Details
Brand
New Balance
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Based on the last of New Balance’s well-received racing flat RC1440, this shoe offers an exceptional blend of features making it perfect for the speed, agility, traction, and durability required for long trail runs or races.• The hydrohesion rubber compound of the sole contribute to its effective handling in wet conditions.• The outsole’s 4.5mm lugs are perfect for not trapping mud and debris and provide a stable and gritty base for technical terrain.• After an initial break-in period, most found this shoe to be very comfortable and responsive.• Tending to run small and narrow, it aims to lock the saddle of the foot in place, but this sizing makes it not the right shoe for those with wider feet.• Most are pleased with the overall style.
Upper
The New Balance Vazee Summit features a soft and seamless single layer of breathable mesh wrapping from forefoot to saddle, with welded synthetic overlays covering a large portion of the foot. Despite this, many report that it is not constricting as expected and actually just contributes to an overall snug, secure fit.;FantomFIT wrap is a thin, stretchy material that encapsulates the foot within the walls of the upper, creating a sock like fit. The plastic heel cup helps keep the foot in place and the lined collar helps it do so comfortably.
Midsole
The midsole of the Vazee Summit is crafted from REVlite foam, which offers a responsive and soft, yet durable, ride. Taken from the last of the 1400 racing flat, it offers a little more compliance than other New Balance lines. Described as neither firm nor soft, it just cushions the blow of each foot strike, making for a more efficient stride. And while this shoe took some breaking in for most runners, it was evident after a short while that it was up to the task quickly making the Summit a go-to pair of trail kicks for many.
Outsole
The outsole of the New Balance Vazee Summit offers great traction with its hydrohesion rubber. Developed for wet conditions and upgraded for even more diverse trail conditions, it holds its own in this shoe. With effective patterning and durable long-lasting 4.5mm lugs, this shoe is surprisingly soft and responsive. But despite higher mileage, it retains durability. The good size lugs do not seem to trap dirt or debris requiring cleaning thus allowing for cleaner, more efficient, less slippery foot strikes.
Breathability
The upper of the New Balance Vazee Summit is a one layer of breathable mesh that runs the front of the foot. Despite the plentiful seamless synthetic overlays and the slipper-like FantomFit wrap inside the upper, most say this shoe feels exceptionally breathable and maintains a cool, dry environment for feet. It even drains water well.
Comfort
Available in normal and wide widths, some find the Vazee Summit to feel slightly narrow and/or slightly small. They advise sizing up a little for a looser feel, but knowing it is supposed to have a performance fit might make the snugger fit feel more natural. With this is in mind, most found that a bit of a break-in period, and for some;lightweight socks, really helped them feel more comfortable with the shoe as it gradually seemed to conform somewhat to the foot. Still, some found the shoes to still feel too small despite the upsizing and lamented having to return them as they liked the shoe otherwise. But, with its softer than expected sole unit and the soft padded collar and tongue and the FantomFit wrap of the upper, many felt that comfort was acceptable and some reviewers even claimed that these shoes temporarily alleviated the pain of plantar fasciitis.
Style
New Balance really seems to have nailed the style of this shoe because even the reviewers that had to return the shoes because of sizing issues did so regrettable claiming the overall look was stylish, and even cute to some. Available in Impulse/Lava and Black/Thunder for men and Abyss Toxic and Reef/Equinox for women, many were pleased with these options. The breathable mesh wrapped in well placed synthetic seamless welded overlays look sporty, the traditional flat laces that lend a classically reliable air, and the N logo largely displayed on the side work well together for a shoe that not only performs but looks like it does.
Durability
Overwhelmingly viewed as long lasting, some reviews claim up to 500 miles with little wear and some have really put these shoes through the ringer with varying terrain, distances, conditions and have found the Vazee Summit to take a beating but nothing to show for it.;There were a handful of reviews singling out concerns with the sole separating from the heel and a little tearing of the upper but, by and large, the feedback was exceedingly positive in this area. Beyond its sole unit built for toughness and its well constructed upper securing the foot, the upper also contributed to the shoe’s longer life with its ability to drain water well too.
Protection
The Vazee Summit aims to get trail runners moving quickly with confidence in the great wide open. With a 3/4 RockStop rockplate to prevent damage or injury to the foot in more technical conditions, the shoe is still able to retain flexibility in the midfoot due to its placement and amply buffered outsole.;Also protecting the foot is the construction of the upper, with its multiple synthetic overlays and toe cap that protect the feet from debris. The upper is also crafted with breathable mesh that has been cited as draining water well which precludes the wearer from enduring sweaty and wet feet that could lead to discomfort or injury. Most seem to find this shoe moderately protective.
