You’ve been putting in the miles and you’ve got your eye on the prize. Lucky for you the New Balance 1400 offers a quick, responsive ride and great ground feel that’s ready to carry you across the pavement to ensure you can claim that new PR that’s rightfully yours.
On Performance and Design...
Admittedly we take some issue with a 10mm drop shoe being labeled a ‘racing flat’. But at the end of the day labels don’t define shoes, performance does. At a mere seven ounces, when the NB 1400 hits the road it becomes readily apparent that you’ve got a shoe that’s fast, light and smooth as silk.
The upper has a streamlined shape and a breathable mesh material that lets your hard working dogs breathe on hot summer days. That New Balance “no-sew” welded construction does more than just offer weight savings and comfort, it helps eliminate those nasty seam bulges that rub against your foot when you’re crossing the threshold of a long run. It might just be enough to keep you from ever looking at a sewed shoe again.
New Balance’s REVlite technology is a purported 30% lighter than foams of comparable performance. While we didn’t head to the lab and weigh the midsole of other shoes, we can attest to the fact that the REVlight midsole kept the shoes feeling light and airy from quick 5ks to lengthy mileage days. All the while, the New Balance high performance outsole allowed for full ground contact and traction on pavement.
Where the 1400 truly impresses however is the platform. True, the 10mm drop may cause some hesitation among minimalist runners, but for our test team, the offset never felt severe. If you’re one who prefers a midfoot strike, the 1400 also has you covered with a landing that feels firm, yet still very natural. The moderately curved outsole promoted the tracking of the foot while creating a seamless transition to toe-off.
Beyond a design that offers a fast and light ride, New Balance had one more trick up their sleeve for the 1400. These shoes glow. For those who start their run day while the rooster is still catching his z’s, the 1400 Glow Running shoes keep you visible and bright. The glow factor is no gimmick. Charge these bad boys up under a light source and you’ll have a shoe that glows for up to 45 minutes. That’s enough to keep you visible during morning and evening runs, or add some quality flash to your next electric 10k.
Notes from the Road…
The MR 1400 does fit narrow through the midfoot. If you’re a runner with wider feet, this might not be the soul mate for which your feet have been longing. If you’re in the “wider” category we’d simply recommend that you take some time you’ll want to try the shoe on prior to purchase and prepare to potentially size up to ensure a proper fit.
The NB 1400 was designed with speed in mind, which naturally compromises the lifespan of the shoe. While the shoe easily pulls double duty as a trainer and racing shoe, you can expect a shorter lifespan for this shoe meaning you’re looking at replacing this shoe approximately every 250 miles.
Bottom Line…
It’s easy to see why the internet is full of rave reviews for the New Balance 1400. The 1400 offers great performance while encouraging a fast, efficient stride.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from New Balance. The items featured were provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.