At first glance, the Newton Distances look nothing like a shoe that minimalist or barefoot runners would be interested in. However, I’m here to tell you there is much more to this pair of shoes than you’d expect. I’ve spent a few weeks with the shoes now and have a greater appreciation for the them. I also have a better understanding of what they’re designed for.
Danny Abshire, a co-founder of Newton Running, discusses in his book that he is a huge supporter of barefoot running as a method for training for longer runs. Abshire also explains that while barefoot running is often ideal, there are also times when we find ourselves running on hard concrete or surfaces with sharp rocks and tiny bits of glass and running barefoot often isn’t ideal. To help solve this problem, he started making Newton Running shoes.
Newton’s are designed to help individuals run in a natural running form (as if they are barefoot) while providing high levels of protection typically found in traditional running shoes. Using Keith Olbermann’s faulty logic, he probably would have been better suited for a pair of Newtons than FiveFingers.
Even with thicker soles Newton believes their shoes are for minimalist runners. They describes minimalist shoes as:
Minimalism in its simplest form involves picking shoes that allow the foot to move more naturally than standard shoes allow. But not all minimal shoes are created equal. Newton Running shoes were designed to be an extension of the feet, enhancing ground contact without the jarring impact shock of the road, sidewalk or hard-packed trail below 1
The Newton Distance Light Weight Neutral Trainer
Whether you agree or disagree with Newton about how to classify minimalist running shoes, the shoes do a great job of helping individuals run in proper form. For me, running in proper form is one of main reasons I started running in FiveFingers, and because of this I respect what Newton has done with their line of running shoes.
The Newton Distances are some of the lightest “Full sole” running shoes I’ve ever used. Their design and color scheme make them clearly stand out. When I wear them I often get asked about them and what their designed for, similar to the questions I receive while wearing FiveFingers. It seems to me that the marketing teams at shoe companies must be working more closely than ever with the shoe design teams.
The shoes are very comfortable but feel more like a traditional running shoe when you put them on. I did not really notice a difference in them until I started running with them. The shoes are made up of a mesh material that helps keep the shoe light weight and breathable. It offers comfortable support around the rest of the foot.
Technical Specs and Sizing
The Newton Distance Feature the following Technical Specs:
- Weight: 8.6 ounces
- Minimal surface contact for Forefoot
- Thick midsoles that help force impact to move from your heel to your midsole
- Slip-proof laces
Newton Distance Sizes
Newton suggests that their shoes run smaller, however I traditionally wear a size 11 and their size 11 fit just fine for me. Newton Distances comes in Men Sizes 6 – 15. If your not sure about what size to get, I suggest getting the size you use for most your other shoes or maybe a half size larger. Having shoes that are too big can cause blisters and other problems with your running form.
Running in Newton Distance
The Newton Distances are made for running and they are great for it. I enjoy my runs in the Newtons as they allowed me to focus on my running form. With each step I would receive feedback from their midsole design letting me know when and where exactly I was landing with each step.
I tested the shoes on runs of 3 and 4 miles and never had any problems. I did have a bit of pressure in my arch that appeared to come from the midsole but this may be because I was focusing so much on how the Newtons impacted my running form.
I have yet to test these on longer runs but my guess is that they’ll perform the same way. The fact that the shoes are so light makes it easy to keep going with them because you don’t feel weighted down.
Who Should Buy The Newton Distance
In my opinion, the Newton Distances are prefect for runners that really want to focus on improving their form. Proper running form can help protect from injuries and should be a major focus of any individual that plans to run long distances continually. They’re great shoes for individuals that want to build up their foot and lower leg strength and to compliment those running in barefoot shoes that want to push into longer distance runs.
If most of your running is done on concrete or hard, rocky surfaces the Newtons may be a good option for you and help protect against ground pounding that other minimalist shoes do not excel at.
I would not suggest these shoes for everyone. If the feedback you get from feeling the ground with FiveFingers is very important to you then you will be frustrated with the Newton Distances. You just don’t get the same ground feel or feedback from them.
