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New Balance 880 and New Balance 860 are from the same manufacturer and belonging to the same 800 series, share a lot of common characteristics. However, they are also very different.
To compare we are using New Balance 880 v11 and New Balance 860 v11 in this post. At the time of writing this post, these two are the current versions of the shoes.
In the sections below, we have covered a very detailed comparison of New Balance 880 Vs 860. We have tried to compare them as objectively as possible.
So, without further ado let’s proceed.
This is our winner
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
New Balance 860v11
Why did we pick this one?
- Excellent cushioning.
- Ultra heel.
- Very stylish.
- Excellent stability.
- Long-lasting.
The main differences between New Balance 880 Vs 860
- New Balance 880 is a neutral running shoe whereas New Balance 860 is a stability running shoe.
- New Balance 880 is a bit lighter than New Balance 860. For women, New Balance 880 weighs around 8.7oz or 247g whereas New Balance 860 weighs around 9.6oz or 272g. For men, New Balance 880 weighs around 10.5oz or 298g whereas New Balance 860 weighs around 11.4oz or 324g.
- New Balance 880 uses the newer Fresh Foam X whereas New Balance 860 uses Fresh Foam in the midsole.
- For the men’s version of the shoe, New Balance 880 has two more sizes available than New Balance 860.
New Balance 860 Vs New Balance 880 – An Overview
New Balance 880 is a neutral running shoe whereas New Balance 860 is a stability running shoe. They are cushy, comfortable, and are great for any kind of running except the trails.
They are high mileage shoes and will last you for 300 to 500 miles. The soles are soft and adaptable and will provide you with a customized running experience.
In the following sections, you will get an in-depth comparison of New Balance 880 vs New Balance 860.
So, let’s check out what we have in store for you…
New Balance 880 v11 Vs New Balance 860 v11 – Features at a glance
| New Balance 880 v11 | New Balance 860 v11 | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| Type | Neutral | Stability |
| Heel-to-toe Drop | 10mm | 10mm |
| Weight |
8.7oz/247g (Women) 10.5oz/298g (Men) |
9.6oz/272g (Women) 11.4oz/324g (Men) |
| Arch Support | Medium | Medium |
| Midsole Type | Fresh Foam X | Fresh Foam Cushioning |
| Technology | Fresh Foam X, Molded Footbed, Blown Rubber, Double Jacquard Engineered Mesh, Molded External Heel Counter | FRESH FOAM, Ultra Heel |
| Sizes |
5.0 – 13.0 (Women) 6.0 – 20.0 (Men) |
5.0 – 13.0 (Women) 7.0 – 16.0 (Men) |
| Width |
Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Women) Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Men) |
Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Women) Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Men) |
| Use | Long Distance, Treadmill, Road | Long Distance, Treadmill, Road |
| Editor’s Rating |  |
|
PRODUCT
New Balance 880 v11
FEATURES
TYPE: Neutral
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 10mm
WEIGHT: 8.7 oz /247 grams (Women) / 10.5 oz / 298 grams (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium
MIDSOLE TYPE: FreshFoam X
TECHNOLOGY: Fresh Foam X, Molded Footbed, Blown Rubber, Double Jacquard Engineered Mesh, Molded External Heel Counter
SIZES:5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 6.0 – 20.0 (Men)
WIDTH:Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Women) / Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Men)
USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
PRODUCT
New Balance 860 v11
FEATURES
TYPE: Stability
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 10mm
WEIGHT:9.6oz/272g (Women) / 11.4oz/324g (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium
MIDSOLE TYPE: FRESH FOAM Cushioning
TECHNOLOGY: FRESH FOAM, Ultra Heel
SIZES:5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 16.0 (Men)
WIDTH: Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Women) / Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide (Men)
USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
New Balance 860 Vs. 880 – A head to head comparison
In the above sections, we have covered a brief overview and some major differences between New Balance 880 and New Balance 860.
In the following sections, we have covered an in-depth comparison of the major features of these two shoes.
Outsole
The outsole of New Balance 860 is made from blown rubber to offer you good grip, durability, and peace of mind.
It is a full contract outsole that will provide you with a smooth heel-to-toe transition. For that, you have some grooves in the rearfoot and some in the forefoot.
The forefoot has four segments with two of them being half segments. The area under the first metatarsal is fused to provide you with a bit of added support during toe-off.
The heel area and the frontal part of the forefoot have harder rubber. This ensures longevity to these shoes. Also, the mid-section has a different firmness rubber to provide you with optimal flexibility.
The outsole of New Balance 880 is made from blown rubber for similar reasons as mentioned earlier and is full-contact.
The appearance of the outsole is similar to that of New Balance 860 and contains two separate kinds of rubber for the heel, the frontal area of the forefoot, and the midsection.
Also, the use of the flex grooves are also similar to this running shoe and also a similar kind of two-colored scheme is being used.
The only difference that you may observe in these two outsoles is the patterns that are printed on this shoe.
The pattern that is present on the New Balance 860 is made of parallel lines on the forefoot and the heel. For the midsection, you have a more like a honeycomb pattern.
However, for New Balance 880 the entire outsole has the honeycomb pattern.
The grip and durability of these two shoes are similar and will keep you stable during your runs.
Midsole
The midsole of New Balance 860 is made from Fresh Foam. It is a plush foam that is made after taking inputs from numerous athletes like you and me.
It is one of the best cushioning materials present in today’s market and will provide you with a soft and stable cushioning underfoot.
Although it is a stable running shoe it will not help you with severe overpronation. It is a moderate stability shoe and it will provide you with a good amount of pronation control within this limit.
The stack height is also good for this shoe. The forefoot stack has a height of 24mm and the heel stack is around 34mm. This makes the heel-to-toe offset is around 10mm.
