4/5
Overall
Wheely_Dean · Dec 1, 2015
55 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
New Balance 870 v3
Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 9.8 oz (men's) · 24/16mm stack · 8mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance 870 v2 replaced it
How it ranks
The New Balance 870 v3 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Looks and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 17 runner reviews and 3 other rated shoes in the 870 product line.
Decent
74
Overall
74
Appearance
78
Value
76
Comfort
70
Cushioning
62
Durability
53
Confidence
87
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
87 High
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Product line track record
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“Light weight and flexible enough for fartlek or track work, stable enough for heavy road work.”
“My first pair of 870 v3 lasted 500+ miles, which is amazing for lightweight shoes.”
“I have gone through 3 pair now, logging over 500 miles per pair.”
“Absorbs very well, very soft and light and responsive, especially on the road.”
“The NB 870s provides a much better ride for a mid foot runner.”
“The 870 was the first support shoe that felt lightweight enough for me.”
“Lightweight trainer, but with enough cushion to last 300-350 miles.”
“It's light and stable and has plenty of room in the toebox.”
“Fantastic low profile, lightweight stability shoe.”
“It's beginning to show wear on the top of the toe box where it bends every step.”
“The rubber outsole wears down really quickly, especially around the forefoot.”
“The second one started falling apart after 300.”
“It has come unglued around 80 miles in once.”
“They have kept me injury-free.”
“The upper material doesn't look super durable, and that's proving to be true.”
“The quality and durability of their shoes vary widely.”
“I wear through the rubber quite quickly.”
“Wears out quick if not worn evenly.”
“It's kind of too light and expensive.”
“A little thin in the forefoot.”
Prefer this shoe over another
50% 5/10
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers call it light and stable, workable for faster workouts.
- Many reviewers find it comfortable, with room in the toe box.
Cons
- Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.6 out of 5, and reviewers report the forefoot rubber wearing quickly, one at 80 miles.
- Reports on lifespan vary widely, from one reviewer at 80 miles to another getting 300 to 350.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance 870
Each dot is one version of the 870, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
73
2014
74
2013
88
2016
74
2019
Release year
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.8 oz (men's)
- Release
- 2013
- MSRP
- $110
- Stack
- 24/16mm
- Drop
- 8mm
Runner reviews
5/5
Overall
Lightweight trainer, but with enough cushion to last 300-350 miles. Now on my third pair, only had one color scheme, but its a good looking shoe as well.
Anonymous runner · Dec 1, 2015
60 mpw training for middle distance came from the ASICS GT-2000 2
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 4, 2015
80 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
5/5
Overall
Fantastic low profile, lightweight stability shoe. I ran in the Mizuno Elixir for years before they stopped making it. I really like a performance oriented shoe with a hint of stability. After mizuno axed the elixir I switched to the 870s. I wish I had done so before. The NB 870s provides a much better ride for a mid foot runner.
Anonymous runner · Mar 21, 2015
75 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Elixir 8
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 3/5
4/5
Overall
Comfortable, attractive.
Anonymous runner · Sep 19, 2014
20 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from New Balance
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
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Best appearance
Lightest
Newest
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Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability
Neutral
Weight
9.8 oz (men's)
8.3 oz
Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
24/16mm
27/19mm
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
8mm
4mm
Release
2013
2019 Q2
2022 Q3
Newest
MSRP
$110
$110
$165
Best price
—
—
$95
Ratings
Overall
74 Decent
74 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best overall
Comfort
70 Decent
63 Below average
99 Exceptional
Best comfort
Cushioning
62 Below average
56 Bottom-tier
99 Exceptional
Best cushioning
Durability
53 Bottom-tier
57 Bottom-tier
97 Exceptional
Best durability
Appearance
78 Decent
Best appearance
73 Decent
75 Decent
Value
76 Decent
72 Decent
77 Decent
Best value rating
New Balance 870 v3 In Context
More on the New Balance 870
- New Balance 870 v5
- New Balance 870 v4
- New Balance 870 v2 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 1 runner
- ASICS GT-2000 2 1 runner
- Mizuno Wave Elixir 8 1 runner