If you do mostly trail and dirt running then the Newtons also may not fit your needs and either Vibram FiveFingers or the Merrell Barefoot line may suit you better.
More Photos of the Newton Distance
Conclusion
The Newton Running shoes will be perfect for individuals looking to get the benefits of proper running form but live in city or locations where they do not have the benefits of running on natural and diverse surfaces and also want to avoid FiveFingers or other more minimalist/barefoot shoes. They can be extremely helpful to individuals working to improve their running form.
The Newton Distance may not be for everyone but they do what they’re designed to do extremely well. If they are minimalist enough is up to you to decide but don’t count out their value without taking a closer look.
1 – http://www.newtonrunning.com/run-better/improve-your-running/276-shoe-geometry-101
Mike
June 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
Thanks for sharing. I really prefer the barefoot feel… but I am going to be moving into Chicago this fall.
I may consider these as an option if the roads/paths are too rough on my feet.
Mel
June 28th, 2011 at 11:28 am
These look pretty cool! Are they any good for walk around shoes, or are they just for running? Would they help me walk better for longer walks?
Dan
June 28th, 2011 at 11:32 am
They do feel like they have an impact on walking with proper form. The way the sole is structured it feels like it forces you to spread the impact away from your heal which is nice.
Personally, I feel these shoes are best for running though.
Candice
June 28th, 2011 at 11:30 am
I don’t know if I agree with Newton on their definition of “Minimalists”.
I think in its simplest form, minimalist = barefoot.
michaelc
July 31st, 2011 at 1:54 am
just bought a pair tonight. have run in nike air shoes (air max 2011 until recently) since the 80s, (maybe not) coincidentally the time i became injured with bulging L4/L5 lower back discs.
i thought minimal shoes might help stop the heel striking which may be the cause of my back pain, and voila, using the merrell trail glove and nike zoom streak xc 2′s the pounding on my lower back/hips mostly went away after a run/and next day…and lessened other times as well.
however, i run in the city on concrete and asphalt, and my feet have become beat up running in these minimal shoes. the only shoe that offers hope now is the newton, i got the distance model with it’s 2mm heel/toe differential (merrells had zero differential, nike’s had 3mm)…while the merrell decimated my foot (still helped my back) and the nike just didn’t have enough padding at 20mm in the heel to save my feet, some 30mm in the newton i hope will fit the last piece in my puzzle so not only can my back not suffer any more from heel striking, but my feet don’t have to be pounded instead.
Dan
August 01st, 2011 at 9:54 am
@michaelc I hope they work well for you. i enjoyed running in them and they worked great on the concrete/asphalt.
Irene
September 18th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
I got the Newton Distance this summer 2011 and they are very comfortable and lightweight. I have been running with the Oasics since first I started running 5 years ago, I am a 56 year old woman. Newton shoes are making me stronger and faster runner. I love them!!
michaelc
September 18th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
follow up on using the newtons…irene, now that my calfs and achilles tendons have adjusted to midfoot vs heel striking, i am with you. i have cut down my run times for 6miles from 11min to 10 min…something i never thought possible with my past injuries. the newtons remove most of the shock from lower vertabrae (coming in through the heels in the past) and i am seeing a pickup in speed in strength. i had just thought i’d be able to keep running my slow 11min miles, long and slow, in less pain…the added performance is really amazing to me
Derek
September 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I bought a pair of Newton Terra Momentus as my first pair of “minimal” shoes to guide my transition to proper running form as I usually have to run on concrete/asphalt. I loved them at first but after a few weeks my left foot was quite uncomfortable in them. My right foot felt great and had no trouble adjusting. I took the shoes back to the store an had them confirm the fit. They said everything looked correct. A year later and I still have the same problem – my left foot feels uncomfortable in them and I frequently have minor pain in my left midfoot towards during my runs (3 miles or less). I really want to like these shoes but I’m stuck in a love (right foot) / hate (left foot) relationship with them. My left foot doesn’t appear to be shaped different from my right, so I’m wondering if I’ve got a defective left shoe? Anyone else experienced this?
