I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed already, but I’m brand new to the forum. I was thinking to switching over to the new Newton Running shoes, specifically the ‘motion’ model. I’ve had a quick run in them and they do feel great but I do have have a few concerns/questions before dropping big money on them:
1-Are they as good as everyone is saying? I haven’t seen many negative reviews.
2-Could they be used concurrently with other types of running shoes, or would I have to make a wholesale change to running only in Newtons?
3-For 1/2 marathon/marathon distance, would I be able to use them as race shoes due to their light weight? If this were the case I could rationalize spending the cash, 2 for the price of one if you will.
You are going to get a bunch of responses to do a search, which you should do as this topic comes up quite often.
You will find that some people love them, some hate them and a few are indifferent.
I’m on my second pair since last spring. To answer your questions:
Matter of opinion. Some people have posted that they felt they were injured by them but I don’t know if that’s from them trying to change their running style or from them buying them and going out and doint too long a run without breaking into them like you are supposed to.I rotate between my Newtons and Brooks without any trouble. Others may be different.
I’ve used mine for a couple of half IM runs, a full stand alone marathon and one ironman marathon with no issues.Bottom line is if you like them and they feel good, keep them. I found they had great customer support both in helping me pick out the right shoe at an expo and when I e mailed them with a question I got a prompt and detailed response. I also was able to get over 450 miles out of my first pair and they may even have a few left in them. They are twice as expensive as my other shoes but I only seem to get 250 or so miles out of them.
I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed already, but I’m brand new to the forum. I was thinking to switching over to the new Newton Running shoes, specifically the ‘motion’ model. I’ve had a quick run in them and they do feel great but I do have have a few concerns/questions before dropping big money on them:
1-Are they as good as everyone is saying? I haven’t seen many negative reviews.
2-Could they be used concurrently with other types of running shoes, or would I have to make a wholesale change to running only in Newtons?
3-For 1/2 marathon/marathon distance, would I be able to use them as race shoes due to their light weight? If this were the case I could rationalize spending the cash, 2 for the price of one if you will.
Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
no. unless you naturally run on your forefoot. a bunch of people claim that humans naturally do, but i definitely disagree.
yes.
their weight is just like any other lightweight trainer: like the speedstars or ds trainers.
the real question keeps coming back to: do you run on your forefoot? yes? then you might want to give them a shot. but if you heelstrike like most people (including the elite marathoners and newbies alike), i wouldnt suggest blowing that much money on something you should be changing every 6-8 weeks. if you have a huge expendable income, try them out for fun.
i personally dont buy into their website and the physics claims.
I bought a pair 6 mos ago to see what the hype was about. Here are my 2 cents:
Overall they’re very nice shoes - light, confortable, and they seem to hold up well. But I don’t think they’re worth $175. I haven’t noticed any significant benefit from them.
Yes, definitely. I rotate them with 1-2 other pairs of shoes each week and have had no issues.
Yes. The shoes are light enough for racing and have enough support for training. Of course, you could say the same for shoes like the DS Trainer or Wave Elixir.
I’m a forefoot striker (come from a track background), wore Newtons for about 7 weeks over the summer and haven’t run since, due to an Achilles tendon problem I attribute to the shoes (at the low mileage and intensity I was generating it couldn’t have been much else). So use with caution.
I’m a forefoot striker (come from a track background), wore Newtons for about 7 weeks over the summer and haven’t run since, due to an Achilles tendon problem I attribute to the shoes (at the low mileage and intensity I was generating it couldn’t have been much else). So use with caution.Similar story here as well. Not quite as badly injured (by the sounds of it).
Hope you get out and running ASAP.
My experience has been great. I have a history of calf problems and I transitioned very slowly and carefully. I don’t think they’re just for toe strikers, but they do keep you forward on your feet and speed your turnover. I use them for racing flats and I’m decent (sub-18 5K).
I haven’t heard of any runners wearing them. I checked lets run.com and the only infor I could find wa s ashort thread where the conclusion was they think that triathletes might be using them.
I asked a guy at our local reputable running store what he thinks of them. His response:
“I’d never recommend them to anyone. If you want to spend that kind of money there are better running shoes out there. We only sell them because triathlete come in here wanting to buy them. We started seling wet suits as well. These triathletes are a gold mine.”
This doesn’t mean that they will be bad for you. The only point I’m making is to expect to pay a lot of money for a gimick. It is entirely possible that in 5 years all of the elite runners will be wearing them, but as it stands to date, it doesn’t have a very good rep in the running world…perhaps because no one has given $175 shoe a chance yet…perhaps not.
I haven’t heard of any runners wearing them. I checked lets run.com and the only infor I could find wa s ashort thread where the conclusion was they think that triathletes might be using them.
I asked a guy at our local reputable running store what he thinks of them. His response:
“I’d never recommend them to anyone. If you want to spend that kind of money there are better running shoes out there. We only sell them because triathlete come in here wanting to buy them. We started seling wet suits as well. These triathletes are a gold mine.”
This doesn’t mean that they will be bad for you. The only point I’m making is to expect to pay a lot of money for a gimick. It is entirely possible that in 5 years all of the elite runners will be wearing them, but as it stands to date, it doesn’t have a very good rep in the running world…perhaps because no one has given $175 shoe a chance yet…perhaps not.
I was going to make the same comment. Newtons certainly haven’t seemed to gain any market share in the running community.
If you are in the 40-44 age group, definitely don’t buy them.
Seriously, these shoes are great! They are not for everyone and you have to be in tune with your body to be able to run in them properly. I am almost a minute faster per mile in mine.
I wouldn’t trade mine and that is the bottom line. Give them a chance, you just might find that you like them.
Heard both sides but personally I tried them and hated them. After a few months my achilles started aching and my podiatrist told me to switch back to my Mizunos. I recommend that you check with your foot doc.
I’ve got them. I’m focusing my off-season on improving my run. My goal is to run a sub 1:45 Half Marathon. In the 5 weeks (and ~150 miles) since i purchased them, I’ve managed to run a PR in my 5K and my 10K.
It could be that its the extra effort and time I’ve put into the run, but, I’m well pleased with my purchase. I noticed some initial adjustment soreness in my feet.
I’ve also mixed in my Brooks in my runs and experienced no problems.
Would you spend an incremental $50 to save 15-30 minutes on your bike? Lots of folks spend $5K to save 15-40 seconds.
I have also done my long Sunday runs in the Newtons and have had no problems. So I would definitely give the green light for 1/2 Marathon distance. I don’t have any plans for the marathon.
Best of luck. If you are 40-44, please don’t buy them.
Though I generally like the Newtons, I have to admit I feel like a goober wearing them sometimes. Obviously they’re quite ugly. But what’s worse is they give people the impression that you’re an obsessive, narcissistic, type-A, lemming of an athlete. A few successful pro’s endorsed the Newtons and now it seems like the majority of people at any IM event are wearing them even as their casual walking around shoes. Turns me off.
