New Balance 1063

April 2009. The New Balance 1063 attracts attention from numerous reviewers for its snug fit, ample toebox and serious cushioning. Designed for runners with high arches and underpronators (whose feet don't naturally have enough inward roll to absorb the shock of running), the New Balance 1063 stands out among neutral running shoes. Reviewers applaud the redesign, which should improve the fit for most runners, and recommend the shoe for long runs and speed work. A few reviewers mention the shoe's firmness, which may be a little too much for some runners, although other reviewers find it relatively lightweight. The Mizuno Wave Rider 12 (*est. $100) is another lightweight neutral shoe garnering praise, while the Saucony Grid Cohesion NX (*est. $55) gets picks in reviews as a good budget shoe. All three are worth trying on if you're a high-arched runner.

There are a number of useful reviews of the New Balance 1063, including evaluations from Runner's World, Running Times and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. Each of these magazines provides a detailed review of the running shoe, but the coverage at Runner's World stands out for its thoroughness. Maine Running Today writes a brief review, and Endurance magazine provides a detailed overview of the New Balance 1063, both of which are useful cross-references.