The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is a cushioned support running shoe, and it's one of the clearest examples of how much this category has changed. The 860 line has long been New Balance's dependable support trainer, but this version moves away from the feel of a lower-profile, more traditional stability shoe and leans into more stack and protection while still providing structure. The midsole uses a tall dual-layer Fresh Foam X setup with New Balance's Stability Plane system, which combines firmer foam in targeted areas with a plastic plate to help guide the foot through the shoe rather than relying on an old-school medial post. That gives the shoe a supportive but protective platform for easy runs, walks, and long hours on your feet, but it also makes it heavy and substantial underfoot.
Our Verdict
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 isn't designed as a racing shoe, but it can technically still work for finishing a half or full marathon if your priority is protection and stability rather than speed. Its towering stack and supportive platform give it plenty of underfoot security over longer distances, and the forefoot has enough rebound to keep the ride from feeling completely flat. However, the shoe's heavy build makes it hard to turn over efficiently, so it's definitely not a fast option for racing.
Good cushioning for long runs.
Rocker helps maintain steady turnover.
Very heavy.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is a poor candidate for short-distance racing. Its firm forefoot geometry and structured platform help it roll forward a bit more than you would expect, but the shoe is far too heavy to be quick or nimble when pace matters. It's stable and protective enough for casual race efforts, but it doesn't have the light, snappy feel most runners will want for 5K or 10K racing.
Very heavy.
Forefoot is firm but not very snappy.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is good for long runs if you want a stable, protective shoe for steady mileage. Its cushioning holds up pretty well for long distances, which, paired with the broad base, helps keep the shoe feeling secure when your form starts to fade, and the rocker stays structured enough under load to help smooth out the transition. That said, its weight is very noticeable, so it's better suited to relaxed long runs than faster progression runs.
Good cushioning for long runs.
Very stable underfoot.
Rocker helps maintain steady turnover.
Very heavy.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is decent for daily training, especially if your everyday runs are mostly easy and you need extra support. It has strong cushioning, excellent stability, and a protective feel that works well for a mix of running and walking. However, runners who prefer a lighter, more natural, or more modern daily trainer will find it cumbersome due to its substantial weight and rather uninspiring midsole.
Very stable underfoot.
Wide platform.
Very heavy.
Not a modern, lively trainer.
Changelog
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Updated Jun 19, 2026:
We wrote the full review, with text aligned with the newest Test Bench.
- Updated Jun 18, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 0.12, which fixes how we measure firmness, a component of the Stability and 5K/10K Racing usages. There may be inconsistencies between the text and the scores for these usages, but the scores should still be considered valid. We've also brought back the Energy Return score and added two new usages: Daily Training and Long Run. To read more about the changes, see the changelog.
- Updated Jun 18, 2026: Review published.
- Updated Jun 02, 2026: Our testers have started testing this product.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
Energy Return
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 has acceptable energy return overall, but it's not an especially bouncy shoe. The forefoot gives back a decent amount of energy and helps the ride feel a bit more lively when you roll onto your toes, but the heel feels much more muted.
Not very lively underfoot.
Responsiveness
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is reasonably responsive for such a big stability shoe, but it's still far from being truly propulsive. The forefoot rocker is quite pronounced and stiff, which helps it move forward better than its size suggests, but the main drawback is the heel, which doesn't feel energetic at all. It has enough turnover for easy runs, but it won’t feel springy compared with most running shoes.
Rocker helps maintain steady turnover.
Not very lively underfoot.
Forefoot is firm but not very snappy.
Cushioning
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 has strong cushioning, with lots of protection under both the heel and forefoot. The forefoot is especially well-cushioned, which helps make the shoe feel protective through toe-off and over longer efforts. It's a good match for runners who want plenty of foam underfoot, though the cushioning is more structured and supportive than soft and plush.
Good cushioning for long runs.
Stability
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is extremely stable by design. Its firm heel, broad outsole, and secure upper all help keep your foot centered on the platform. While this test doesn't directly measure traditional support features, the shoe's Stability Plane system and targeted firmer foam help guide your foot through each stride and correct overpronation. This makes it a confidence-inspiring option for runners who want a supportive ride, especially during easy runs or longer efforts when form can become harder to maintain.
Very stable underfoot.
Support features help guide overpronation.
Wide platform.
True To Size
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 fits true to size, and you can confidently pick your usual size. The length is spot-on, and there's plenty of room through the forefoot and arch for most runners. The toe box height is only decent, so runners with higher-volume feet may notice a bit less vertical space up front, but the overall fit is accurate and accommodating.
Fits true to size in length and volume.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 in men's U.S. size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The color shown here is FAIRWEATHER BLUE with NB NAVY, but the shoe is available in a variety of additional colorways depending on your region. This model is available in a wide range of widths, from Standard (B for women, D for men) to Wide (D for women, 2E for men), as well as Extra Wide (4E) for men. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is a cushioned stability running shoe built for runners who want support, protection, and a very secure ride. Compared to most daily trainers, it's noticeably more structured and much heavier, so it doesn't feel as natural or easy to turn over as lighter and more modern options. However, that extra foam underfoot, both in height and width, gives it a clear purpose: it's steady yet protective for easy runs, longer runs, walking, and runners who want help controlling overpronation. In the broader stability-shoe market, it follows the same modern idea as shoes like the Saucony Hurricane 25 and Nike Structure Plus, using a wide base, high stack, targeted firmer foam instead of relying on a more traditional medial post that's much harsher.
New Balance has a wide daily trainer lineup, with the New Balance 1080v15 as its popular premium trainer and the New Balance 1540 sitting above the 860 as the brand's most structured support shoe. The 860 isn't the most glamorous option in the lineup, but it's more honest about its purpose than overhyped releases like the New Balance Ellipse, a comfort trainer with something of an identity crisis. The 860 is very clear about what it is and largely delivers on that promise.
If you're looking for more options, check out our recommendations for the best New Balance running shoes and the best running shoes overall.
The New Balance 1080v15 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 are both well-cushioned daily trainers, but they serve different runners. The 1080v15 is New Balance's premium neutral trainer and the more versatile option for most daily mileage. It has plenty of cushioning, a stable shape for a neutral shoe, and a lighter build, so it feels easier to use if you want something comfortable but still relatively natural underfoot. The 860v15 is the more supportive option, with dedicated stability features, including firmer foam in targeted areas and a plastic Stability Plane layer to help guide the foot. However, the 860v15 is much heavier and doesn't feel especially bouncy or nimble, so it works better for runners who prioritize support and overpronation control over a smoother, lighter daily-training feel.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v15 are both similarly named daily trainers, but they serve different purposes. The 880v15 is the more classic workhorse: a neutral daily trainer with a lower stack, lighter build, and no dedicated guidance features. It’s better for shorter, easy runs if you want a simpler, more traditional-feeling shoe, though it doesn't offer the same level of protection or support. The 860v15 is heavier, but it also gives you more shoe underfoot. Its taller and wider platform provides better protection and stability, while its support features, including firmer foam and a plastic Stability Plane layer, help guide the foot and control overpronation. It still isn't especially nimble or bouncy, but it feels a bit less dead underfoot than the 880v15.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 and Nike Structure Plus are both stability-oriented daily trainers, but the Nike is the easier shoe to use every day if you don't need as much support. It feels more like a regular daily trainer, with a less intrusive ride that works better for routine mileage and shorter easy runs. The New Balance is heavier and less nimble, but it does a better job when protection and support matter more. Its taller cushioning, wider platform, and more planted feel make it better suited to long runs, especially if you want a more stable ride when your form starts to fade.