New Balance Fresh Foam 860v11 Review: Cushioned daily trainer that keeps your feet (mostly) happy

I’ve been using the Women’s New Balance Fresh Foam 860v11 (size 10.5, Black/Starlight) as my main pair for a few weeks. I’ve worn them for walks, light runs, errands, and just standing around the house when my feet were sore. I’m not a pro runner, just someone with slightly cranky feet and knees who needs decent support. So this is coming from a regular user, not a marathon addict.

The short version: these shoes focus on support and cushioning, not style or being ultra light. If you need something soft underfoot with a bit of stability, they do the job pretty well. If you want a sleek, low-profile sneaker you can dress up, this is not that. They look and feel like serious running shoes.

Compared to the random Nike and Adidas trainers I used before, the first thing I noticed was how much more padding there is under the ball of the foot and in the arch. After a couple of long grocery runs and a weekend of walking around the city, I ended the day with less burning in the front of my foot. That alone already made them feel like a decent upgrade for me.

They’re not perfect though. The shoe feels a bit bulky, the heel is quite built up, and if your feet are wide, the standard width might feel tight in the toe box. Also, they’re not cheap. Overall, I’d say they’re a pretty solid daily trainer for people who prioritize comfort and support over looks and super light weight.

On the value side, this shoe sits in that mid-to-higher price range for running shoes. It’s not bargain-bin cheap, but it’s also not at the very top of the market like some premium models. For what you pay, you’re mainly getting: strong cushioning, noticeable arch support, and a stable ride. If those things are high on your list, the cost is easier to justify. If you just want a casual sneaker for occasional walks, you might feel it’s a bit much.

Compared to Hokas and Brooks (which a lot of people mention as alternatives), these New Balance feel like a more wallet-friendly way to get into the max cushioning style without going all in on the big brands that runners obsess over. They don’t feel cheap; they hold their own pretty well in comfort. If you’re switching from basic gym shoes or fashion trainers, the difference in support and underfoot feel is noticeable.

Where value could be questioned is if you have wide feet or very specific fit needs. If you end up having to size up or buy a wide version, you might be playing a bit of a guessing game and maybe returning pairs, which is annoying. Also, if you mostly sit all day and only do short walks, you’re not really using what this shoe is built for, so a cheaper, simpler sneaker might make more sense.

Overall, I’d say value is good for people who are on their feet a lot, deal with foot or joint discomfort, and want a cushioned, supportive shoe from a known brand. If that’s you, the price is fair. If you’re more casual and just want something light and cheap, this is probably overkill.

Design-wise, the Fresh Foam 860v11 sits in that “serious running shoe” category. The sole is thick, the heel is high, and the upper looks technical with its mesh pattern and overlays. In the Black/Starlight color, it’s fairly discreet. You can wear it with jeans or leggings without looking like you’re about to run a marathon, but it’s still clearly a sports shoe. If you want something low-key and slim, this is not it. The shoe has presence on your foot.

One thing I noticed is the heel collar comes up fairly high. Some people in the reviews liked that because it avoids rubbing the ankle bone, and I’d agree. On me, it felt secure without cutting into the back of my ankle, which is a problem I’ve had with some Nikes. The tongue is moderately padded, and the lacing system is straightforward. You can tighten them up easily without weird pressure points, as long as you don’t yank the laces too hard near the top.

The toe box is where opinions will split. Compared to my older running shoes, I’d say it’s average width for New Balance: not super wide, not super narrow. If you have narrow or normal feet, you’ll probably be fine. If you have wide feet or like a very roomy forefoot, you might feel a bit squeezed, especially with thicker socks. One Amazon review mentioned the toe box feeling a little narrow for the thick sole, and I get what they mean: the shoe looks and feels big overall, but the front doesn’t feel as generous as you’d expect from that chunky platform.

In short, the design is practical rather than pretty. It looks like a solid running shoe, feels supportive around the heel and midfoot, but could be a bit more generous in the front for some people. If you care more about fit and function than looking trendy, you’ll probably be okay with it.

This is clearly where the shoe tries to shine. The first time I wore them, the cushioning under the ball of the foot stood out. I’m not as extreme as the reviewer who said it cured their life, but I do have some forefoot discomfort if I walk all day in flat shoes. With these, after a long day of errands and a 5k walk, I had less burning and less “stone bruise” feeling under the front of my foot. So for forefoot cushioning, they do a pretty solid job.

The arch support is noticeable. If you’re used to very flat shoes, you’ll feel that bump in the middle. For me, it felt supportive without being aggressive. One Amazon reviewer described it like a soft ball under the arch, and that’s actually a good way to put it. If you have fallen arches or you stand a lot on hard floors, that extra support can be a relief. If you’re very sensitive in the arch or prefer neutral shoes, you might find it a bit much at first.

The heel has more density, so it feels stable and cushioned but not mushy. I didn’t have any heel slipping, and I didn’t get blisters around the ankle, which is a common problem for me. The higher back actually helped keep everything in place without digging in. The overall step-in feel is soft and secure, but you do feel the bulk of the shoe. It’s not that super light, barely-there feeling; you’re aware you’re wearing a structured running shoe.

Downsides on comfort: if your toes like to spread a lot, you might find the toe box slightly limiting, especially for longer runs. Also, because of the thicker sole and rocker, if you only walk slowly and never run, the roll-forward feeling might be a bit odd at first. After a few days, I got used to it, but it’s worth mentioning. Overall, I’d rate comfort as very good for people who want cushioning and support, with the main caveat being toe box space for wider feet.

