New Balance
Fresh Foam X 860v14 Running Shoe – Women's
$139.95
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The Grivet Take
The Fresh Foam X 860v14 is the most approachable version of this stability line in years. New Balance swapped the firm medial post for a hardened EVA Stability Plane plate paired with a dual-density Fresh Foam X midsole, and the result reads more like a cushioned daily trainer with built-in guidance than a corrective shoe. The platform is wide, the upper has plenty of room through the forefoot, and the cushion sits on the soft side without going mushy. This is the right shoe for runners stacking daily easy miles who want a steadier ride under a taller stack. Faster paces belong elsewhere; the 860v14 is heavy for a modern trainer and the ride flattens out above easy effort. Runners who specifically want a firm, classic post-style stability shoe should look at the ASICS Kayano 32 instead.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
Runs long
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.4 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.3 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.4 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.4 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.4 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.3 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.2 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
Guided stability
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Wider, steadier base
How it fits
Fits slightly long for most women; runners between half sizes should drop a half size. Toe box is rounded and runs slightly wider through the forefoot than past 860 versions, with normal vertical volume. The upper has enough stretch in the engineered mesh that narrow-footed runners can stay in the standard B width without lockdown issues; wider feet have D and 2E available. Midfoot fit is on the relaxed side, and a few runners will want to cinch the laces firmly to get a secure hold through the arch. Heel hold is excellent thanks to a rigid internal counter and padded collar; runners with sensitive heels or prominent Achilles may find the counter too stiff. Available in B (standard), D (wide), and 2E (extra wide) for women.
How it feels
Cushion reads moderately soft and protective, with a slightly springy top layer of Fresh Foam X over a firmer base layer that handles the guidance work. Energy return is modest; the shoe relies on its early forefoot rocker for transitions rather than foam pop. Heel landings roll forward smoothly thanks to a generous posterior bevel, and the wider platform keeps the foot centered without feeling locked in. The forefoot is fairly stiff and does not flex naturally through toe-off, so runners who prefer a flexible trainer should test before buying. At easy paces the ride is forgiving and stable; at tempo paces the shoe feels its weight and the foam runs out of response.
Quick specs
- Category
- Daily trainer
- Surface
- Pavement · Treadmill · Road plus light trail
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 38.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 30.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 8.0 mm
- Weight (women's 8)
- 8.9 oz · 252 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 4 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Stability
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Wider, steadier base
- Midsole
- Fresh Foam X (dual density)
- Outsole
- Endurance rubber
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- Stability Plane plate
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- B · D · 2E
Tech, translated
Fresh Foam X is New Balance's daily-trainer midsole foam, used here in a dual-density configuration. The top layer underfoot is softer for cushion; the bottom layer is firmer and sits taller on the medial side to provide guidance through the gait cycle. The full setup is moderately soft without compressing into a mushy feel.
Stability Plane plate is a thin, hardened EVA insert that runs the length of the midsole. It replaces the traditional medial post used in the 860v13 and earlier, smoothing the support input into the foot rather than blocking pronation with a hard wedge.
Endurance rubber is the outsole compound, placed strategically across the high-wear zones to extend lifespan on pavement. Coverage handles dry roads, gravel paths, and treadmill belts well. The shoe is not built for trail use; exposed midsole foam appears in the flex grooves.
Frequently asked
Does the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 run true to size?
The 860v14 runs slightly long for most women, so runners between half sizes should drop a half size. The toe box is rounded with a slightly wider forefoot than past 860 versions, leaving room for natural toe splay without sliding around. The engineered mesh upper has enough stretch that narrow-footed runners can stay in the standard B width and still get a secure fit through the midfoot.
How does the New Balance 860v14 compare to the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25?
Both are daily stability trainers built for runners who want guidance under daily mileage. The 860v14 sits on a softer, taller Fresh Foam X midsole with an integrated Stability Plane plate, and runs a bit wider through the forefoot. The Adrenaline GTS 25 is firmer underfoot, runs slightly closer to the foot, and uses Brooks' GuideRails sidewall system for guidance rather than a plate. Pick the 860v14 if you want soft cushion and a roomier fit; pick the Adrenaline if you want a firmer, more familiar stability daily.
Is the New Balance 860v14 firm or soft underfoot?
The 860v14 reads moderately soft. The top layer of Fresh Foam X is plush and protective on landing; the firmer base layer keeps the foot from sinking too deep into the midsole. It does not feel mushy, but it is clearly on the cushioned side of the stability category rather than the firm side. Runners who want a firmer classic stability ride should look at the ASICS Kayano 32 instead.
Is the New Balance 860v14 good for wide feet?
Yes. The standard B fit runs slightly wider through the forefoot than past 860 versions, and New Balance also offers D (wide) and 2E (extra wide) for women's sizes. The rounded toe-box shape gives natural splay room for broader forefeet. Runners with very wide feet should size into the D or 2E for the most comfortable long-mileage fit.
Is the New Balance 860v14 good for treadmill running?
Yes. The Endurance rubber outsole grips treadmill belts reliably, and the cushioned 38mm Fresh Foam X stack absorbs the harder landing of treadmill running well. The shoe is heavy for fast treadmill workouts at 8.9 oz women's, but for daily easy miles and longer treadmill sessions it works well. Runners chasing faster treadmill paces should reach for a lighter trainer.
How is the 860v14 different from the 860v13?
The v14 replaces the firm medial post used in the v13 with a thin Stability Plane plate paired with a dual-density Fresh Foam X midsole, which reads much gentler at the arch. The midsole gains 2mm of heel stack and 4mm of forefoot stack, dropping the offset from 10mm to 8mm. Runners who liked the v13 but wanted a softer, less obtrusive guidance feel will find the v14 a clear improvement; runners who specifically wanted the firm post sensation may miss it.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
Choose the 860v14 if you want a softer, taller midsole and a wider, more relaxed forefoot. Choose the Adrenaline GTS 25 if you want a firmer daily stability ride with the familiar GuideRails sidewall feel.
Compare Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 →
ASICS Gel-Kayano 32
Choose the 860v14 if you want a softer cushion and a gentler guidance feel through the arch. Choose the Kayano 32 if you want a more structured, built-up stability platform with a firmer underfoot character.
Compare ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 →
Saucony Guide 17
Choose the 860v14 if you want a wider platform and more cushion for long daily miles. Choose the Guide 17 if you want a lighter, more nimble daily stability option that handles a wider pace range.
Compare Saucony Guide 17 →
Hoka Arahi 8
Choose the 860v14 if you want a softer ride and a more grounded transition without a strong rocker. Choose the Arahi 8 if you want a firmer feel and a pronounced forefoot rocker to roll you through toe-off.
Compare Hoka Arahi 8 →
Buyer's guide
Read our stability vs neutral guide
How to tell which one you need, what's changed in modern stability design, and the brands that do each best.
Read the guide