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Fresh Foam X 860 15
Plush mild-stability trainer with strong traction; heavier than the v14.
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Price history
Our verdict
New Balance made the 860 bigger for version 15. Our spec sheet has it at 332g against 309g for the 860 v14, with more foam under the heel, and it now rides like a cushioned daily training shoe with support built in rather than a stability shoe with a bit of softness added. Reviewers like the comfort, and they like that the support runs along the whole inner edge instead of sitting in one post under the arch. Weight is the complaint that turns up in almost every review, and one detailed review found the heel counter stiff enough to rub. Our take: it's a good stability running shoe for easy miles and long days on your feet, but you pay for that if you want one shoe that also handles quicker sessions. It's aimed at mild to moderate overpronators. If you need firm correction, or you count grams, there are better picks at this price.
Key features
- Full-length medial wedgeFirmer foam along the inner edge nudges a rolling foot back towards neutral without the pressure point of a post under your arch.
- Two-layer midsoleA soft, bouncy top layer for comfort sits over a firmer base, so the shoe stays stable and doesn't collapse late in a long run.
- Taller stack than the v14More foam under your heel means more protection on hard pavements during long, slow miles.
- Wide base with a raised inner sidewallYour foot sits down inside the midsole on a broad platform, which adds stability without extra hard structure.
- Extensive rubber outsoleGrips well on wet and dry roads, though reports on how quickly it wears are mixed.
- Several width optionsWide and extra-wide fittings mean broad feet don't have to size up to get room.
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Mild to moderate overpronators who want support that guides rather than corrects
- Runners logging easy and long miles who put comfort ahead of pace
- Broad-footed runners who need a genuine wide fitting
- People who want one shoe for running, walking and long days on their feet
Who should not buy it
- Runners wanting the same shoe for tempo work, as the weight and stiffness hold it back
- Severe overpronators who need firm, motion-control-style support
- Anyone with Haglund's or sensitive heels, given the very stiff heel counter
- Runners who roll outwards and need lateral support
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Length splits the sources a little. Most testers found it true to size, but lab measurements suggest it runs slightly short, so if you're between sizes, go up. The forefoot is wide but shallow, and one reviewer felt the stiff toe guard pressing on the big toe. The midfoot is narrower on purpose, and the thick gusseted tongue stays put. Opinions part at the heel. The counter is very stiff and heavily padded, which locks you in, but Doctors of Running found it dug into the back of the heel and would steer anyone with Haglund's or a sensitive heel towards trying it on first. It comes in several widths, including wide and extra wide, so broad feet get a proper fitting.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Expect comfort over pace. The top of the midsole is the softer, bouncier part and the base is firmer, so landings feel cushioned without going mushy. The forefoot doesn't bend; it rolls you through on its rocker, which is smooth at easy pace and slow to answer when you push. Heel strikers may find the first few runs clunky, and one reviewer said it smoothed out once they landed a little further forward. A couple of testers felt the weight as soon as they sped up. If you don't need the support, the neutral 880 v15 is a good deal lighter on our spec sheet.
Cushioning
Cushioning is the reason to buy this version. There's more foam under you than in the v14, and lab testing measured above-average shock absorption at both heel and forefoot, which fits with reviewers saying it takes the sting out of hard pavements. It's soft, but the firmer lower layer stops it bottoming out. One tester said their legs felt fresher late in long runs.
Stability
The support comes from the inner side of the midsole being firmer than the outer side along the full length, plus a raised inner sidewall, rather than a single post under the arch. Reviewers describe it as guiding the foot rather than correcting it, and lab testing found a wide, torsionally stiff base. That suits mild to moderate overpronators. It isn't a motion-control shoe, and it does nothing for runners who roll outwards. If you want firmer, more traditional support, the Adrenaline GTS 25 is one of the alternatives reviewers point to.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a thicker engineered mesh with generous padding at the collar and tongue, and it feels better finished than the v14's. Breathability is disputed: lab smoke testing rated it decent, but two reviewers found it ran warm, so summer long runs could get sweaty. One tester said it needed no break-in.
Reviews
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Stability |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 7.6mm |
| Heel Stack | 39.7mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32.1mm |
| Weight | 332g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | Yes |