New Balance 860v3 Review
First Impressions
Earlier this spring, we took New Balance’s new generation of lightweight runner to the road. That product — the 890v3 — delivered sleek, low-profile and lightweight performance. Only a few digits off the company’s numbering scheme, but miles away in approach, the new 860v3 heads in a completely different direction. It provides a much more traditional stability shoe profile, 12 mm drop and solid Made in the USA construction to match.
Features
According to New Balance, the 860v3 is designed for “runners who need support due to over pronation.” And that it is, with everything you might expect from such a product. New Balance included the requisite medial post along the instep to control pronation. It seemed to do the trick in our tests. The heel also has some motion control features built in. In what we’ve found to be typical New Balance fashion, the rear-foot cushioning felt overly stiff despite the substantial stack height.
New Balance constructs the shoe using at least three types of breathable mesh. There’s a wide weave through the main body of the shoe, a tighter, more rigid version at the heel and across the mid-step, and a fine weave fronting the toe box. As a result, we never overheated in the 860v3 and found no hot spots when running.
Specs
Weight: 25.5 oz per pair (men’s 11)
Drop: 12 mm
Materials: Synthetic upper, blown rubber outsole
The outsole of the 860v3 provides good grip on both the road and loose gravel. It also did fairly well on wet pavement. No complaints here.
Fit
Even though New Balance builds the 860v3 and the previously mentioned 890v3 on its PL1 last, the two shoes feel completely different. While the lightweight 890v3 feels toe box feels tight, the 860v3 exhibits none of that constriction. Alternatively, the 860v3 It feels the perfect width from heel to toe. That doesn’t mean the fit is totally perfect though. On first wearing, the 860v3 felt a little flat-footed, but that sensation seemed to abate as we upped the mileage on the shoe.
Final Verdict
The New Balance 860v3 is a good-looking, traditionally constructed stability shoe. It delivers solid performance but with a noticeably harsher, less cushioned ride then others in the category. If you like a stiffer-feeling shoe, this might be just the right one for you.
