Details
Brand
Newton
Heel To Toe Drop
2 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Lightweight
Key Features
• Action/Reaction system• Breathable mesh upper• 2 mm heel-to-toe drop• High-rebound EVA cushioning• Durable s.h.a.r.c outsole
Upper
The upper material used here is a lightweight, breathable mesh. This is designed to be both breathable and quick-drying. The upper also claims to be seamlessly engineered to minimize friction within the shoe. Newton offers a new full flex zone that accommodates the foot’s natural splay within the shoe. The upper material also manages to have 360-degree reflectivity to help runners be seen on dark runs.
Midsole
The midsole of the Newton Distance V is packed with even more features and technology. Runners will appreciate the biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate in the foot that helps support the foot while providing stability. The Action/Reaction technology helps to propel the runner forward with an ingenious use of raised lugs over a tight membrane. As the foot strikes, the lugs press into the membrane and then explode outward to help the runner conserve precious energy. For those heel strikers, Newton has also employed this technology along the heel of the foot as well.
Outsole
The outsole of the Distance V is comprised of a high-rebound EVA. This is designed to absorb impact and propel the foot forward with no wasted energy. Newton also brings back their famous s.h.a.r.c outsole material which stands for Super High Abrasion Rubber Compound. This gives lots of durability to handle many miles and friction with the running surface. The rubber ice lugs found on the bottom of the outsole offer a good deal of traction as well. There are four raised lugs that are part of the Action/Reaction technology that is used to enforce a forefoot strike and increase efficiency. Newton categorizes these as their P.O.P 1+ platform for those who are familiar with the technology.
Breathability
Breathability is extremely important in a running shoe and Newton took this into consideration when creating the Distance V. The upper material is seamlessly engineered of lightweight breathable mesh. This gives space for lots of airflow into and out of the shoe. Whether you’re wearing socks or not, the shoe will keep its ventilation even on the hottest runs. The breathability means that these shoes won’t be found on the list of top waterproof shoes but it’s a worthy tradeoff for the high ventilation.
Comfort
The Newton Distance V is a very comfortable shoe. The high-rebound EVA cushioning gives it a responsive feel without sacrificing too much support. The new full flex zone allows the foot to comfortably spread out with each stride that is taken. Even, the semi-flat lightweight laces allow for a comfortable tying experience that is less likely to loosen or come undone.
Style
Style is a tough subject to nail down. With the Newton Distance V, the style preference will be in the eye of the beholder. Newton has never really been known as a fashionable athletic shoe brand, but their shoes do have a unique style. The grey and green colorway is a little more subdued than their offerings in other models. The reflectivity of the shoe has both function and fashion to give a futuristic look. The Newton logo is always very subtle and tasteful on their shoes. Runners who are fans of brightly colored shoes will certainly love the bright green outsole found on the Newton Distance V.
Durability
Durability is a key component to weight when looking at a pair of running shoes. A perfect shoe should withstand the punishment of many miles on the roads or trail. Newton has addressed this concern with their s.h.a.r.c outsole. This stands for super high abrasion rubber compound. This material is designed to take a beating and hold up to the wear and tear of each and every stride. The upper portion of the shoe has also gained some durability improvements over the previous model. The seamless mesh upper is reinforced in more areas. Newton has also added a new high-abrasion rubber outsole wedge on the lateral heel of the shoe. This will help absorb the impact for those heel strikers who need a little more durability on their outsole.
Protection
A number of technological advances help to protect the foot from the elements and the impact of the running surface. The high-rebound EVA cushioning is the main form of protection. It runs from heel-to-toe and ensures protection against some of the most common running surfaces that runners come across. The breathable mesh upper protects the ankle and upper portion of the shoe from the elements. Finally, the 360-degree reflectivity adds another layer of protection to give runners higher visibility when running in low-light situations. When worn with the right reflective running gear (LINK 6) the runner will be much more likely to be seen by drivers while running at night.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness found in the Newton Distance V mainly comes from the Action/Reaction technology found in the forefoot. There is a system of raised lugs that are above a high-rebound membrane. As the foot lands on the raised lugs, the lugs retract into the membrane. When the foot propels off the ground, the runner feels the bounce of the lugs rebounded back to their original location. This gives the runner added momentum to carry into each stride. Fortunately, Newton also added this technology to the heel of the shoe as well to help heel-strikers benefit too.
