At last, a challenge for the 801
Written: May 23 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Styling, design, comfort
Cons: Some color problems....
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| Volman's Full Review: New Balance 803 Running Shoes |
Well, after skipping the New Balance 802, mostly because I thought the styling on the men's shoe was rather ugly, I just had to try the 803. The design of the 803 is much superior to its predecessor and has a much better color scheme, at least on the 802 models before they came out with all those funky colors. Of course, these shoes aren't all about styling. As I have had a pair of 801s that lasted forever, New Balance already has a proven track record with me, and I assumed that these new shoes would be just as comfortable and long lasting. And the price, while not cheap, is still much lower than many of the higher line Adidas and Nikes. While I'm not yet sure if any shoe I try will be able to live up to the quality and comfort of the 801, I have so far found the 803 to be a shoe quite in line with the overall performance of other New Balance shoes I have owned.
Most people, when choosing a shoe, want a combination of comfort and good styling. While many shoes contain either one aspect or the other, it is rare to find a shoe that combines both of these. The New Balance 803 does so in wonderful fashion. I bought these shoes right after they came out because I loved the design, but also because they had a wonderful ability to conform to my foot right in the store. Many times I try on shoes in the store which don't feel all that great on my feet, but the salesman, as sure as the sun does shine, will always say, "You just have to give them time to break in." Of course this isn't always the same, but something along these similar lines is often heard. And honestly, I don't want to pay that kind of money for a shoe that is going to kill my feet for the first 2-3 weeks that I own it. By that time the shoe is already getting dirty, or at least usually is with my shoe wearing habits.
So, the New Balance is very comfortable right off the bat. Being able to wear it right away and have my feet feel OK doing so, is a definite plus. However, the comfort doesn't just end in the initial wearing. Sometimes a shoe can feel right in the store, but not feel so great after walking/running a few miles in them. As of this date, I have encountered no such problems with my 803s. I have owned them for a little over 2 months now and I have experienced nothing but comfort. Pardon the trite expression, but they fit my feet like a glove....or better yet, how a shoe SHOULD fit your foot. Another comfort bonus for me, is that they don't have arches as high as Mount Everest which is often seen in Nikes. These shoes also breathe very well, which is a necessity for people such as me who put a lot of wear into their shoes.
Of course, like I said, the 803's charms don't end in the comfort area. A pair of orthopedic shoes could do that right? Well, the design of the New Balance 803 is wonderful. For the longest time I never thought I would find a shoe that had an overall better design than the 801, but I think the 803 might have surpassed it. My 803's are mostly grey, with yellow on the soles and laces. They look great with shorts or pants, and can be used with almost any color of outfit. The only problem with these shoes is that they look a little funny while wearing shorts AND socks. Since I wear mostly white socks, the all grey shoes are definitely a bright contrast. So, when wearing these shoes with shorts, I usually skip the socks, which does tend to wear out the shoes a little faster. And aside from the wear, it does tend to make the shoes smell bad a heck of a lot faster.
Also, the design of the 803 seems to be done very well. I have heard many complaints about the 801 and 802s, in that they seem to tear up very quickly. While I have never experienced these problems, the 803s should put that argument to rest. Now, I haven't owned my 803s long enough to tell how long they are going to hold up, but the design seems to be one which will last for a very long time. With many running shoes, my gripe has always been that the rubber on the toe peels up after only a couple of months. That section of the 803s comes far up on the toes, is very thick, and seems to be secured very well. I'll update this later, but it seems as if this part of the 803 might never come loose. Also, the overall design of the shoe seems a lot sturdier than the 801. More leather, and less mesh, make this shoe tougher and longer lasting. However, if it lasts even half as long as my 801s, I would be happy with the result.
Overall, this shoe is a nice follow up to the New Balance 801, if we just conveniently skip the bland, boring 802. It gives all the comfort and design that one could want in a shoe. The comfort is noticeable immediately as is not often seen in tennis shoes. And don't let the Epinions price turn you off to these shoes, as I have never seem them retail for more than $79.99. And while that might sound a little pricey for some, these shoes are more than worth it. Great styling and design make the New Balance 803 a wonderful shoe for every type of activity, and for every type of person. And now that they come in a white and blue version, they should appeal to even the sort of people who would never consider wearing neon yellow on their shoes. If you liked the 801 and 802, then you will certainly love the 803. These shoes, worth much more than their price tag, are highly recommended for any one looking for a great pair of athletic shoes.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Volman
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Location: Straight from the Dec (Decatur/Atlanta), now in Knoxville, TN
Reviews written: 56
Trusted by: 50 members
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