New Balance 860 v13 Review (2024): Top Pick for Overpronation?
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is a high-quality stability daily trainer with a firm ride.Our Verdict
Very good versatile stability shoes focusing on comfort and daily training.
Don’t have time to read the full review? Here’s what you need to know.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is a daily trainer crafted with comfort and protection in mind, primarily for moderate paces. Very similar to the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v13, it comes with stability features for overpronators.
The midsole features Fresh Foam X foam. It’s pretty dense, delivering a firm underfoot feel in the heel while retaining an overall softness with good shock absorption.
The new structured, breathable technical mesh upper provides a good lockdown. The outsole, already stellar on past editions, comes with even more rubber for some of the best durability on the market.
In short, these are sturdy shoes to rack up the miles for runners seeking comfort, stability, and lockdown for their daily workouts.
Please read our full review of the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 for more information.
PROS
- Very stable shoes
- Good lockdown and comfortable upper for breathability
- Durable outsole
- Effective cushioning for good shock absorption
CONS
- Lack of responsiveness, heavy weight
- Tongue too short for some testers
- Firm feel that may not appeal to everyone
Introduction
New Balance is one of the heavyweights in the market, alongside Nike, Adidas, and others. It has a complete and extensive running footwear line-up, but it’s not always easy to understand the subtleties between the different models. However, the higher the numbers, the more the model is suitable for longer distances.
Therefore, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is quite similar to its “sibling”, the 880. However, it comes with additional technology for overpronation, which impacts the ride and running experience.
So let’s find out how good these shoes are and whether they can be suitable for you. I will base my analysis on my trial runs with these shoes and the feedback from other runners.
Cushioning
Do we even need to introduce Fresh Foam X? Present on most New Balance running shoes, this foam has a proven track record of delivering softness and shock absorption. With a high stack, it allows runners to tackle any distance for daily running.
In the case of the 880 v13, we have a 35 mm heel stack height with a 10-mm drop (25 mm heit in the forefoot). This provides enough cushion for long distances for most runners, including heavier ones.
However, the underfoot feel is firm, especially in the heel, which may not appeal to everyone. Nonetheless, the ride is smooth and accessible to a majority of runners.
Energy return
At 294 g/10.4 oz in EU size 42, the shoe is not lightweight despite being lighter than its predecessor. Combined with a moderate rocker, this doesn’t give the most responsive shoe. The energy return is relatively low and won’t be ideal for speed sessions.
However, transitions are fluid enough for a daily trainer, and the 860 should be sufficient for runners who don’t have performance and bounce as their number 1 criteria..
Support and stability
The 880 was already a stable shoe, but the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 is logically even more so, with its Dual Density Post technology for those who need support.
Simply put, the foam is dual-density. This means there are strategic zones under the foot arch (from the midfoot to the heel) to prevent the foot from rolling too far outwards upon impact.
It’s hard to judge the effectiveness of such guidance, especially when it comes to preventing injuries, but the shoes are undeniably more stable. If such a configuration has proven beneficial for you, then there’s no reason not to go for it.
Foot Lockdown
The upper has been completely redesigned compared to the previous version. We’ve gone from an airy mesh to a more engineered, structured one with side overlays, padding, and embroidered lines to ensure good stability.
Some testers found the previous version almost too airy and not warm enough for winter. This time, runners unanimously praised the 860v13s for offering sufficient protection in cold weather while remaining breathable.
I found the fit very comfortable, as did the other runners I consulted. The seamless mesh prevents irritation and chaffing, and the lockdown is precise. The padded heel counter prevents slippage, while the flared collar follows the movement of the Achilles tendon, enhancing overall stability.
The only potential drawback is the internal gusseted tongue that many runners found too short. I didn’t experience discomfort like other testers, but I would have preferred it to be longer.
This model runs true to size, at least in length. However, for width, some runners with wide feet felt they didn’t have enough room in the toe box to be entirely comfortable, especially for long distances. Personally, I also have wide feet, and I didn’t experience any discomfort. I picked my usual size, and it fitted very well.
Traction
The NDURANCE carbon-reinforced outsole rubber is sturdy and offers excellent traction. On the other hand, the thick layer and full coverage mean that the shoe is less flexible, amplifying the firm underfoot feel, but it’s a trade-off that helps maximize durability. Also, the deep grooves do help a little with flexibility.
Even on wet surfaces, the grip is excellent. The shoe performs particularly well on a wide variety of terrains. Without being a trail running shoe, there’s no problem taking it on easy dirt-packed paths once in a while.
Use Scenarios
Let’s not sugar-coat it: the Fresh Foam X 860v13 is not for speed runs or racing. Its weight and lack of responsiveness make it unsuitable to pick up the pace comfortably.
On the other hand, the shoe’s comprehensive features make it a reliable choice for most daily running sessions, especially moderate-pace runs like fundamental endurance jogging. Shock absorption is satisfactory, even if the firm ride may deter some on long runs.
New Balance offers a complete, stable model, with good protection and excellent durability. Regardless of your level–experienced or beginner–, the 860 v13 will be a worthwhile addition to your rotation if you’re looking for an all-rounder trainer with enhanced stability.
Quality and Durability
The quality of the outsole is very high and I didn’t notice any signs of early wear after running extensively with these shoes (also on forest paths). As the mesh upper is also very sturdy, all signs indicate that it’s a model that should last a very long time, making it a great value pick!
We can also appreciate that these shoes use New Balance’s Green Leaf standard for eco-friendly design. For textiles, 50% or more of the materials come from recycled fibers or, for cotton, from sustainable cultivation methods.
The foam in the Fresh Foam X midsole contains around 3% organic raw materials.
However, according to our information, the 880 is not vegan, meaning it contains animal products.
Conclusion
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 follows in the footsteps of previous versions and completes the brand’s series, offering a reliable stability trainer guiding the runner’s gait to prevent overpronation.
It’s a good pick for beginners looking for a single model to do everything as they progress or for more experienced runners who need sturdy shoes on the firmer side for easy to moderate pace sessions over any distance.
Facts
Technical Specs
Terrain | Road |
Pronation type | Overpronation (stability) |
Drop | 10 mm |
Heel height | 35 mm |
Forefoot height | 25 mm |
Weight (men) | 294 g/10.4 oz |
Weight (women) | 243 g/8.6 oz |
Features | Recycled materials, Eco-friendly |
Athletes | |
Release year | 2023 |
Price | Check prices |
Cushioning
Softness | Firm |
Responsiveness | Low |
Technologies
Outsole | NDURANCE Rubber |
Midsole | Fresh Foam X, Dual Density Post |
Upper | Engineered Mesh |
Use
Speed | Slow, Moderate |
Distance | Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
Workout | Daily running |
Comparisons
New Balance 860v12
There are few new features, the main ones being :
- A more ecological design
- More rubber on the outsole for better traction and durability, but a firmer feel in return
- A redesigned upper for improved lockdown
- V13s are slightly lighter
The two versions are very similar, and you can fully afford to buy the v12 if you see it during promotion periods.