Tri Shoes I Like - Newton Gravity Running Shoes

I purchased an older model (found here); the current model is the Gravity IV.

Pros:

• Holy PR! These shoes make you fast!
• No blisters during the break-in period. Normally, I get nasty blisters until my running orthotics settle into the shoes.
• My orthotics fit nicely into the shoes, so there is no pressure or pain on the top of my feet.
• Perfectly sized toe box. My feet have just the right amount of wiggle room.

Cons:

• The break in/adjustment period is no joke - Newton's website recommends starting with 10-15 minutes of running and building up from there. After a few weeks of building up to 4 miles, I tried running 6 miles in them and I had to power walk/limp after about 5 miles. 
• I've noticed that my calves get pretty tight after running in them, but according to their website, this is pretty normal as my body adjusts to running with better form.

My Thoughts:

When I first heard about Newton running shoes, I was pretty skeptical that shoes could make you run with better form. I know cheap and/or worn out running shoes can make your life miserable when you run. I also know that proper running form can make you a more efficient runner. However, I just figured all "good" neutral running shoes functioned more or less the same in terms of affecting your form.

The lugs look huge at first, but in all reality they don't elevate the front of your foot that much

When it came time to replace my very old and tired pair of Brooks Ghost 6's, I decided to give the Newtons a shot. I found them for super cheap on The Clymb, and I figured if I hated them I would wear them as walking shoes or something. I went with my typical running shoe size - one full size over my normal shoe size to accommodate my running orthotics - and they fit perfectly! 

Other than the lugs on the bottom, which aren't normally visible, they just look like any other running shoe

Newton's website has a very helpful FAQ section that suggests you start out running 10-15 minutes in their shoes and gradually build from there. So, for my first run in them, I decided to run for exactly 15 minutes. Because I am a sadist, I decided my first run would also be a brick workout in which I rode my bike 15 miles immediately before going for a run in them. 

My first impression while running in them was that the lugs felt weird. Not "painful" weird, just "I'm not used to this" weird. My next observation was that I was running very fast for a brick run. Prior to this, I was having a really hard time dialing in my running form on brick runs. On that first run, I was almost effortlessly running with proper form. 

As I continued to break in the Newtons, gradually adding mileage every week, the "weirdness" feeling gradually went away, but the speed and form remained. In fact, it seems like every time I run in them I set a new record!

Holy cow! I haven't run that fast since I was in high school!

So far, I'm only up to 5 1/2 miles in them, and I still haven't decided if I will wear them for longer (10 or more miles) runs. Since I'm not planning to do a 70.3 until next year (2016), I do have some time to experiment and figure out what works best for me. Perhaps I can try a more substantial model like the Aha Gateway Trainer, or I can always go back to my tried and true Brooks Ghost shoes. Either way, I'm confident that I will run with efficient form and all the aches and pains associated with running will remain a thing of the past. I'm so glad that I decided to give Newtons a shot!

Thanks for stopping by! This is not a sponsored post – I purchased the above item(s) with my own money and I am reviewing the product(s) because I like them a lot. :) There may be Amazon Affiliate links, but I am not compensated by or affiliated with the manufacturer of the product(s).