I was so excited to hear that Running Free was going to be carrying these shoes as I had read so many good things about them and was dying to give them a try. Luckily for me, my awesome husband had paid attention to all my obsessing and bought me a pair of the Newton Motion All Weather shoes for Christmas. I had read everything on the Newton site about easing in to the shoe so I opted to run on the treadmill for the first few runs (mainly to figure out if he had purchased the right size for me). I am fairly sloppy runner, no two ways about it. I pronate and I wear orthotics in a stability shoe (New Balance 1224s) so I have some issues with motion control so the Motion was really the best option for me. I don’t have good form and I have had a hard time trying to increase my cadence, despite doing numerous running drills during my Ironman training. As soon as I started running, I immediately noticed a difference. I was actually picking my feet up (at least that’s what it felt like). I didn’t keep clipping my ankle with my foot mid stride! Impressive. Still, I was on a treadmill, which can sometimes make things seem better than they are. The true test came with my first outdoor run. As soon as my feet hit the pavement, I felt like I was gliding. My heart rate was higher than normal but I expected that given that my cadence had changed. I felt like I was running much more upright, maybe even a bit more forward in terms of my body position. My cadence was definitely higher. I finally felt like I was running instead of shuffling. AMAZING.
I started to incorporate them into more of my runs and then I started to have knee problems so I stopped wearing them for a few months and went back to my New Balance shoes. Whatever issues I was having with my knee disappeared so I decided I’d try to incorporate them back into my routine once I started training for Scotia. I started the “breaking in” process again and was amazed at how quickly my legs adapted (and the knee pain never returned). I have worn them for ALL my training runs (including my long runs) for the last 3 weeks. They are incredibly comfortable. The ride is smooth, responsive and very well cushioned. To top it all off, I’ve watched my pace drop by the week. The only issue I have with them is that on really hot days, they don’t breathe very well. They’re great in the cold and wet but not so good in the heat and humidity. That just means I’ll have to get myself a pair of the fancy white and orange ones for the summer.
Overall I’d highly recommend them if you’re looking to improve your running form.
I also wear New Balance (1122’s not the 1123’s) for motion control / stability and because they come in a 2E width (especially for my left foot’s bunion) for my wider forefeet.
The shoes you describe sound great but do they come in width widths for women?
Thanks
oops, I meant ‘now the 1123’s’
Hi Mary-Ann
As far as I know they don’t come in multiple widths, however the toe box is actually quite roomy. I have bunions on both feet and they fit well (granted my bunions aren’t terribly big but I do have them).
The Newton’s tend to accomodate wider feet.
I LOVE NEWTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else can I say????
Hi Phaedra.
I’m interested to learn more about your transition from a stability shoe with an orthotic to these Newtons. Do you still wear the orthotics in them?
I’m trying to strengthen my feet, and slowly steer myself away from relying on bulky shoes and corrective orthotics or generic inserts.
-Derek
HI Derek
I am still wearing my orthotics in them although I do have to wonder if I could get away without them. I don’t seem to have any issues with them in the shoe so I don’t think I will stop wearing them. They are a much lighter weight shoe than traditional running shoes so if anything you’ll at least appreciate that.
If you are working on strengthening your feet then I think at some point you will probably be able to get away without your orthotics in these shoes.