New Balance 860 v7. This is the 7th evolution of NB's 860 series, a training shoe with pronation control and good stability, ideal for heavy runners who want to take advantage of the innovations of a slimmer last and a narrower upper that allow for more dynamism and fit.
With a new upper compared to the New Balance 860 v6 model, a very well padded interior and an improved fit, it gains in overall comfort, although this means that its weight does not go below 300 gr. since it is a training shoe to contain excess pronation. Its successful design provides containment and stability to the foot and this needs its good chassis and improved support.
It maintains in the midsole the Acteva and Abzorb of different densities, a combination called TRIFUSE. Tri because in addition to the Acteva and Abzorb in the medial area of the inner side there is another higher density material that provides stability and prevents the foot from sliding inward or dual density system for pronation control.
It offers a 10 mm drop on a voluminous midsole that allows cushioning high weights, has the T Beam plate that controls the rotation of the foot and provides stability and good control of the footprint. A model that follows the arguments used in the previous model sacrificing the softness of the cushioning that we appreciate in the V5 model, oriented towards greater stability and pronation control already offered by the V6.
This is an evolution to a more elastic, cleaner and functional upper that has improved fit by narrowing the last at the instep level and an interior that has gained in comfort. The narrower last allows for a gain in dynamic response making it an ideal model for heavy or very heavy runners who need to control pronation but also like to run fast.
Midsole and Cushioning
It combines the legendary Abzorb with the new Acteva Lite rubber which according to the advertising is 24% lighter than the basic NB Eva. On the medial side at the arch level is a dual density pronation motion control support reinforced by the T Beam plastic platform that stabilizes the foot strike. The generous amount of higher density rubber prevents the foot from collapsing inward at midfoot support, at which point the foot's motion is stabilized by the medial T-Beam plate that provides foot strike stability.
The large amount of rubber in the heel absorbs impacts well, although it is a little hard in midfoot support. When entering the heel, the external rear recess of the sole facilitates the landing of the foot by facilitating entry.
The finish of the midsole in which the Abzorb in white predominates covers the entire outer side from the heel and on which the Actevalite in black is spread in the form of a sheet or surround that contains the foot on which the upper is placed. This compound is 24% lighter than the traditional Evas and absorbs impacts very well, in addition to the fact that its arrangement serves to stabilize the foot in the shoe.
It has a 10 mmdrop , 31 mm heel height and 21 mm forefoot height over a large amount of rubber in the midsole, which protects the foot very well from impacts. Between the Abzorb and the Actevalite a space is created under the heel where the large amount of Actevalite in the center is visible in the middle of the sole.
The heel support area is separated from the midsole by a deep cut-out that facilitates the entry of the foot and once the midfoot is supported, it contains the pronation of the foot firmly thanks to the internal support of a higher density rubber.
The strategic arrangement of the different densities, with the denser one on the inner side of the shoe extending to the midfoot and the softer one on the outside and in the central area, achieves good stability and excellent pronation control throughout the stride.
In the previous model I felt that the first impact of the heel era especially soft and that the transition of the footprint era very fluid, in this model the arrangement of the hollow of the heel and the delay of the T beam plate along with the Acteva Lite in my opinion subtract that softness in the transition from heel to midfoot support during the footprint perceiving a slightly hard touch that I understand that in runners over 80 kg. this feeling will disappear.
Insole and last
The insole is simple but cushioned with 5 mm of nice foam that provides additional cushioning, has an arch level elevation that provides good support and containment. The last is narrower with 11 cm in the metatarsal area, 77 in the midfoot and 87 in the heel which helps to achieve a better dynamic response without compromising stability thanks to the performance of the technology package.
Upper
In this model the upper changes to a double mesh with an outer layer of longitudinal eyelets with large holes with a thermosealed reinforcement and a polyurethane containment sewn in the toe cap in a traditional design without perforations. In the upper the mesh changes to a denser external mesh in which the holes are in a transversal arrangement and is more resistant to friction, anti-tear and is reinforced with fine heat seals that extend to cover the top of the big toe and reinforces the areas of greatest stress.
It has reinforcements sewn in polyurethane on the sides of the midfoot and especially in the rearfoot, with a rear shell that contains the heel. Both on the inside and outside of the upper there is a layer of plastic thermo-sealing in a transversal arrangement that tends towards the bottom in a dense manner and serves to reinforce the sides as well as stabilize the ankle.
The upper tensioning system is more flexible than in the previous model, something that I already criticized, the narrower last and the sharper upper facilitate the adjustment at the mid level of the instep in which collaborate the thermo-sealed plastic reinforcements of which the elastic lace has 6 eyelets. When the upper is tightened firmly, the upper no longer bends and wrinkles the upper as it did in the V6 model.
