Newton MV2 (2012)

October 18, 2011

The new Newton MV2 racing shoe is Newton's first zero-drop shoe. That is to day, it's completely flat from heel to forefoot—no difference in height. On paper, just according to metrics, this places the MV2 in the category which contains shoes like the Saucony Hattori, the Vibram Five-Fingers, and other barefoot running shoes.

But I don’t consider the MV2 a barefoot running shoe per se. I see it more as just an absolutely flat racing shoe.

The upper is—as in most racing flats—light without most support features, with a flexible heel cup and a narrow-to-very-narrow fit. You'll probably find you need to move up at least a half-size but, if you're already a Newton user, this shoe will still feel more narrow than your other Newtons. To my personal taste they are too narrow, as my forefoot extends laterally over the edges of the shoe.

Although my feet felt as if they extended outside the footbed—on both sides—it didn’t bother me while running. Actually, they feel very light on your feet which is, of course, expected because of their very low weight of 5.8oz in a mens size-9. Contributing to the light weight is the material used in the upper. As I mentioned before, it is this very lightweight mesh material that really hugs your foot.

But the midsole is where the real changes and features are to be felt. Newton is using its second-generation action/reaction technology and you can feel the difference. Instead of 4 lugs under the forefoot as in all other Newton shoes, there are 5 in the MV2. Those on the sides are made with a different, more oval and wider, shape than the 3 in the middle. They also protrude less prominently out of the midsole than with other models.

But don’t let that fool you. Although they look less prominent the lugs feel more present than in my other Newtons. I'm guessing it's because the midsole and the new action/reaction technology is much more firm than in all other Newton shoes and thus the lugs feel more prominent under your feet. In all previous Newton models you can actually feel the lugs pushing into the cavities above the membrane, upon pressure put to the lugs. In the MV2 if I apply pressure to the lugs I don't have this feeling that the lugs are absorbed into the midsole, so, you can feel them constantly while running.

It's not necessarily negative, you just notice that the lugs are there. It's hard to tell whether they enhance speed, cadence or stability. They do make you more aware of landing slightly more to the forefoot, and you do feel that additional drop in heel elevation associated with the flat ramp. Or, maybe I just seem to sense this because the lugs feel prominent. It's hard to tell.

The Newton MV2 is about as firm you'll find among racing flats, probably ranked in the top-3 in firmness. There is almost no deformation of the midsole and this gives it a very responsive ride, but it lacks cushioning, which is a tangible lack when you run slow. But, then, they're racing flats.

A zero-drop shoe requires adjustment time. For most Newton runners the adjustment time will be short. For those used to shoes with a lot of ramp, take extra time and be extra careful in this shoe. How do you adjust? One way is to place a pair of 3mm heel inserts underneath the insole to raise the heel a bit. Take one out, then the other, as you sense you're properly adjusted.

With this shoe Newton breaks new ground. It's definitely more a racer than its Distance Racer models are, but it is certainly not a shoe for everyone. In fact, it's a shoe for the select few—a subset of those who can run in other Newton models. The MV2 is made for the most efficient runners among us, and probably for only shorter efforts.

[Editor’s note: Our capable editor-at-large for footwear Jeroen van Geelen owns Total Running, one of the more important running and triathlon retail establishments in The Netherlands.]