Newton All Weather Trainer gear reviews

This review is for the 2010 AW Trainers. These are my fifth pair of Newtons. They pretty much fit the same as all the other shoes. They perform just as well. I can't go back to conventional shoes after owning Newtons. It literally hurts to run in shoes other than Newtons. I used to suffer lower back and hip pains, since switching to Newtons 8 months ago, the pain has disappeared. Remember to break into the shoes when using them for the first time.

I have a Newton Racer and bought this shoe for cold and wet weather but will not buy it again.

The advertising on the Newton web site says this shoe "features a wind resistant, water-repellent breathable upper." The very first time I stepped into a puddle (which was no more than 3/4" deep), I learned the hard way that water-repellent doesn't mean water-resistant. My feet and socks were immediately soaking wet from water splashing against the sides of the shoes. I'm not sure if this problem stems from the fabric or the stitching not being waterproof. But trust me, it's not something you want to encounter on a rainy fall or winter night. If you use this shoe in wet weather, be prepared to run with wet feet (which will nicely swell up after 2 hours or so).

Furthermore, the web site says "The outersole incorporates a grippy rubber for reliable traction on wet surfaces." The shoe may be more grippy than the Racer for the first 5-10 miles, thereafter they are the same because what little profile they have on the sole and the lugs will be worn down quickly into a flat pieces of rubber with no profile and no grip at all. Should you encounter snow or icy patches, be prepared for a shock: There is no grip or traction at all. Sure, this is probably not a problem if you're an efficient forefoot runner who uses "falling forward" technique and you run in a straight line on a flat surface, but if you're on an incline, or need to negotiate a corner, or need to slow down because of traffic, you'll soon find out that advertising and reality are two different things.

All other running shoes I have (Adidas, New Balance, etc.) have better traction in wet weather than the Newton Allweather and those without a mesh upper are superior in terms of keeping your feet dry.

I was skeptical about these shoes. I bought a pair of Asics Kinsei 2's a couple weeks ago, which I still like, but after trying these Newtons, I don't think I'll be buying anymore mainstream brands for a while. These shoes are awesome. Being a forefoot runner already, adapting to these shoes shouldn't be a problem. I'll be buying a pair of the racers sometime in the near future.