v14 is the more grounded, non-bouncy walking-leaning of the two 860 generations — its dead Fresh Foam X midsole and laterally biased wedge work for runners who want maximum medial elevation but no bounce, but most runners will find the v15 the better runnable shoe.
Best for: Runners who want non-bouncy, grounded full-length stability with a strong lateral bias and a smoother out-of-box transition; better as a walker/daily plodder than a responsive runner.
+2 earlier reviews from Doctors of Running
The 860 v14 is the more aggressive of New Balance's two Fresh Foam stability shoes — a full-length dual-density medial wedge delivers moderate-to-high medial stability that's rare on the market, paired with a soft cushioned ride and a wider fit, making it a standout for serious overpronators.
Best for: Aggressive stability needs across the full length of the foot in a daily trainer, especially for runners with wider feet who want max-cushion stability for slower paces and long runs. Likely Doctors of Running's stability shoe of the year.
Doctors of Running's Matt Klein is excited about the 860 v14 not because it's the universal best stability shoe but because the full-length wedge design is rare and meaningful for a specific runner population — much smoother and lighter than v13, though runners prone to lateral instability or IT-band issues should look elsewhere.
Best for: Overpronators who benefit from a wedge-style medial elevation rather than traditional posting; specifically a unique option that's been rare on the market since the Vongo v5 era.
