New Balance 860v10 ranks among the running models that are supposed to secure high stability for your feet, no matter the length of your ride. Overpronators are definitely those that should pay attention to this model as not that many running shoes offer this kind of comfort. New Balance 860v10 has a specially made midsole layer which contains a medial post placed inside. I am not entirely sure whether this medial post truly works or it is something else that helps with stability. The truth is that the stability aspect is pretty okay.
I felt my fallen arches a few times though, so that it is not a 100 % reliable. If I compare the stability aspect with Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 that has the GuideRails, this New Balance is a class below. In Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20, I never felt anything. And similar applies to Saucony Guide 13 that I also tried and considered to have stronger stability support. Simply, New Balance 860v10 is not bad but definitely not the best of those three models.
The Trufuse midsole is the same as it has been in New Balance 860v9. Unchanged. The shoes kind of seem to be very identical with just lower to medium-quality cushioning. I haven’t felt my joints hurting when running, nor have I felt excessive energy return such as it applies for some models from Adidas ( Adidas Ultraboost 20 is a great example of such shoe). It is the kind of model which doesn’t disappoint nor surprise.
The most significant change compared to the earlier New Balance 860v9 that you may immediately notice is the heel padding. The upper is overall very breathable, made from engineered mesh upper but the heel collar is constructed this time differently. The heel is padded, plushy and pliable. It is supposed to give extra padding and support stability but it cut my heels a bit in the beginning. I don’t have this issue very often with other running shoes, but I had in this case for a few runs. Then I got into them and it was fine, but definitely this is the first weak point of the shoe.
What else is a drawback? Definitely the fact that the shoe doesn’t fall between the lightest models. Far from that. It is actually easily going in my man’s version 9 over 320 grams. And that is already quite a bit for a running shoe. On a scale of weight from one to ten, I would give it 8 for being pretty heavy. For the case you plan to use this running shoe on long distances, you need to get used to it first. Which can be for a beginner not just annoying but definitely demotivating.
When taking all the aspects into consideration, I still like New Balance 860v10. Even though they do not offer the best cushioning, it is sufficient. Even though the shoe needed some break in, it went afterwards pretty good. And also the stability support is pretty much there. The fact they are heavy would be the only thing, that would make me hesitant whether to use these shoes for running. All in all New Balanace 860v10 is a good model anyway.
New Balance 860v10
Pros
- Good stability support for overpronator
- Breathability of upper
Cons
- Heaviness of the shoe
- Just medium-quality cushioning
- Heel shape needs a break-in