- Running Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
- New Balance lowered the heel-to-toe drop to 6mm, but it’ll likely go unnoticed by most runners.
- mdash;along with the of 2025.
The 880 is best described by one word: Workhorse. It’s long been one of the shoes I typically recommend to new runners as a starting point—along with the Brooks Ghost, Nike Pegasus, and Saucony Ride—because it works for most people most of the time, and is on the lower end of the price spectrum. It may not be exciting, but it gets the job done.
Pros
- Buy Women’s at
- Well-cushioned without being overly soft
Cons
- Running Adidas Adizero Evo SL
- May be too thick and stiff for some runners
| Weight | 10.0 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 6 m |
| Type | Trainer |
The 880 that you see here has evolved quite a bit from earlier versions. It previously had a tall heel and a 10mm drop. Last year’s shoe was lowered to an 8mm offset, and v15 goes even further to 6mm. That lower drop didn’t cause any issues for those of us with sensitive Achilles tendons.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media New Balance mdash;along with the of 2025 foam under the forefoot, as it increased overall sole thickness. The shoe now tops out at just over 40mm thick, putting it in max cush territory.
But don’t make the mistake of thinking this shoe is pillowy soft. In fact, our testers used all sorts of other words to describe it: adequate, noticeable, appropriate, enough, supportive. There’s a lot of foam there, but it’s relatively firm and stiff, which, combined with the broad footprint, contributes strongly to make the shoe stable—though it’s not a traditional stability shoe.
Another consequence of all that foam is that the 880 v15 is more than an ounce heavier than its predecessor. The extra bulk squarely places this shoe in the beefy, max-cushioned space now.
The Tailored Upper Is Comfy
Wear-testers found that the new upper delivers an excellent combination of security and comfort.
“The upper provides a snug fit without feeling restrictive, and the breathability is excellent, even on warmer runs,” said Dave Sabol, who has tested a variety of road and trail shoes over the past decade. “The engineered mesh upper is also refined, providing a breathable and secure fit. It ran true to size and the toebox offered ample room to allow for plenty of toe splay without feeling sloppy.”
That was echoed by Cheryl Kundek, a tester who lands forefoot first. “The length, width, and toebox of this shoe were very comfortable. The material did stretch; I had no hot spots or discomfort on all of my runs. This was one of the most consistently comfortable shoes I have worn.”
Ride Quality
Testers appreciated the upgraded cushioning in the new 880, even if it does put more foam between your foot and the road.
“One of the best features of this shoe is its cushioning,” said Nick Miller, who also tested the 1080 v14 last year. “The foam is soft yet responsive, giving you the ability to feel the road but also provide the cushion required for long runs. The shoe offers a smooth, cushioned ride, which will help absorb the impact on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt.”
But, it wasn’t quite enough for all of our testers.
“I felt the heel cushioning was adequate and appropriate but I could feel the road in the outer forefoot and I felt there could be more cushioning in that area,” said Lauren Woodall, who preferred the roll of the Brooks Hyperion Max 2 that she’d previously tested. “I feel the shoes are adequate for long runs and would also wear them for longer distance races. The shoes feel relatively fast with minimal effort.”
The Verdict
With its thicker, softer midsole, the new 880 has pushed into the cushy territory that once belonged to the 1080. And it’s those runners who want a big slab of foam but don’t mind carrying around a couple extra ounces who will embrace the change. But the 880 is likely to appeal to even more runners than some of its max-cushioned counterparts because of the reasonable $140 price tag.
But if you’re the type of runner who wants a more responsive shoe and better ground feel, you’ll find the 880 to be too thick. The Rebel v5 Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
Buy Men’s at NewBalance.com Buy Women’s at NewBalance.com
More Running Shoes We Recommend
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
