text: This review requires couple of qualifications. First, I have been using 0 drop/minimalist shoes for 2 years or so (Brooks, which I love) and have incorporated a more efficient, higher frequency stride into my running; second, I am no longer a high-mileage runner - just relaxed medium to long (5 - 10 miles) runs with my wife. I wore these shoes yesterday for the first time; five miles/9:30, and even walked a few times - about 100 meters or so - during the run.  The shoes were fine; the fit was exactly one thumb's width between my longest toe and the tip of the shoe (I am a slight Morton's Foot runner, though I have not had any problems/discomfort), and a &#34;pleasant' snugness across the metatarsal head.  8.5 in Brooks is perfect; the Newtons were also 8.5 and were a good fit as well.<br /><br />Feedback while running:  The Newtons felt a bit more &#34;dead&#34; compared to my other shoes.  I do not mean this in a pejorative way; there simply was slightly but noticeably less &#34;life&#34; to the shoe. Forefoot flexibility was fine and the heel felt very secure.  My feet may have been a bit warmer than usual when I finished (I usually wear - believe it or not - very thin, synthetic cycling socks in all but the coldest weather), and I attributed this in part to the inner sole which to me seemed ever so slightly &#34;rough&#34;.<br /><br />Today, I have no 'unusual' calf soreness to speak of (in all fairness I'm 64 and there is frequently some transient stiffness and soreness somewhere in this body). I can probably run 20 miles without too much difficulty, but based solely on the one run in the Newtons, I would prefer my Brooks Flow or Connect, despite the fact that they have a LOT of miles on them<br /><br />Perhaps the essence of my review is this: As I was running in these shoes, I noted that they certainly do encourage a fore/midfoot strike, but are they necessary, given the plethora of fore/midfoot-oriented shoes?  Clearly the Newtons can function quite well as a &#34;transition&#34; shoe, but is their proprietary construction far and away better at eliminating heel strike than other less technical shoes?  I realize that I am but one small voice and running is so subjective....Can I have a decent run in the Newtons? Of course. But, given my impression of somewhat more cushion and &#34;life&#34; in my other shoes - and an admittedly short run in the Newtons - I am not inclined to change my shoes just yet.&#34;transition&#34; shoe, but is their proprietary construction far and away better at eliminating heel strike than other less technical shoes?  I realize that I am but one small voice and running is so subjective....Can I have a decent run in the Newtons? Of course. But, given my impression of somewhat more cushion and &#34;life&#34; in my other shoes - and an admittedly short run in the Newtons - I am not inclined to change my shoes just yet.