The best new running shoes for 2023 are all about comfort.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is quickly becoming a favorite among long-distance runners for its support, cushioning, and day-after-day reliability.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is known as a stability running shoe, but the added support doesn’t make it bulky. It’s an ideal combination of stability and cushioning that can go the distance.
In this New Balance 860 review, we take an in-depth look at the Fresh Foam X 860 v13 to help you decide if it’s the perfect running shoe for you.
Our Review Process
At Marathon Sports, we believe in the importance of a quality running shoe that suits your individual needs. That’s why we spend so much time researching, testing, and reviewing the products we sell.
Our reviewers are staff members who put the shoes they review to the test. They run short and long distances on various terrain to see how each shoe holds up in terms of comfort, stability, and durability.
The Fresh Foam x 860 v13 is no different. Our reviewers tested this supportive long-distance running shoe to see how it fared from the first mile to the last.
The Details
The New Balance Fresh Foam x 860 v13 is bound to be a favorite among runners who appreciate the extra support. Here are all the details you need to know when deciding if this is the right running shoe for you:
- Features a 10mm drop from heel to toe
- Weighs 10.9 ounces for a men’s size 9 and 8.6 ounces for a women’s size 8
- Features the Fresh Foam midsole made from 3-percent bio-based content
- Breathable yet supportive mesh upper
- Available up to size 15
- Stack height of 27mm/17mm
- Reflective accents for safely running in low light
- The upper is from 50 percent recycled materials
- Standard, wide, and extra-wide options are available
- Designed for road running
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is a shoe that athletes can feel good about wearing thanks to its bio-based content and recycled materials. New Balance continuously works to reduce its carbon footprint by using renewable resources.
Stand-Out Features
Today’s running shoes are packed with features designed to improve the overall running experience through comfort, durability, stability, and more. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is a spacious running shoe with several stand-out features that will allure runners seeking a stable running shoe.
The Fresh Foam X 860 v13 gets its stability from a medial post under the shoe’s arch. The stability features in this New Balance shoe make it ideal for over-pronators or runners who need extra support due to previous injuries. The post’s positioning differs from previous models, as it sits higher up in the shoe. Because of this, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is more supportive than last year’s v12 and other former models.
Arguably the most impressive feature is the new Fresh Foam X ultra-cushiony foam in the midsole. The soft and comfortable Fresh Foam X leads to a high-density, more responsive foam at the toe of the shoe for quicker transitions and lively takeoffs. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 also features a 10mm drop.
New Balance also updated the outsole of the 860 this year. A new pattern increases grip while working with other stability features to provide more support than previous models.
How It Feels on the Road
When you push all the technicalities aside, the most essential aspect of this New Balance 860 review is how the shoe feels while running. All our reviewers agree that this shoe remains comfortable from start to finish. That’s due to the Fresh Foam X, New Balance’s softest midsole material.
The cushiony midsole softens impacts for comfort that lasts from the start of the run to the final step. However, unlike other extra-cushiony long-distance running shoes, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 has a firmer foam in the forefront for superior responsiveness. Our reviewers have complained that other highly-cushioned running shoes don’t offer the responsive, energetic takeoffs they prefer. The Fresh Foam X 860 v13 provides the comfort of substantial cushioning and the responsiveness of a more performance-driven running shoe.
Our reviewers also remarked that this newest New Balance 860 is remarkably flexible despite its added support at the arch. Running in shoes that are too bulky or rigid can lead to sore feet, and that can cut long-distance runs short.
The new 860 was also praised for its durability, thanks to the new outsole rubber that’s even more durable than previous models. We know consumers are looking for running shoes that last, and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is one of the toughest long-distance running shoes we’ve seen.
The new rubber outsole also felt more stable than the outsole on previous models. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 feels stable on wet or uneven surfaces. Our reviewers stated they thought it’d be a suitable shoe for road runners who occasionally head to the trails. Although, we always suggest designated trail running shoes for avid trail runners.
The Fit
Our team found the fit of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 another of its best characteristics. The 860 has always been a favorite for its sizing availability, including wide and extra-wide options. It features a spacious toe box that allows feet to breathe while preventing pain or blisters.
The 860 v13 also offers extra padding on the tongue for extra comfort without added bulk. The new mesh upper is ultra-breathable to keep feet feeling fresh even when logging miles on hot days. That ventilation also helps the 860 dry faster after rainy day runs or unexpected downpours.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 V13 fits true to size and allows breathability while still feeling secure.
Pros and Cons
Our reviewers reported their pros and cons for the Fresh Foam X 860 v13 to help you make an educated decision about whether or not to purchase.
Pros
- Excellent support
- Ultra-comfortable Fresh Foam X cushioning
- Stable support bar in the arch area
- New gripper outsole
- Sleek, sophisticated appearance
- Breathable mesh upper
- Made with some recycled materials
- Unique dual-density foam for comfort and responsiveness
Cons
- May feel heavy to some runners
- The drop can be too drastic for some runners
- Doesn’t have all the technical features of some other popular new running shoes
Who Should Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13?
There’s no one running shoe will be perfect for everyone. Different runners require different shoes due to various factors, including foot shape, prior injuries, pronation, running style, and more. The New Balance 860 has been made for runners who overpronate or require more stability.
It’s also a shoe that will remain reliable day in and day out, and that’s a big reason why it’s one of New Balance’s most iconic models. Runners know they’re getting a comfortable and durable shoe when they purchase the New Balance 860.
The Updated New Balance 860
New Balance doesn’t alter the 860 too drastically from year to year. The Fresh Foam X 860 v13 features some of the most significant changes in recent years. Our reviewers praised the dual-density foam and breathable mesh upper as two stand-out features that would keep them from returning to previous models.
They also appreciate the new, grippier, and more durable outsole. This New Balance 860 felt more stable than the beloved former additions, and we saw that as a significant perk for overpronators.
More Than a Running Shoe
Athletes get a lot of bang for their buck with the New Balance 860. It’s a good-looking, reliable running shoe that works well for gym workouts and can also head out on the occasional trail run.
Our reviewers found themselves wearing this shoe throughout the day, long after a run was complete. The comfortable cushioning and sophisticated look made it easy to wear this shoe from a workout to the store and even a casual day at the office.
In Conclusion: The 2023 New Balance 860 Review
Our review team agreed the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 featured numerous improvements on the former v12 without sacrificing what runners love about the classic 860. It’s a dependable, comfortable, and supportive long-distance running shoe that suits runners with varying foot shapes and running styles. We consider it one of the best all-around running shoes on the market.
Think the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 might be the right shoe for you? Get your pair today at Marathon Sports!