Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
860v13
Model timeline
Men's cushioned neutral running shoes
Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Grok ranks this product at #27.0 on average
A well-built stability workhorse with a softer, more refined ride than its predecessor, though it lacks the spark of some competitors and fits snugger than other New Balance models.
The juries split — Divided. Check both sides before you commit.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
The 860v13 ranks third for flat-foot running shoes and delivers a stable, cushioned daily trainer with excellent width options, though its snug fit and build quality issues—excess glue and premature wear—create a gap between buyer enthusiasm and reviewer caution. Best suited for pronators seeking durable support, it requires sizing up and tolerates less responsive competition.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Grok ranks this product at #27.0 on average Averaging across the AI panel, 860v13 sits around #27.0 this snapshot.
Gemini
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Didn’t rank 860v13 this snapshot.
GPT
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Didn’t rank 860v13 this snapshot.
Perplexity
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Didn’t rank 860v13 this snapshot.
AI Mode
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Didn’t rank 860v13 this snapshot.
Claude
Didn’t rank 860v13 this snapshot.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Jun 2026
A well-built stability workhorse with a softer, more refined ride than its predecessor, though it lacks the spark of some competitors and fits snugger than other New Balance models.
What they praise
- Triple-density midsole with Fresh Foam X plus a bouncier top layer delivers softer, more responsive cushioning than previous versions
- Medial post and raised foam sidewalls provide stable, locked-in feel without feeling clunky or intrusive
- Extremely accommodating sizing available in many widths and extended sizes
- Durable blown rubber outsole holds up well and grips wet surfaces effectively
- Versatile daily trainer suitable for everything from all-day walking to marathon running
What they knock
- Fits noticeably snugger than other New Balance models like the 1080, often requiring a half-size or full-size up
- Build quality shows excess glue and rough finishing, feeling cheap for the construction
- Heavier than some competing stability shoes and slightly heavier than the previous version
- Medial post remains somewhat noticeable underfoot and may not suit supinators
In their own words
“this top layer of blue foam which is a different compound than fresh film X it has a little bit more bounce to it and I think it did change the overall experience”
— Ryan's Running Reviews
“it's been very comfortable you've got that soft uh Fresh Foam X foam in there it's kind of a a sof to firm feel”
— The Run Testers
“I think the Tempest is better I really do mild stability go for the tempers from Saucony it's just a little bit more fun it's a little bit more exciting”
— FORDY RUNS
Synthesised from: Ryan's Running Reviews · The Run Testers · Run Moore · FORDY RUNS · Road Runner Sports
Is the new midsole actually good? | New Balance 860 v13 Review | Stability Shoe | Fresh Foam X
Ryan's Running Reviews
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860 v13 Review: Another New Balance stability shoe great?
The Run Testers
New Balance 860 V13 Review | Release Date Fall of 2022 | Mid Cushion Stability Shoe
Run Moore
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 REVIEW - Best stability shoe?
FORDY RUNS
New Balance 860v13 Shoe Review: Firm Cushion with a Soft Landing
Road Runner Sports
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #27 pick in Running Shoes. Critics keep reserve at 3.5 / 5 — the machines place it at #27, outside their top picks.
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You want a stable daily trainer that won't break the bank but delivers real cushioning and durability.
Street price of $65–90 is low-to-mid with a solid 4.3/5 rating; triple-density midsole and durable outsole cover the essentials without premium markup, though tighter fit and QC issues slightly…
You've worn New Balance for years and want a proven stability shoe with broad consensus backing.
695 ratings show strong consensus; New Balance is an established brand; 860v13 is a mature model with settled design, though QC concerns and tighter-than-expected fit introduce minor risk.
You need a shoe that works straight out of the box for daily running and walking without fussing.
Described as versatile daily trainer suitable for all-day walking to marathons; medial post is noticeable but not intrusive; main friction is sizing confusion (snugger fit requires upsizing), which…
You demand top-of-class execution with no compromises in build or design.
Strong cushioning and stability ratings offset by clear quality-control issues (excess glue, rough finishing) and heavier weight than some competitors; not best-in-class overall.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 28.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Structure 25NikeNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- Novablast 5ASICSNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- Bondi 9HokaNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- Gel-Nimbus 27ASICSNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- GEL-Cumulus 27ASICSNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- Triumph 23SauconyNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
- ForeverRun NitroPumaNew Balance leads 1–0 · 1 sharedRead
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
Is the New Balance 860 good for walking?
Yes. Reviewers describe it as a versatile daily trainer suitable for everything from all-day walking to marathon running, and a long-term owner reports doing about 3,000 kilometers a year on roads and footpaths with strong support. Buyers rate comfort and fit highest at 4.5/5.
Is the New Balance 860 a good shoe?
It depends on what you need. Reviewers call it a well-built stability workhorse with softer, more responsive cushioning than its predecessor, and buyers give it 4.3/5 overall. The catch: it fits noticeably snugger than other New Balance models, often requiring a half-size or full-size up, and buyers report significant…
Who is the 860v13 best for?
It's best for runners or walkers who pronate and want a stable, cushioned daily trainer with excellent durability and sizing options. It's not for supinators, neutral runners seeking maximum responsiveness, or anyone expecting the roomy fit typical of other New Balance shoes without sizing up.
What makes the 860v13 stable?
Reviewers praise the medial post and raised foam sidewalls, which provide a stable, locked-in feel without feeling clunky or intrusive. However, the medial post remains somewhat noticeable underfoot and may not suit supinators.
What are the main drawbacks of the 860v13?
Build quality and durability divide buyer satisfaction. Owners report excess glue, ripped seams, and premature heel breakdown, and reviewers note rough finishing that feels cheap for the construction. The shoe is also heavier than some competing stability shoes, and its snug fit often requires sizing up.
How does the cushioning compare to the previous version?
Reviewers say the triple-density Fresh Foam X midsole with a bouncier top layer delivers softer, more responsive cushioning than the previous version. Buyers confirm the comfort, rating it 4.5/5.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #27 across 1 intent tracked (slipped 4 this week).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (#27).
- TraitsMost often described as “arch-support”.
- Closest rivalStructure 25 (1–0 across 1 shared intent).
- MakerBy New Balance — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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