Newtons....pros and cons? (Read 211 times)

Went into the running store today for a shoe fitting and was "open to anything" and he put me in Newton Motion IIIs. Never thought I'd try Newtons but I LOVED the way they felt running on the treadmill. I bought them. But now doing more research I'm getting nervous. Apparently there is a long and difficult adapting period and they could cause calf tightness. I already have SUCH tight calves. I'm wondering if it is worth it to transition to them or if it is more trouble than they're worth. What kind of benefits would I have from sticking out the transition?

I took a flyer on a pair back in December because they were on deep liquidation at RW (I think they were about 2 generations old, the Distance XI maybe?) and this was just before Virratas were on liquidation and I was looking for a light neutral trainer with a little something more underfoot than the Skechers I had been running in, as winter was approaching…

Anyway, I didn’t have to experience any transition period or anything. Put them through a pretty tough Dec and Jan with a bunch of long runs, and a lot of snow and ice. Got a good 400 miles+, and probably could have gone more. I liked the big open toe box, and they were durable and light. Maybe a little slippery on corners at speed with that lug thing they had going.

Good enough shoe, but I wouldn’t pay full price for them. No magic there for the premium. If they’re comfortable though, and you can afford them, I’ve got nothing against Newtons. I doubt they’ll fix your form, or make you faster, but a benefit of a comfy shoe is it gets you to run more.

MTA: I didn't go back to buy any more. I got in a good groove with the Saucony Virratas right after that pair.

I wanted to try them for a long time but was put off by the price.  I picked up a pair at a warehouse sale last year.

I ran a single mile in them.  My calves were screaming.  And it's not the drop, because I've worn zero drop with no problems.  I decided that I have enough problems and don't need to add to them, so I haven't run in them since.

I've been in Newtons for the last two years, no issues.  They really aren't that different if you are used to a 4mm drop.  The move from a traditional 12mm drop to a 4mm drop will need a transition period regardless if they are Newton's lug design or not, IMO.

My wife loves them, though she doesn't run (she was trying to get into it when she bought them).  She just REALLY likes how they feel for walking around shoes.  No transition issues with that.

I bought a pair at the same time she was getting her first.  They were comfy and I definitely feel like I could have run in them, but like Kevin said, they didn't feel $70 better than a similar pair of Brooks or Saucony, so I exchanged them.

I am currently running in my first pair of Newtons (about 200mi in) and absolutely love them. As a strong heel striker, I was looking for something that would aid in my transition to a mid-strike. Feeling the "pop" with each stride really helped me to focus my form and placement.

As for the calf-tightness, I wouldn't say they make your calves tight, they just work them a little harder because of the 3mm drop. I transitioned from regular sneakers (12mm) to New Balance Minimus (00mm) and then to Newtons (3mm). While my legs were already used to the low-drop heel, the Newtons really helped to provide more heel protection than I found in the Minimus.

I can understand why others have said that the price is too steep; they are an expensive pair of shoes. However, this has been the first shoe in ten years that has allowed me to run regularly without injury. Although the shoes and the "pop" may be gimmicky, the change in my form and pace is noticeable and to me, that's worth the price.

I'm pro FIG Newton's...much better than gels and goop and such non-sense.