Comments on: New Balance Fresh Foam 980, Pointy Shoes, and Toe Blisters

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:26:59 +0000

The NB980 not only tapers laterally, but the stack height tapers vertically pretty dramatically after the ball of foot area. The negative ramp under your toes could definitely lead to your whole foot getting squeezed forward in the shoe on each plant as your toes looked for the ground.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 01:33:26 +0000

The NB trend of tapered/shallow toe boxes has been a big problem for me too–yes, even in their wide sizes. I need a roomy toe box, which is why I loved the 1080v3. Version 4 came along, and suddenly my toes felt crunched. It’s particularly baffling that they did this to a model of shoe meant for the larger runner.

By: Rima

Rima — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 18:30:42 +0000

Several of the traditional shoe manufacturers seem to have been making shoes with more pointed toe boxes in the last few years. I think they are trying to make the shoes lighter in weight and / or more attractive. I don’t think this more tapered toe box is a beneficial trend, though– I really don’t want blisters, bunions, or neuromas from having my toes too crowded when I run.

By: Jinoe

Jinoe — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:21:45 +0000

I was a big fan of NBs before. Their Minimus were my favorite. But when they started making the width narrower even in 2Es, I started getting blisters and injuries. Holding off from getting another NB until I get a better fit. :(

By: Iain Denby

Iain Denby — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:05:31 +0000

It’s always baffled me that so many shoe lasts don’t match up to the shape of a foot. What the hell is wrong with these manufacturers?

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Fri, 30 May 2014 21:00:44 +0000

In reply to Maranui AITAMAI.

Reviewed the 890v4 here: https://runblogger.com/2014/01/new-balance-890-v4-review-the-barcalounger-of-running-shoes.html

Not crazy about it, much preferred the 1400v2.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Fri, 30 May 2014 20:55:35 +0000

In reply to Steve. Interestingly I haven't had the problem in the A6, but I've also not run long in them. Save them for speed.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Fri, 30 May 2014 20:54:15 +0000

In reply to John R.. Interesting, good catch!

By: David Henry

David Henry — Fri, 30 May 2014 15:45:27 +0000

In reply to Andrew. Andrew, Just to clarify (and I know it is confusing): The minimus last is the NL-1 last (and NL-0 for the old MT00). The new last that the 980 and MT110v2 are on is the PL-4 last, a 4mm drop variation of the PL-8 last (which the 890v4 is on and is consequently 8mm drop). The new MT00v2 is on the PL-0 last (0mm drop). Hope that helps, but just wanted you to know that if you see the NL-1 last on a shoe, that is the minimus last and thus would work well for you.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:48:28 +0000

it seems as though the blisters show up for me in that area too when I wear shoes with a thin toe box. I am wearing the Inov8 flite right now and thats what keeps happening to me.

Unfortunately I dont have the money to buy a new pair of shoes yet. just keep your feet dry and they will go away in a day or so unless they are really bad then it may take longer.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 30 May 2014 06:11:43 +0000

The pointy toe is all about aesthetics. To most non runners the rounded, wide toe box looks like a clown shoe. I bought my kids a pair of MT10’s and they never got used even though they said they were comfortable (said “looked funny”). The percentage of people who care about the function of a shoe over looks is very small. I loved my Trail Gloves and MT10’s.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 29 May 2014 19:50:03 +0000

I too have tried on the mt110v2 and can attest to the pointyness. the platform feels great underfoot, but the pressure across the forefoot is just too much to run in.