New Balance 860 Review: The Sweet Spot Between Stability and Speed

At a glance

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 - Men's and Women's

Stability vs Neutral Running Shoes: Understanding the Difference for Overpronators

Before diving into the 860's performance, it's worth understanding what separates stability shoes from their neutral counterparts. Neutral shoes are designed for runners with efficient biomechanics who don't need corrective features. They prioritize cushioning, flexibility, and natural foot movement.

Stability running shoes for severe overpronation, on the other hand, are engineered specifically for runners whose feet roll inward excessively upon landing. These shoes incorporate medial support features like firmer foam on the arch side or guide rails to encourage proper foot alignment. The traditional trade-off? Most stability shoe alternatives felt clunky, sluggish, and disconnected from the ground.

It is important to note that just because you overpronate doesn’t mean you need to be on a mission to completely correct it. I’ve read numerous articles from physicians and physiotherapists on this topic and the data doesn’t show that stability running shoes significantly reduce injury among runners. Competitive Edge physical therapy provides a good summary in their article.

My take is that it is important to make sure that whatever shoe you choose properly supports your stride. If you have a severe overpronation or have issues with plantar fasciitis, then a stability running shoe is probably a good thing. 

I overpronate and for years only wore stability runners (aka structured trainers). After reading numerous articles that indicated maybe I didn’t need to, I decided to branch out. I started by visiting Boulder Running Company (now Fleet Feet, Boulder) in Boulder, CO. They have a super knowledgeable staff and use software to analyze your stride. I ran on the treadmill in a number of different shoes and selected a pair (I think it was the Altra Torin in this case) based on my perceived comfort and video confirming that my pronation wasn’t being exacerbated. If my ankle rolls terribly in a shoe then I stay away from it (I refer to this as ankle collapse). Since my initial foray with the Torin I’ve branched out into varying shoes with different stack height and drop without injury. I always consider how my ankle rolls in the shoe and how comfortable they are. Even with my overpronation I was able to run a marathon during Ironman Louisville in a pair of Nike Zoom Fly, which I love (though the toe is not as roomy as the 860).

With all of this in mind, I tend to stay away from shoes specifically designed as a stability runner because in my head I’m sacrificing performance. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v14 challenges my perception.

Fit and Comfort: Wide Toe Box, Secure Heel

One of the first things I noticed about the 860v14 is the roomy toe box. It's not as roomy as Altra shoes, but if you’ve worn Hoka or Nike before and found them a little snug up front, this is a breath of fresh air.

I’ve worn these on multiple long training runs over 15 miles, and the comfort holds up the entire way—no rubbing, no toe crowding, and no heel slippage. Crucially for me I have yet to mash either small toe in these. They are my most comfortable running shoes of the moment, hands down. The upper is supple and the tongue is squishy in just the right way for me. 

Ride Quality: Lively for a Stability Shoe

The New Balance 860v14 stands out because it doesn’t ride like a traditional stability shoe. Thanks to its Fresh Foam X midsole, the ride feels snappy and energetic, not dead or overly firm.

During tempo runs and even some interval workouts, I’ve been surprised at how responsive they feel. Compared to the Hoka Mach 6, which is the closest competitor in my rotation, the 860 feels quicker off the ground and more natural through toe-off. They have great road feel but equally important I'm comfortable in them for a 2-hour run (which admittedly I haven't done much of recently).

Durability and Mileage

After several hundred miles, the outsole still has solid grip and the midsole cushioning hasn’t bottomed out. The mesh upper has remained breathable and shows minimal wear. I live by the rule that you shouldn’t replace a pair of running shoes until you start to actually experience a reduction in comfort or performance, and my first pair of 860s will be in my rotation for a while longer.

New Balance 860 vs Hoka Mach 6: Detailed Running Shoe Comparison

My current rotation includes the Nike Zoom Fly, Altra Torin, and Hoka Mach 6, giving me a solid comparison base across different philosophies and brands. When comparing stability running shoes, the closest match in terms of daily training versatility is the Hoka Mach 6, another shoe that attempts to bridge the gap between cushioning and responsiveness.

I like the Hoka Mach 6 well enough, but the New Balance 860 v14 pulls ahead in two key areas: toe box geometry and overall speed sensation. The New Balance offers a noticeably broader toe box compared to Hoka running shoes, allowing natural toe splay without feeling sloppy or imprecise. This becomes especially important for me during longer efforts when my small toes get hammered in more narrow toe boxes.

More importantly, and other runners may disagree, but I find  that the 860 simply feels faster than the Mach 6. While both shoes offer excellent cushioning for daily miles, the New Balance maintains a more connected, ground-feel sensation that translates to better turnover and efficiency during uptempo work. The Mach 6 is known to be one of Hoka's fastest cushioned trainers, but for me the new Balance 860 is more lively.

Other stability shoes worth considering

Without going to deep on other stability shoes, there are a few that I've either ran in or are on my list to try. 

Nike Zoom Structure 25

These are on my list to try because my Nike Zoom Fly shoes are the fastest I've owned. I also find them comfortable even on long runs. I wish I could take the toe box on the New Balance 860 and drop it onto these shoes.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

I used an older version of this shoe for a season of triathlon as I hunted for a stability shoe with good performance. It was a great shoe, except that I found the toe a little cramped. It surely fits and runs differently now as Brooks has evolved quickly. This is a strong consideration for me as an every day shoe to pound out some miles.

ON Cloudflyer 5

As the "it" brand of the moment, I have to admit I'm curious to get my hands on these. It seems everyone I know (my wife included with some Cloudrunner 2) are running in ONs. I'm choosing the Cloudflyer 5 because they offer even more stability than the Cloudrunner.