By Paul Freary
The brand’s most popular support shoe and now it’s only serious daily training shoe in this category, the 860 v15 reaches new heights in terms of cushioning, making it one of the most cushioned support shoes on the market.
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Stats
New Balance | 860v15 |
|---|---|
Best for | Runners wanting high levels of cushioning and support combined in the same shoe |
Support | Stabilty shoe |
Cushion | Max-stack cushioning |
Stack Height | 40mm heel 34mm forefoot |
Drop | 6mm |
Weight | Men 330g (11.6oz) Women 263g (9.2oz) |
Suggested Retail Price | $150 |
Fit | True to size (for New Balance) |
Rating | 9 / 10 |
Design
Fresh Foam X is the brand’s premium cushioning material used in their training models. (Competition shoes use FuelCell). The latest version of the 1080 does utilise the new INFINION foam, but the Fresh Foam X is perfect in this support category, as it blends cushioning and stability perfectly.
New Balance 860v15 - Firm vs Soft Foam
The Fresh Foam X use a dual-density midsole construction, with a firmer section in the rear foot and favours the medial side of the shoe. A softer layer of Fresh Foam X sits atop this, giving the shoe a stack height of 40mm, significantly more than the previous generation model.
The Stability Plane is a thin nylon plate that sits between the two layers of foam and runs the length of the shoe on the medial side. This has the effect of increasing stability and keeping the foot neutral all the way to toe off.
860v15
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Fit
The fit of the new 860v15 is true to size with other New Balance models, as well as the previous generation 860.
It is a little bit wider in the forefoot and has a slightly more rounded fit. It also has a little more overall volume. These small changes don’t affect the overall length of the shoe and you should go with your regular New Balance size.
As always, remember that New Balance use a half-size conversion between Men’s US and UK sizes. A US10 becoming a US9.5 whereas most other brands use a full size conversion between US and UK (US10 = UK9).
The new engineered mesh upper holds the foot really well and feels very well-made. It’s very much a premium construction.
There’s plenty of padding in the tongue, and it feels really plush. I like this and think it provides excellent protection beneath the laces.
The neat padding continues around the heel area and ankle collar and helps hug the foot and hold it securely in place.
New Balance 860v15 is Heavier But Better
Performance
The new 860 immediately feels a significant improvement over the previous generation shoe.
First up, the cushioning is now of max-stack proportions. At 40mm in the heel and 36mm in the forefoot, the cushioning, although higher, feels a little firmer in the heel, due to the firmer density of Fresh Foam X here, which increases the stability of the shoe.
In the forefoot, the softer foam is the full depth of the midsole and feels soft, plush and bouncy.
Stability comes from the revised construction of the twin layers of foam and the stability plane. It works incredibly well and is even better than the previous model. The footprint of the shoe is broader, and it’s simply much more stable.
The running experience is one of being stable but with a smooth transition from heel to forefoot, with the softer forefoot giving the shoe a plush feel and one which influences the overall ride, making it balanced and controlled.
The extra weight the shoe has gained due to the additional cushioning isn’t noticeable on the foot, and once on the go, the great fit helps the weight disappear.
After only a few miles in the shoe, it felt familiar, although different to the previous model. The familiarity comes from the overall stable ride that just seems to engage with the foot perfectly when running.
I’ve also noticed that the shoe performs very well when filming runners with rear-facing video gait analysis. The shoe keeps the vast majority of pronators that I’ve seen in the shoe in a neutral position. Feedback from wearers has also been very positive.
How the New Balance 860v15 Helps With Overpronation
Shoes Like the 860v15
Glycerin GTS 23
The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 is a serious contender to the New Balance 860v15. The Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 is more closely priced, but it’s a testament to the New Balance model that it competes with a higher-priced model.
The Glycerin GTS 23 is a better cushioned model than both the Adrenaline and 860, but it works equally as well as the New Balance in terms of control.
The Brooks is a little more expensive, but in terms of control, both models are very closely placed.
Adrenaline GTS 25
Compared to the Adrenaline GTS 25, the 860 is simply the more stable shoe and more effective in the category.
Saucony Guide 19
The Saucony Guide 19 is a great shoe when it comes to control, being every bit as effective at controlling pronation as the 860. I think the 860 perhaps edges ahead just a little, as it has a slightly higher stack of cushioning, and it is a little more durable.
Nike Structure 26
The Nike Structure 26 is the brand’s support shoe, and perhaps a model that those shopping online for such a shoe might consider. While it is Nike’s most supportive shoe, compared to the 860, it simply doesn’t offer the same level of control for pronation.
My Verdict
In conclusion, the new New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is the best version yet and one which competes very strongly with the best models in the support category.
The support and control are excellent. It does a great job of controlling overpronators, keeping them neutral in a smooth riding manner.
The higher stack of cushioning is welcome and again works well in complementing the control to make this the most cushioned control-type shoe around.
If you are looking for a very stable and well-cushioned shoe that is capable of handling daily miles, then the new 860v15 is a very capable option.
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