New Balance Men's M890v4 Neutral Light Running Shoe

4 1/2 STARS -- MOST SHOE STRUCTURE FOR THE LIGHTEST WEIGHT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR. BUT THERE REALLY ARE SIZING ISSUES TO GET RIGHT FIRST.GENERAL COMMENTS: Ultra light for a non-bare foot style shoe. These are still my primary running shoe over other brands. That is a very personal preference oriented statement so it's impossible to say any one brand or shoe is absolute over another. I am not a marathoner, but I run 5-7 miles each go, several times a week (I mix in a little walking on rest days and use a different shoe then). I like a very light running shoe, but I don't go 100% minimalist. The heel drop is about right to still give good cushion for impact on joints. Not so high as to give unnatural can't to your form, not too low to loose shock support. If you are a taller or heavier person, these may be too light for you for any use. You need a sturdy shoe. As with many ultra-light shoes, the uppers are practically painted on to lower weight (they actually are in some areas), so you can't expect them to last as long as a regular shoe. This also limits their use mainly to running (see my activity notes below).SIZING: Unless New Balance makes a correction, don't ignore the sizing warnings on this page. Unfortunately you may even need to try more than one pair. I wear a size 10 in street shoes. I always go up half a size to 10 1/2 in running shoes to give my toes room. I had to go size 11 in this shoe to get a similar fit to the old M890v2 that these replaced for me. Once I got it right, I was happy again. I have normal to slightly narrow feet so I had no issues with a regular D width. If you have normal, but bordering on wide, you will maybe need to adjust. I recommend 1/2 to 1 full size larger than what you normally order. There is obviously no way for anyone to guarantee what you need.WEIGHT: These ran just over 9 oz in a size 11 (which is actually more like a 10 1/2 or large 10 in normal comparison). That is actually .5 oz heavier than the older version of 890v2 I had to replace. But then they have a little wear on the sole now. NB does make a significantly lighter shoe like the 1400, but it has a substantially slimmer profile and look. Padding or shock might also change, but that depends on the type of material. For me, this was an excellent balance between a light shoe and getting something that still protected my joints and looked aggressive too. As I said above, it's perhaps one of the lightest shoes you will find that still has fairly traditional structure and construction.ACTIVITIES OR USES: I only get half a year or so out of these shoes because of the light materials. If you use them in inclement weather or for harsher activities like cross fit, they are going to wear very quickly. Again, it's personal preference, but I don't suggest gym use and weight isn't a big issue if you are just walking for exercise. I use a different shoe with more durable uppers for those activities. I use an old worn pair for inclement weather. I am about 5' 7" 160lbs. I repeat what I said above. If you are taller or heavier and find you really need a sturdy shoe, these are probably not for you in any case.

My third pair of the New Balance 890 shoe, and a lot has changed since the first version and this, the fourth. I've owned all but V3.While V4 it remains true to its overall place in a runner's arsenal, I feel like the shoe has gradually become more and more of a "beginner's shoe". Sure, it's allegedly picked up some nifty fit-enhancing and lightening features, but the shoe overall has just become... odd.The first and second version of this shoe were my go-to for long-distance runs. They offered just the right amount of cushioning without feeling like I was running atop marshmallows. The V4 just takes things too far. The sole is far too soft and squishy. Road feel? Nonexistent. Responsive? Yeah right. If I wanted a "maximalist" shoe, I'd have bought one.But here's the real problem: the heel simply feels much beefier than previous versions. It can actually be difficult to NOT heel-strike in these shoes, especially at the end of a longer run. Now, I'm by no means a pro at running, but I run at least 25 miles per week. I also have several half marathons, full marathons, and other endurance races under my belt. My point is that I go through a LOT of different shoes. And I've never had to be so conscientious about proper running form. It simply doesn't feel natural to run in these. And that's a problem. These shoes have now become my "I'm still feeling a bit sore from my last run and need some extra cushioning today" shoes. Meaning they spend a lot of time just sitting there.

I have been running for 41 years and can say the New Balance 890 is the finest running shoe I've ever had. I so fear the company will take the shoe out of production that I buy them 6 pairs at a time. I have to fit in hard, old-school orthodics and also a heel lift in the right shoe, and there is plenty of room. This shoe is so light weight that you can hardly hear the shoes hitting the pavement. They are soft, too. I tie them once and slip them on like a pair of loafers. I run 32 to 35 miles a week and they don't last but 2 1/2 months, but that doesn't matter. I have 5 pair ready and waiting in my hall closet.

I really like these shoe's they are very lightweight and have very nice cushioning. The shoe's I had before were cross trainers (very uncomfortable), then tried other manufacturers running shoes which were better but I could only be on my feet for 1 hour at a time due to pain. When I found these New Balance M890's my foot pain went away, the size and width is perfect fit. I liked them so much that I bought another pair which I haven't had to use yet. Although after 2 years they are starting to look a little beat up, but still work fine. I just put a new pair of laces on them.

I have a very wide foot, and normally wear Asics which seem to work for me. But I decided to try a different brand, and liked the price that these were listed at on Amazon. On the recommendation of a few reviewers, I got a 10.5 4E instead of a 10 4E like I normally wear. In the length, these seem like a 10.25. In the width, they seem more like a 2E. So I'm unhappy that they aren't as wide as I had hoped. But their redeeming factor is the "neutral" pronation. I'm an underpronator, and I haven't yet found shoes made as such, so I always purchase neutral shoes. Asics neutral shoes still let me walk on the outside edge of my foot/sole, but these are much better. I can feel the pressure staying even across the entire width of the sole during my stride, which is a huge improvement for me. So time will tell if over time the toe box loosens up a little for me, as I've only ran in them once and worked out in them twice.