Is New Balance Running in the Wrong Direction?

I had the interesting experience last Friday of being asked to test fit some brand new New Balance running shoes. NB has been asking some regular runners to try their new just released and pre-release models due to the adoption of a new last. I'll say this... Unless you absolutely love, love, love - that is, truly love - the fit of Nike running shoes, you probably won't like the "new and improved" NB runners.

I tried on the NB 904 (the yellow and black shoe pictured above) and what is likely to be the upcoming NB 1064. Let me start with the heavier 1064... This felt just like a Nike Structure Triax, with the same faults: a bit too heavy, too much underfoot padding in the wrong places, too narrow for a stability runner, and too straight. Of course, the straightness of the new last might be a bit more forgiveable in a "big guy's" shoe.

The issue is even more troubling when it comes to the NB 904. Just looking at the shoe you can see that it is far straighter and narrower than the fine 902 model (the orange runner pictured above). In fact, Mrs. Bear looked at it and said right away that it looked that it would be painful to run in. Agreed.

Another troubling development is that both of these models have been raised. One of the strengths of the 900 series, and of NB runners in general, was the low-to-the-ground structure which provided a lot of natural stability. The higher a running shoe is off of the ground (especially at the heel), the more a runner has to use his ankles for balance... And this is asking for trouble, especially if you have narrow and flat feet, as I do.

So if NB is going to produce shoes that are virtual Nike clones, I will not be adding any pairs to my running shoe collection. There was once a time - up until about 1999 - when the majority of all the running shoes I purchased were Nike. But then they became narrower and narrower, to the point where many of the current models do not fit even at a half-size or one full-size increase.

Prior to Friday, I was definitely planning on purchasing a pair of NB 904s. I've been happy with the NB 901, 902 and 903. Now I will not be handing my money to NB and the Adidas AdiZero Tempo II lightweight performance stability runner is looking even more like the right shoe at the right time.

Bad News on the Doorstep for Runners...

If you haven't yet seen the new Runner's World (RW) magazine, there are two negative developments for runners in these tough times. First, according to RW: "Running shoes just keep getting softer. While this may sound like sweet relief for your... joints, there can be too much of a good thing. ...cushioning that's too spongy can compromise a shoe's stability."

Yes, too much bouncy cushioning - moving you vertically rather than horizontally - actually makes you work harder while reducing traction; this is wasted motion (and wasted energy). I personally preferred the Nike models that were developed in Europe with firmer cushioning. And I'll no longer buy any of Nike's runners with Zoom Air, which is like trying to run on top of two small air beds (one in the forefoot, one in the heel). Hopefully, Nike and other major running shoe companies will eventually learn that when it comes to cushioning, less is...

Secondly, a number of the new running shoe models are "zooming" up in price; a development that is the last thing needed during this recession. Here's just a sampling of the price increases: the Etonic Minado goes from $100 to $115; the Saucony Progrid Stabil from $95 to $115; the adidas AdiStar Salvation from $130 to $140; the popular Brooks Adrenaline from $95 to $105; the Pearl Izumi Syncrofloat from $90 to $110; and the Asics Gel-DS Trainer from $100 to $110. We'll have to wait and see if these very unwise price increases result in the reduced sales of running shoes in 2009.

There is one shoe, however, that has captured my eye and this is the adidas AdiZero Tempo II (pictured), a beauty of a lightweight stability trainer (RW: "a daily trainer for lighter runners who need added pronation control") that comes in at just 9.8 ounces; 8 ounces in the women's version. I'm just going to hope that there'll be a pair waiting for me at the Portland Marathon Expo in October. If so, life will be good... Very good.