The tongue is still a bit large and wide and turns easily out wards, although the volume of its padding is correct and the feel is pleasant. The tongue is not attached laterally to the inside of the upper but it has a front anchor so that the laces, elastic and very nice, pull the central and front part of the upper and improve the fit of the toe.
In addition, the tongue has a central strap with the number 860 V7 that prevents it from sliding outwards. The first part of the tongue is elastic and this allows to adapt very well to the instep when pulling it and the main body is not excessively cushioned but it is comfortable because it is very wide and covers the side of the ankle very well. It has a silver logo with new Balance support.
At the level of the midfoot and coinciding with the support of the last 3 eyelets of the laces the area is reinforced with a polyurethane containment stitched that tends as a diagonal buttress providing stability to the foot.
Internally the shoe has a certain amount of cushioning, especially in the rear part, which wraps around the ankle and contains the foot at the heel, providing extra comfort. The rear part that coincides with the Achilles tendon is very soft and externally has some padding that provide comfort and extra padding against possible bumps or friction.
Heel Support
The heel support is asymmetrical (Asym Heel Counter) being lower externally than medially and is part of a set of measures that provide stability to the rearfoot thanks to a structure that surrounds the heel and is reinforced by buttresses as straps on both sides of the ankle in diagonal arrangement that are joined with the plastic reinforcements of the upper and eyelets that provide lateral stability. The heel is contained thanks to a solid internal support plus the external reinforcement of the lateral strap that surrounds it. The external fabric is very resistant to chafing and wear. The internal padding is very comfortable and the upper is soft due to the rigid internal support not reaching as high.
I don't understand the reason for dispensing with reflectors that bring safety in night trainings.
Outsole
Its design divide the sole into 4 zones differentiating the heel, the T beam plate embedded at midfoot level to which joins a more resistant black rubber zone, a wide zone at midfoot level in blue and again in the toe a black zone of more resistemcia. The plantar arch area gives way to the particularly wide midfoot and forefoot area. These areas are divided by thicker and deeper flexgroove grooves than the grooves that cut through the blue rubber midfoot area which are insufficient to make the sole more flexible.
The softer blue rubber zone is joined centrally to coincide with the propulsive zone of the 1st and 2 metatarsal joints, providing extra stability in the propulsive zone of the foot strike.
The black rubber is N durance in heel and toe more resistant to abrasion and the blue rubber has a generous thickness of 5 mm. and occupies most of the surface leaving exposed only the Tbeam plate and the hollow in the center of the heel of smaller volume than in the V 5 model and similar to the V6, providing excellent traction but at the same time stability. Its specialty is the asphalt but for roads in good condition and gravel defends well... Good resistance to wear, good feel on different common surfaces such as asphalt, sidewalks, cement ... and good response on gravel and roads in good condition give it a mixed character.
Opportunities for improvement
- In my opinion controlling pronation should not sacrifice soft and comfortable cushioning capability. More Acteva lite combined with less Abzorb would make the model softer and lighter.
- The transverse grooves of the sole go too shallow in the thick midsole, which prevents it from providing the flexibility that would allow for greater dynamism.
- The last has been considerably narrowed at the metatarsal level with a sharper toe box, reducing the space for the toes, which could compromise wide feet.
- Narrower last allows gain in responsiveness at higher paces but sacrifices a little stability, perhaps with a wider sole and deeper transverse grooves in midsole would have gained in flexibility and dynamic response without sacrificing stability.
- Return to the inclusion of 360º reflective details.
Strengths
- The last has been considerably narrower, which allows for more dynamism, which is especially appreciated at medium paces.
- The upper tensioning system is more flexible than in the previous model, something we criticized in the previous model, the narrower last and the sharper upper facilitate the adjustment at the mid level of the instep in which the thermo-sealed plastic reinforcements collaborate.
- Great heel support is contained by a solid internal support plus the asymmetrical external reinforcement of the lateral strap that surrounds it in a very comfortable padding.
- The sole is reinforced at the level of the head of the 1st metatarsal to avoid over flexion.
Conclusion and type of user
The 860 V7 is a shoe that avoids the internal collapse of the foot very well, especially at the midfoot and heel, an area to which it provides good support and stability. It gains in dynamism by narrowing the last and reducing the width of the sole, but it lacks flexibility and hard cushioning, but offers extra protection for heavier pronator runners looking for good foot containment for long runs.
Newer aesthetics with a more functional upper, sharper aesthetics and an improved fit more suitable than the previous model for runners with narrow feet. Its superb midfoot containment and heel support make this shoe a safe and robust model for runners over 75 kg. with narrow feet, who want to contain pronation on long runs at slower paces, without giving up the dynamic improvement that allows them to take advantage also at higher paces.
Rating:
- Lightness 7
- Cushioning 7
- Flexibility 7
- Responsiveness 9
- Stability 8
- Grip 9
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