Shoe Of The Week: Newton Fate
The Fate is an innovative departure from original Newton shoe models.
The Fate is an innovative departure from original Newton shoe models.
When Newton Running hit the ground with its innovative new shoe designs in 2007, it turned some heads with innovation, bright colors and super-light shoes. The first brand to focus on forefoot technology and cues to better running form, the company instantly gained traction among triathletes and runners with efficient gaits and those eagerly in need of a gait overhaul. But if you tried Newtons and had a distinct heel-striking gait or just couldn’t get the gist of the forefoot lugs, you probably moved on. But now, in what is a departure from the original Newton mold, the newly minted Fate is a neutral everyday trainer that’s certain to appeal to a wider range of runners. First, it has a slightly more spacious interior and wider outsole footprint—features geared toward offering a smoother, more comfortable and more stable ride. The most enticing feature is Newton’s new, slightly wider five-lug forefoot propulsion unit. It works the similarly to Newton’s original Action/Reaction Technology units—the lugs channel forefoot impact energy through a responsive elastic layer and into a hollow chamber in the forefoot. But the lugs in the Fate (and similar Kismet light stability model) are beveled and not quite as high off the ground as previous versions, both of which lead to a smoother transition into the toe-off phase of the gait cycle. You barely notice the lugs, but you definitely feel the pop they provide.
The Fate is a moderately soft, fairly light and very energetic trainer that’s ideal for high-mileage training volume but also versatile enough for tempo runs, fartlek workouts and variable-speed progression runs. It has a medium-volume interior and medium fit in the heel and midfoot but plenty of wiggle room in the toe box. The thin, stretchy engineered mesh and soft, reinforcing overlays allow for a snug fit for a variety of foot sizes and shapes. (The Fate and Kismet more or less replace the Isaac models in Newton’s line, but they’re really brand new, think-outside-the-box models.)
Price: $129
Weights: 9.4 oz. (men’s size 9.0); 7.9 oz. (women’s size 7.0)
Heel-Toe Offset: 4.5mm
Info: newtonrunning.com
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