The Bottom Line
The update to my favorite New Balance 833 is a roll-back to the number 825. This is a lightweight performance training shoe. I have used the prior iterations of this shoe for 10K through marathon walks. This shoe is rated as a It is lightweight and flexible. It doesn't have any motion control features, so it is meant for those with neutral gait who don't overpronate. It is reported to have a wider toe box than the 833 and it also comes in widths.
Pros
- Lightweight performance shoe for runners and walkers
- For neutral gait
- Has some cushioning and stability elements
Cons
- Not as easy on the bunion area as the 833
Description
- Lightweight performance training shoe
- For those with a neutral gait.
- Built on the SL-1 Strobel last.
Guide Review - New Balance 825
For the past several years, I've worn the predecessors to this shoe as my main walking shoe for distances from 10K through marathon. The 825 is a lightweight performance training shoe for those with a neutral gait who don't overpronate. I love it for its flexibility and low profile that are ideal for a walking stride, especially for fast walking.Great for Fast Walking
Fast walkers need a lightweight, flexible shoe that will allow them to roll through a step. They also need a low heel, such as with the 825, so they can do a good heel plant. Some running shoes have larger heels for stability since many runners land on their midfoot rather than on their heel.Wide Toe Box
The New Balance 825 has a wider toe box than its predecessors in the series. New Balance shoes come in widths, so if you were buying the wide version to get a wider toe box, you may want to try the regular version and see if the fit is acceptable.Cushioning for Distance
The 825 should provide similar comfort for distance as the 833, which I wore through several half marathons and marathons.Lacing System
The 825 ships with the sausage-like laces that are great for staying tied. However, I'm not convinced that I get the best fit using those sort of laces. For one thing, I have difficulty lacing a lace lock at the ankle to prevent my foot from slipping forward in the shoe. I plan to replace the sausage laces with regular ones.Lace Your Shoes to Fit
Bunion Ease?
My love of the 828 through 833 series was dependent on a design that had no strappy elements in the bunion area, so they did not irritate my bunion. I was disappointed the first time I wore the 825 on a 10K walk to have bunion pain at 5 miles. This may have been due to my sock combination and wearing the wide version. The elements in the bunion area are minimal.
