New Balance 1080v15 Release Date

The New Balance 1080 is the brand’s bestselling running shoe, and as it moves to its 15th iteration, it’s doing away with Fresh Foam.

The New Balance 1080v15 marks the debut of Infinion, a new supercritical foam from the Boston-based company that’s more durable and provides better cushioning and energy return. Taking a step up on the style front, the upper also makes use of molded mesh technology used by New Balance in the ’90s and updated for today.

“This is the iconic collection for New Balance,” Kevin FitzPatrick, the company’s vice president of running, told Footwear News. “We really wanted to give it a massive overhaul. These supercritical foams will give you that Day One experience on day 100 or your 100th mile.”

Where rubber is spared at the midfoot of the outsole, you’ll see the Infinion foam is shaped into pods. This texture continues where it’s covered and helps make the shoe more adaptive as it provides stability on a variety of surfaces.

Sitting 39.99mm at the heel and 33.99mm at the forefoot, the 1080v15 has 2mm more stack height as its direct predecessor and the same level of drop.

“This is literally just the beginning of supercritical foams,” FitzPatrick said. “You’re going to see these foams in all of our shoes going forward, until we see another leap in innovation, [because] we can fine tune these specific to the experience.”

Two layers of mesh are pressed into a mold with heat applied to form the single-piece upper. This process offers support and breathability, as well as a retro-futuristic look that should see the 1080v15 make a case for everyday wear.

FitzPatrick said that if you look at the industry as a whole, the aesthetic of modern runners has become fairly homogenous. Because the growth in running is also bringing higher taste levels, New Balance intentionally sought out to deliver something more stylish. And just like the Infinion foam, the appearance is also something that will continue in the rest of its running output.

The New Balance 1080v15 will release on Jan. 15 through New Balance’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $170, and eight colorways for men and seven colorways for women are already listed on New Balance’s site.