880 14

Yes, for most runners the 880v14 fits true to size, so order your usual New Balance size and you should be comfortable. The toe box is medium width and rounded, giving your toes room to splay without feeling loose. The big advantage over rivals is the choice of standard, 2E and 4E widths, so wide-footed runners can get a genuine fit rather than sizing up. Only consider a half size up if you want extra forefoot room or plan to run in thick winter socks.

It is a great shoe for marathon training but not for racing one. The Fresh Foam X cushioning and durable build make it ideal for the high-volume easy and steady miles of a marathon block, where comfort and reliability matter more than speed. On race day itself, the 304g weight and lack of any plate or rebound hold you back. Save the 880v14 for your base runs and reach for a lighter tempo or carbon shoe when the gun goes.

Yes, the 880v14 is one of the safer picks for a new runner. It is a neutral daily trainer with a forgiving, protective ride, a secure fit and a naturally stable platform that will not feel tippy underfoot. There is nothing aggressive or specialised about it, which is exactly what most beginners need while they build mileage. The width options also help newer runners who are still learning what fits. It is a shoe you can grow into without it dictating how you run.

Both are neutral daily workhorses, so it often comes down to fit and feel. The Nike Pegasus 42 tends to be a touch more responsive and comes in a standard width only, while the 880v14 leans more protective and cushioned and crucially offers 2E and 4E widths. If you have a wide foot or want the plusher, more grounded ride, take the New Balance. If you want a slightly livelier, more versatile shoe and have a regular-width foot, the Pegasus edges it.

Durability is one of this shoe's strengths. The generous rubber outsole and dense Fresh Foam X midsole are built to take a beating, and most runners should expect 640 to 800 kilometres of useful life, in line with or slightly better than typical daily trainers. Because it is a workhorse rather than a lightweight racer, there is plenty of material to wear through before the ride goes flat, which helps keep the cost-per-mile low over the shoe's lifetime.