Newton Gravitas

In a minor bout of industrial espionage, I visited several local running stores for an independent gait analysis where the verdict was unilateral in that I didn’t need all that medial support. After multiple trials of neutral shoe models, I opted for a combination of the Nike Free Run+ and Mizuno Precision 11. The rotation of these very quickly alleviated most of my recurring problems and I enjoyed a successful summer training schedule leading up to the Berlin Marathon.

However, throughout this period, a certain shoe kept catching my eye in the specialist running stores and among a very small percentage of my running friends. It was too expensive, too out there, too unheard of to take a chance on until I received an invite to a Neural Running sponsored symposium at the MIT indoor track facility.. I’m referring of course to The Gravity, a remarkable shoe manufactured by the Colorado-based, Newton Running Company.

Newton Running shoes are designed to allow for a natural running gait and, on first use, can feel very alien to the majority of other shoes out there. My experience with the Mizuno and Nike’s was that a neutral style worked for me and, as a 150lb male, I seem to do well in lighter weight shoes for all my runs, whatever the distance. This made the Gravity’s of particular interest and I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit to loving their appearance too. The 2010 Men’s Gravity has a bright blue upper, red laces and a wonderfully tactile range/yellow rubber sole… beautiful to look at and very solid in construction.

At the symposium I was introduced to their recommended “land-lever-lift” technique for getting the best performance from the shoes and quickly got the hang of it. The first thing you notice on wearing them is the lack of any kind of heel and the enormous “lump” under the ball of the foot. These are the four “external actuator lugs” which, to me, operate as a reminder of where I should be landing through each stride.

I also noticed how light they felt (9.4 ounces at size 9) which is partly due to a very breathable front mesh. Danny Abshire of Newton Running warned me that this openness may make it a little uncomfortable during the colder winter runs but, by now, I was hooked and bought a pair. With one of the coldest and snow-laden winters for decades here in Boston I can honestly attest to not having one day where my feet were too cold or uncomfortable. It is important to add, however, that contrary to their website, the shoes do run a little small – I am normally a 9.5 but the 10’s fitted perfectly.

For the first few weeks after purchasing I heeded the advice and rotated them gently into my running schedule. Longer runs with the Mizuno’s and 2-3 miles with the Gravity’s, slowly increasing this amount during each subsequent run. Within 3 weeks I was wearing them all the time including a very hilly 41 minute 10k race. It’s been four months now and my running style has changed somewhat for the better; I feel stronger after each workout and my recovery time has improved. I use them for indoor track workouts and 18 milers logging up to 50 miles a week during my Boston Marathon 2011 training.

They are more expensive than the average running shoe but they’re reported to be more durable and what price can you put on running injury free?

Martin Potter is a 30-something Boston-based marathon runner and marketing professional. He’s ran several marathons and is currently training for his second Boston. A lover of all things running, he’s particularly fond of the specialist gadgets, clothing and shoes with friend’s cruelly referring to him as “The Imelda Marcos of Running Shoes.” He has a daily blog at cheekyrunning.blogspot.com