New Balance’s BOA-Equipped FuelCore Sonic

Things I like:

  1. Price - $109 with Boa is very reasonable - No chance when we were developing shoes at Zoot with Boa could we come close to that price.
  2. The Midsole is Revlite - Firmer ride then fresh foam which will make it feel fast. For comparison the Vazee Pace is Revlite.
  3. The sock like upper - Yes looks much like the sock racer doesn’t it.

Challenges

  1. The midfoot - It’s going to fit low on the foot. Those with a high instep will probably not like it.
  2. Not much travel - The Boa has very little travel in it. If you have the opposite, a low instep you won’t be able to get it tight enough. I looks like the eyelets will simply double over on each other.
  3. Top midfoot lock down - NB has a tendency to be thick in their stiched overlays. Some brands simply have rules on materials and having a set thickness seems to be one of the rules form decades of making shoes. If that piece has any sort of backing on it, there is a chance it might dig into the top of your foot.

Overall the $109 makes it worth the risk of challenges.It looks like a fun shoe to run in.