Quick Answer: New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids Review: The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids is a cushioned stability running shoe for children whose feet roll inward or who have flexible, low arches. It scales down the adult 860’s recipe: soft Fresh Foam X cushioning with a firmer medial post on the inner side that is designed to slow that inward roll. It suits young runners, cross-country kids and active children who want one supportive shoe for school and sport. The catch is that it is lace-up only and wide sizes can be hard to find, and kids with typical feet do not need the extra structure. Check latest price.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids is the youth version of New Balance’s long-running 860, the stability trainer many adults choose when their feet need a little extra guidance. New Balance says this kids’ version pares down the classic for growing feet, keeping the cushioned Fresh Foam X midsole and the supportive medial post while simplifying the rest.
It is the stability shoe in New Balance’s kids’ running lineup, sitting above neutral everyday trainers like the Rave Run v2 and the Fresh Foam Arishi. While the adult 860 has moved on to newer versions (read our New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15 review for the grown-up shoe), the kids’ model has stayed on the v13. It is still stocked by specialty running stores such as Fleet Feet and by major online retailers.
This is a shoe for a specific child: one whose feet or ankles visibly roll inward, who wears out the inside edge of their shoes first, or who has been told by a pediatrician, podiatrist or shoe fitter that a supportive shoe could help. Our guide to the best kids’ shoes for overpronation explains those signs in more detail.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids — alternate shoe view — Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids:
| Type | Kids’ stability running shoe |
| Best for | Children with flexible arches or feet that roll inward, from school days to running club |
| Midsole | Fresh Foam X, which New Balance calls its most cushioned Fresh Foam experience |
| Support | Medial post, a firmer section of foam on the inner side of the midsole |
| Upper | Breathable engineered mesh |
| Closure | Laces only |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 10 mm (retailer figure) |
| Weight | About 162 g (5.7 oz) little kid; about 206 g (7.3 oz) big kid (retailer figures) |
| Sizes | Little kid (about 10.5 to 3) and big kid (3.5 to 7) |
| Widths | Regular, with wide listed in some sizes and colors |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- A real medial post gives children who roll inward more structure than a typical kids’ sneaker.
- Fresh Foam X cushioning makes hard school floors, sidewalks and tracks feel softer underfoot.
- It uses the same support idea as the adult 860, scaled down for a child’s foot.
- The breathable mesh upper keeps feet cooler through gym class and summer practice.
- It is supportive enough for running club and comfortable enough to wear all day.
Cons
- Lace-up only, so younger kids who cannot tie laces yet will need help every time.
- Wide sizes exist, but many stores stock only regular width, so a broad foot may take some hunting.
- Children with typical, neutral feet do not need the extra structure and will be fine in a simpler shoe.
- This version has been around for several years, so sizes and colors depend on what retailers still carry.
How the 860v13 Kids supports a foot that rolls inward
Every foot rolls inward a little after it lands. That motion, called pronation, is normal and helps absorb shock. Some children roll in more than average, often because their arches are flexible and flatten when they put weight on them. You might notice their ankles tipping inward when they stand, or their shoes wearing down on the inside edge first.
The 860v13 Kids tackles that with a medial post: a section of firmer foam on the inner, arch side of the midsole. Because it compresses less than the softer foam around it, the inside of the shoe stays a little taller as your child lands, which is designed to slow how far and how fast the foot rolls in. On the foot, that should feel like a steady, supported step rather than a hard bump under the arch.
It is important to be clear about what this does and does not do. A stability shoe adds structure. It does not correct a child’s gait, fix flat feet or prevent injuries, and many children with flat-looking feet do perfectly well in neutral shoes because their arches develop as they grow. If your child has foot, knee or leg pain, or you are unsure whether they need support, ask a pediatrician or podiatrist before you buy. Our guide to the best kids’ shoes for flat feet covers more options.
Who should buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids
Buy it if your child’s feet clearly roll inward and you want a supportive shoe from a brand with a long track record in stability running shoes. It is especially useful for the child who has been fitted at a running store and told a stability shoe suits them, since the 860 is New Balance’s dedicated stability shoe for exactly that foot type.
It is also a good fit for kids who are starting to run more seriously. Cross country, a school running club or regular family 5Ks all add up to real mileage, and the cushioned Fresh Foam X midsole is built for that kind of repeated running rather than just short bursts on the playground.
Finally, it works as a one-shoe solution for an active child who needs support. The same shoe can handle the school day, gym class and practice, so you are not buying separate pairs for each.
Who should probably skip it
Skip it if your child has typical, neutral feet. The medial post only helps a foot that actually rolls in, and a child without that need will be just as comfortable in a lighter, simpler and usually less expensive neutral shoe.
Skip it, too, if your child cannot tie laces yet. There is no strap or bungee version, so every morning means a parent tying shoes. And if your older child has wide feet, be ready to search: wide big kid sizes exist but are not widely stocked, and buying a longer size to gain width only makes the shoe too long.
These are better choices for those kids:
- New Balance Rave Run v2: a neutral everyday kids’ runner with a bungee-and-strap option and standard, wide and extra-wide fittings (check price)
- New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4: a neutral Fresh Foam kids’ trainer that also comes as a bungee lace with a top strap for kids who cannot tie laces (check price)
Not sure which way to go? Our Free Shoe Finder can help you narrow it down.
