Choosing the right pair of running shoes is essential to getting the most out of your training. When you’re looking for reliable, high-quality shoes, New Balance is one of the top running shoe brands that consistently delivers great options for all types of runners.
Some of the best New Balance shoes in their current lineup are the 860 and 880. However, they serve slightly different running needs.
To sum it up quickly, the New Balance 880 is a great choice for runners with a neutral running stride who want a versatile shoe for everyday mileage. On the other hand, the New Balance 860 provides a bit more support for those who overpronate (their feet roll inward).
While that’s the basic difference between the New Balance 860 and New Balance 880, there’s still more information you should consider before deciding. We’ll provide a full deep dive throughout the rest of this article so you can make an educated choice. Stick around for all the details.
Overview of the New Balance 880
The New Balance 880 is a versatile choice for daily runs. Whether you’re doing a quick 3-mile loop or an extensive weekend workout, this pair will have you covered.
As mentioned earlier, this is a neutral shoe for runners with a neutral stride. A neutral running stride means your foot lands evenly on the ground and rolls inward just enough to absorb shock. While there isn’t precise data on this, it’s estimated that about half of runners have this type of stride.
This neutral, moderately-cushioned daily trainer strikes a nice balance between offering enough cushioning for a comfortable experience without feeling too bulky.
The 880’s Fresh Foam X midsole is a little firmer than other New Balance options. However, that lends itself nicely to runners with neutral strides who prefer a balanced and responsive underfoot feel. These runners get enough cushion for a comfortable experience on long runs while keeping the shoe lighter and responsive for top performances as you pick up the pace.
Overview of the New Balance 860
The New Balance 860 is designed with one main goal in mind: providing stability for runners who need support to control overpronation.
Overpronation occurs when your feet roll inward excessively with each foot strike when running. The main problem with overpronation is that it causes more fatigue and can create stress in your joints and ligaments. Runners who overpronate are more likely to get shin splints or experience ankle or knee pain.
Research has found that wearing shoes that correct overpronation can reduce injury. One study found that it reduced all running injuries by 9.1%. Therefore, if you overpronate, choosing shoes like the New Balance 860 is a great choice to even out your stride and keep you healthy.
New Balance 860 vs. 880: Compared
Now it’s time to dive deeper into the details and features that set the New Balance 880 and 860 apart from one another.
860 vs 880: Stability
Like we mentioned above, the biggest difference between the 860 v15 and 880 v15 is in what they’re designed to do.
While both shoes offer a well-cushioned running experience, the 860 v15 is designed for runners who need some extra support for overpronation. In the newest version of the 860, New Balance steers away from the stiff medial post seen in previous stability shoe models. Instead, the 860 v15 relies on a stability plane within the midsole to correct for overpronation without sacrificing comfort, softness, and cushioning.
In contrast, the 880 offers less structure and support built into the shoe. The 880 allows runners to transition through each stride with their natural gait, making this a good option for those with a neutral gait who don’t need as much support in their running shoes.
The stability plane in the 860 does make the shoe a bit heavier compared to its neutral counterpart, weighing in at 11.6 oz for men’s shoes and 9.2 oz for women’s. In comparison, the men’s 880 is 10.7 oz and women’s 880 is 8.4 oz.
860 vs 880: Midsole and Cushioning
Both the 880 and 860 feature the same Fresh Foam X midsole, giving the two shoes a relatively similar underfoot experience. However, with the combination of the EVA Stability Plane and midsole foam in the 860, this stability shoe offers a slightly stiffer and more responsive feel.
The 860 features a stack height of 40 mm in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, while the 880 has only slightly more at 40.5 mm in the heel and 34.5 in the forefoot. This high amount of responsive yet plush foam in both shoes make the 880 and 860 fantastic options for runners looking for a versatile daily trainer that won’t feel too soft or bulky.
860 vs 880: Upper Material and Design
New Balance truly shines when it comes to creating comfortable, breathable, and secure uppers, and both the 860 and 880 are no exception.
The 860 features a cushioned and structured engineered mesh upper for additional support on runs. Despite the structured design, the upper feels soft around the foot and provides a secure, locked-in fit for extra guidance and support on every run.
While the 880’s mesh upper still feels secure, it offers a slightly softer and more flexible fit for extra comfort. Both mesh uppers are lightweight and breathable, with plenty of extra cushioning. But if you prefer a bit more structure and reinforcement, you may prefer the feel of the 860 v15 around your foot.
860 vs 880: Design and Fit
When it comes to the overall design and fit of the shoes, the 880 v15 and 860 v15 share many similarities. They both fit true to size, both offer a wider and roomier overall fit compared to other brands, and both feature a slight rocker-shaped geometry to propel you forward on runs.
The 860 v15 features elements of New Balance’s new stability technology, including a wider platform and raised sidewalls. These stability elements do give the 860 a slightly wider fit compared to the 880, along with providing an overall more secure and reinforced feel around the foot.
The 880 is also available in a standard, wide and extra-wide width to support more foot shapes and sizes, while the 860 is available in standard and wide.
860 vs 880: Durability and Value
When you’re debating which shoe is right for you, you fortunately won’t have to take a price difference into consideration. Both shoes have the same price tag of $149.95.
For the standard price of daily trainers today, both of these shoes offer plenty of value and longevity. The new and improved foam is more durable than previous New Balance models, and both shoes rely on a resiliant rubber outsole for extra grip and durability as you put in the miles.
Which Shoe is Right for You?
After reviewing both options, the right choice ultimately comes down to your natural running gait.
The New Balance 880 is a great choice when you want a versatile shoe that suits most training styles and distances while supporting a more natural running stride that requires less support.
The New Balance 860 is better for those who overpronate and need more support to readjust to a healthier stride.
If you aren’t sure what type of running gait you have, getting a professional gait analysis is a great place to start to ensure you select the right pair of shoes for your needs. Our footwear experts and Marathon Sports can help with this when you stop in at one of our retail stores.
Try on the New Balance 860 and New Balance 880 at Marathon Sports
At Marathon Sports, we have both the New Balance 860 and the New Balance 880 available. You can stop by one of our retail stores to try both and determine which is best for your natural running gait. We also have a wide selection of New Balance running shoes to choose from, so you can review all the options and determine which is best for your needs.
You can also shop our convenient online store for a wide selection of New Balance shoes and other top brands, such as Hoka and Brooks, and have them shipped straight to your doorstep.
Whatever option you choose, we’re here to support you as you gear up to tackle your running goals.
