880 14 vs 880 15

The New Balance 880v14 is the definition of a do-everything neutral daily trainer, and that is exactly the point. This is the shoe you reach for on Monday when you just want to run, not think about your shoes. It is not light at 304g and it is not flashy, but it gives you a dependable, cushioned running shoe that soaks up easy miles, marathon-block base runs and the daily commute-jog without complaint. New Balance pitches it against the neutral-daily benchmarks, and it holds its own next to the Brooks Ghost 17 and the Pegasus. The 8mm drop and generous cushioning suit heel and midfoot strikers who want protection over pop. If you want a softer, more premium ride from the same brand, the Fresh Foam X 1080v14 sits a tier up. But for a no-drama workhorse at £140, the 880v14 is an easy shoe to recommend.

The New Balance 880 v15 is the definition of a dependable neutral daily trainer: a road running shoe built to soak up steady miles rather than chase them. It sits in New Balance's line as the sensible, plush workhorse below the pricier Fresh Foam X 1080, and that is exactly its job. You get a tall, well-cushioned platform and a roomy, forgiving fit that suits easy runs, long runs and the daily grind of marathon training. It is a soft, protective ride first and foremost. At 286g it is on the heavier side, so this is not the shoe you reach for when you want to run fast, and there is no plate or standout tech giving you free energy at pace. What you get instead is comfort you can trust and an outsole that keeps going. For runners who want one reliable trainer to log the bulk of their week, we rate it as a safe, comfortable buy, if not an exciting one.