New Balance 872/873 Comments

You can get them in up to a EEEE width – I have a pretty wide forefoot and have no trouble at all with the EE width.

See my reader review here. As I mention in the review, I think they’re a better hiking shoe than running – they have a very flat sole (for lack of a better description), and don’t let your strides “roll” as easily as a running shoe with a more upturned toe.

Ben, you wrote an excellent review. I did read it before I posted, just wanted another opinion :) Especially about the life (tread wear-n-tear) of the shoe.

I will probably go for the hideous yellow 872 (cheaper) and just let the dirt make them uglier so the yellow jackets don't swarm around my feet.

I tried to get some NB872 about a month ago, and they are no longer available. You may be able to get NB873.

I ended up getting NB907 which are great! Well made, the mesh vents well, and the soles have reinforcement so you don't feel every rock.

The reason I continue to buy New Balance, though, is the fit. Their lasts fit me well and they have more options for sizes. I wear a 12 as a daily shoe size, but like to go up 1/2 size for hiking. New Balance is one of the few that has shoes avilable in a 12 1/2.

I love my 907's as well. A comfortably solid shoe.

Doug

.

Steve,

Glad the review helped! Re: durability – like Will says in his excellent SpotLite, the mesh will tear up – I’ve got holes in mine way bigger than the ones he pictures. This doesn’t impair the functionality as far as I can tell. I got about 400 miles out of my pair, which includes hiking, running, and some general “field” sports. There is some slight separation of the outer sole from the foam upper sole, but there is surprisingly little sole wear. I think they should actually go with a stickier, less durable rubber for the next iteration (we’ll see how the 873 is), since wet traction is lacking a bit in the 872.

Hopefully you’ll get your second opinion… !

Ben

I still really like the NB 872. For me, the available wide widths are a big plus. I fixed the mesh wear problem by extending the toe bumber around the side using McNett FreeSole. On a dusty trail, my feet get really dirty in them, so I have to wash my feet every night.

Thanks everyone for their replies.

Will, don't know what McNett FreeSole is. Did you use straight McNett FreeSole or did you glue a scrap of rubber? If rubber what did you use?

Thanks in advance.

– Steve

I got a set of New Balance 873 for an AT thruhike this year. Started April 5th and have put 200 plus miles on them. I carry about 20 Lbs total weight with food and water.

Cushioning is fine and they are narrow in the forefoot but i have narrow feet. No signs of wear yet and they do dry fast when wet.

Not great traction in the wet stuff, has less traction then my old Montrail Vitesse, but good in the dry. I dont even notice the rocks or roots at all.

These are lightweight trail running shoes, so they are like wearing a set of slippers. The new 873's are blue and yellow trim so look a bit better than the old Yellow ones.

I have put in a set of the new Orange Superfeet for a little added support. Makes a nice combo that way.

BTW no blisters, red marks nor hot spots yet. Smartwool adrenaline Light Crews for socks.

I hope this helps

I finished my first trip in the NB 873's just yesterday. Unfortunately the trip was cut short due to a sprained foot (NOT the shoe's fault in any way!!!).

I had upgraded from an old worn out pair of NB 805's which served me well for several seasons. I went with the 873's because they use the same last.

The fit was mostly excellent and the light weight very much appreciated.

However, I did find that I got a large blister on the back of my right foot after only a few miles and later a hot spot in the same place on the left foot. I was surprised because I NEVER got a blister with the older 805's. The only significant difference in the shoes I could see was that the 873's use "N-Lock technology." N-Lock is supposed to kinda wrap the shoe more closely around your foot. The eyelets are attached to straps so that when you pull the laces tight, it pulls the bottom of the shoe in closer to your foot.

For some reason, on my particular foot, this created an uncomfortable rubbing on the back of the heel. I relaced the shoe so that the heel N-Lock was not used and it instantly felt better. The N-Lock straps are all visible; so its easy to see which set of eyelets to skip.

It will take another trip to confirm this really works (since I already had the blister on this one before making the change); but I'm pretty confident. The hot spot on the left foot never developed into a blister after relacing.

I only mention this in case others are having the same problem and want a quick and "painless" ;-) solution.

Thought I would let you know that I ended up going with the NB 907 instead of the 872/873. Although I really liked all mesh on the 872/873s my decision was based on the tread design. Just seemed like the 907s would work better for me.

Weight (pair): 26.75 oz
Size: 10 1/2 D
Price: $54.95 + shipping
http://www.holabirdsports.com/cgi-bin/product?product=042180