New BalanceMen's 624v5 Sneakers

Back in 2012 when this model 624 was at around v2 incarnation, it was the most comfortable pair of shoes ever fitted; the 4E width fitted better than Clarks H width fitting. However, as each version is reincarnated, they must have gone through cost cutting process at the same time. This v5 is terrible. I don't have DNA testing kit to prove but I swear the outer is not cowhide leather but "PU (polyeurethane) Leather" i.e. similar to vinyl car manufacturers used to cover car seats in the 60's. (Which means ones feet are going to be very sweaty.) So instead of DNA I compared stock of existing 624 shoes but previous versions :-v2 but totally new unworn weight of right shoe is 392gV2 or 3 not sure but 2013, (white colour for indoor gyms which ban black soles) 375 g but wornv2 (black), worn 371g, butv5 black, new, unworn is only 355 grams. The outer feels stiff like vinyl.Wish New Balanced hadn't messed with it because now I wouldn't buy it ever again. Will have towait for the brown suede to be on the market to see it that will suit.With Clarkes my feet are 8H but with New Balance are 9 4E. Make sure you selection is specifically UK size because very often their show boxes have their US labels with US size prominent and UK size diminished.

Even my podiatrist likes these shoes. I'm a natural overpronator and have suffered a bit of metatarsalgia as a result of that and taut achilles. When properly done up with runner's loops, these shoes feel barely-there, and have toe boxes wide enough to wiggle the toes about, which is a good indication of how well the metatarsals will fare - too narrow, and the fibruous tissue between the bones becomes inflamed. My podiatrist was even able to slip a pair of half-length orthotics in these, which they accommodated without bulging at the instep, and held comfortably at the rear of the sole, making these trainers a natural choice for anyone who overpronates or just wants a pair of incredibly comfy trainers. Bonus points for looking cool, too - chunky but not oversized.

It's occurred to me after purchasing at least five pairs of these over the years that every now and then the "v" number will go up one and some of the newest changes don't seem to suit me well. The concave design on the underside means the shoes last longer in this area and I think are designed to have some shock impact reduction, but I keep finding this odd when I press my weight down there.Then there are the changing of the ventilation holes which seems to make it easier for the interior of the shoe to get damp from walking through wet grass or the shallowest of puddles and even just a wet pavement.They've bulked out the top of the shoes where you tighten things so there's more cushioning, which should in theory be more comfortable, but I'm still unsure of this. Also the tread of the shoe has changed which in theory should give me more grip due to its patterned zigzag grooves, but I feel more aware of debris getting in the zigzag grooves which the older designs didn't make so much of an issue of.At forty quid for a nice enough looking shoe in an extra wide width to accommodate my wide toes, they're cheaper then the competition, but I'll be looking elsewhere for my next pair of trainers. These used to be comfier then I find the newest designs to be and I only recently seem to have become aware they're made of leather as opposed to synthetic materials. So as a vegetarian that leans towards vegan products, I'll either have to up my budget for their more expensive trainers or choose a different company.The V4s seemed fine. I just dislike these V5s and my newest pair aren't adapting to my feet quickly enough.

These are great for £50, use them for basic gym shoes and walking to work occasionally.I’m a UK 9 but ordered a 10 as from experience I know NB trainers come up bit smaller.The removable insole is not that good, but with all my shoes and trainers I use a foot active sport insole, so put these in and trainers are bang on for me 👍

There is a hard area that runs across the inside of the trainer just in front of the laces where it's stitched together. The manufacturer must have known this was a problem as they have sewn in a strip of foam over the area inside the shoe. A combination of the hard area and the build up of foam means, for me, the shoe presses down on my foot just before my toes. It's pretty uncomfortable. When I tried the shoes on they seemed ok, but after walking the dog a couple of times wearing these the problem showed itself.

I've bought these cross trainers for quite a few years now and all have been excellent. I use a new pair for aerobic classes then, after about a year they become my gym shoes (when I suspect the cushioning may not be quite so effective). The cycle gets repeated, and the gym pair that gets pensioned off become my 'gardening/odd-job' footwear. A bit worrying that some feedback questions the poor quality, which hasn't been my experience (as yet. touch wood). The only reason I haven't given my new pair Five stars is because the new pair haven't stood the test of time yet (point of interest, my current 'gardening/odd-job' pair were purchased in October 2015, and they are still very serviceable. 20 stars out of 5 for them !!!).