The Men’s New Balance MR890: Re-Engineered to be the Lightest In the Category
There are many different models and brands of shoes on the market these days. It can get very confusing at times. It is really a dilemma to find the shoe that is the best choice unless you know what you need to consider before buying. The right pair of shoes will reduce the risk of injury and allow for an enjoyable run.
Shoe manufacturers continually research and come out with the latest innovations. One of the latest offerings is the New Balance MR890. According to New Balance, it is the lightest shoe designed for neutral runners. With the weight clocking in at 9.8oz, we at ShoeFax had to take notice. So in this New Balance 890 review, we will be looking at the features of this shoe to see if it deserves all its accolades. By the end you will have enough information to say if this is the right shoe for you or not.
What is Different About the MR890?
According to New Balance, each part of the 890 has been designed to maintain a harmony in its shape, looks, style, function and aesthetics without sacrificing cushioning, ground feel, or support. This was done following the popularity of barefoot running neutral shoes. Apparently, the 890 has been evolved to be extremely light yet still be safe to run in.
Figure 1 shows the components of the 890 that we will be highlighting. The terminology in Figure 1 will be used in this New Balance 890 review.
Outsole: The Outsole is made with a durable rubber material called Ndurance. It has an extremely light and flexible rubber that also provides added cushioning support to the Midsole. Designed with full ground contact grip in mind, the Outsole is compatible with all running styles (midfoot, forefoot or traditional heel strike) as well as provide a lot of stability on the ground.
Midsole: The Midsole consists of a new lightweight foam material that New Balance has called REVlite. According to New Balance, it is much lighter than other foams on the market; 30% lighter than traditional EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) midsoles. This allows the shoe to enjoy a total weight of 9.8oz. Although it is very lightweight, the Midsole still provides durable cushioning to the runner. The 890′s will last just as long as a normal road shoe would.
One final thing to also note about the Midsole is that the heel has extra cushioning due to New Balance’s Abzorb material. Abzorb works in conjunction with the new REVlite material to provide this added support.
Upper: The upper continues with super-soft, no-sew seamless welding. It brings you a combination of aesthetics and durability with synthetics and suede and reduced color palettes down to a few key colors. It has a flatter and, softer laces, which slide through uniquely flat lacing holes instead of round holes that help locking them in place and preventing top-of-foot discomfort. Synthetic/Mesh upper provides lightweight comfort and support.
What Are Other People Saying About the Shoe?
So far in this New Balance 890 review, we have looked at the the technologies that has made the 890 the lightest shoe in its class. That’s great in itself. However, how does that translate to customer satisfaction? What do the critics say about this shoe.
Surprisingly, the 890s have garnered some noteworthy accolades. Outside magazine gave it the coveted “Gear of the Year” award. Also, if you look at product reviews on top shoe distributor websites, such as Amazon and Zappos, you will see the following ratings.
Zappos Rating: (50 Customers)
Amazon Rating: (37 Customers)
Finally, customer reviews have been favorable for the 890s. Here are some of what customers are saying about this shoe:
“I stumbled onto the new 890 and love it. It is light, yet not too soft. It gives a better transition, lighter but with smoking protection. - Tbagum, NewBalance.com
“My first day with it was a 10 mile break in. I’m about 190-200 lbs. and 6’5” and it was pretty easy the first day. The shoe gripped the cement efficiently. It wraps around my foot snugly without any pressure points and gives enough room to shake my toes.” - Amazon.com
“These shoes are extremely light and provide enough support for running on the road. I have a low arch in feet and feel these shoes quite comfortable during the 5-10 mile runs. These shoes particularly save my knee and legs on the track which I have been running. The insole appears to be a little thin, but for that I could have given it 5 stars. Thank you New Balance.”
- Amazon.com
Summary
This New Balance 890 review, we delved deeply into the technology behind this shoe and found that it has lived up to the hype. New Balance literally went back to the drawing board and came up with an innovative solution for the neutral running shoe category. With advancements in REVlite and Abzorb, the MR890 has able to become the lightest shoe in its class. Also the improvements in the Outsole has allowed the shoe to have greater stability in sharp turn situations. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced endurance athlete, we at ShoeFax recommend this shoe for neutral runners. It is definitely worth a spin around the track.
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