Whether running your first 10k in South Carolina or blazing through the final miles of the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, one thing is certain: training and racing in the “right” shoes can mean the difference between crossing the finish line with a new PR and watching the race from the sidelines.
With slimmer, sleeker, more minimalist shoes appearing on the market every year, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. However, through their lineup of technologically innovative and visually distinctive natural running shoes, standing out won’t be a problem for Newton Running. Based in Colorado and worn by triathletes and running enthusiasts around the world, Newton is determined to put science in motion, and make you a more efficient runner in the process.
One of the mainstays of Newton Running stable of thoroughbreds is their Distance Neutral Trainers. A lightweight (7.8 oz), near zero drop (2mm), low-to-the ground performance trainer with an airy mesh and distinctive color scheme.
For those who believe you can never have too much of a good thing, Newton has updated their Distance Neutral Trainer for 2012. The shoe now features a wider mesh for more breathability, removal of sidewall EVA, and a new sockliner for a more secure fit all resulting in a 5% weight reduction for the men’s version and 12% for women’s.
With all of the media attention of late (ie Runner’s World, 3/GO) and grassroots base of blazing support surrounding the Newton brand, we were eager to lace up the Distance Neutral Trainers and take them out for a run… or 30.
Fit and Performance…
Sir Issac Newton’s third law of motion states “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Inspired in part by Sir Issac Newton, Newton has taken the third law of motion and quite literally ran with it, producing shoes that embody this very law in an attempt to improve your form and increase your running efficiency.
The science of motion and is at the very heart of Newton’s line of running shoes with their patented Action/Reaction Technology™. It’s what sets Newton apart from every other shoe on the market, and it all comes down to four lugs under the midfoot of each shoe.
In laymens terms, the technology all boils down to energy in and energy out. The lugs absorb the energy on impact, store it, and release it. The result is an energetic and highly responsive shoe that propels you forward and helps you to better utilize the impact energy you create. For a more technical breakdown of how the technology works, Newton gives the lowdown here and here.
Not unlike swimming which requires the continuous refinement of the technique to improve efficiency, running efficiently in a pair or Newtons should be an ongoing process of refining your run technique – improving your form increases your efficiency, which in turn increases your performance in the shoes. Over the course of six weeks and culminating in running in the local half-marathon, our Gumption runner bounded across the finish line with a smile on his face and a spring in his step.
In terms of longevity, Newton says that the more efficient you become in running the more mileage you should get from your shoes, the newer shoes will see growing lifespans. Some runners proclaim that their Newtons have lasted well over 500, while others say that the shoes begin to wear excessively at 300 miles. With only 125 miles underfoot, our Gumption Runner is just now starting to notice signs of appreciable wear. We’ll update our post once he takes them to the “distance.”
For those eco-friendly runners who are concerned about how our choices affect the environment, Newton uses 100% recycled laces and webbing, minimum 10% recycled materials for their outsoles and they use recycled materials for their shoe boxes.
Room for Improvement …
After well over 125 miles of road and trail, our run guru walked away with only two minor quibbles regarding the Distance Trainers – color and price.
Color... Newton’s Distance Neutral lightweight trainer’s bright lime green upper mesh, red shoe laces and bright yellow outsole stand out in a crowd and earned plenty of “thumbs up” from fellow runners out on the road. The downside is that this is the only color scheme available for the Distance Neutral Trainers.
Price… The $155 price tag may be a barrier to some, especially if you tend to tear through your shoes like an ice cold margarita on a hot summer day. That being said, with improved form and a more efficient stride you will squeeze more mileage out of them, making it much easier to justify the cost of a new pair to your significant other.
Bottom Line…
The Distance Trainers will help you cross the finish line with ease, style and just maybe, a new PR. Our Gumption Runner put in enough miles to realize the positive difference the Distance Trainers can make in both training and race day performance. As such, these are shoes that have found a permanent place in his running rotation. In the end, whether you’re running the last few miles in an Ironman or running marathon for a cause, Newton’s Distance Trainers are a solid addition to any athlete’s toolbox.