Find stability and comfort in New Balance's Fresh Foam X 860 v14
Weight: 306.5g (men’s), 245.4g (women’s)
Stack height: 35.5mm (heel), 27.5mm (forefoot)
Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
Type: Road
Best for: Easy runs, recovery runs, walking
The shoe
Running isn’t about bashing out personal bests on a day-to-day basis – that approach is simply unsustainable, if not impossible. As we know, the foundations for speedy performances include a great deal of easy and recovery running, where simply ticking over the miles can help to prime your body for faster running on the occasions that matter. What’s more, not all runners strive for speed – instead, for them, running is about putting one foot in front of the other, in comfort.
On all these counts, New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 860 v14 can step up to the mark. The latest edition of the brand’s stability-centric 860 range, this shoe is more plush than its predecessor and offers a reliable, supportive ride. And while it is well suited to the many runners who overpronate, you don’t have to overpronate to wear and appreciate the comfort of this running shoe – I’m a neutral runner, and still gave it a go for easier running efforts, as well as some walking. Here’s what I thought.
What’s new about the Fresh Foam X 860 v14?
This shoe is the first in the 860 range to employ New Balance’s Stability Plane technology, which was debuted by the brand in 2023 with the Vongo v6. This technology entails a thin, EVA stability plate in the midsole, which offers greater flexibility without compromising the support that overpronators need to combat the inward rolling of their feet as they run. It also helps to make the midsole feel softer than that of the 860 v13, without being too squishy and lethargic.
The 860 v14 also boasts a dual-density Fresh Foam X midsole, comprised of a soft layer on top – to be kind to the soles of your feet – and a firmer one below for all-important stability. For context, this is the same foam used for New Balance’s crowd-pleasing Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 (as the name suggests), which we’ve found to be a dependable yet responsive shoe that fits the bill for easy runs up to race day.
That said, the Fresh Foam X 860 v14 is, for me, much more cumbersome than the 1080 v14. For a start, it is a touch heavier (coming in at 245.4g for women, versus the 1080 v14’s 235g), with a relatively thick outsole plus a midsole that is 4mm thicker in the forefoot than that of its predecessor, the 860 v13. But, then again, the dense 860 v14 isn't designed for top-end speed – it is designed to keep you moving comfortably over the miles.
How does the Fresh Foam X 860 v14 fit?
I tested a pair in my usual size (a women’s UK 6) and found the fit to be spot on. The shoe also comes in standard, wide and extra wide, which means that you’re bound to find a pair that accommodates your needs and preferences in that regard, too. A standard pair was a good choice for my narrow feet.
The engineered mesh upper is plush and wrapped over my foot nicely, with the slightly stretchy material eliminating any sense of restriction or rigidity. The tongue is also substantial but soft and supportive, assisting the locked-in feel.
The toe box is by no means capacious, though – and while my smaller toes felt sufficiently free while running in this shoe, other runners may feel a bit closed-in if they are used to a larger toe box. The fairly thick upper material is also, in my opinion, breathable only to an extent. If you’re wearing this shoe for shorter runs or walks – particularly on mild or colder days – then you’ll probably feel fine. However, when I ran in this shoe for a handful of miles on a slightly warmer day, I could tell that my feet would get sweaty and unhappy if I tried to push the distance any further.
What’s it like to run in the Fresh Foam X 860 v14?
New Balance says that this shoe is built for ‘reliability over the long haul and sustained comfort over all distances’. While I can attest to the reliability and comfort of this shoe, not to mention its durability, I wouldn’t say that it was one I would stick with over the long haul.
In fact, I would struggle to run more than about 10K in this shoe, which is the maximum distance I covered while wearing it. Why? Because, after a while, I found the high level of support and stability to be too much for my liking, and the weight a little too burdensome. As a runner who is short in stature and therefore lighter, I don’t respond quite as well to the pumped-up cushioning and greater stability that this shoe provides, although I understand that many larger runners and overpronators would welcome it.
Still, with a drop of 8mm, it does have a defined rocker profile, which helped to inject a bit of bounce and propulsion into my stride and counteract the other, ‘slower’ elements of this shoe. And, while the drop of the 860 v14 is smaller than that of the 860 v13 (which comes in at 10mm), it was still enough to deliver a small bit of energy and a smooth, pleasant transition from heel to forefoot.
Running aside, I found this shoe to be an excellent one to walk in while doing errands around town, and for my over-an-hour walking commutes to and from the office. I haven't experienced blisters nor rubbing in this shoe – and while it might not be as fashionable as New Balance’s lifestyle footwear, it is good-looking enough to wear casually without feeling out of place.
RW verdict
Personally (and I hate to admit it), I prefer walking in this shoe to running longer distances in it. It’s worth noting, though, that this is coming from someone who doesn’t otherwise run in stability shoes – but who does still do a lot of walking.
Besides, this shoe offers more than just stability, and anyone can appreciate the generous cushioning and all-round support that this shoe offers for easy and recovery runs, no matter what your gait. So long as you lace up this shoe knowing that you’re unlikely to break any world records in it, you’ll be content with its comfort and durability – especially if you are new to running, building up your mileage gradually or simply running for good health and a spot of beneficial movement.
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