I think I might order a pair of Newtons and give them a try. Any Pros or Cons ??
Is that a new brand?
Be prepared to only be able to run only 2-3 miles, 2-3 days a week for 2-3 weeks. (I did not mean for the numbers to come out like that but that is what happened to me.) I went on a 4 mile run the day I got them and could barely walk the next day because my calves were so sore. But now I love them. I am not yet sure if I am running that much faster but my form does feel better. If you are getting ready to start alot of run training, might not be the best time to do it. I would wait until you are starting a bike or swim focus so you dont feel bad about not running very much.
One great thing about them is that Newton offers a 30 day return policy. By that point you should know if you like them or not.
Fiddlesticks.
I’ve used Newtons and consulted with the kind fellows and gals from newton while at the Ford Ironman Wisconsin expo two years ago.
My expereince initially was that I bought the shoes slightly too small. I ordered them off the Newton website. As a result the “actuators” (unique protrusion on the bottom of the forefoot) were not in the optimal location. The guys at Newton exchanged them quite graciously for a new pair that were a half size larger. We also switched shoe models to the motion control shoe.
After getting into the right shoe I ran faster in them than I did in traditional running shoes. Significantly faster actually- about 15-20 seconds per mile during I time when an 8:00 mile was warp speed for me (I’m a little fitter and faster now). I ignored the advice from Newton about getting acclimating to them gradually. Mistake on my part. I got plantar fascitis symptoms pretty quickly- my fault, not the shoe.
Truthfully, I haven’t gone back to them. I bought more traditional running shoes from a fine running retailer in Ohio (Dave’s Running Shop) and have been training in those for quite some time. I kept the Newtons as they strike me as a “secret weapon” if you use them correctly (I didn’t initially). I’m hoping to race in them a little this year at shorter events were raw speed is key. I’m 5’9" and 160 pounds right now, about 150 fighting weight.
my 2 cents:
I purchased a pair last year at the Oside 70.3 expo. My initial impression was positive. I am a slight heel striker and run my training miles at 7-7:30 pace. I began to use them slowly (I think my first run in them was 1/4 mile), then slowly worked up to where I was running about 50% of my 30-35 miles a week in them. After about 4 weeks, I abandoned them due to the fact that they aggravated my achilles and calves. After going back to my Kayano/DS trainer rotation…my problems went away.
My take on them is that for a runner who is naturally a forefoot or mid-foot striker, they can be a good shoe. However, the idea that using Newtons will magically transform a heel striker into a fore/midfoot striker and make them faster …well, that didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t recommend them for that purpose. But, YMMV.
That said, I still wear them as walk around shoes…they are very comfortable for that purpose. I guess I wanted to get some use out of a $175 pair of shoes. And the ever-so-slight calf stretch that you get from walking in them feels nice.
my 2 cents:
My take on them is that for a runner who is naturally a forefoot or mid-foot striker, they can be a good shoe. However, the idea that using Newtons will magically transform a heel striker into a fore/midfoot striker and make them faster …well, that didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t recommend them for that purpose. But, YMMV.
Exactly. Not for everyone, but I love mine and see results when I wear mine. I had been training in them and decided to try another popular brand. I can see based on my past runs to the ones I do now that I’m running a slower pace with the new shoes. Previous strides (6X20) with the Newtons average 40 seconds quicker pace according to the Garmin.
For me, the Newtons work for me and I can feel it. Others have tried them and hated them. You will know how they work for you on the first couple of runs. If you’re not feeling the love, you just might not ever. I ran my first marathon after having a new pair for one week. If nothing else they are comfortable.
I bought a pair last Sept, and initially they worked well for me. However by December i developed Achilles tendonitis for the first time. (ben running regularly since '78) I loved them and they made me run faster.
I gave up on them last season, but tried again this past fall, by starting off with very short runs. After 5 runs of 1-11/2 miles i could barely walk.
I’ve been looking at the Newton shoes for about a year now (saving all my loose change to afford them). I recently talked with a newton rep and tried on 3 models and got a test run in them. they felt amazing. i felt best in the white Motion Trainer, but the Distance racer felt as good. They run small, you must go up 1/2 size. They arent’ for everyone and before dropping a few bucks on them, talk with the shoe specialist at local tri/running store or Newton rep. Make sure you can test them first (don’t buy online) and a specialist will be able to ananlyze your stride/gait/foot plant and advise you of proper shoe. Be warned, that the proper shoe MAY NOT be the newton. The best candidate is a forefoot striker, experienced, biomechanically sound runner. I’ve given the shoe alot of thought, but i think that i will stay with what i’ve got for now. My current shoes are $85 cheaper (equal to a race entry) and for the past 5 years i’ve had no significant leg problems. If you like the fit and feel, i am sure that you will find the shoe to be good. Many of the pro’s are wearing them as well as age-groupers. But as my father always said (he was pro jazz musician), jsut becuase you buy the same trumpet as Maynard Ferguson, don’t mean you are gonna blow it like he does.