First Impressions of the New Balance 890v4
When I first saw the 890V4 in the store display I was skeptical. The mid-sole looked very pronounced, the upper looked busy and flashy, with a very padded tongue and collar. It looked like a heavy weight clunker of a shoe, instead of the sleek neutral road trainer I had visioned through reading reviews.
Wearing is Believing
Any skepticism I had disappeared almost as soon as at laced them up. I had always been turned-off from New Balance Shoes as I felt that there toe boxes were narrow and shallow. Obviously I wasn’t the only one. The 890v4 has a much roomier toe box than earlier versions and other model in their line up.
While it is a more substantial shoe than I have run in recently, it is by no means a clunker. While the out-sole of the shoe looks heavy and ‘heel centric’, New Balance’s light weight REVlite combined with a 8mm drop makes for a surprisingly lightweight and flexible shoe. This makes it ideal for many mid-foot runners like myself looking for a more natural motion.
On the Run
The NB 890v4 is a great shoe for longer distance road running. Despite being lightweight, it offers enough cushioning and protection to get you through a half or full marathon or a higher mileage training regimen. And while it wouldn’t be my go-to some for speed work or shorter races, it’s weight and flexible sole translates into a noticeable responsiveness at faster speeds.
Overall, this is a solid shoe that will take me through my next marathon. It is comfortable and supportive enough for long runs yet still responsive when you for some fartlek sessions.
Shoe Specs: New Balance 890v4
What New Balance has to say:
Featuring world-class design and an amazingly light ride, the New Balance 890v4 neutral running shoe revolutionizes the look and feel of high performance. Responsive REVlite cushioning helps you feel fast mile after mile, while a FantomFit no-sew upper uses panel-like construction to ensure a secure arch wrap. The men’s 890v4 also features a blown rubber outsole and ABZORB® crash pad for even more cushioning, lessening the shock of every strike.
Awarded “Best Update” in the Runner’s World 2013 Winter Shoe Guide (December 2013)
Lightweight
240 grams (8.5 oz)
- 8mm drop: due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 8mm drop are approximate
- ABZORB® crash pad cradles the heel area medially and laterally for additional stability
- Blown rubber outsole
- No-sew material application
- REVlite midsole foam
- Unique podular structure maintains notion of full ground contact geometries, preserving the purity of the originally coveted 890 ride