The 860v13 Kids fits like a regular running shoe, with limited width choices
Start with your child’s current size and leave about a thumb’s width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Children’s feet grow quickly, so recheck the fit every couple of months. Our kids shoe size calculator can help if you are between sizes or ordering online.
The upper is a breathable engineered mesh with traditional laces. Laces take longer than a strap, but they let you tighten the midfoot and leave the toes a little looser, which is how a supportive running shoe should be worn. A secure midfoot also helps the medial post do its job, because a foot that slides around inside the shoe gets less benefit from the structure underneath it.
Width is the weak spot. Retailers list regular and wide versions in little kid sizes, and some list wide big kid sizes, but many stores carry only regular width. If your child needs a wide, check the exact width on the listing before you order, and do not size up to make up for it. If your child also uses a custom orthotic from a specialist, bring it along when you try shoes on, since the insert and the medial post both affect how the shoe feels.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids — product view — Image: Amazon
Soft, steady cushioning for running club and long school days
Fresh Foam X is New Balance’s main cushioning foam, and the company describes it as its most cushioned Fresh Foam experience. For a child, that should mean a soft, comfortable landing that takes the sting out of sidewalks, tracks and hard gym floors, without the shoe feeling mushy or wobbly.
The heel sits about 10 mm higher than the forefoot, according to retailer specs. That heel-to-toe drop is similar to most everyday sneakers, so the shoe feels familiar from the first wear and does not ask a child to change how they move.
This is a steady, comfortable shoe rather than a fast one. It is well suited to easy runs, practice and long days on their feet, and less suited to a child who wants a light, flexible racing shoe for track events.
New Balance does not publish outsole details for the kids’ version, so plan on checking the tread every few months. Kids wear shoes out in their own way, and the bottom of the shoe tells you when traction is going, especially under the ball of the foot and at the outer heel.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids — additional product detail — Image: Amazon
Is the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids good for walking?
Yes. A child who rolls inward when running usually does the same when walking, so the support carries over to the walk to school, field trips and long days on hard floors. The cushioned Fresh Foam X midsole helps with all-day comfort too.
The main practical issue is the laces. A child who walks to school alone needs to be able to tie them securely, because a loose lace on a busy sidewalk is a tripping hazard. For grown-ups looking for their own supportive walker, our best walking shoes guide is the place to start.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids Alternatives
If you want to compare stability shoes across brands, the Asics GT-1000 14 GS is the closest rival. It is a youth version of Asics’ long-running stability trainer, so it gives a different fit and feel with a similar goal, which is useful if the 860 does not suit your child’s foot shape (check price).
The Saucony Guide KDZ is another kids’ version of an adult stability shoe. It is worth trying on alongside the 860 when your child needs support but the New Balance does not fit well, since every brand shapes its shoes a little differently (check price).
For a young runner who wants maximum softness and does not need a medial post, the Hoka Clifton 10 Youth is the trade. It brings Hoka’s soft, cushioned daily trainer to kids’ sizes in a neutral design, so it suits a child whose feet do not roll in but who runs longer distances (check price).
Price and value
The 860v13 Kids costs more than a basic kids’ sneaker, and the question is whether your child will use what you are paying for. The extra money buys a real medial post, a premium cushioning foam and the design thinking of an adult stability shoe, scaled down for a growing foot.
That makes it good value for a child who genuinely rolls inward or runs regularly. For a child with typical feet who mostly needs shoes for recess and errands, the support goes unused and a simpler neutral shoe will deliver the same everyday comfort for less. Kids also outgrow shoes fast, so buy it when the support solves a real problem, not just because it is the top of the range.
Final verdict
Best for: children with flexible arches or feet that roll inward, plus young runners who log real mileage at practice or running club.
Avoid if: your child has neutral feet, cannot tie laces yet or has wide feet and needs a wide big kid size quickly.
Fit: regular running-shoe fit with laces; regular width is easy to find and wide is listed in some sizes and colors.
Verdict: The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids brings the adult 860’s support and cushioning to children who actually need it. It is not the shoe for every kid, and the laces and patchy width options rule some out, but for a child whose feet roll in it is a sensible, well-cushioned and supportive choice. Check the latest price.
Frequently Asked Questions for New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 Kids
It comes in little kid sizes, roughly 10.5 to 3, and big kid sizes 3.5 to 7. That usually covers children from about kindergarten through middle school, but measure your child’s foot rather than going by age.
No. It is lace-up only. If your child cannot tie laces yet, look at a strap or bungee-lace option such as the New Balance Rave Run v2 or Fresh Foam Arishi v4.
Common signs are ankles that tip inward when standing, feet that roll in when running and shoes that wear down on the inside edge first. A pediatrician, podiatrist or experienced shoe fitter can confirm whether a supportive shoe makes sense.
We could not find a kids’ version of a newer 860 in the US. The adult shoe has moved on, but the kids’ 860 is still sold as the v13 at specialty running stores and online.
Retailers list about 5.7 oz for a little kid size and about 7.3 oz for a big kid size. That keeps it light enough for all-day wear despite the extra cushioning and support.
Many can, since the shoe is designed for flexible arches and feet that roll inward. It does not correct flat feet, so if your child has pain, talk to a pediatrician or podiatrist first.
