New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15: análisis y review

After testing the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15 in the lab and on the road, we concluded that it's:

• A great choice for runners who want mild stability without giving up a soft ride.
• An excellent option for beginners looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe that feels reliable from the first run.
• A strong upgrade for fans of the 860, especially those wanting a more modern design.
• Well suited to neutral runners who occasionally need a bit of extra guidance but don't want a highly-corrective stability shoe.

The substantial weight of the 860 v15 is likely to be a major drawback for runners who prefer lighter shoes. At 11.7 oz (332g), it's one of the heaviest road trainers we've tested recently. If keeping weight low is a priority, we think the HOKA Arahi 8 is a far better option.

We also believe that runners looking for maximum support may find the 860 v15 too moderate in its approach. In that case, shoes like the ASICS Gel Kayano 32 or the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 deliver a more pronounced stable ride.

In our shock absorption test, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15 delivered remarkably similar results in both the heel and forefoot, something we rarely see.

We measured 134 SA in the heel and 127 SA in the forefoot, providing more than enough impact protection for everything from daily training to long runs.

At 57.5% in the heel and 65.2% in the forefoot, we found the energy return to be respectable, though it falls short of what we typically measure in New Balance neutral trainers.

The secondary stability-focused foam plays a major role in this result, trading some rebound for added support. We'll take a closer look at this setup in a few minutes.

With 39.7 mm of stack height in the heel, the Fresh Foam X 860 v15 comes close to entering maximalist territory and feels noticeably more cushioned than its predecessor, which measured 36.8 mm in our lab.

As a result, we think that this update will appeal to runners seeking a more modern experience, both in terms of underfoot comfort and overall design. Version 15 looks so much better!

The forefoot is also highly cushioned, measuring 32.1 mm in our lab. That's well above average and helps give the shoe a distinctly maximalist feel despite its stability-focused design.

One thing we frequently see in the RunRepeat lab is New Balance shoes measuring a higher drop than the brand claims. The 860 v15 follows that pattern, as our measurements showed a 7.6 mm drop instead of the advertised 6 mm.

That difference is fairly small and unlikely to be noticeable for most runners. If anything, we think that the slightly higher drop makes the shoe a bit more accommodating across a wider range of footstrike patterns.

New Balance has been pushing softer foams across much of its lineup, but we had our doubts about that approach here. After all, this is a stability shoe, and softer midsoles typically make it harder to achieve a stable ride. In other words, firmer foams deliver more inherent support.

However, New Balance still managed to deliver a genuinely soft foam here. Our durometer returned a low 25.8 AC reading, showing that Fresh Foam X remains exceptionally soft even within a stability-focused platform. Maybe NB can rename it to Plush Foam X...

By slicing the shoe in half and then making an extra cut, we were able to reveal the actual midsole construction rather than relying on what can be inferred from the exterior alone.

As shown here, the shoe uses a dual-foam setup with a plate sandwiched between the two layers. The secondary foam is also Fresh Foam X, though in a firmer formulation that measured 32.6 AC in our lab while still retaining a pleasantly soft feel.

New Balance placed most of its focus on the heel of the 860 v15, adding a pronounced rocker shape to create smoother transitions for heel strikers.

We believe this was a smart choice, as the combination of a moderate drop and an exceptionally soft midsole could otherwise cause rearfoot landings to sink too deeply into the foam and slow down the ride.

New Balance added a plastic plate called Stability Plane, designed primarily to enhance stability for heel strikers.

Don't expect the aggressive stiffness of a carbon plate, as that's not its purpose. Instead, it works in the background to keep the ride more controlled and reduce excessive side-to-side collapse during landings.

To provide deeper insights into fit, we developed a test that recreates the shoe's internal shape and captures three key dimensions.

The first measurement came in at 93.6 mm, which is slightly narrower than average. In our experience, that's not unusual for stability shoes, as a more secure fit can help reduce unwanted foot movement inside the shoe.

On the other hand, New Balance was more accommodating than expected in the toebox, where we measured 75.1 mm. It's also worth mentioning that the 860 v15 is available in up to four different widths, although the exact selection varies by market.

We found the toe box height to strike a nice balance between security and comfort during our test runs.

Our measurements backed that up, as we recorded 27.8 mm of vertical space in this area.

A few years ago, paying high prices didn't always guarantee a well-rounded running shoe. However, the progress we've seen across the industry in the last 3-4 years has been remarkable. The 860 v15 is a great example, achieving an impressive 0.68 score in our SATRA TM144 traction test.

That's a strong result that should provide reliable grip across a wide range of surfaces and weather conditions.

New Balance often leaves large portions of the midsole exposed, but that's not the case with the Fresh Foam X 860 v15.

Instead, the brand opted for extensive rubber coverage, creating a highly protective outsole design that should be especially appealing to runners who tend to wear through their shoes quickly.

One consequence of the extensive rubber coverage is increased stiffness, and we measured a fairly high 20.7N in our flex test.

