New Balance 663....Better shock absorbers than my mini van
Written: Nov 10 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: great fit, great shock absorption, made for my activities
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Wonderful shoe for walkers and for out and abouting....nice fit, nice shock absorption
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| LRGuis's Full Review: New Balance Wx663wb Cross Training for Women |
Time for yet another pair of athletic shoes. I burn through these more now than I did when my feet were still growing. On the recommendation of a friend, I made a switch to New Balance when it came time to do my shopping. Thus far, it's been a very good move.
New Balance 663
Billed here as a "walking shoe", it's actually sold as a cross trainer through New Balance. Focused mostly on those who do a lot of their athletics on cardio-type equipment (think treadmill), it's still made for cross-training in the truest sense of the word.
I think I have better shock absorption on my shoes than I have on our mini van. No longer do I feel any jarring when walking outdoors, whether on sidewalks or the uneven pavement of our side streets. It's the best absorption I've experienced to date in any shoe I've utilized for walking. Very good on my aging (did I just use "aging"?) knees.
The upper portion of the shoe body is predominantly mesh which aids in "breathability" - a term used often in adds - I must admit that I was not aware that my feet breathed on their own, but if it means it helps them sweat less than it certainly works well.
The soul of my shoe, the sole, has average traction (this is not a trail-running or walking shoe) but has great covering which has rendered it very long-lasting. In four months of wearing with daily use the bottoms look almost new with the exception of discoloration. I'm sure this furthers the working of the aforementioned shock absorbers.
Support has been a non-issue with these. Perhaps they don't scream "SUPPORT HERE!", but on the other hand, not noticing it - meaning it's not lacking and not so flimsy it's missing - means it's working for this user. It's worth noting as well that I do not have increased needs in this area as some users may.
And while not a big selling feature I must admit that lacing and tying feel good. A strange comment perhaps, but I've owned shoes in the past which just never felt right no matter how I laced them or regardless of how tight or loose I tied them.
Invest in these?
Purchasing something with the New Balance logo is often an investment. While many go after the latest pair of Nikes, that's about status. Buying New Balance is more about comfort and performance. For adult feet which are either difficult to make happy or in constant motion, an investment in the New Balance name, and most specifically in these shoes for women, is well worth the cash outflow.
In view of my normal wear patterns and level of activity, and where the shoes are to date, I'd anticipate these lasting me about 10 months - perhaps more if I get lazy when the snow starts flying.
Availability
I had 3 options at my local retailer in terms of color. A visit to newbalance.com showed four options in terms of color or leather.
Recommended:
Yes
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LRGuis
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