May 11, 2007

Newton Running Shoes - a Review

After the 15 miles on the treadmill Wednesday, I was going to run outside today no matter how hot. 90+ for my noon mile repeats on the soccer fields... I don't know which is harder, the treadmill or the heat, but I sure had more fun outside.

Anna and Aidan played on the playground outside the field while I ran, and every few minutes Anna would run my opposite direction to steal a daddy kiss. That girl...

So the last few weeks I've put about a 100 miles on the new Newton running shoes, and let me tell you - these things rock! They are different than any shoes I've ever tried in that they force you to run in a more anatomically correct way.

I've read their website a few times and looked over the information that came with the shoe, and I still don't understand how it works. Actuators, membranes, Sir Isaac Newton, reactions creating propulsion... It all sounds pretty damn complicated to me.

But it works. OMG it works. Before trying these, I thought I consistently landed on my forefoot. Oh no. Now I know what it feels like to really strike with your forefoot, and let me tell you - it feels great!

I honestly feel like I'm running like I would if I were barefoot. No heel strikes - it's basically impossible to strike with your heel first in these shoes. And my knees already notice the difference and are thanking me with pain-free runs over all surfaces so far.

I noticed another advantage to the shoes. I tend to have too much lateral motion in my legs, as opposed to strict anterior/posterior motion, while running. I'm hypothesizing that this issue is what has tended to give me recurrent iliotibial band problems. Well, for some reason with the Newtons and striking in the forefoot, I'm running with almost no lateral movement.

I don't know if these things will make me any faster or not. I feel like they will, like they already have. I do feel confident that I am running in a more anatomically correct way thanks to the Newtons, and I'm hopeful this will help avoid some recurrent nagging injuries that have plagued me in the past.

Newton running shoes - they don't pay me, but I still recommend them.

Thanks for joining me for My Daily Spin.

26 comments:

Born To Endure said...

I have the Newtons as well, wore them for 30min's on a trail and once so far on the treadmill..both time they left my calves sore for days..I must need more time to get used to them or something!! Glad you are enjoying them!!

rocketpants said...

Ohhh...i've been wondering about those! Maybe one day i'll give them a try. Keep us posted on how your IT bands hold up with them as I have a similar issue...so I've always wondered about the foot strike issue.

cool.

TJ said...

15 miles on the treadmill!!! wow! i would have gone bonkers.

i may have to give the newtons a try if they'll help with itbs.

Anonymous said...

ANY SENSE IF THESE WOULD BE GOOD FOR ORTHOTICS WEARERS (WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A CLYDESDALE)?

DWL said...

The Newton website says they won't help much on the treadmill - at least not with any "propulsive effect" - although they must still promote forefoot strikes over heels. As far as orthotics, they promote using orthotics on one of the pages on their site - they say if the inserts are 4mm or less, you don't need to change to a larger shoe. I've been running with Nike Free's and have enjoyed the transition to more forefoot running - I just ordered my first pair of Newton's.

lois said...

I have a question about the fit of the newton. For the women's shoe, how does the fore foot fit? Is it a narrower fit ( like mizuno) or a wider foot bed (like saucony)

Unknown said...

Bought the newton shoes and absolutely LOVE them. I have just been running outside with them but I can tell a huge difference. I will never go back to the "regular" shoe. The feel a low like the nike free shoe in a way so that could be a cheaper option for you. But they are in a different group all together.

Anonymous said...

Hello Guys,

I am using these newton shoes for almost 350 km, they are working fine. I ordered orthotics from active imprints and inserted them in the neutral newton shoes, and they are working perfect. I am an international customer living in middle east. These are good shoes, and I am planning to buy two more for future.

DEA BESS said...

ALOHA ALL!
I WAS WONDERING IF THE NEWTON'S SHOES IT'S ONLY GOOD FOR LONG RUN'S...
AND ABOUT THE SPRINT AND OLIMPIC DISTANCE TRIATHLON'S???!!!
ANYONE CAN PLEASE HELP ME?!
THANKS , ANDREA

Anonymous said...

Nike free's vs Newtons?

Unknown said...

To answer Lois' question, the Newton's have a wider forefoot area, more like the Sauconys or Asics for the women's shoes. I LOVE them. I have about 250 miles on my first pair of Newtons and am about to order my 2nd. I have tried EVERY neutral shoe on the market, and these are by far the best. I had a TERRIBLE bout with Plantar Fasciitis for over 3 years now. The PF actually went away running in the newtons! Last week, I made the mistake of running in my Saucony Triumphs because I was in a rush to get my run in before my son got home from school, and I already had the Sauconys on from the gym! Boom! The plantar fasciitis flared back up. Painful lesson learned! I don't think I will ever put another pair of running shoes on my feet except the Newtons - I seem to have NO problems with them. I did experience a little calf soreness during the break-in period because the shoes do force you from heel striking to forefoot running, which naturally will tax your calves more. But, I LOVE the Newtons. I have run distance (15 miles max) as well as speed work at 6:30/mile pace, and they work equally well. It seems like the faster you run, the better! They are AMAZING!!! I'm a 46 year old who has every issue in the book and tried every shoe to remedy it, and the Newtons are DA HEAT!!
Alecia

Anonymous said...

