I’m wondering if anyone has any experience using either the New Balance 574s, the New Balance 501s, or the New Balance 373s as trail shoes?
I have long used the classic New Balance 991s as trail shoes once they get too dirty and beat up to look nice in the city. Recently, after wearing through all my other trail shoes, I resurrected an old pair of 991s for hiking and I have to say I’m quite impressed with them again, even after comparing them to many more “modern” trail runners that I’ve had.
I like most of the things about them except for the price and my tendency to blow a hole in the inner forefoot mesh. The ones that I’m using now are beginning to fall apart at the midsole and will need replacing soon.
As such, I am now looking at the 574s (and to a lesser extent, the 501s and the 373s) as a possible replacement for the 991s that I’ve been using. These models seem to have many of the features that I already like about the 991s (for example: leather fully surrounding the upper/midsole junction), but are less than half the price.
The 574s and the 501s were built on a slightly different last than the 991s, with ostensibly more volume and width in the forefoot– something that I think I will like, but I can’t be sure. The 373s were built on a very different last, and should have less volume than the 991s– something that I’m guessing I wouldn’t like, but it’s impossible to say without trying them on.
Anyway, I’m wondering if anyone can comment on any of these shoes who might have first hand experience with them, either on trail or off?
I know that just because they might work well or poorly for you doesn’t mean that will hold true for me, but I’d love to hear any general impressions of these shoes (durability, drying times, etc.) and any likes/dislikes about their features.
Thanks!
