The Bottom Line
For trail walking, this shoe provides stability and cushioning against rocks and roots with an all-terrain tread and durable outsole. It is built to last. For stability, it has T.P.U., medial, and lateral posts to help keep you from spraining your ankle. Yet the sole is flexible in the forefoot so you aren't fighting a clunky shoe with each step. The tongue is gusseted to keep out rocks and to provide a degree of waterproofing. Walkers with wide feet love this model.
Pros
- Trail running shoe built on the SL-1 last
- Flexible
- 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 809 All-Terrain 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 809 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 tongue is gusseted to keep out rocks and to provide a bit of waterproofing. Besides trail walking, I find this to be a good walking shoe in cold weather and in light rain - the lower part of the upper keeps out the wet, and there is little soak-through on the top of the shoe.
Fit
I was able to get a good fit with the lacing system, keeping my heel in the heel cup. Walkers with wide feet love the New Balance 809. 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.