I LOVE NEWTONRUNNING SHOES.
IM GETTING ADDICT TO RUN.
I AM OVERWEIGHT (150lbs), NEVER DO SPORT ESP.HEAVY SPORT LIKE RUNNING, BUT AFTER I TRIED NEWTON SHOES I LIKE IT RIGHT AWAY. AND RUN IS BECOME MY HOBBY NOW!!! :)
SO FAR 6 MONTHS WITH THESE SHOES AND MY BODY GETTING FIT AND BETTER SHAPE EACH DAY!

airbil said...

Have been running in Newtons for 15 mos. now and they have changed my whole style of running, like Tiger Woods retooling his swing. Took 20 minutes off NYC marathon time.
Using gravity... what a concept!
Check out Pose method and Chi running to adapt to the new stride.
This IS the way to run.
Now, about those colors....

Anonymous said...

I LOVE these shoes!!! I am getting ready to order my third pair! Since I started running in them I have have 2 PR's in Marathons....the last qualified me for Boston! Not sure if that would have happened w/o these shoes!

Anonymous said...

I just bought a pair of these and have been using them for about 2 weeks. I wear a wide 2E, and these these stretched out just fine without seeming like the seems are going to come apart. I've suffered from issues with my calves tightening up with previous shoes even with 1/2 of calf stretches. The problem seems to have gone away since I started running with these. I was much more sore the next day after the first few days of using them than with other shoes, but that seems to have subsided. I'm running better, and more comfortably than I ever have. Best $175 I've ever spent on running equipment.

Anonymous said...

Gotta love these shoes! They came highly recommended from IM Pro Hillary Biscay and her friends when I raced IM Brazil.

You do need time for your body (calves especially) to get used to them, but after your body is "broken in", you'll notice that you are running more efficiently, and with a faster recovery, which I like.

I'm no small guy, mind you, (6ft2in, 190 lbs) and have adapted to them very easily.

I can't wait to use them for my next IM distance event!

The Socialite's Guide according to Erin said...

love my newtons...they are working so well... I have to go to the podiatrist for plantar fasciatis and heel spurs and have noticed significant improvement in my pain. I will pay anything to not have to have painful surgery! I do wish they came in cuter colors, though.

Tenacious B said...

In response to the question about triathlons; I've used my Newtons for marathons, sprint, olympic, and half iron (70.3) tris. These shoes are great for everything. They are notoriously "bad" for trail running, but I just did a tri this weekend where part of it was a sandy uphill trail and they worked fine. I l.o.v.e. these shoes, and am about to buy a new pair today!

Unknown said...

I have a pair of the trainers and put about 40 miles on them in 3 weeks (Mixing them in with my Asics 2140's). the first thing I noticed was the torsion in the Newtons - these things twist a LOT more than 2140s! It took a few short 4 - 6 mile runs to get used to them but I like 'em. Im not a heal striker, so the transition has been pretty easy for me. I did have one of the carbon rubber heal pads rip off, but the tri-store where I bought them just handed me a new pair.

cody@codywestheimer.com said...

Thanks for your review! Definitely looking at getting myself a pair!

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Rachael said...

I love these shoes, and i am ready to buy one for me.The shoes review is great and i liked your post.

saucony said...

a very good review...never thought about this until i came across to this post...nice one...i learn a lot to this post...

Anonymous said...

I just picked up a pair of Newton Gavity today. I am 5'9" tall and weigh about 150lbs. I am on the road to recovery after a long battle with plantar fasciitis. I have made the transition to a forefoot strike but up until now I have been training in racing flats which I love but just got tired of how beat up they left my legs and feet feeling especially after a long run. With all that being said I made my way to the local running store and tried on a pair of Newton Gravitys along with some other popular shoes such as the Saucony Kinvara and the NB Minimus but the Newtons were the only ones that seem to promote a forefoot/midfoot strike and still provide a good amount of coushion. So $175.00 later I was on my way and I just went out for my first run in the Newtons. They felt a little wierd at first but if you already run with a forefoot strike the transition shouldn't be too difficult. They felt good, definitely good forefoot coushioning but after training in flats the Newtons couldn't help but feel a bit bulky and a bit heavy. They are only about 10oz but my flats are only about 7oz and I could tell the difference. I ran three miles this morning in flats then after I got my Newtons I couldn't help but to go out for another three miles and my legs felt better after my second run of the day than they did after my first run this morning in flats. I'm not sure if I'm ready to proclaim these as my exclusive training shoe forever but if you are looking for a shoe that promotes a forefootstrike and has good forefoot coushoning these are worth a look. I was able to justify the $175.00 because I think I will be able to get a lot more miles out of the Newtons that racing flats that cost half as much. Hope this helps.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me if I really need to order the newtons a half size bigger like their website suggests? Did you all stick with your normal shoe size when ordering them?

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