The Bottom Line
Pros
- Trail running shoe built on the SL-1 last
- Flexible and breathable
- Comes in 3 widths: Narrow, normal, wide (AA-B-D)
- Durable outsole
Cons
- Feels heavy
Description
- Lightweight hiking shoe
- Rugged sole
- Supportive and cushions against rocks and roots.
Guide Review - New Balance 808 Trail Shoes
Trail running shoes are great to wear when walking on natural surfaces. You may want a rugged boot if you are carrying a heavy backpack, but for a day hike the New Balance 808 is the ticket. The rugged sole keeps rocks and roots from poking through. The T.P.U., medial, and lateral posts keep your foot stable on inclined and uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of sprains. Yet this shoe flexes in the forefoot where your foot wants to flex, making it a good walking shoe.Durability
New Balance touts this as a durable shoe with a an NDurance outsole.
Upper
The upper includes breathable Air Mesh. The upper is lighter weight, but the rugged sole seems to increase the weight of the shoe. The tongue is gusseted to keep out rocks and to provide a bit of waterproofing.
Fit
I was able to get a good fit with the lacing system, keeping my heel in the heel cup. But it took some creativity to lace it so I would keep the lacing wide at the toe end, which I did by looping the lace back through the same lace grommet as a "stop." Walkers with wide feet love the New Balance 808. In the D width, it provides excellent room in the toe box without being sloppy. New Balance produces the 808 in narrow AA, normal B, and wide D to fit a variety of feet.