Support
The Newton Distance V has a decent amount of support but not as much as the similar Newton Motion V Once again, the technology found in this shoe contributes to the overall support. Newton’s biomechanical sensor plate helps keep the midfoot supported with stiff but not overly rigid support. The enhanced medial midsole platform offers an upgrade over midsole platforms found on previous iterations of the shoe. The high-rebound EVA material gives ample cushioning and support from heel-to-toe. Even the heel lace lock offers some additional support in the lacing system for those runners looking for more support in the heel and ankle area.
Terrain
The Newton Distance V is a shoe designed for speed on the road and the track. Its lightweight construction and breathable mesh upper make it perfect for warm runs on hot pavement. Aside from the raised ice lugs for the Action/Reaction system, the shoe doesn’t offer a lot of added traction to take on the adventurous terrain. Most runners would be wise to keep these shoes on the track or on the pavement in order to get the most out of the technology used.
Price
In most cases with running shoes, you get what you pay for. Newton continues to build their impressive line of products that have given them a solid reputation in the running gear market. Newton shoes certainly don’t fall into the budget shoe category. With the amount of technology found in these shoes, runners should be extremely happy with the value they are receiving. Savvy runners may be able to find deals, but paying full price for the Newton Distance V will be well worth it.
Drop
The Newton Distance V has a heel-to-toe drop of 2mm. This is a fairly small drop but it will feel substantial to any runners who are used to one of the many 0 drop shoe options. The drop may feel different due to the raised lugs found in the Action/Reaction system. These will naturally cause the runner to land on their forefoot and it may make the drop feel a little more severe than it actually is. Some runners may feel like this is a negative drop due to the height of the forefoot lugs. Newton has tried to counterbalance this with the smaller lugs found on the heel, but you’ll still notice the difference if you’re used to running on a more flat shoe without the ice lugs.
Stability
The enhanced medial midsole platform in the midfoot really helps to stabilize the foot when running. In addition, the biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate does an amazing job of keeping the midfoot stable and it minimizes excessive movement within the shoe. Of course, Newton’s famous Action/Reaction system helps add to the stability of the shoe by encouraging a forefoot strike without sacrificing wasted momentum. The runner is will have a secure stride with the added momentum of the forefoot lugs bouncing back into the high-rebound membrane. Newton even added additional heel support by giving the Distance V a new heel lace lock system to keep the heel stabilized even on long runs.
Flexibility
The Newton Distance V is pretty good when it comes to flexibility. It won’t be confused with any of the ultra-flexible minimal shoes on the market, but it still provides enough flexibility for most situations. The high-rebound EVA material used in the outsole is particularly bouncy and flexible. The upper material as well as forgiving and flexible due to the new full flex zone that accommodates the natural movements of the foot. The stiffness of the biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate keeps the shoe from being even more flexible. But most runners would agree that the enhanced support will outweigh any lack of flexibility.
Traction
As stated earlier, traction isn’t the strongest area for Newton with the Distance V shoe. There is some traction provided by the raised ice lugs as part of the Action/Reaction system, but beyond that, there isn’t a lot of additional traction. The remaining area of the bottom of the shoe is relatively smooth. You won’t find any additional patterns or creative systems to aid in traction control. Again, runners would be best suited to use these shoes on road runs and track training.
Bottom Line
The Newton Distance V offers a lot of technology that will be well-received by serious runners looking for speed and efficiency. Newton was able to keep the weight low while still delivering a complete set of features. The innovative Action/Reaction system may not work for everyone but it’s a radical idea that has become a hallmark of the Newton running experience. While the brightly colored outsole may turn off some runners, there are still a lot of things to like. Any runner looking to experiment with a system to encourage a forefoot strike would be pleased with the experience offered by the Newton Distance V. It’s taken the key components of its predecessor and improved in nearly all categories.
