I don’t tend to have much luck when it comes to New Balance shoes. It’s been a couple of years since my last NB purchase – the much talked about 1400v2 – but they just weren’t a good fit. I loved the light weight of the 1400v2, but the toe box was too snug and the 9mm drop didn’t do my knees any favors. They were okay for short distances, but I truly wanted them to be a solid marathon shoe contender. Ah well, live and learn.
Fast forward to early August 2015, and after reading the Shoe Of the Week article on Competitor.com I decided to give New Balance another chance. I was particularly encouraged by the following statements:
This is the shoe for you if … You’re looking for a lightweight, low-to-the-ground trainer that’s energetic and sleek enough to double as a racing flat.
This shoe has a slightly wider forefoot profile, allowing for natural toe splay.
I’ve already logged 50+ miles in the Vazee Pace, so I guess it’s time to jot down some initial thoughts.
Weight – Competitor.com quotes a men’s size 9 weighing 7.5 oz. My size 9.5 weighs in at a disappointing 8.4 oz. I was really hoping for a sub-8 oz shoe, but to be honest, the Vazee Pace feels light enough on the feet, so I won’t grumble too much.
Drop – ideal shoe drop is typically around the 4mm mark for me. The Vazee Pace offset is 6mm (17mm heel; 11mm forefoot), which actually feels fine and has caused zero issues.
Flexibility – the Vazee Pace is super flexible, thanks mainly to the deep forefoot grooves and REVlite midsole foam. The REVlite definitely puts a spring in your step.
Comfort – right out of the box, the Vazee Pace were one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve tried for quite some time. I love the oblique toe box and for once my toes aren’t jammed into a bullet-shaped forefoot. The open mesh upper breathes well, stretches plenty but provides enough structure to hug the foot and eliminate any lateral movement. The [deconstructed] heel counter is soft and flexible, and the tongue/upper combo combine well to provide no-pressure comfort.
Outsole – I expected more of a firm, harsh ride with the amount of blown rubber on the outsole, but this hasn’t been the case at all. In fact, the ride is very snappy, which again is probably due to the innovative REVlite midsole foam. It’s still early days for me with the Vazee Pace, so not surprisingly the outsole is showing no signs of significant wear. Let’s hope that lateral heel area holds up to the abuse I put it through.
Price – MSRP is $110, which to me represents good value for a quality shoe. Of course, you can always check the best online prices below to take advantage of any current bargains.
Summary – the Vazee Pace has been the shoe I’ve reached for the most during the last couple of weeks. They’ve accompanied me on several shorter runs during the week, and I even logged a 20+ miler on the weekend in them. The ride is fantastic and it’s one of those shoes you can just forget about. So good in fact, that the Vazee Pace is right at the top of the list for my potential Cayman Islands Marathon shoe. We’ll see…
Product Details from the New Balance Website
REVlite foam in the midsole cushioning helps energize each step while the sleek, bootie-like design wraps your foot like a second skin. Everything you need for speed is here and nothing you don’t, removing every obstacle in your way to your next personal best.
Awarded “Best Debut” by Runner’s World magazine.
- 6 mm drop: due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 6 mm drop are approximate
- Bootie construction
- Deconstructed heel counter
- No-sew material application
- Podular blown rubber outsole
- REVlite midsole foam
- Runner’s World is a registered trademark of Rodale, Inc. All rights reserved.
Other New Balance Vazee Pace Reviews:
Disclaimer: I paid full price for the New Balance Vazee Pace at Runningwarehouse.com on 8/7/15