Details
Brand
Newton
Heel To Toe Drop
3mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Newton Motion VI
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Action/Reaction forefoot strike system• Breathable mesh upper• 3 mm heel-to-toe drop• High-rebound EVA cushioning• Durable s.h.a.r.c outsole• Lightweight design
Upper
The upper material used here is an open mesh. This is designed to be both breathable and quick-drying. The upper also boasts that it is seamlessly engineered to minimize friction within the shoe. For comfort, the Newton Motion V comes with new 4-way stretch mesh metatarsal panels that adjust to the runner’s foot. They’ve even added new technology to the tongue of the shoe. The tongue now has a radial plan to prevent movement. Runner’s will also be pleased with the extra cushioning added to the back of the tongue.
Midsole
The midsole of the Newton Motion V is really packed with technology. Here you’ll find even more of the Action/Reaction technology that’s designed to help improve the efficiency of the stride and encourage a midfoot strike. More high-rebound EVA is found throughout the midsole in order to cushion the foot with each stride. The biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate helps the foot detect the type of terrain and adjust accordingly. You’ll also find a dual-density medial post in the midfoot to help provide a stable feel.
Outsole
The outsole of the Motion 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 uses their famous s.h.a.r.c outsole material which stands for Super High Abrasion Rubber Compound. This offers plenty of durability to withstand many miles and friction with the running surface. The 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.
Breathability
Breathability is a key component of what makes the Newton Motion V such a great shoe. The upper material is seamlessly engineered of lightweight breathable mesh. This allows for ample airflow into and out of the shoe. Whether wearing socks or not, the shoe will remain ventilated even on the warmest runs. Those who are running in colder climates may see this as a disadvantage but it’s really nothing that a good wool sock can’t fix.
Comfort
The Newton Motion V is a tremendously comfortable shoe for a number of reasons. First, the high-rebound EVA cushioning gives it a bouncy feel without sacrificing too much support. The 4-way stretch mesh metatarsal panels also give the foot enough room to naturally stretch over the course of a run. The added padding on the tongue gives extra comfort to the ankle region. Finally, an updated pre-molded heel counter gives an even better heel fit and support.
Style
Style is a tough subject to quantify. With the Newton Motion V, the style preference will be in the eye of the beholder. Right off the bat, some runners may be turned away by the bright orange colorway. The positive thing here is that the shoe has wonderful visibility even when running in low light. The downside is that the shoe won’t really allow for the runner to blend in. Wearing a bright shoe will certainly get you noticed. Aside from the color choice, the Newton logo is very subtle and tasteful while the silhouette of the shoe is very svelte and minimal. Any runners who are fans of brightly colored shoes will certainly love the Motion V from Newton.
Durability
Durability is an important factor to weight when looking at a pair of running shoes. The shoe will need to withstand the punishment of many miles on the roads or trail. Newton has addressed this concern primarily with their s.h.a.r.c outsole. This stands for super high abrasion rubber compound. This material is really designed to take a beating and hold up to the wear and tear of each and every stride taken. The upper portion of the shoe has also gained some durability improvements. The seamless mesh upper has less weak spots for a potential breakdown. Also, the eyelets for the laces have been reinforced and redesigned to withstand the tying and untying that occurs every day.
Protection
The Newton Motion V is covered in the protection department as well. 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. The material won’t give the shoe full waterproof capabilities but it does offer some protection against minimal moisture of wet grass or light rain.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness found in the Newton Motion V really comes from the Action/Reaction technology found in the forefoot. The goal of this technology is to help the runner become more efficient by encouraging a forefoot strike. It does this with 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. A feature like this greatly improves the responsiveness of the shoe in a very innovative way.
Support
The Newton Motion V is a very supportive training shoe. Once again, the technology found in the shoe contributes to the overall support. First, one area that may be lacking support is the upper portion of the shoe. In order to trim down the weight, Newton has forgone the addition of support strapping to cradle the foot in the upper region. This tradeoff is appreciated for the decrease in weight, but it will cause the upper to feel a little less supportive and structured than some runners may like. Beyond that, the shoe is very supportive in other areas. The updated pre-molded heel counter allows for a better fit and gives additional support to the heel area and rear portion of the foot. Also, the new radial band on the tongue helps to support the ankle and keep the foot in place.
Terrain
The Newton Motion V is a shoe designed for the road. Its lightweight construction and breathable upper make it perfect for warm runs on hot pavement. Aside from the raised lugs for the Action/Reaction system, the shoe doesn’t offer a ton of added traction to take on a more adventurous terrain. Sure, the occasional soft trail run is doable. But most runners would be better suited to avoid more rugged terrain when wearing the Newton Motion V.
Price
In most cases with running shoes, you get what you pay for. Newton has created an impressive line of products that have given them a solid reputation in the running shoe market. Newton has never been one to compete on price alone. Sure, there are deals that can be found on Newton shoes, but they typically don’t fall into the discount shoe category. With the amount of technology jam-packed into these shoes, runners should be extremely happy with the value they receive for the price.
Drop
The Newton Motion V has a heel-to-toe drop of 3mm. This may seem like a small drop but it will feel substantial to those runners who are used to one of the many 0 drop shoe options. What makes the feeling of this drop so different are 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 its actual 3 mm. Some runners even feel as though this is a negative drop due to the height of the forefoot lugs.
Stability
The Newton Motion V is at its core a solid stability shoe. Newton has packed a lot of technology into this shoe to make sure it was as well received as some of the top stability shoes on the market. The dual-density medial posting in the midfoot really helps to stabilize the foot when running. In addition, the pre-molded heel counter does an amazing job of keeping the heel stable and it minimizes excessive movement within the shoe. Of course, Newton’s Action/Reaction system also adds to the stability of the shoe by encouraging a forefoot strike without sacrificing wasted momentum. The runner is able to complete a stable and secure stride with the added momentum of the forefoot lugs bouncing back into the high-rebound membrane.
Flexibility
The Newton Motion V is a perfectly flexible shoe. It won’t top any lists of the most flexible shoes on the market. Runners won’t confuse it 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 especially bouncy and flexible. The upper material is forgiving and flexible due to the 4-way stretch mesh metatarsal panels. This allows the foot to flex and splay naturally as it was intended to. The stiffness of the biomechanical metatarsal sensor plate keeps the shoe from being even more flexible. But the upside of the protection found with the sensor plate outweighs any negatives.
Traction
Once again, traction isn’t the main area of focus for Newton with the Motion V shoe. There is some traction provided by the raised lugs as part of the Action/Reaction system, but overall there isn’t a ton of additional traction. You won’t find any waffle patterns or innovative systems to aid in slippage prevention. The outsole of the shoe is pretty standard in regards to traction. Runners shouldn’t have a problem on some basic trails, but the traction on this shoe better suits it for running on the pavement and track.
Bottom Line
The Newton Motion V offers a lot of technology that will be well-received by serious runners looking for stability and speed. 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 will improve the efficiency of many runners. While the brightly colored style may turn off some runners, there are still many 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 Motion V. It’s taken the key components of its predecessor and improved in nearly all categories.
