Details
Brand
Newton
Breathability
7.8/10
Latest Version
Kismet 2
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Super-High Abrasion Rubber Compound• Midsole Bridge• Biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate• Mesh upper with synthetic overlay• Lugs for a more grip and traction
Upper
The part that secures the foot down from above is known as the upper. A good upper will provide stability, while also hopefully remaining lightweight, flexible, and breathable. The Newton Kismet’s upper is made of a mesh design. Mesh is another very common choice for running shoes, and for good reason. Mesh is frequently used due to the fact that it is breathable and flexible, and often decently light. This is by the inherent design, which has holes intentionally woven into it. The upper also features overlays atop this mesh. Overlays are what help further stabilize the feet, and the overlays of the Kismet do just that, while still not restricting the foot too much. Finally the upper is reflective, making it a bit safer when running when the sun is not out. The upper overall is pretty good, as it provides solid support while still remaining decently breathable and flexible.
Midsole
The midsole is responsible for returning energy and providing cushion and support, making it a vital piece of any footwear. Newton Kismet has an EVA foam midsole, which is an extremely common choice for shoe midsoles. This is because EVA foam or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate is very springy, retains its shape well and is light. These three traits culminate in a fairly durable midsole that also is lightweight and responsive. Also, the midsole has a bridge that provides some extra stability with every step and promotes an overall smoother stride. Finally, the lugs that make up the outsole also integrate with the midsole and are another contributing factor to the midsoles ability to provide a more stable stride. The midsole as a whole is solid, though definitely not groundbreaking by any means, as EVA midsoles are quite common. That said, the midsole definitely does what it is supposed to do.
Outsole
The outsole is the outside bottom part of the shoe. The Newton Kismet’s outsole is composed of Newton’s Super High Abrasion Rubber Compound, or SHARC. This is Newton’s go to for most of their outsoles. As the name suggests, this material’s design prevents it from being worn out by repeated abrasions, even against concrete or asphalt. SHARC is also designed to grip surfaces better and provide better traction for the shoe overall. Newton’s signature Action/Reaction technology can also be found at the heel and at the front of the foot. This technology features lugs that move whenever pressure is applied to them, making the shoe feel more springy overall while running. In addition to these lugs, additional lugs make up the P.O.P 2 Platform which adds to this effect. Finally, plates are located near the toes which allow for a more natural motion while running. The outsole is clearly jam packed with useful features and is definitely one of the more impressive aspects of the shoe.
Breathability
Breathability is critical in mitigating sweat on the feet, and potentially even blisters and odor within the shoe. None of these are issues runners want to bother with, so breathability is a very desired trait in a shoe. The Newton Kismet is a breathable shoe overall, mainly due to the upper. The upper generally is the key factor in breathability, and this is the case for the Kismet too. The upper does a good job with breathability here thanks to its mesh design. One of the major strengths of the mesh is that it is quite breathable thanks to the way it is woven with holes in it. This manifests in the ability of the Kismet to circulate air and makes the shoe very breathable overall.
Comfort
Everyone should know the importance of comfort in shoes, especially those for running. Running in uncomfortable shoes is something no runner wants to deal with. Luckily, the Newton Kismet is a fairly comfortable shoe. The main factors in this are the upper and the midsole. The midsole is comfortable thanks to its EVA foam midsole. EVA foam is a very springy and cushioning material, so every step feels responsive and well protected, making strides very comfortable. The midsole also contributes to comfort with its bridge, which is designed to stabilize strides while running. The upper contributes by being flexible and breathable, while still managing to secure the foot snugly and securely. It does this through the combination of its mesh design and the overlays that line the top. Overall comfort in the Kismet is pretty good.
Style
Newton offers a fairly similar style to shoes like Saucony, Brooks, and Asics. They tend to offer vibrant colors and laces, but they still do have some modest colors for those who prefer less bright shoes. The Kismet itself is a pretty clean design and looks fairly standard for a trainer. It is offered in a myriad of colors, for both men and women. Overall, the Kismet is a decently stylish shoe for running, but would probably be a bit more difficult to double as an everyday shoe than other popular models of shoes.