To control the pronation, this midsole has a medial post which is actually a higher density foam in the midfoot. This corrects your pronation and will provide you with a more natural running experience.
The midsole of New Balance 880 is made from Fresh Foam X. It is a lighter version of Fresh Foam but provides you with a similar experience.
It is softer and delivers a plush cushioning. Also, the sides have honey-comb like grooves to reduce the overall weight of the shoe and to add some more flexibility.
It has the same stack height as 860 with the forefoot stack at 24mm and heel stack at 34 mm. This makes the heel-to-toe offset around 10mm.
Being a neutral running shoe, it has the same density foam throughout the shoe. Also, for additional comfort and cushioning it comes with a molded footbed.
Upper
The upper of New Balance 860 is made from Engineered Mesh. It provides you with a soft and secure mesh that will provide you with a comfortable fit.
This mesh moves with your foot to provide you with a non-restrictive running experience.
Also, the upper of this shoe is very stylish. It has an ultra-heel and edgy pattern made on the forefoot.
The ultra heel reduces the irritation of the Achilles and provides you with a more secured fit.
Also, the heel area has a sharp contrast with the rest of the upper adding more character to the overall shoe.
The upper of New Balance 880 is made from Double Jaquered Mesh that provides you with excellent fit and comfort.
Also, the molded external heel counter reduces your heel movement providing you with exceptional ankle stability.
My only complaint is the upper style quotient. It is rather bland compared to 860. Otherwise, you have a fantastic running shoe in your hand.
Weight
In terms of weight, New Balance 880 is lighter than New Balance 860. This may be because New Balance 880 uses Fresh Foam X which is lighter than Fresh Foam and is used by New Balance 860.
However, if you compare the previous New Balance 880 with the previous one, you will find that the current version weighs a bit more than it.
New Balance 880 weighs around 8.7oz /247g for women and 10.5oz/298g for men.
New Balance 860 weighs around 9.6oz/272g for women and 11.4oz/324g for men.
Price
If you compare the prices of New Balance 880 vs 860, you will not find any difference. This is for the latest models that we are talking about which are 880 v11 and 860 v11.
This is almost expected as these two running shoes belong to the same New Balance 800 series. I thought, that since New Balance860 is a stability running shoe which is a kind of specialized shoe, it will cost more.
Also, another thought that came to mind before researching the price is that, since New Balance 860 uses fresh foam and not fresh foam x, it will cost less. So, honestly, I was a bit surprised when I found that both of them are at the same price point.
This actually helps you to settle on the one which you liked the most without thinking about the budget.
In the above sections, you will find almost all the similarities and differences between New Balance 880 and New Balance 860.
However, there are few alternatives that can perform at a similar level as these two running shoes. We have included them in the sections below for you to take a look at.
Similar Shoes
Running Shoes Similar To New Balance 880 v11
New Balance 880 has Fresh Foam X in the midsole which is a soft and smooth cushioning. It will provide you with exceptional impact resistance.
Being a neutral running shoe, it will be able to help neutral runners and runners with mild to medium underpronation.
Also, the in-shoe environment is also comfortable as this has a no-sew upper.
We think Brooks Ghost will be able to provide you with a similar running experience. It has full-length soft DNA LOFT cushioning and having a no-sew upper. This provides you with a plush feel and adaptable cushioning while running.
This is the reason we think Brooks Ghost to be one of the best alternatives to New Balance 880.
- THIS WOMEN'S SHOE IS FOR: Runners looking for a smooth ride that won’t distract from the fun of the run. The Ghost 14 offers a simplified midsole construction which creates more seamless transitions. This Brooks Ghost 14 is a certified PDAC A5500 Diabetic shoe and has been granted the APMA Seal of Acceptance. We recommend ordering Brooks running shoes 1/2 to one size larger than your dress shoe.
- SUPPORT AND CUSHION: The Ghost 14 offers neutral support while providing high energizing cushioning. Ideal for road running, cross training, the gym or wherever you might want to take them! Predecessor: Ghost 13
- BALANCED, SOFT CUSHIONING: BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT cushioning work together to provide a just-right softness underfoot without losing responsiveness and durability - yet it feels lighter than ever. DNA LOFT now makes up the entire midsole, for a softer, smoother, ride.
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Running Shoes Similar To New Balance 860 v11
New Balance 860 is support running shoe for overpronation. It will provide you with excellent cushioning and will keep your heels locked in place while running.
It is stylish and will make you stand out in the crowd.
Another shoe that can provide you with a similar experience is Mizuno Wave Inspire. It is also a stable running shoe that will provide you with responsive cushioning. Also, the in-shoe experience is also great and will provide you with a comfortable running experience.
This is the reason, we think Mizuno Wave Inspire will be a perfect alternative to New Balance 860.
- Enerzy Foam: Mizuno Enerzy Foam is more responsive and has more springy qualities compared to former Running EVA technologies - U4ic and U4icX.
- U4ic Midsole: Delivers optimal shock reduction, durability, and a superior ride. Innovatively light, well cushioned, responsive, and resilient.
- X10 Outsole: Durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear.
Last update on 2024-04-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
In the above sections, we have detailed almost all the similarities and differences between New Balance 860 Vs New Balance 880. However, we liked New Balance 860 a bit more than New Balance 880.
Although the selection between these two shoes will be mostly dictated by the type of pronation you have…still, one thing that I liked about New Balance 860 is the style and the ultra heel. This shoe feels very stable and your heels will not slip and you may not have to face accidents.
The cushioning of both of these shoes is comfortable and cushy although 880 feels a bit softer.
However, if the styling is rather dull and the ultra heel is not yet there in 880.
These are the reasons that we chose New Balance 860 over New Balance 880.
If you have any of these shoes, please share your experience with us. We would love to include that in this post.
Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.
