Newton Shoes

[knapplaura]

I have a pair of Newtons. I put speed laces in them and have only used them for sprint triathlons and short brick runs. Longest run in them is maybe 4 miles?

I pronate, so I put my Sole Comfort inserts in them for more arch support. I like them ok, but I have been afraid to try a long run in them. I use Brooks Trance for my long runs. They are comfortable, and so light! That is why I like them for brick runs. Especially when I am doing the run off a long bike. A really heavy shoe then is hard to take!

I do suggest easing into them. I have some friends that have used them for Ironman, but I don't think I will. I did really feel good in them during the tri's I did last summer, but again may be due to their light weight. I am usually in much heavier shoes.

Will be interested to hear your experience w/them!
Laura

[Running Mommy]

I agree with Laura, break them in slowly mileage wise. Esp. if you are not a purely nuetral runner. - But heck, maybe you are?? what do I know??
The reason why I say this is, I happened to be talking shoes with an industry rep recently.He mentioned that there were a lot of blister problems at kona this year from a certain "new high dollar shoe". So I took that to mean newtons. Tho I do know there is one other high $$ brand that's come on the scene recently.
I like the technical aspects of newtons (forcing you up on your forefoot), but as I said to the rep "I'm not worthy of a 150.00 shoe. That would be like wearing a TT aero helmet and averaging 16-17 mph on the bike."

Tho it would be nice not to have to strap on the bricks I wear now after being out there all day!

[KSH]

I like the technical aspects of newtons (forcing you up on your forefoot), but as I said to the rep "I'm not worthy of a 150.00 shoe. That would be like wearing a TT aero helmet and averaging 16-17 mph on the bike."

Tho it would be nice not to have to strap on the bricks I wear now after being out there all day!

Well, the new running form is to land on your forefoot... but all the shoes out there are for heel strikers. I don't need cushion in my HEEL... I don't land on my HEEL... I with the shoe manufacturers... other than Newton... would get with the game.

A long run in a shoe with very little padding for the forefoot... is a hard run. I bought some insoles to provide more padding, but again... most of the cushion is in the heel. UGH.

But yea... I don't see myself spending $150 on pair of running shoes... unless I can try them on. Hey, I'm slow as a turtle, but if they make running enjoyable... I'll pay the money.

[OakLeaf]

I with the shoe manufacturers... other than Newton... would get with the game.

Chi Running is sponsored by New Balance, so all their shoe recommendations are for NB models, but they have a nice chart of recommended models for midfoot strikers.

I see on the Newton website that they do have models designed for pronators. But as hard as my feet are to fit, I wouldn't order anything I hadn't tried on, either.

ETA: I'm actually trying to move my strike back, as I was very much a forefoot striker. Between this and other Chi Running form corrections - reducing my step height in aerobics - never going barefoot in the house - self massage of trigger points in the posterior tibialis - and night splinting, my Achilles tendons are becoming happier, slowly, slowly.

[KnottedYet]

I'm a mid-foot striker and a hugely sloppy pronator. Brooks Ariels/Beasts and Addictions work so well with my feet they are the only running shoe I buy anymore. Once you find a shoe that works for you, don't lose it!

I was worried when Adidas's holding company bought Brooks, I thought they might change the shoes. Luckily they've stayed the same. I'd hate to have to go searching for a new running shoe!

[KSH]

I was worried when Adidas's holding company bought Brooks, I thought they might change the shoes. Luckily they've stayed the same. I'd hate to have to go searching for a new running shoe!

AH! No wonder my Brooks Adrenaline were redesigned and the new model didn't fit me the same. I bought the narrow and they still slip off my feet some. Whereas with the older model, I didn't buy narrow and they fit my feet just fine.

[Wahine]

So I used the Newtons for a 3.25 mi treadmill run. I didn't have any issues but I wouldn't want to use them for a longer distance until I had a chance to build things up a up.

They felt really good in terms of foot strike on my left but they emphasized the fact that I don't land properly on my forefoot on the right. That's kinda cool because it helped me think about it and adjust a bit, but it was tiring, hence why I wouldn't use them for a longer run. Looking at the soles after the run, I could see where I'm still striking too much towards my heel on the right and how that causes me to put on the brakes a bit.

They are super light and feel like nothing on your feet. I tend to get sore at the ball of my foot at times and you would think that they would make that worse but it actually felt like I had more cushioning there and it was comfortable. My fore foot splays alot in weight bearing but the toe box is quite spacious and I had no problems with that.

As for effort, my heart rate was a little lower than expected given my pace but it's hard to compare because it was a treadmill run after all.

I can't wait to try them out at the track.

[KSH]

I use Brooks Trance for my long runs. They are comfortable, and so light! That is why I like them for brick runs. Especially when I am doing the run off a long bike. A really heavy shoe then is hard to take!

Laura

WOW... gosh, I tried the Brooks Trance and they felt like rocks on my feet compared to my Brooks Adrenalin (? spelling). My lower legs hurt so bad after about a mile. I had to stop running in the Trance.

Just goes to show... everyone is different... eh?

I will say that I liked that they were very supportive and I didn't feel the ground as much in them.