New Balance MT573GTB
Coming in as the second cheapest shoe on test, the New Balance opens its account well by tipping the scales
at an impressively light 347g. Along with its Gore-Tex outer, this puts it in the same lightweight ballpark as the far more expensive shoes from Inov-8 and Salomon.
Unfortunately, that’s where the similarity ends and, on non-technical terrain, although they give a decent run there’s a sense of disconnection with the trail that you know doesn’t bode well for when things get a bit rougher.
On steep climbs they slip and slide, reducing our tester to a tentative walk and costing valuable energy. The relatively shallow and tightly spaced lugs just can’t deal with any degree of mud on a gradient, and descending on wet grass becomes more like skiing than running.
It’s a real shame, as a bit more flexibility, a tad less cushioning and a slightly more aggressive outer would make all the difference.
Contact : www.newbalance.co.uk
220 Triathlon Team
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