Durability
Durability is another factor that should always be looked at when buying a new shoe. No one wants to purchase shoes again, shortly after buying one pair. The Newton Kismet is pretty solid in this department, mostly thanks to the midsole and also the outsole. The outsole adds to the lifespan of the shoe with its SHARC outsole material. This high abrasion rubber does exactly as its name suggests, and is very resistant to impacts and repeated poundings, which increases the overall lifespan of the shoe. The midsole contributes through its EVA foam midsole. EVA foam is known for its ability to retain its shape. This is important for a midsole, as it allows it to continue returning energy at a good rate. What this means is that the Kismet should still feel fairly responsive after lots of runs on it still. These are the two main proponents of durability in the Kismet, and they do a solid job in making the shoe long lasting.
Protection
The main factors in protection are the upper, midsole and outsole. The upper plays a big role in protection thanks to its mesh design, paired with its synthetic overlays. These work in tandem to secure the foot from above, while still allowing for good flexibility. This provides great protection from above. The midsole adds protection via the EVA foam, which cushions the impacts of each stride, making for a smooth ride. Finally, the outsole contributes via its plates located near the toes, that help the toes follow a more natural motion, which is conducive to preventing energy. Overall, protection is fairly solid in the Kismet.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness is essentially how well a shoe returns energy with every step. The main factor that influences this is often the midsole, and this is because of its spot in the shoe. The midsole of the Newton Kismet is made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate foam. This foam is a standard choice because it has a fairly good energy return rate. This is true in the Kismet as well, and the responsiveness is solid, though definitely not outstanding by any means.
Support
The main components of the Kismet that contribute to its support are the upper and, to a lesser extent, the midsole. The upper provides support to the foot from above, mainly through the previously mentioned mesh and synthetic overlays. These stabilize the foot from above and add a great deal of support. The midsole contributes once again by way of its cushioning, which supports the feet during strides by reducing the harshness of impacts. Overall, the support on the Kismet is pretty good, but again is not really exceptional, or lacking by any metrics.
Price
Price is something to consider with any pair of shoes. The Kismet was a pretty average price upon release, but the price has gone down in recent months, probably also due to the fact that the Kismet 2 is out. Currently, the Kismet’s price is a pretty good value at various places, depending on size and color as well.
Drop
Drop of a shoe is the size of the heel essentially. The Kismet has a drop of 5 mm. This is actually fairly low for a shoe of this type. Newton tends to offer lower drops, and this holds true here too as well. For those who prefer a more minimalistic feel, the Kismet will feel perfect.
Stability
The stability of a shoe describes how well it supports every step while running. The main source of stability comes from the upper and the midsole of the Kismet. The upper adds through its synthetic overlay which provides support from above, by firmly securing the feet. This helps to stabilize the foot while running and prevent accidental spills. The midsole contributes through its bridge, which is designed to provide a smoother and more stable ride by its redistribution of energy.
Flexibility
A useful feature that helps mitigate bad twists and potential strains, and also is critical in facilitating good movement is flexibility. The flexibility of the Kismet is fairly good thanks to the upper. The upper tends to play a big role in the flexibility due to its position in the shoe. The upper helps in the Kismet because of its upper being mesh. The mesh allows for good movement due to its woven nature. The midsole also contributes to the flexibility thanks to its EVA again, which is a fairly flexible material. Overall, the flexibility of the Kismet is pretty decent.
Traction
Traction is the grip on different surfaces. The Newton Kismet has good traction, mainly due to its outsole. The SHARC material is a key contributor here once again, designed to maximize grip on running surfaces even in watery conditions where it can sometimes be more difficult to run. The outsole also features lugs that contribute to this as well, by adding an extra grip of their own. Overall, traction should be solid on most terrains, however, it will do best on road surfaces.
Bottom Line
Overall, for their current price, the Newton Kismet is a fairly solid shoe and value. They offer special Newton technology, and have a fairly nice design. For anyone seeking a general purpose trainer for most types of training, the Kismet is definitely a strong choice.
