We came across this terrific, if exhaustive, review of the new 2009 Newton Gravity shoes from Bo Jordan in Charlotte, NC.

Here’s an excerpt:

“I often have mixed feelings regarding the running shoe industry. On one hand, I love running shoes (gear nerd), and encourage new runners to get properly fitted at a local specialty running store rather than picking the most expensive pair at a big-box sporting goods store. Without training or supervision, inefficient running strides can quickly result in injury, and beginner injuries usually result in people dropping the sport. However, I tend to believe that shoe companies often over-engineer their shoes, producing something akin to a cushioned foot brace. I’ve actually been hurt by over-supportive shoes. I currently train mostly in the Asics Gel-Landreth 4, and I race in the Asics Gel-Speedstar 3. These are both neutral, cushioned shoes, with the Landreth being my trainer of choice ever since the Landreth 2.

Landreth 4, 2009 Gravity, Speedstar 3 I have very healthy foot arches, and I naturally have an efficient gait. I am, however, a relatively tall and heavy guy, and I have always focused on my foot strike to minimize impact. The soles of my shoes naturally wear mostly just behind the ball of my foot, particularly on the shoes I use for races and speedwork. The faster I run, the more I land on my forefoot. You may often hear faster runners complain about how sore they are after a slow run. It’s true, because they often modify their stride to more of a heel strike when they slow. Stay a little faster and landing mid-foot, and the foot’s natural shock absorption can do its job.

First Impression
At this year’s Boston expo I stopped by the Newton booth and tried the neutral trainers (”Gravity”). I loved the breathable uppers, but was especially impressed with the cushioning. I expected the shoes to feel like racing flats with wedges in the forefoot, but they felt more like super-soft racing trainers. After a quick jog around the corner I was sold, despite them feeling a bit narrow on my right foot. (The booth folks were very cool, by the way, throwing in a promotional pair of socks and a visor to soften the price shock a little.)

Fast forward a few weeks. Newton Running has never claimed that its shoes will “fix” your gait; indeed, they caution that you will likely need to adapt to the shoes, not the other way around. I fully expected calf soreness and perhaps some ankle weakness after my first runs in the shoes, but I noticed very little soreness at all. My gait requires little modification to suit the shoes, though I did notice the shoes encouraging me to focus on my stride throughout the run, particularly as I tired toward the end of longer runs. A slower heel-striker with massive pronation issues would likely have a completely different experience, but the adoption phase for me was nonexistent.”

Read the rest of Bo’s review here.

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