However, that's not unusual for a stability shoe, as a stiffer platform often contributes to a more controlled ride, provided it doesn't come at the expense of comfort.

The weight is simply astonishing, but not in a good way. At 11.7 oz (332g), the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15 is extremely heavy compared to most modern running shoes, and for runners sensitive to shoe weight, we believe that it’s a huge red flag.

In fact, during our review of the 860 v14 two years ago, we already mentioned that we hoped New Balance would trim some weight in the next version. Instead, this mega-cushioned update goes the opposite direction and lands 12% heavier.

One of the most noticeable improvements in the Fresh Foam X 860 v15 is the redesigned upper. In our opinion, it's a clear step forward compared to the previous version.

Comfort has improved substantially, yet breathability remains strong. In fact, the shoe earned a solid 4/5 score in our smoke test, which is an impressive result for a stability-focused trainer.

That said, the airflow is concentrated mainly around the toebox. New Balance deliberately used denser materials through the midfoot and heel, a strategy commonly seen in support-oriented shoes to help keep the foot securely centered.

We think that was the right decision, as opening up those areas too much could have compromised the stable feel that defines the 860 series.

The heel area stands out as particularly plush, and the material quality throughout the upper left a strong impression on us.

Instead of relying on aggressive guidance features, the 860 v15 focuses on providing subtle assistance that helps keep the foot aligned without constantly reminding you it's there.

We think that makes it an excellent choice for runners seeking a stable yet natural-feeling ride. The soft Fresh Foam X midsole contributes to this balanced character, while the moderately stiff heel counter avoids the overly restrictive feel often found in more corrective stability models.

We also measured above-average torsional rigidity, mirroring the results from our longitudinal stiffness test. Given the shoe's design, recording 18.2 Nm here came as no surprise to us.

As we mentioned earlier, the heel counter is not as rigid as those found in many traditional stability shoes.

We rated it 4/5, and we think that was the right choice by New Balance, as it brings a more comfortable and less restrictive feel compared to other peers.

The third reason why we view the 860 v15 as a mild-stability shoe rather than a maximum-support model becomes clear when looking at the platform width. While the midsole is certainly broader than average, New Balance avoided going to extremes.

At 117.0 mm, the shoe offers a stable base without reaching the extra-wide dimensions we now see in highly-supportive models such as the HOKA Gaviota 6.

The same trend appears in the heel, where we measured 93.4 mm.

That's still above the current lab average, although given how rapidly platform widths are increasing across the industry, we wouldn't be surprised if it becomes an average figure within a few years. Running shoes just keep getting wider.

When an engineered mesh upper combines large ventilation openings with strong airflow, durability often becomes a concern. Fortunately, New Balance managed that trade-off well here, as the upper earned a respectable 3/5 in our durability test despite its breathable design.

We were less impressed by the 3/5 result in this test, as heel padding durability is an area where many running shoes tend to achieve higher scores.

We were even less impressed by the durability of the Ndurance rubber. While it delivered strong traction in our grip test, it fell short in longevity, showing 1.4 mm of wear in our Dremel test, a result that lands below the current lab average.

At least New Balance used a substantial 3.1 mm layer of rubber, which should help extend the shoe's lifespan despite the disappointing durability result. We expect solid longevity overall, even if it doesn't stand out in this category.

At 4.3 mm thick, the included insole falls right in line with what we typically see in daily trainers here in the lab.

The insole is fully removable, making it easy to swap in a custom orthotic for a more personalized fit and support setup.

Fresh Foam X remains an EVA-based foam, and compounds of this type typically struggle in cold weather. Unfortunately, our freezer test confirmed that trend, as the midsole became 36% firmer after exposure to low temperatures during 20 minutes.

New Balance skipped the reflective lateral N logo this time. Instead, the brand used reflective elements to both the forefoot and heel, providing enough visibility for most runners in low-light conditions.

Lockdown in the 860 v15 is excellent, and we were also pleased with the lace length. It may sound like a minor detail, but poorly sized laces are not uncommon, and dealing with ones that are too short or excessively long is always an unnecessary annoyance even if you can swap them.

The tongue also impressed us. Its length felt just right, and the generous padding of 9.1 mm delivered outstanding step-in comfort. In our view, the upper is comfortable enough that the 860 v15 can easily pull double duty as an everyday walking shoe or casual sneaker.

New Balance equipped the 860 v15 with a semi-gusseted tongue made from a breathable material, and it really enhances the lockdown. During our runs, it helped keep the tongue securely in place while improving midfoot lockdown and step-in comfort.

Rather than adding a pull tab, New Balance opted for a clean and streamlined design. We also found a TPU reinforcement covering the rear stitching, which enhances the shoe’s look while providing a subtle boost in heel stability.

Given its feature set and comfort-focused build, we think that the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v15 is fairly priced in today’s market. It’s not a wallet-friendly bargain, but it does feel reasonable for what it offers.