Saucony Omni 22 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14:
Which to Choose

The headline difference is how each shoe delivers its stability. The Omni 22 is the more overtly corrective of the two: it pairs a TPU guidance frame with a traditional medial post, so the pronation control is firm and definite, best suited to runners whose feet genuinely roll in. The 860v14 takes a gentler route — a broad, wide base with medial support geometry rather than an aggressive post — which guides mild-to-moderate pronators without forcing the foot, making it the less intrusive ride for someone who wants structure but not correction. Foam choice reinforces that split: the Omni's PWRRUN feels balanced and planted, composed through the full footstrike, while the 860v14's Fresh Foam X is a firmer, EVA-class slab that reads as grounded with a touch of springback — both are protective rather than plush, but the Omni gives up a hair less in softness and the New Balance feels the firmer, more purposeful of the two. On geometry they diverge too: the Omni sits at a lower 8mm drop, easing calf and Achilles load while keeping the foot close to the platform, whereas the 860v14 uses a more traditional ~10mm offset that favors committed heel strikers. Weight is close, with both landing in genuine stability-trainer territory — roughly 285g/10.1oz for the Omni versus about 298g/10.5oz for the 860v14 in a men's sample — so neither is light, and both start to feel like dead weight if you push past steady-state pace. Their pace windows overlap but tilt slightly: the 860v14 is a touch more willing to lift to a steady/tempo effort (optimal around 5:00–6:00 min/km, sweet spot the half), while the Omni settles into a slightly easier daily zone (5:30–6:30 min/km) and rewards consistent cadence over surges.