A few months ago I was contacted by Newton Running regarding attending an event they were hosting in New York. I let them know that unfortunately I no longer lived in New York so I wouldn’t be able to attend, but if they ever had events in the Boston area to let me know!
I also mentioned that Newton had attended our local run club a few weeks earlier and I had gotten a chance to run in a pair of their sneakers and I really loved them! (We have vendors that come to run club each week and we often get to test out products, it’s a great way to discover new things!)
Much to my surprise they asked if I’d be interested in receiving a pair of sneakers to test out and review – ummm, yes please!
Newton offers several different categories of sneakers:
- Speed & Mileage Trainers (P.O.P 1) – fast & responsive
- Core Trainers (P.O.P 2) – peppy & smooth
- Gateway Trainers (P.O.P 3) – soft & lively
- All Terrain
I chose the Newton Kismet, which is a stability core trainer – good for “every day training and racing, an all around go-to shoe”.
Kismet details:
- weight – 8.2oz
- platform – P.O.P 2
- heel to toe drop – 4.5mm
- extended medial bridge
If you’re not familiar with Newton, the first thing you’ll likely notice is their patented “lugs” on the bottom of the sneaker.
The lugs are the “secret” to Newton’s distinctive “P.O.P” sensation you’ll experience when running – it’s like adding a little spring to your step! (There’s a great animated graphic on the Newton Running “Inside the Ride” page that demonstrates exactly how this works!)
The lugs come in 3 different heights or P.O.P’s (point-of-power) that each provide their own unique feel or ride.
The design of the Newton sneaker with the lugs up front and a low heel to forefoot drop (4.5mm for the Kismet) helps to promotes a natural running stride.
When I received my sneakers I immediately wore them to my track club workout that night and it was love at first run!
I really did feel springy and speedy when I was running in them and they didn’t need any “break-in” time, they felt like they belonged on my feet as soon as I put them on.
After a few great speedwork sessions and short runs in them I decided to use the Kismet’s for my last long run before my most recent half marathon and unfortunately I had a little bit of a different experience.
I’m not sure if I was just having a bad day, but this was a tough run. After about mile 8 my feet started to really hurt and by the time I got to mile 12 I actually couldn’t wait to get my shoes off! I have yet to run a long distance in the Newton’s again, but I think it may have just been a combination of a not stellar round of training leading up to that point, and the Kismet’s maybe having a) a little less cushioning than I’m used to doing long distances in and b) a lower heel to toe drop than I’m used to running long distances in.
(*I DO plan on building up some distance in these sneakers and giving them another shot on a long run though!)
That being said the Newton Kismet’s are still the sneaker I reach for when I’m headed out for a short 3-5 mile run or when I’m heading to a track workout, they just make me feel speedy!
I also love supporting a company that’s active in the running community and believes in giving back and Newton does both!
- Newton is the first running company to be B-Corp certified (this means that they are recognized as a company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems)
- Newton has donated over 6,000 shoes to One World Running
- Newton employees volunteered over 1600 hours in 2014
- Newton diverted over 78% of waste from their distribution enter to recycling
During Boston Marathon weekend, Newton also distributed sneakers at a Boston area Boys and Girls Club!
If you’re looking for a little something different in your running shoe I’d definitely encourage you to check out the Newton Running website and maybe stop by your local running store and try out a pair!
Do you run in one brand/ style of sneaker
or do you switch depending on the run/ workout?
Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary pair of Newton Kismet’s for review purposes. I did not receive any additional compensation for this review and as always all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Live, Run, Grow 
I have a pair of Newton Lady Isaacs that are great! I agree, no break in time but I do remember my feet hurting after ny first long run. So maybe they do need to be broken in for long runs. I like the “pop” in the step as well. I also like that they are lower than most running shoes.
Good to know that you were able to work through and build up to doing long runs in them, I’ll have to keep working on it!
I could definitely use more “pop” in my step! I would buy these just to see what it’s like to feel speedy! Plus, I’m not going to lie, I’m loving the colors. I would buy it for that too. Don’t judge me! 😛
Haha, personally, I’m not a huge purple fan, they have a great blue pair that I loved, but they were unfortunately out of stock when I got mine!
Even worse! Blue is my favorite color!
I am totally brand loyal to Brooks since their shoes work really well for me. I appreciate that you are so honest in your review. Perhaps those shoes will only be good for shorter distances for you. It is hard to read shoe reviews by bloggers who seem to change allegiance every other month.
Thanks Pam, I agree it’s tough to read reviews from people that are always writing glowing reviews on every product they receive (what good is that?!), just trying to share my honest opinion!
I’m the first to admit I’m not particularly brand loyal when it comes to sneakers, not because there’s no brand that I love, but because I’ve been fortunate enough to find several different brand that work for me for different things!
I’m not brand loyal at all when it comes to sneakers. I’ve been able to find shoes that work well for me from a few different brands, and really like having an array of shoes to run in. I’ve never run in Newton’s. Thanks for the review!
Awesome! I’ve never tried Newton’s, but I’d be open to it. I’m not super picky about brands, although I’ve bought two pairs of Saucony Mirage 4’s in a row, just because I know they work and can get them cheap online.
It’s great when you find a sneaker that works well for you…you just need to hope they don’t go changing it!