Dan
September 30th, 2011 at 10:00 am
Have you looked at the sole to see if they’re balanced? Maybe something about your running form has changed the way the sole is structured?
You also could have a defective left shoe… weirder things have happened.
Derek
October 01st, 2011 at 6:45 am
Yes, I check the wear on my shoes frequently. The wear appears to be the same on both shoes and matches the “ideal” wear pattern described on the Newton site with the front 1/3 of the lugs wearing down slightly. It’s a mystery.
michaelc
October 02nd, 2011 at 6:28 am
on your foot difference derek, when i started doing minimalist running i found out quick my left leg was less developed than my right. i’d noticed it a bit when doing calf raises in the past, that the left calf wasn’t as pumped, and strained a bit more.
when i started the minimalist running i almost pulled my left calf, and felt weaker in that achilles tendon and foot. this happened when i went to the newtons. i started compensating using my right to pick up the workload, and then that foot/calf/tendon was more tender for a few runs.
end of story was that the fluctuation from one foot to the next occurred for a few weeks until they both strengthened. i also helped by keeping up my calf raises to strengthen both calfes so there would be less strain on either side.
it’s been a few months now and with both sides strengthened to handle running on the midfoot, i don’t hurt in either foot and my times have picked up over heel striking.
you might try a new pair (especially after a year), and some calf resistance training, toes on a block…to strengthen both sides equally.
when using the newtons/other minimalist shoes, i had the one side/other side hurting, but i feel strongly that was because i was finding out where long standing imbalances already were upon stressing the foot differently, rather than just letting my heel and spine take the pounding, masking the imbalance.
hope that helps.
Derek
October 05th, 2011 at 10:38 am
Thanks for the advice michaelc. I’ll try doing some calf resistance. That helped me quite a bit earlier in my transition to minimal footwear when my calves would start to burn after 1.5 miles. I’m planning to try out some new Newtons as well to see if they feel any better. My current pair only has 250 miles on them and I’m easy on shoes (168lbs). Hopefully I just got a defective pair.
michaelc
October 05th, 2011 at 11:01 am
good luck. i’m about 7lbs heavier than you, so you should be able to adapt. the newtons offer so much cushioning for a minimalist shoe, i can only imagine anything else on concrete would make things worse.
the interesting thing about midfoot striking vs. heel is that i was using the best cushioned shoes, airmax 2010′s, but forced into heel striking by their big heel. now, with the newton’s virtual no rise heel it’s much much less shock, and much more comfortable than the airmax’s ever were. and that’s with about 10mm less padding in the newton’s too.
the calf raises should do well for you to equalize and give the strength to prevent injury. seated calf raises hit the soleus under the calf, standing hits the outer calf. together several times a week, with at least 50, up to 100 reps, should get rid of that problem for sure.
Joe Smoe
March 02nd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Obviously, you have a product to peddle. Keep peddling, peddler.
Irene
April 23rd, 2012 at 9:46 am
I just got a pair of these Lady Newton trainer shoes and they are fast! I have had them for three weeks and work well at short runs but I experienced severe knee pain after I ran a half marathon in them. Any thoughts?
Dan
April 23rd, 2012 at 5:34 pm
I’m sorry to hear about the severe knee pain. I’m not sure if it’s related to the shoes or just from the longer run. Do you do long 10+ mile runs often?
I know that my knees swell a bit after about 8 miles. They don’t hurt but they do swell up. Be sure to share with us if you find anything particular.
Brad
October 13th, 2012 at 7:24 am
Just 40 miles on my Distance shoes with 2 long runs (10 miles+). My favorite training/long distance shoes in 30 years (gulp) of running. Highly flexible and light. I believe these shoes are a good bridge to “barefoot” and Looking forward to trying even more minimalist shoes. Note, I’ve found Newtons can cause shin pain, especially in transition from traditional shoes. I suggest working Newtons in slowly until they feel more “natural.”
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