The Newton Running Shoe
A friend of mine just sent me a link to Newton Running Shoes. It’s not the first time I’ve seen the site, but it’s the first time I’ve really looked into it. They’re not cheap, but if they deliver on everything they claim then it’s a good investment.
Aside from their patents on new running shoe technology, they’ve got some interesting things to say about running form. From my discussions with other experts, I’ve always understood that proper running form brings you down on your heel first, which is why they emphasize the cushion in the crash pad. In contrast, Newton running suggests that the best way to run is with a shorter stride and by landing on the ball or your foot.
I’ll post a video below that shows what I’m talking about. It’s compelling enough that I’m going to pay close attention to my form for the next few runs and try the shorter stride. I’m interested to see how this affects the muscles and impact/stability of my stride.
If you’ve tried Newton running shoes leave a comment below and let me know what you think of them. I’m really tempted to buy a pair.
April 16th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
[...] Newton Running Shoes I just did a quick write up on my blog about a new running shoe by Newton. I’d seen their site before, but this time I actually looked at their stuff and they have a great video about both running form and their shoes. What was so interesting to me is that they have a unique take on running form. Rather than a traditional heel strike, they suggest landing on the ball of your foot. I put the video and a quick write up on my website here: Newton Running Shoes. [...]
May 1st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I bought Newtons abotu 2 years ago – then within a few months I had lots of knee problems. I did some PT, and saw a sport med doc, and they all thought I shouldn’t run in those shoes and that they could be contributing to my knee problems. I tossed them, and haven’t had knee problems since, so maybe it was related.
May 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
That’s very interesting. I know that I’ve had bad experiences with shoes before that cleared up when I went back to an old trusted shoe.
When you ran in a newton running shoe, did you try to follow their suggested running form, landing more on the ball of your foot than on your heel?
September 13th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Love the newtons! WIll never run in anything else.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I’m an ironman triathlete, just been to Kona for world champs…love Newtons and would be hard to convince me into anything else. Everyones gait is differant though so if you’ve had years of running in a certain way in a certain shoe, it can take a long time to get use to. I’ve always been a mid foot runner with relatively short stride and fast turnover so I adjusted really quickly to them.
October 27th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Love this stuff really cool.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Hiya!. Thanks a bunch for the info. I’ve been digging around looking some info up for shool, but i think i’m getting lost!. Yahoo lead me here – good for you i suppose! Keep up the great information. I will be popping back over in a couple of days to see if there is any more info.
December 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I am a midsole/forefoot runner and with the normal 12/24 ratio in normal shoes where companies put their tech and cushin(12 in the forefoot and 24 in the heel) I was never having real issues until long distance days; ex 25+miles my knees would act up but I was just under the impression it was just from the normal impact of being a 6′3 205lb guy. After doing some research and reading a few books, which included some on barefoot running and proper form, I bought a set of Newtons. Within the first week I felt so great wearing them that by day 8 I had logged 106 miles going strong. Newtons concept of forefoot running is spot on in my opinion, if you run barefoot, you may run the first 5 min heeel to toe form until your body will naturally tell you “hey this kinda hurts!” and your body will compensate and run with proper mechanics; ie forefoot stricking, with shorter strides etc. The Newtons with more tech and cushin up front force you to land.level and lift which is great. For me someone that was already stricking correctly and had good mechanics it just ment more support and better feel. I have also increased the pace at which I run. The calf workout for the first few times running can be intense but I love iot knowing its just making me a stronger faster and more efficently profound runner.
January 25th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I love the Newton Running shoes. I have a wide foot so this was the best fit for my foot. Yeah no more blisters. Just ran a 1/2 marathon in them and my legs and feet felt great. I will not run in anything else!