New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 Review
Learn more about the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14, New Balance’s Stability Plane technology, and how to pull off the dad-sneaker look in our review.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14
original price $140
sale/discounted price$105
Star Rating is 4.7 / 5
The 860 v14 pairs Fresh Foam X cushioning with light stability, making it a solid choice for runners and walkers who want a little extra support for daily miles.
Features
The New Balance Fresh Foam 860v14 takes your reliable stability trainer and makes it even better.
New underfoot technology in the latest 860 delivers a supremely cushioned yet highly stable ride. Built on a wider platform with elevated sidewalls, the midsole creates a guidance frame that eases you through your stride. Then, New Balance flipped the script by using a softer, more responsive Fresh Foam X compound on top where your foot makes contact, combined with a denser foam below for support and durability.
The result is a stable, soft and responsive underfoot experience that absorbs impact and energizes your every step.
Details:
- Upper: The engineered mesh upper provides all-day comfort with a secure, breathable fit. New Balance also partnered with Repreve to incorporate recycled bottle content, making the 860v14 equal parts performance and sustainability.
- Midsole: The top layer of the midsole uses New Balance’s cushy and energetic Fresh Foam X materials. Underneath sits New Balance’s brand-new EVA Film Stability technology which includes a wider landing platform throughout, elevated sidewalls around the foot that encourage forward motion and a flared heel that eases you through your stride.
- Outsole: The integrated outsole design promotes forefoot stiffness for confident toe-offs.
Tech Specs
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14
| Weight |
10.9 oz (M), 8.6 oz (W)
|
|---|---|
| Drop |
8 mm
|
| Stack Height (heel/forefoot) |
29 mm/21 mm
|
| Use |
Everyday training
|
| Ride | 3/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 3/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
| Category | stability |
What’s New
New Balance totally reimagined the Fresh Foam 860 for its 14th iteration. The midsole comes upgraded with an evolved Fresh Foam X material and an extra 2-4 mm of stack height compared to the previous version. However, the biggest change comes from their brand-new EVA Film Stability technology that frames a wider, more dense midsole material underneath to give you a stable and reliable platform to run on. According to New Balance, the 860v14 also has greater displacement (cushioning) and increased energy return compared to the v13.
Who It’s Best For
For those who have come to rely on the 860 for mild-to-moderate overpronation, the latest version lives up to its reputation as a reliable stability trainer for daily runs and workouts that doesn't compromise on step-in comfort.
Why You’ll Love It
You’ll love the upgraded midsole of the 860 v14 that gently guides your foot through its stride and gives you a pillowy soft ride.
Star Rating is 4 / 5
These Shoes 🫶🏻
This is my first time wearing new balance in years and I am loving these!
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Comfortable Support!
These shoes were actually suggested to me by ChatGPT when we were discussing my pain patterns with overpronation and calf soreness. My calves were constantly overloaded because my feet did not have enough support. As soon as I put these shoes on, I realized that I have never owned a supportive shoe before! These were comfortable as soon as I put them on, and I have had zero foot pain and calf soreness since wearing them, even when walking hours on hard floors at work! True to size for me and the Wide is perfect.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Great show all around
This is my second pair of the same shoe; I loved the first pair so much. The quality is great and comfort is superb. I will buy them again and again.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Great support!
Love these! I had been wearing my daughter’s very worn pair of 13’s and finally ordered a new pair of 14’s for myself. They fit me great- don’t bother my bunion and feel very supportive. I’m not a runner- use these for daily walking.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Cushion and stability
Love how cushy these feels while still maintaining support. These are my go to shoes for easy runs with my dog.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Change is good!
The changes made on this version make it so much more comfortable across the top, in the waist, and in the toe box and cap. A previous version squeezed my arch and top of my foot, even with the laces as big as they could go, and my foot is as narrow as it gets. The whole shoe is more accommodating now while still being supportive, and I can wear thicker socks if I choose, but I don't have to. Love it.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Consistent fit
I have several pairs of 860 shoes, different versions, and I find the fit consistent. This is helpful when purchasing shoes online. I’m pleased with the shoe fit and color. I do wish the laces were a bit longer, but they’re okay for now. Shipping only took a week, but FedEx bounced the shoes around in PA for about four days, same place twice, before heading to Indiana and finally to Kentucky where I live. Obviously not controlled by Fleet feet, but the company should be aware of it.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Great shoes
These are so comfortable. The cushioning is fantastic and the shoe is still stable.
Star Rating is 5 / 5
Comfort and Support
This is my second pair of the Fresh Foam X860v14 shoes. They provide the structure and support I need to correct my stance and support my arches, along with a soft enough footbed to provide all-day comfort. And I cannot say enough about the generous toe box, which allows my toes to spread out fully without being at all compressed together. Perfect for me, and that's why I bought the second pair while they were still available. My only negative comment is about any New Balance shoes I have tried...the laces they provide are just barely long enough for me to tie a medium size bow, with no chance of double tying...so my shoes come undone on most walks at least twice. (Had to buy my own longer lace replacements.)
