Has anyone tried these shoes?
absolutely love mine… i was previously in heavy motion control shoes, and had horrible plantar problems/lower leg problems… i was talking to a rep, and he suggested these… been wearing them, have gone from running 3 days/wk to 6… just topped out at 50 miles running last week, and absolutely no problems at all… but i’m a classic midfoot strike… which apparently is why the motion control shoes were so bad for me. I think you should be fairly light and effective runner to wear these… but I love mine.
…but i’m a classic midfoot strike… which apparently is why the motion control shoes were so bad for me.
I’m glad to see a positive response after all the views. Were you able to get them at your local running store, or did you have to get them online? How flexible are they?
Can you explain your staement above? Why are motion control shoes bad for a midfoot striker? As you probably know, the Newtons are available with the motion control option - maybe that’s not good?
I was able to get them at my local running store… they are very very flexible, no support structure at all.
i was put by several running stores into NB 705/sacony s etc… motion control shoes… and i had very consistent lower leg problems, random toe hurting, plantar fascitis, etc. The rep who finally suggested these for me looked at my old shoes, and they are all worn out at the midfoot… no rear heel wear at all. I tried them because I was desperate, and found them to be the perfect shoe for me (at least with the 2-3 months i’ve worn them so far, which is the longest uninturrupted stretch of running i’ve put togeather in awhile). I was interested in the Newtons, but I live in Canada so finding them was a pain, I like to try shoes out before I buy them if I’ve never worn that model before.
Perfect timing on this thread. I am looking for a neutral shoe designed for a midfoot striker. There seem to be very few choices out there. Most neutral shoes have a heavily built up heel which encourages heel striking. I will definitely be checking out this shoe.
Dayvic,
Have you run in the NB 826 (used to be 825)? It is one ounce lighter (at ~10 oz.) than the MR800 (at ~11 oz.). I’m a little surprised that a specific “mid-foot” shoe with nominally less heel is that heavy. (Or just more of everything?)
Thanks,
Dan
I never have. It was only last winter that my sister (who works at a running store) re-examined my arch’s/stride and told me that everyone who had been suggesting the 705’s (motion control) shoes and sacony wave 6’s? (the sacouny equivalent) was an idiot, so I started a gradual transition to neutral shoes. I started alternating with mizuno wave percision 6’s… but still had really bad plantar issues. So, took some time off running, (traveling) but still had horrible hurting feet. Got home, and started running 30 min/3-4 times/wk in the mizunos, still my feet hurt. Went into the store and ran into a NB rep I know, and he looked at my wear patterns (the outside midfoot of all my shoes is gone, but my heels have NO wear at all) and suggested the NB800. Started running in them, + superfeet insoles, and it took about a week and I was comfortably running 5-6 times/wk. I now alternate using the insoles on interval days/ez days, trying to wean myself off of them (I feel insoles for most people are unwarrented). Have taken about 8 wks but now I’m up to ~50 miles with workouts, and I love them (but now I’m looking for another pair!).
In regards to how they feel, they feel MUCH lighter/responsive then all the previous shoes I’ve used, almost as flexible as my XC spikes, but more built up, you can definatly feel roots/rocks, and have alot of tougher rubber on the outside midfoot (seen in pictures). I was told the heal/toe drop is 8 mm less then usual? or its 8 mm, one of the two.
They fit very wide/roomy. I’m not a big fan of them, but to each his own.
Holabird is selling them for $97.00
http://www.holabirdsports.com/m/Running/Running-Shoes_Men/New-Balance/p1/043348.htm
Dave
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10 mm is a pretty standard drop, so I’m betting it’s 8 for these shoes. A drop of 2 would be radical. 
Thanks, I’ll check 'em out.
Dan
I’ve been wearing these shoes off and on for the last couple of weeks to break them in. My previous shoes were NB826’s (formally 825s). I’m not sure if these shoes actually encourage a mid-foot strike, but they are comfortable when landing mid-foot. As a direct comparison to the NB 826s, I don’t find much of a difference in my gait/landing to be honest. My suspicion so far, is that I should get more mileage as a mid-foot striker from the 800s.
On my longish Sunday run yesterday, I was happy with the performance at a somewhat quick pace. Just for an idea of the pace, after a slow first 4k, the next 22k was around 6:25/mile (approx. 4min/km). I felt smooth and light on my feet. I did notice a little less soreness after the run yesterday and today, so I’m very pleased and encouraged for longer distance runs. These may be my new daily training shoe, but I’ve only got 60km on them so far - a little too early to tell.
definately don’t encourage it IMO… I feel its just designed for people who have a midfoot strike.
Im still breaking mine in, so will reserve judgement until then, but initial impression is they are nicely cushioned, yet something is still “missing”. Not overly impressed so far. However, they are cheap if nothing else
Just got a pair today through work, manage a running shop. So I will try them out and post a review. First glance they are roomy and light. I got a 11D and have a good amount of room in the toe box, with in reason but more than my other shoes. I am an efficeint runner who usually prefers flats so they look like they may work out well.
S
Thats interesting as Im thinking of trying out some flats. The 800 is too cushy for me and I just cant feel the road at all.
Ohh well, like I said, at least I got them cheap!