[RunningForT3]

Today I used the Newton shoes for the first time... a few people asked me about them before.<br><br>
So... it's inconclusive after just an easy 3mi run, but they're fast. Their shape direct you into a midfoot strike, followed by a roll forward so your foot takes off quickly. I think that's the optimum foot motion... I did around 8:10/mile, which is way faster than an easy run, don't know if it's the shoes or just the excitement of a new toy. They're also lighter because they removed a lot of weight from the heel.<br><br>
Everybody I asked before was very happy with them, except for the heel striker. If you're a heel striker, then it could get painful. I heard about Achilles and ankle problems, but that happens to everyone when transitioning to a midfoot/forefoot strike, right? So if you don't do that already, they're not the shoes for you.<br><br>
I can't know yet if it how it affects my feet... I could let you know in a few days. They feel very weird when walking to warmup / cool down... like walking on bike shoes. I don't think you can run too slow on them. The way I see them, I might use them for up to 10K, but not for a HM or Marathon.<br><br>
Chris

 

[fox-runr]

I've wonder about Newtons. It seemed that they were being toted as "making" you midfoot strike, but if they are light in the heel as you say, then maybe they would work for us that don't ever hit our heels. I always feel like I'm toting around weight I don't need.

 

[teacherjen]

I just ordered a pair.... though, at that price, if I can't run at my regular, pretty-slow speed, I'm gonna send them back. I will definately give them as many trials as I can in the 30 day period. I already strike on my forefoot, so that shouldn't be a problem.<br><br>
I used to be a heel-striker, and switched. It did cause me some problems for a while, but now I can't switch back...it just feels too natural to land on the ball of my foot. (like when you run barefoot.)

 

[RunningForT3]

Jen, my problem is that when I run slow, I return to more of a heel strike. I felt his at the end of my run when I started to slow down.... That's why I said the Newtons are not for slow runners.<br><br><br>
One more comment: on their website, they profile the athletes who use their shoes, and they are ALL triathletes. Not a single runner. Why's that??

 

[Thor]

I'd love to try a pair but won't be spending money anytime soon for a variety of reasons. And I don't think I'd spend money before they went totally mainstream, but please continue posting your impressions. I've heard a lot of good things about them, and I've heard a lot of bad things that more center on nuetral.

 

[VictorN]

From what I heard they focused on the tri market because they felt they didn't have the resources to compete with the big boys in the running market. Focusing on tri allows them to use limited resources in a concentrated way.<br><br>
I also believe that tri-athletes are more willing to spend money on expensive products and possible more willing to work on stride mechanics than the general running population. I could be wrong about that, however.<br><br>
Victor

 

[RunningForT3]

Forgot to mentioned 2 big disadvantages:<br>
1. They're very expensive. Even with a 20% discount, they costed more than any pair I had before<br>
2. If you're a guy, they look soooo gay. Mine are a combination of pink, yellow and orange, and they looked tamer than the other models. DW told me not to bend over to stretch my hamstrings....

 

[Thor]

I heard the exact same. I saw Newton booths at many of my triathlon expos before marathon. Although I believe the company is onto something, I am skeptical mainly because I tend to be this way on any "new craze" that seems to revolutionize sport. Just doesn't seem right to me. But their literature and a few testaments I've heard sound legit. So I will be following your thoughts on the shoes.

 

[niemsco]

I admit I'm a gear junkie and have tried them out. I've put 450 miles on my first pair, yes I did buy a second pair. For me they've really helped me become a better runner (at least I believe so). It actually took me about 200 miles before I realized this and I actually had more pains in my legs when starting out with them. But I think this was because it changed my running style to be more forefoot, and I was using muscles which I was not accustomed to. When I fatigued I would go more heel. Now after long runs my legs feel much more fresh than they use to.<br><br>
I had some issues with my left heel that have completely gone away with Newtons. That may be coincidence, who knows, but I just finally got my second pair. At about 400 miles they felt different. It was difficult for me to buy a second pair at that cost, and I almost went back to my 60 dollar pair of mizunos. But now I run much less then I use to when I just did marathon training, so I get more time out of them. I definitely do not think they will make you faster or anything, but possibly more efficient, depends on your running style now. I'll keep at them at least for 2008.

 

[niemsco]

I used them in the Chicago Marathon last year and have been putting a lot of miles on them. It took me awhile to get use to them and I switched back and forth between my old Mizuno's for long runs. Once I got in sync with the shoe they actually became much more comfortable on long runs than my Mizunos and now I stay on Newtons only.

 

[JohnnyB]

The whole wheat newtons are really tasty.

 

[RunningForT3]

But have you tried the newmans? They're much better than the newtons, organic too I think.

 

[Stu373]

I tried them about a year ago. They felt great overall and they were very good over long distances. They didn't work out for me because I was in a smaller size than I should have been. I tried to squeeze into a 13 because they don't make a 14 yet. If they do end up making the 14, I would get another pair.

 

[fox-runr]

400 miles!! As a natural forefoot, I consider that alot. I go through shoes quickly because manufacturers make shoes for heel strikers (90% of the population run on heels), so they ignor cushion in the forefoot. You may have sold me, ask Newton for a commission <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[niemsco]

Good luck, I hope they work out for you. One thing to be aware of that I thought was odd that they do seem to wear out fast on the outside. They even state this on their website in that the shoe wears out differently than most, wearing out from the outside in as opposed to the inside out (something like that). But they said don't worry keep going, and I did. They felt more comfortable as I went along.<br><br>
I wish I worked for Newton!