New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15

The New Balance 880 v15 is about as basic as it gets in the 2025 running shoe market - and that’s not a bad thing. There’s always room in a rotation for a shoe like this: a reliable, unadorned, stalwart daily trainer built to absorb the bulk of your easy miles. Compared to its predecessor, the 880 v15 features a welcome 7 mm increase in heel stack, a slightly reduced 6 mm heel-to-toe drop (down from 8 mm in the v14), and an updated EVA midsole that feels a bit less harsh and unforgiving underfoot. The redesign and new colorways - especially the apricot version - undeniably earn it a spot in the conversation for best “dad-drip certified” shoe of 2025. While it may lack the verve and ride character of some other shoes in its price bracket - like the ASICS Novablast 5 or Mizuno Neo Zen - the 880 v15 delivers a simple, straightforward run-walk option that works for just about anyone.