Words By: Edward Hawkins, TRIWings Coach
Recently, I was asked if I wanted to try the new and improved “5-Lug” Motion shoes by Newton Running. I was told they are different: “they have been updated, you will love them;” “‘Hello Better’ is Newton’s slogan;” “lug it out, go on.” “Okay,” I replied, not too sure. “And lug what out exactly?” I thought.
You see, as a runner (and a triathlete), I am a funny beast and runners are creatures of habit; we like routine and we do not like curve balls being thrown at us. However, running shoe companies tend to throw these at us every so often. They either change the structure of a shoe or delete it from their range entirely. This is a major concern for most runners as the biggest change a runner can make to their kit is their trainers. I have known runners purchase five or six pairs of the same model on a rumour that the company was discontinuing it. While this could be considered a little extreme, it is understandable since it can take years to find a trainer that works for them.
I have been using Newton Running shoes since November 2008. I still remember the first time I wore them. It was in Florida at the Ironman Triathlon 70.3 World Championships. I had read much about natural running. How it can make you run faster, longer with less fatigue and most importantly with less injuries. Which in turn means more training time.
They do this by using lugs on the sole that aid you to run more naturally. The lugs compress over a plate that flexes and in turn the energy used when planting the foot during the stride is returned to help lift your foot off the ground rather than it becoming “lost” into the EVA foam midsole, as it does with conventional running shoes. I bought some at the Expo, but waited until after the event to try them, as I never try anything new on race day.
During my first run, quite simply, I was blown away. They felt so natural and so easy to run in. After each session my feet and legs were not as beat up like they had been in my old running shoes. I did take a couple of weeks to get used to the shoes and change in running style, but on the whole the experience was well worth it and within a month I was running faster and more efficiently.
At the beginning of this spring/summer season, Newton had redesigned their two main shoe lines, the Mileage trainers called Gravity (neutral) and Motion (stability), and their Speed trainers called Distance (neutral) and Distance S (stability) for both females and males. I personally use the Motion for everyday sessions and the Distance S for faster tempo work and racing over the half or full Ironman distance.
This revamp was from the ground up and with it the four lugs were redesigned to incorporate an extra one. Five of them now sit proudly under the ball of your foot, offering a POP 1 (Point of Power) sensation. This means that they return the greatest amount of energy to the runner, putting the most “pep in your step” when compared to POP 2 or 3 models, like the Sir/Lady Isaacs and Energy NR respectively. With even more energy being returned to the athlete, there is less energy wastage and this translates to faster performances and less fatigue. Each of the newer lugs also covers a slightly larger surface area than before and they are placed a little differently than in previously shoes. In true “common sense” style, the clever Newton designers now have the lugs sitting directly in line with each of the metatarsals in the foot, which makes complete sense to me.
The upside of this “extra” lug is that when running I felt an increased level of support for my feet and in turn I had a greater confidence in the shoe doing its job. Having the extra lug also means that the toe box is wider, so I found the shoes a little less narrow than I did before. The new lugs now have a tread to them, meaning a much better grip on surfaces that have been sprayed for example. Interestingly too, the lugs are also not quite as protruding as they used to be. Good news for a Newton newbie, as I’ve chuckled quietly to myself at many a new Newton wearer as they innocently trip over what appears to be nothing or should I say their new trainers. Good for them, but not so for those having a cheeky laugh at someone else’s expense.
The Speed Trainers in the new range now have an additional reinforced heel “strike pad,” something the Mileage Trainers have always had. I understand heel striking is not what we are meant to be doing, but as we become more fatigued we do resort back to old ways and it does stop the trainers from becoming worn out prematurely in this area. In the stability models that I was testing, the Motion and Distance S, there is an EMB (Extended Medial Bridge). This is designed to support runners who over pronate (or have semi collapsed arches or are flat footed). I found this helpful especially on my longer runs as the muscles in my feet became fatigued towards the end.
The 2014 models are also more cushioned, in fact plusher. I find myself wanting to run in them more than I did in previous models. It feels like I have rediscovered the shoe that changed my running so radically back in 2008. While I understand that some people prefer less cushioning than on offer in the Motion, I found them perfect.
My only grumble is about the material used on the uppers. To me it does not feel as well constructed as previous models. I know they will last, but it is just the feel of the fabrics used. They felt a little cheaper than they used to be. Having said that, they can now be worn sockless, because of the fewer seams used on the inside that could rub and give those nasty blisters we all hate. This is what we want, especially for triathlons.
Even though the redesign results in an evolved running shoe, they importantly all retained the natural foot placement in the shoe. This means that they all still have a heel-to-toe drop of 3mm in the Mileage Trainers and 2mm in Speed Trainers. This is of course the best news in the update, that there is no change to this aspect.
So what do I think of these new Newtons? I like them; in fact I like them a lot. They do their job very well and they do it effectively. How do I know they work? I know this, because I am finding myself running with a smile on my face again. They are great shoes and I am sure they will welcome many new runners to the brand of Newton Running, as they seem far easier and faster to adapt when compared to previous years’ models.
When I was asked as to whether I wanted to give the new Newton a run for their money I hesitated. I need not have and I need not have worried about this year’s update to the shoes with their extra lug. I like them and I am going to buck the trend of so many runners by embracing the new updates with open arms whilst saying “Hello Better” to my new 5-lug Newtons.
Newton Running shoes are available in the UAE from Adventure HQ (Times Square, JBR and Dalma Mall) and Intersport (Times Square and Dubai Festival City) as well as in Bahrain from Endura Sport Center. Prices range from 575-750 AED, but the Motion costs 750 AED and the Distance S 650 AED.
