We have reviewed several previous shoes in this general series, such as the MT875OR,/a> and the MT876. Yes, New Balance do keep coming out with new models every year or so, which can be a real pain, but I have to say there have been improvements along the way.
I mentions in my review of the MT876 shoes that the sole had improved (in my opinion) over previous generations, getting just that little bit stiffer. These shoes seem to have about the same stiffness in the sole as the MT876s, which is just about the right amount for us. The stiffness is enough to allow some edging on loose terrain and small scree.
Everyone kicks their toes into things. Earlier shoes had rather a buffer of heavy PU at the front - a bit too much in fact as that made the front of the shoe 'toe-heavy'. This has been improving through the two previous models, and the toe on these MT810s is quite light. The buffering is still very adequate however: I can kick things and suffer no pain. There is a bit of sewing visible at the toe which might suffer some wear, but it's a bit to the side and, I suspect, not structural.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Technical Details
- Field Testing
- Specifications
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Companion forum thread to:
New Balance MT810 Review
Roger, do these shoes seem true to width? I have a D width as measured by the metal device in the shoe stores, but sometimes a companies regular, or D width, pinch my little toes. I'm wondering if I should get the wider size even though I have a D width foot.
Hi John
Yeah, there can be a problem there, but the causes are MANY.
For a start, the taper beyond the widest part can affect the tip of your toe. Look at those pointy street shoes for example (especially lady's shoes!).
Second, when they measure your foot with a Brannock device, they often do so on a bare foot or with only a thin sock. Fine, but you may be wearing a thick wool sock in the field, which has not been allowed for.
Third, some brands of shoes seem to differ from the Brannock device anyhow. They use a seriously different last, or they just don't conform. Or the factory gets the mould slightly wrong so the shoes are all undersize.
Fourth, and this is the killer: your feet will grow at least one length/width in the field over what is measured in the store. This alone can cripple you. If you are a 10D in the shop with thick walking socks, buy a 10.5 E fitting. Yep: up in both length and width. As I mentioned in the article, shoes which are slightly too big are not much of a problem compared to shoes which are too small.
Fortunately, if you experiment by buying end-of-run joggers from the web sites which specialise in them (heavily discounted), you can usually afford to experiment a bit in shoe sizes. It is worth doing so.
Cheers
PS: yes, mostly true to size.
Hey Rodger,
Right you are. It's like a crap shoot to get good fit in a shoe any more.
I bought a pair of Montrail Rockridges a while back, and they were problematic. They fit well at first, but then after a few weeks when they were too scuffed up to return, they started pinching my little toes. It was a shame, because I liked them in most ways, but I can't abide a pinched toe on a hike Unfortunately they did not offer them in wide.
On the other hand, I have had good luck with with the regular versions of the Merrell Moab Ventilator, the Brooks Cascadia series, and the Montrail AT Plus. They all seem to be a true D width.
I suppose the secret is that once you find a shoe that works for you, just clean out the store, although there could be variations even in the same model and size of shoe.
Anyway, good luck with all your endeavors (endevours?) in Australia and abroad.
BTW, why do you guys down there call Australia Oz. Is it like the city at the end of the yellow brick road in the movie?
Slainte- that's Irish for cheers, I have some Irish relatives
Hi John
Yeah, one man's fit is another man's pain. I know.
> why do you guys down there call Australia Oz
Australian accent: Oztralia…
Cheers
Hi all
After completing the Via Alpina Purple route July-September 2012 with these shoes, I have added an Addendum highlighting how well they went. See the end of the article.
Cheers
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