860v14vsWave Sky 9
Products · full comparison

860v14 vs Wave Sky 9

data as of July 6 · updated weekly

How these two compare on everything we measure — where the AIs rank them, what reviewers and buyers say, and how they price. The differences are the point — they decide which one is yours.

860v14
by New Balance · Neutral cushioned running shoes
AI rank #19.0 fused across 5 questions in Running Shoes↓16$98–$130
Reviewers
/5
Buyers
4.3/5
vs
Wave Sky 9
by Mizuno · Cushioned neutral running shoes
AI rank #25.0 fused across 5 questions in Running Shoes↓12
Reviewers
/5
Buyers
/5

Side by side

Every signal we hold, on one shared scale. The leading side is lit — and where the AI panel and the reviewers pull apart, the row says so.?

#19.0↓16
AI rankcombined avg · lower is betterfused across 5 questions in Running Shoes
#25.0↓12
Reviewersout of 5
4.3
BuyersGoogle rating
$98–$130
Street pricelower is cheaper
How this is made

Built from what 2 AI models (Perplexity · ChatGPT) recommend for real buyer questions, layered with reviewer test summaries, Google buyer ratings, street prices and press. The short answer and verdict are derived from where those signals diverge — not written by hand for either product.

Independent — not a vendor, not advertising, not a paid review. How we score →

01

Which is better for what

Across the buyer-questions both appear in, who the AI panel ranks higher — and the widest gaps.?

ranks higher
Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet 860v14 by 20#7 vs #27
Best Running Shoes for Knee Pain 860v14 by 6#19 vs #25
Across 2 shared questions: 860v14 higher in 2 · Wave Sky 9 in 0
Showing the 2 widest gaps
02

Critics & buyers

The human jury in one chapter — what the video reviewers score and say, the reviews behind it, and how Google buyers rate them.

What buyers say

Aggregated Google Shopping ratings — the score, the aspects owners rate, and a real quote.?

4.3
2,320 ratings
Arch support & stability4.2
Toe box comfort & fit4.4
Overall comfort & cushioning3.8
Durability & build quality2.5
I am an avid walker and have tried many shoe brands over the years but New Balance never disappoints!! I recently tried a couple of other options and ultimately returned to the new balance 860s. Great arch support and great on my knees that have had torn meniscus repair. I’m so grateful New Balance continues to meet and exceed my expectations in walking comfort. G’ma in Georgia · newbalance.com
Google ratings
no buyer reviews yet
03

How they price

Street price across retailers, the tier each lands in, and how it’s moved.?

$98–$130
across 3 retailers
tier Mid-range
current street price
current model
no street price yet
04

Can you trust the claims

Each maker’s marketing weighed against independent tests — how many claims hold up, and the weakest one.?

860v14860v14
67
Honest on support, overstates consistency and cushioning
1 hold up2 mixed0 overstated
Weakest claim
PromiseFresh Foam X midsole delivers enhanced cushioning for a plush underfoot experience
RealityCushioning inconsistent across versions
marketing claims not checked yet
05

The verdict: which to buy

Our read of everything above — who leads each point, and who each is for.

860v14
AI panel rank
Wave Sky 9
860v14
Reviewer score
Wave Sky 9
860v14
Buyer rating
Wave Sky 9
860v14
Lower price
Wave Sky 9

Net: 860v14 leads 3 of 4 · Wave Sky 9 0.

So which one?

860v14 leads more points — but check where it loses.

We don’t crown a winner. Both are strong; the differences above decide it for your use. Where a signal is missing, we leave it blank rather than guess.

as of July 6 · 2 shared buyer questions?

06

Common questions

The questions people ask comparing these two — answered from the data above.

QIs 860v14 or Wave Sky 9 better overall?

The AI panel ranks 860v14 higher (avg #19.0 fused across 5 questions in Running Shoes vs #25.0), but it’s close — reviewers and buyers split differently.

QWhich one is cheaper?

860v14$98–$130 vs across retailers.

QIs 860v14 worth it over its predecessor?

Its predecessor in the line is the 860v13. We track 860v14 at #19.0 on the AI panel; the 860v13 page shows how the older model holds up.