Newtons running shoes

[barefeet]

Yes, I know - those are NOT minimalist. However, the creator says they're better than minimalist! The April 2012 Runners World issue makes them sound fantastic!

I'm not so sure. There's a booth at the DC half and full marathon today and tomorrow, and I'm thinking of checking out the expo just to see them. But I wanted to check here first and see if anyone has experience with those:

http://www.newtonrunning.com/shoes

(summary: reduced heel drop, seriously cushioned forefoot, Olympian Zola Budd supposedly told Runners World that they're even better than running barefoot)

[PB Junkie]

I don't have experience with them, but I recall reading that Dr. Mark Cucuzella (natural running center) runs marathons in the MV2.

http://zero-drop.com/?p=3462

[Dexter_Morgan23]

I have a pair of MV2 while they are zero drop and light, they are still 16.5mm thick. Actually got my first shin splint in them :\

[Jeepman]

Before going minimalist I used to think that the Newtons were a good idea. I really didn't give it much thought, so just blindly accepted the marketing. However, after careful thought it is easy to see the whole rebound sole thing is a gimmick and does not return the amount of energy they claim. Its scientifically impossible. You can't add in another mechanism into a system and increase its efficiency. There will always be a loss every time energy gets transformed. You will always get less return energy than what you put into the Newton sole. Just the same as a basketball never bounces back to the same height it was dropped from. The Law of Energy Conservation is pretty solid and I doubt a shoe company will find a way to invalidate it any time soon. The most efficient bio-mechanical model would to be completely barefoot. That way you don't have any additional loss in energy. However, most of us need a certain level of protection, so there is always a trade off. In the end you just need to pick the shoe that does what you need.

[grimreeper]

the creator says they're better than minimalist

Yeah funny about that, Sketchers probably says that their toning shoes are better than minimalist lol.
I have watched him in discussion panels and he seems very much like a sales guy to me. He was always trying to discredit VFF's and barefoot running, and always touting the newtons. I don't blame him, who doesn't want more money?. I have tried them and I felt like they were just like normal shoes to be honest, except that they are zero drop. Almost like the if the sole on the nike shox was reversed lol.
I've heard a lot of stories of the nike shox messing up your ankle. Similarly with the newton's while I they do have sponsored athletes who seem to do just fine I've also heard that people frequently injure their ankles using them.

[Mr. Leigh]

@grimreeper

I used to wear Nike Shox, in my pre-minimalist days.  I am not a runner and never ran in them, but I had no issue with ankle problems.  I did quite a lot of walking pushing a stroller, but no running.

[grimreeper]

@grimreeper

I used to wear Nike Shox, in my pre-minimalist days.  I am not a runner and never ran in them, but I had no issue with ankle problems.  I did quite a lot of walking pushing a stroller, but no running.

Fair enough. I've never had them myself and the stories I have from friends is hardly a proper way to determine the validity of my statement but I thought I'd just put it out there.

[Mr. Leigh]

I am by no means a supporter of the shox.  It was a marketing ploy and nothing else.  I only bought them because I found them in my size on clearance.  It was during my pre-minimalist footwear days.  I am not discrediting that some people could have gotten injured using them.  

[barefeet]

Thanks, all! It seems this is just another sales gimmick. I'll pass on trying them on (the shin splits story scared me as well).

[Jeepman]

Thanks, all! It seems this is just another sales gimmick. I'll pass on trying them on (the shin splits story scared me as well).

I'm not advocating them, nor trashing them. (Actually I kind of did trash them a little bit) However, if you have a local store that carries them and has good customer care policies I would recommend at least checking them out for your own education. While forums like this can be very helpful, there is no substitute for firsthand experience. Next month I'll be picking up another pair of Bikilas and while in there I'm going to try on some of the MV2 shoes. I'm doing that because I want the firsthand experience and it also adds to your credibility. If you don't have a local store, then I would completely pass on them.

[barefeet]

True, Jeepman. CitySports in DC has them - I'll check them out when I drop by to try on the latest editions of VFFs. Thanks.