Newton Running Lab

I looked over this store this past weekend and was offered no help by the staff. I run 5k about five to six times a week and have lost about 105 pounds but I don’t look like a typical runner. I needed some new running shoes for the Bolder Boulder 10k this month but was practically ignored the whole time I was there.

I’m a wannabe runner, not a real one. Part of that (other than being lazy) is that I have really skinny feet — no padding at all on the balls of my feet, so running and even long walks end up being painful. I was in Boulder (from Chicago) visiting my brother, an avid runner, and I was asking him for some shoe recommendations. He showed me his Newtons, and I saw exactly what I needed — feet meat! So we went to the store, and the salesperson was very helpful and patient. I didn’t end up buying shoes that day because of the price point. But going back home, I just couldn’t stop thinking about how comfortable they were. I went to a local Fleet Feet in Chicago, talked of my foot woes, and they recommended Newtons for me as well, even without me prompting it. I now have the perfect shoe for my run (after adding orthotics for my high arches), and it is the Newton Motion III. It gives me stability for my pronation and oh so lovely padding for my skinny feet. Maybe now I’ll change from a wannabe runner to an actual one.

I had a pair of Newtons, the Lady Isaacs, that successfully got me through training & running my first half marathon. I started to get some aches after they had 300+ miles on them so I found myself at the local running store to replace them. I was talked into getting a stability shoe {Asics} but knew after 45 miles or so that they weren’t for me. Instead of going back to my local store, I made the 45 minute drive to Newton. I’m so glad I did. Paul was super patient & listened to my 3 – 4 minute story of the different shoes I have tried & the different aches & pains I have experienced. He looked at my feet & toes & the wear patterns on my Lady Isaacs & was able to pinpoint {almost to the WORD} what I had been told at the Saucony Stride Lab {which is an intensive stride analysis… more than what is typically offered at a local running store}. I was SHOCKED that he could tell me that I am a pronater but a late pronator due to my big toe being short. He offered to build up my current Spenco inserts to compensate for my short toe, free of charge. I was so grateful for this offer. I know they make custom orthotics in store & he could have tried to sell me a super pricey pair but instead he generously offered to assist me in making my current inserts work for me. I walked in set on the Lady Isaacs but he really encouraged me to try the Fate & he was right! I LOVED them!
I quickly called my local running store to figure out how to return my Asics based on their policy. I was really hoping I could return them for cash so I could purchase my Fates there at the Newton Running Lab but unfortunately I had to do an exchange so I wasn’t able to make a purchase today. I felt so terrible thanking Paul for his time & letting him know I wouldn’t be buying the shoes there, but at my local store where I had a credit, but he was so genuinely nice about it all. I am a Newton customer for life & when I’m ready to replace these I will surely make my purchase at the Newton Running Lab… and I’ll be in next week with my sister who I have finally convinced to leave her Saucony’s behind & get on board with Newton! :)

The Newton Running lab is a place that every minimalist runner should make a pilgrimage to, even if you don’t need to buy new shoes. One within the walls of this hallowed place, skilled technicians and runners will help you perfect your stride, pick a shoe, or learn something about running/​yourself that you never knew. The people at Newton are amazing and extremely friendly. They’ll even take you out around the block and critique and help you! I know of no other running store/​company that care this much.

Purchased a pair of newton running a few months back for $ 170. Probably put about 100 miles on them when I noticed the sole on one of the shoes was coming off. I’ve been running for over 20 years in Nike’s, never had this happen before.
Brought shoes back to Newton and the person there said their said there is nothing they could do. I think what they were trying to say is, there is nothing they are willing to do. Not to quibble, I just realized guess this company and these shoes aren’t for me. Wish I had bought them from Zappos so I could return.
Overall, the customer service I encountered was terrible. People who run in these shoes regularly rave about them, Maybe I’m missing something? For now it’s back to my Nike’s and reliable construction, with added benefit of costing my a lot less.

My boyfriend and I attended the complimentary Fit clinic and running lab at 10am on a Saturday. There was a group of about 25 of us who showed up, curious to learn more about the shoes. We were all fitted with a pair of shoes and then Dan Abshire (the engineer of the shoe) spoke to us briefly about running mechanics and the Newton difference. We then went on a short run over to a park and learned and practiced drills on how to midfoot and forefront strike with our Newtons. We ended up buying the ones we ran in and we talked with Dan a little bit longer. The shoes are made in China. Bummer. And it sounds like they are working out sourcing/​manufacturing kinks as we speak. Last year’s models seemed to have narrower toe boxes than this year’s models. I wish they would merchandise their shoes according to needs (i.e. stability, off road, road, trail). As it stands you need to pick up each shoe and read the tag. Hell, all of the shoes are bright colored and you can’t tell which ones are men’s vs. women’s. All in all, a great sales and educational technique to get people to buy the shoes. I hope they are as great as they initially feel.

I’m trying to get into running, but I have astoundingly flat feet, so I dropped into Newton based on a recommendation from a friend with similar foot issues.
The guy who helped me was *incredibly* knowledgeable and patient as he walked me through the entire process of determining my particular needs, their products and how best to move forward.
I ended up with a great pair of shoes, a ton of information and insight on running and doing so in a healthy manner, and a great first impression of the Newton brand and team.
PROS: One-​on-​one service. Might be harder if they’re busier, but it’s worth the weight. The staff seems to really enjoy interacting and understanding each runner’s (or potential runner’s) situation and how Newton can address it.
CONS: If you don’t like bright colors, you might be disappointed with the shoe selection. Mine are a bright yellow with bright orange accents. I will wear them fearlessly.

Not only have I purchased a pair of Newton shoes (MOTUS = MOTION), I accompanied a friend to the Newton Running Lab this past Saturday in what ended up being a successful shopping trip.
When we entered the store we were immediately greeted by one of Newton’s co-​founders, Danny Abshire. What a treat! My friend and I had both visited the Newton website that features him in several instructional videos. We were excited to have someone with such intimate knowledge of the product explain all of the ins-​and-​outs. Mr. Abshire very patiently walked us through some drills and techniques that inspired us to lace up our shoes as soon as we were finished shopping for a jog in the neighborhood.
So… regarding service, it can’t get much better than the service we received on Saturday (and also several months earlier when I purchased my shoes).
Regarding the product itself, I am still transitioning into my shoes, but so far, so good. I will try to update my review once I have a better sense of how the shoes work for me.
This review is

I have over 10 pairs of running shoes, all with little stories to go with them. The best ones so far are my Newton Racers. They are light, durable, and keep me running with a mid foot strike. This means i run with a much smoother stride. How is this possible? The breathable ‘lungs’ underneath the midfoot sole section protrudes out, forcing you to land on them. Should you forget and decide to heel strike, the shoes give a very dead feel, it’s like slamming on the brakes.
Prior to wearing Newtons, I was a heel striker and constantly injured my knee caps. Also, I never broke into the 6 min mile category until I switched.
Warning, Newton’s are rather pricey. However, a large part of it is because they are an independent shoe company starting off with a great product. You spend hours training to run faster, this product WORKS and will increase performance rapidly especially if you are a heel striker like myself.
Also, the first three weeks of wearing these your calves are going to BURN. After that, they become ripped and ready to take on Usain Bolt.