NEWTONS - Anybody train in them?

I have a pair that I run in as a test subject. I was skeptical about them, but they have turned out pretty good so far. I do feel that I am running more on the forefoot, with very little heel contact. I'll have to wait and see if they make much difference in my race results.

i tried them, wasn't impressed, sent them back and never got my refund

caveat emptor

Yes, I train in them and I like them a lot. I run road races in them too.

The toe pods are in the way. Wear racing flats and you'll get a cleaner foot-strike and still emphasize the forefoot and de-emphasize the heel strike. Newtons are cluttered up with those useless toe pods, and Vibram Five Fingers are not made for man-made surfaces.

I wear them and they feel way too heavy and restrictive. But my bad Achilles has never felt bad afterwards. I wear Asics Hyperspeeds two or three times a week and still feel little twinges in them.

I didnt like em'

Just why is it that they cost so much? R&D costs? Lack of 'economies of scale' due to low volume sales? Are they manufactured in the US or some other place with relatively high labor cost? Or just a "Giffen's paradox" pricing strategy?

And why is it that the sandals in "Born to Run" cost like 5 bucks, while all the 'minimalist' shoes taking inspiration from the book cost like $150?

I train in Newtons. I absolutely love them. I've gotten 2 injuries while training in them, but I'm not sure as to whether it was the fault of the shoes...I think both injuries were related to each other as well, so I honestly don't think it was the Newtons.

I really like how the Newton company explains all their opinions on midfoot running. They are very thorough and seem to have a lot of data backing up their theories. It gives me some peace of mind.

I got the Newtons back in June of 2009 after getting a tibial stress fracture. I had read about the Newtons online, and decided to try it out. At first, my team thought I was stupid, and they all thought I would get injured. Now they ALL have them, and my coach is a huge fan.

I got my first pair in 2007 after trying them on at the store. I ran in them exclusively while training for my first marathon. Great shoes. I ran in the racers which are a little more aggressive and lighter. Aside from my calves getting tight I have had no problems with them. I found that they feel like an aggressive spike and mostly encourage you to run faster or more on your toes. This was particularly useful during races when I get tired and start to lean back in my stride. I got on a local running stores racing team and started getting other shoes for free so have not worn them in a few months but prefer them to other shoes (trainers and racing flats.)

I have talked to other people who don't run as seriously and they generally really like them as well. Some people don't but most I have talked to do and the ones who do swear by them.

I ran in them for about 2 weeks until my lower back and quads couldnt take it anymore. It took me about another week of running in Brooks Racer St to recover. I wont wear them again.

it took me 4 weeks to get used to them...then ran in them for 8 months. Had some IT Band issues so stopped using them. back to brooks for training and saucony a4 for flats.

newtons cost more because ur supposed to get a lot more mileage out of them, around 750 vs the 300-400 for the other running shoes. i have ran in a pair, but some of my friends really like them

Newtons in my opinion are a great idea,however, think about their design structure which always propels you forward because of landing forefoot. What about downhill running? There just isn't quite the right cushioning and its a bit awkward.

Actually, part of the reason I got Newtons was after running a downhill 10k that really beat up my legs. I ran a downhill half marathon in them a week or two later and had no problems.

I have been training in them for 7 months. I don't run in them every day and I don't do speed work in them. They do seem to make me run more midfoot than heel strike. I've had so many injuries since I turned 40 ( I'm 46) that they must have helped me on some level to be injury free for this long. For that reason alone I bought a second pair.

There is no discernable reason they should cost so much. My first pair only lasted about 350 miles. Those lugs can wear out fast. I think another poster had it right. They are not produced in the kind of numbers to make them as cheap as other shoes. By the way, they are absolutely useless on wet surfaces.

Tried out a pair a couple years ago. In retrospect it was a dumb decision. First, they're WAY overpriced. You shouldn't have to pay $170 for shoes. Second, why pay to have a shoe force you to do something that you could and should learn to do on your own? Buy some lighter weight trainers and learn to strike midfoot.

Happy Runner 123 wrote:

Does anyone here train in Newtons?

if you are the same OP as the guy who complained about getting chronic achilles tendonitis in racing flats (i think you are, same name) then please don't waste your money on newtons. you already are putting too much stress on that tendon and running in a newton will only exacerbate your problem. buy a shoe with a (gasp) higher heel. you can still toestrike but your achilles will not have to stretch as much and you can relieve quite a bit of pain that way.

Same OP here. I'm landing on my midfoot to forefoot in the hyperspeeds, it just doesn't feel that comfortable...especially on longer runs and with higher volume. I once trained for a long bit in the racers but didn't like them for mileage - used them for intervals only.

I don't want a bulky trainer and the specialist advises me to stay away from big heel-to-toe drop shoes, do strengthening exercises and make sure I'm landing properly and pushing off through the big toe....

Than for all the help guys...I'll be checking out the newtons and other shoes next time I'm at the running store.

Some of the pro triathletes that used them (a few years ago...not sure if they're still using them) were known to shave down the toe studs.