsole is essentially rubber, with lots of little bubbles in it and they’re larger in the heel (to give a soft initial landing) and smaller as you move towards the toe box of the shoe (for an energy-efficient-as-possible toe off). This helps give the 880v14 a cushioned yet positive feel and helps the runner maintain good posture and a quick cadence.
The Fresh Foam X midsole is 29mm in the heel and 21 mm in the forefoot. The heel to forefoot drop of 8mm is 2mm less than the previous version. The reduces the heel strike and makes the gait of the runner a bit more efficient. As a midfoot striker I tend to prefer shoes with a lower drop than 8mm. I am aware of the heel height when I am stood up in the shoes but, once running I find it easy to land midfoot at all paces and find the transition from landing to take off nice and responsive.
Rockers Everywhere
There is no rocker/exaggerated curve to the midsole of the 880v14. This means that the runner is in complete control of how fast or slow they run in the shoe. You don’t put your foot on the floor and the shoe rocks you onto your forefoot. This makes the transition from heel to forefoot feel nice and smooth even at slow paces. It’s why the 880v14 is such a versatile road running shoe.
880v13 vs 880v14
The base of the 880v14 is a bit broader than the previous version. This gives the shoes a more stable feel. This stable feel is enhanced further by the firmer feel to the midsole. The 880v13 has an initially very soft feel that took away the smoothness of the ride for me, and made the shoes not as easy to run at quicker paces. The midsole of the 880v14 has a lot less compression on impact and just feels smoother and more positive at toe off. Although it’s not a FuelCell NB shoe, and there’s no rocker to increase the speed of transition, the 880v14 is still responsive and comfortable enough to run quickly in. I have happily enjoyed several steady or tempo-type runs in the 880v14 and although it’s not a ‘super shoe’ with a plate in it, it’s also not a soggy jog shoe that I was dragging around. Hence it’s versatility. The 880v14 is also nice to jog slowly in at 5.30am, when my legs are a bit stiff having just rolled out of bed. The cushioning feels adequate and I can happily jog along and forget about the shoes on my feet.
Two-Hour Run
The longest I have run in the 880v14 is two hours. My regular ‘long run’. I found the 880v14 to be cushioned enough for me and the midsole didn’t get softer as the run went on. That’s a nice change from softer shoes, which meant it helped me maintain good posture as I was getting tired. A lot of running shoe midsoles get softer and although this ‘feels cushioned’ it makes it harder to maintain posture, and for me makes it harder to run altogether. That’s why soft midsoles almost ‘need’ a rocker or exaggerated curve to the midsole, as this helps the foot transition from heel to forefoot. The rocker keeps you moving.
The advantage of softer cushioned shoes like the New Balance 1080v13 is often that you experience less stiffness and soreness the day after a long run. If you are pushing up your mileage and/or running a lot further in your long run than normal, training for a marathon or ultramarathon for example, then you can place a much softer shoe in your rotation to aid in your recovery, still whilst getting miles in. The 1080v13 could be a recovery partner to the more nimble 880v14.
Toe Box & Fit/Feel Cont.
The 880v14 has a much straighter big toe line than the previous version. This allows more foot function and a stronger, more positive toe off. The toe box isn’t exceptionally roomy in the standard width, so we have wide and extra wide to help you get the perfect fit.
The plastic heel cup gives the 880v14 a stable feel and makes the heel fit secure. The heel cup and cuff of is nicely padded to give the shoes a comfortable step-in feel. The tongue has the same level of padding. It is gusseted and the laces thread through a tab on the tongue, which stops it from slipping to either side when running. The throat of the shoes is quite wide so if you do feel you need to pull the laces in to get a good midfoot fit then you have the scope to do it. There is an additional lace hole at the top of the laces so you can make the heel fit snugger if you wish or butterfly lace the shoes.
The outsole rubber is blown rubber and has been added to the outsole in diagonal patches to allow for some lateral flexion of the outsole. The enhances the ride and is a similar pattern to that used for the New Balance 1080v13. Blown rubber is softer than carbon rubber ,which gives the shoes better traction in the wet. It also gives you a better feel for the ground. You feel more connected, which makes you feel more confident of the grip.
The 880v14 is a whole ounce lighter than the previous model. The women’s UK5 weighs 209g and the men’s UK8 weighs 270g. The smooth ride already makes the 880v14 feel nice and light on your feet. I have always found New Balance to be one of the smaller fitting brands. I go half a size up like I do in other small fitting brands like Hoka, La Sportiva, Inov-8 and Karhu.
In Summary
The New Balance 880v14 is a neutral road running shoe that is versatile enough for everything. I’ve enjoyed slow morning plods and recovery runs, to long runs and quicker sessions like tempo, fartleks or hill reps. It’s better than the previous version and I’ll enjoy a bunch more runs in the 880v14.
Other Considerations
Brooks Ghost 15: A similarly versatile shoe with a similar feel to the cushioning. The 12mm heel to forefoot drop does make these more of a heel strikers’ shoe. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-ghost-15-review/
Hylo Athletic Impact: 8mm heel to forefoot but, a lot softer with a rocker. Will cope with steady runs and tempo runs but, anything quicker and the midsole is too soft. So, they aren’t quite as versatile as the New Balance 880v14. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hylo-impact-review/
Karhu Fusion 3.5: A slightly lower heel to forefoot drop. Similar firm responsive ride. The Karhu Fulcrum gives the shoe some propulsion. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-fusion-3-5-review/
Topo Phantom 3: A broader more rounded toe box gives the foot more room to spread and function. A 5mm heel to forefoot drop encourages more of a midfoot landing. Firm, responsive feel to the cushioning but a bit more flexible. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-3-review/
Altra FWD Experience: 4mm heel to forefoot drop and a rocker gives the shoes some propulsion. This pushes you forward and makes it less easy to just plod along which makes it less versatile. The toe box is broader and more rounded to encourage foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-fwd-experience-review/
Altra Torin 7: Broad rounded toe box. Available in two width/volumes. The flat or zero drop nature of the shoes promotes a more natural midfoot landing. The midsole is softer than the 880v14 but, not so soft that it discourages your feet from functioning in the shoes. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-torin-7-review/
361 Centauri: These have a light feel and a slight rocker that makes you light on your feet. The rocker isn’t too controlling so you can run slowly in these shoes. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-centauri-review-361-centauri/
Hoka Clifton 9: A softly cushioned shoe with a rocker. These do feel light on your feet and the rocker isn’t too aggressive to prevent you from running slowly in the shoes. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-9-review/
On Cloud Go: A much softer shoe with an 11mm heel to forefoot drop. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/on-cloudgo-review/
Comments are closed here.