Responsiveness
The REVlite foam of the midsole helps provide a springy feel while the outsole’s hydrohesion rubber maintains the softness. With one continuous piece of rubber running the length of the shoe, and the fact that the shoe’s lugs are large enough to not collect mud or debris, this shoe keeps its grip secure, allowing for a more pronounced ground feel and no slipping. This responsiveness creates the right environment for runners to reduce leg fatigue and focus on traversing the technical trails ahead.
Support
Running with the concept of a racing flat as the basis and adding on from there, it’s no surprise this shoe offers less cushioning with basic support, but most still find it to be very comfortable and appropriately supportive for their needs. Some felt that, for its lack of underfoot softness, it should be marketed as a minimalist shoe but overall, feedback was positive that it offered the right ratio of support and comfort for the distance trail runner.;One of the highlights in the New Balance Vazee Summit is its FantomFit upper. Lightweight, thin, and soft, it fits the foot like a wrap-around slipper, helping to keep it from moving as it glides over the trails. Most found this feature to be a welcome addition. Despite this, the secure fit did not offer enough support to meet the needs of the high arch runner – and the already narrow fit left little room for orthotics.;Protecting the toes from damaging impacts is the Toe Protect toe cap with added welded overlays in the area. Some felt this did not really stand out as offering much additional protection.;Additionally, another support feature is the inclusion of traditional flat laces with a stability hole in the upper. A few wearers thought they could be longer, some thought they were unremarkable, and some were pleased by the simplicity of the laces.
Terrain
Intended for trails of all surfaces, the New Balance Vazee Summit pleases most. Some say it transitions well from road to trail as well, but most claim the firmer cushioning can not really offer comfort when standing up to a hard pounding on solid packed surfaces for longer distances.;Based on the last of the New Balance RC1400 racing flat with the protection and grit of a solid trail kick, this shoe really is an amalgamation of the best of both worlds. With its hydrohesion rubber, it gains the ability to run with confidence in wet conditions, the strategically patterned 4.5mm lugs are well-suited to tackle more tricky surfaces, the 3/4 rockplate that still retains flexibility of movement allows for trickier terrain with roots and rocks, its snug-fitting upper works to hold the foot in place while barreling downhill. It seems this shoe can handle however the trails challenge it.
Price
Introduced at a slightly lower price point and very reasonable cost compared to similar models, this shoe, provided the narrower fit works for you, seems like a great buy. And, with its recent price drops, is a definite must try.
Drop
Both the men’s and women’s version of the Vazee Summit claim a 10mm heel-to-toe drop. Measuring a 27mm heel and 17mm forefoot, this is on the higher end of the spectrum which concerned some wearers but these reservations were assuaged by its actual wear feeling overwhelmingly like that of a drop much lower like 6 mm, causing less issues when transitioning between shoes with lower drops.
Stability
The New Balance Vazee Summit is a neutral trail running shoe. While it doesn’t offer stability features, and those with high arches have been prone to find it not right for their feet, it does do its part to provide a secure, stable ride for many. The interior plastic heel cup and FantomFit wrap, and the construction of the upper with its strategically placed overlays, including the toe cap, help hold the foot in place to prevent rolling or sliding. The Midsole’s REVlite foam, well-placed lugs, and the flexible TPU rockplate all contribute to provide a firm and stable footfall.
Flexibility
Rated as highly flexible, the Vazee Summit encompasses the best of both worlds: racing and technical trails. The upper is soft and pliable while keeping the foot in place. And, depsite the higher drop, the midsole, comprised of REVlite foam, is responsive and light for swift kicks, and the incorporated rock plate that protects the under foot from damage is made of a flexible TPU to allow for quick maneuvering on the trails.
Traction
With a hydrohesion outsole sporting a well thought out patterned series of 4.5mm lugs, the New Balance Vazee Summit promises a solid grippy ride through some of the toughest and wettest terrains. The rubber has been improved to offer additional traction and better durability and reviewers are pleased that they can feel confident as they go the distance wherever they may roam.
Bottom Line
While the New Balance Vazee Summit fits slightly snugger, this is not necessarily a bad thing to most, as it is intentionally designed to lock your foot in place for security and injury protection as you bomb the hills.;There may be some that have legitimate concerns over sizing despite the shoe’s availability in normal and wide width, but overall, it is well-received. There are those that lament that the MT100 series has been discontinued and were hesitant to give this shoe a try. By and large, most did not regret it: this is no replacement, but rather a whole different shoe that many feel really improves on what a trail shoe should be. It’s racing flat inspired blueprint and rugged trail features make it a standout. Add in its reasonable asking price and this is a must try!
