Excellent for those needing overpronation control, the 860v7 offered the greatest amount of stability of all the shoes tested. Designed with a T-beam support in the midfoot and a medial post, the 860v7 aids in overpronation control. The new TRUFUSE midsole combines two foams that work to deliver sustained cushioning while increasing durability. The upper retains most of its design from the previous model including a mesh upper, an asymmetrical heel counter and midfoot support to hug the arch and allow these runners the security they need.    

Comfort
The engineered mesh upper is the highlight of the 860v7. The upper is soft and breathable yet supportive. Generous padding along the tongue and heel collar create a soft and welcoming opening.

Fit 
The 860v7 is a well-fitting shoe that’s true to length. Between the elastic laces and mesh upper it was easy to get a dialed-in feeling. A lot of detail went into designing the heel area of the 860v7. New Balance uses an asymmetrical heel counter where one side sits a little higher for additional support.

Responsiveness 
Compared to others in the test, the 860v7 scored on the lower end of responsiveness, but that would be expected from a stability shoe. While the midsole was firm, responsiveness will greatly depend on the size of the runner. Heavier runners placing more force on the midsole will compress the midsole more, thus getting more back, whereas lighter runners may find the midsole to be a little dead.

Speed
Given that the 860v7 is a stability shoe focused on support, it feels rather light and agile, which is surprising because it was one of the heavier shoes tested.  

Ride Quality
Structural elements such as midfoot support beam and medial post that aid in stability contribute to a stiff and rigid ride. One tester summarized the ride quality perfectly by noting how unforgiving the ride was.  Despite a smaller heel drop from the 6^th version, the 860v7 is still a very heel oriented shoe. Heavier runners that pronate will find the 860v7 to fit the bill perfectly.