The shoe is basically 50% synthetic and 50% mesh on the upper, with a rubber outsole and the Fresh Foam X midsole. In the hand, it feels like a typical modern running shoe: light enough, but not ultra-featherweight. The mesh is fairly breathable. I wore them on a couple of warmer days and my feet didn’t feel like they were baking, which is already better than some cheap trainers I’ve had. You can see small perforations and the upper flexes well over the toes.

The inside feels smooth, and I didn’t get any rubbing on the sides or top of my foot, even wearing them with thin socks. That stretchy feel around the laces and forefoot that one Amazon reviewer raved about is real: the fabric does have a bit of give, so it adapts to the shape of your foot instead of cutting in. For people with bony toes or slight bunions, that’s a plus. It doesn’t feel luxury, but it feels comfortable and practical.

The Fresh Foam X midsole is the star here. It’s a big chunk of foam that’s softer in the middle and a bit firmer around the heel. You can press it with your fingers and feel the difference. Underfoot, it gives that cushioned, slightly bouncy feel without going full trampoline. The fact that a small part of it is bio-based is nice in theory, but in real life it just feels like standard quality foam that absorbs impact pretty well.

The rubber outsole has enough coverage and a decent tread pattern. It’s not super aggressive like a trail shoe, but on wet pavement and slightly dirty sidewalks I didn’t feel insecure. Grip felt fine. Overall, materials are what you’d expect at this price point: not fancy, but good enough to feel durable and comfortable for regular running and walking.

I haven’t put hundreds of miles on them yet, but after a few weeks of use, wear looks minimal. The rubber outsole is holding up well; there’s only light smoothing on the heel area where I tend to land hardest. No chunks missing, no weird peeling. Based on similar New Balance models I’ve owned, I’d expect them to handle typical running shoe mileage (let’s say 300–400 miles) without falling apart, assuming you’re not super heavy on your shoes.

The mesh upper hasn’t shown any fraying or tearing so far. The flex points around the toes look fine, and the stitching around the heel and lacing areas feels solid. I’ve had cheaper shoes where the upper started to separate from the sole fairly quickly; here, the bonding looks cleaner and more robust. Obviously, if you constantly drag your toes or abuse them on rough trails, that’s another story, but for road and sidewalk use, I don’t see any early red flags.

Inside the shoe, the insole is still in good shape, not crushed flat. The foam underfoot will inevitably pack down a bit over time, like any cushioned shoe, but so far it still feels soft and supportive. The heel collar padding hasn’t collapsed, and there’s no pilling on the inner fabric yet. That usually shows up early if the materials are cheap, so the fact that it still looks clean is a good sign.

So, from what I’ve seen so far, durability seems pretty solid for a daily trainer. You’re not getting a tank that will last for years of abuse, but it feels like a normal, well-built running shoe that should comfortably handle regular use for walking and running before the foam and tread naturally wear down.

In terms of performance, I used these mostly for 3–5 mile walks, a couple of short runs (2–3 miles), and general all-day wear. For walking and light running, they feel stable and predictable. The rocker helps you roll through your stride, and the foam takes the sting out of harder surfaces like concrete. I’m not chasing personal records, but I noticed my shins and knees complained less compared to my older, flatter shoes. That matches what a few Amazon reviewers said about reduced shin splints and knee pain.

For running, they feel better at easy to moderate paces. If you try to sprint or do fast intervals, the shoe feels a bit bulky and not very snappy. It’s more of a daily trainer than a speed shoe. If you’re just getting back into running or you’re more of a casual jogger, the extra cushioning and support are more important than speed anyway. On light trails and wet sidewalks, the outsole grip was good enough. I didn’t feel like I was slipping, even on slightly wet leaves.

For standing all day (think retail, teaching, or just a long day of errands), this is where the shoe really makes sense. The combination of soft forefoot, solid arch support, and stable heel made long sessions on hard floors a lot more bearable. I could see these working well for nurses or anyone who’s walking and standing constantly, as long as work allows a chunky running shoe.

Overall, I’d say performance is reliable, comfort-focused, and suited for everyday training and walking. If you’re an advanced runner with a full rotation of shoes, this might just be your easy-day cushion shoe. If you’re a casual runner or walker, it can easily be your one main pair, as long as you accept the bulk and are not chasing ultra-lightweight performance.

On paper, this model is sold as a cushioned stability-type running shoe. You get an engineered mesh upper, a chunky Fresh Foam X midsole, and a rubber outsole that’s clearly meant for road and light path use. The pair I tried is the Black/Starlight color in women’s 10.5, which in reality looks like a classic black running shoe with some lighter accents. Nothing flashy, but also not ugly. It’s the kind of shoe you don’t really notice, which can be a good thing.

The marketing talks a lot about “max cushioning” and a big rocker shape. In practice, what that means is: the sole is thick, and the shoe kind of rolls you forward when you walk or run. It’s not as extreme as some Hoka models, but you feel it. If you’re used to flat, minimal sneakers, the first steps feel a bit weird, almost like you’re slightly higher off the ground than usual. After a day, I stopped thinking about it.

New Balance also pushes the “bio-based content” angle in the Fresh Foam X. Honestly, as a normal user, I couldn’t feel a difference. It just feels like soft foam. If the material is slightly better for the planet, great, but from the foot’s point of view, it’s just a cushioned midsole that absorbs impact decently well. The 4 mm drop is there, but if you’re not obsessed with numbers, it just feels lower drop than classic big-heel running shoes.

Overall, in terms of presentation and concept, it’s clearly a comfort-first, support-focused running shoe. Nothing about it screams fashion sneaker. It’s built for walking, running, and being on your feet, not for showing off. If that’s what you’re looking for, the concept is coherent and makes sense.