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Tested using Methodology v0.12
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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 16, 2026 02:05 PM
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New Balance
Heel Stack Height
40.6 mm
Weight
329.3 g (11.62 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
Plate
Plastic
Heel Stack Height
37.2 mm
Weight
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
14.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
New Balance AC Runner
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 is a better running shoe than the New Balance AC Runner. The 860v15 has enough cushioning and stability to handle the higher impact of running, while still being a good walking shoe. The AC Runner is inadequately cushioned for sustained running, but its steeper heel-to-toe drop could be a better choice if your Achilles tendon needs support.
Variants
- Fresh Foam X 860v15 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- Fresh Foam X 860v15 (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
- AC Runner (Altitude/Black/Black Metallic - (Men - US 9))
- AC Runner (Navy/Black/Dark Silver Metallic - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.5
4.7
Forefoot Stack Height
34.6 mm
22.8 mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.6
4.1
Weight
3.1
4.4
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.7
4.1
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.0
4.7
Outsole Arch Width
85 mm (3.3")
53 mm (2.1")
Rocker Stiffness
7.9
4.1
Heel Stack Height
40.6 mm
37.2 mm
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.7
4.2
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
3.1
4.4
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
329.3 g (11.62 oz)
300.4 g (10.60 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
40.6 mm
37.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.6 mm
22.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
14.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
12.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
95 mm (3.7")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
85 mm (3.3")
53 mm (2.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
118 mm (4.6")
107 mm (4.2")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.33
2.25
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.41
4.69
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
275 mm (10.8")
280 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
61 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
92 mm (3.6")
90 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.5
8.8
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
3.1 mm (0.122")
-2.5 mm (-0.100")
Toe TTS Deviation
0.5 mm (0.020")
-2.2 mm (-0.085")
Forefoot Fit: Height
7.1
4.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-3.4 mm (-0.135")
-6.0 mm (-0.237")
Arch Fit: Width
8.9
9.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.0 mm (-0.078")
-0.8 mm (-0.031")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.4
7.1
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
30 mm (1.2")
19 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
19.0%
15.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
28.6°
23.4°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.7
4.2
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
53 mm (2.1")
30 mm (1.2")
Toe Apex Position
63.7%
65.6%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.8°
16.7°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Fresh FoamX
Primary Foam Type
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Round
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
3.3 mm (0.1")
Stretch
8.5%
Breathability
4.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
1.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
13.7 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
31.6 hrs
Time To Dry
52.6 hrs
Water Absorption
6.2
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
50.3%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Fully-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
Plastic
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
4.4
1.9
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
71.1%
67.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
7.0
4.7
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
76.1%
71.5%
Heel Cushioning
7.5
7.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.13 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.24 J
8.63 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.53 J
15.55 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.3
4.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.07 J
3.03 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.05 J
4.88 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.60 J
6.91 J
Heel Firmness
8.5
8.7
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
49.4 N/mm
50.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
58.4 N/mm
61.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
79.6 N/mm
83.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.6
9.8
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
55.5 N/mm
85.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
71.0 N/mm
116.6 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
97 N/mm
165 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.6
4.1
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.51 J
4.61 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.22 J
4.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.05 J
4.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.92 J
4.38 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.9
4.1
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
116 N
31 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
6.7
4.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
63.4%
53.7%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.8
6.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.7 N/mm
13.9 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
280 N
240 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
11.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
18.0 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.8 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
3.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
9.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
11.1 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
12.4 mm
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15
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New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 vs New Balance AC Runner: Main Discussion
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