Thoughts on New Balance 888
 

Anyone has thoughts on the New Balance 888 shoes...looking at getting a pair of these vs. Nike Air Max Plus Tuned Air.

I wear the NB888 and I like them because they are all leather and shine up really nice, they accommodate my wider foot and the mid-cut provides a good feel for old ankles. But they're a bit heavy. No luck with the narrow Nike. I'm looking at the NB MR993LBK as a possible AirMax like shoe. And they're on sale for only $130 dollars! Guess I'll have to work a few games before I can order :(

I have a pair -- I think they are too heavy. I wore them for about 5 games and bought a different pair of New Balance shoes.

Just five games?
 

Sux. I know how that goes! Live and learn. :(

Well, at least you can write em off! ;)

I felt the same way too about those shoes. I still have them and I have worn them a few times but they are not my favorite shoe that is for sure.

Peace

They'll get used on the elliptical at some point. Not the first time I've bought shoes and realized I made a bad choice.

At least for now I'm happy with the kind I buy. I usually wear them for one season and then retire them to use when I go to the gym.

I normally like New Balance. The extra width is great. But I made a huge mistake buying a pair of NB 610s. Terrible. They look like Herman Munster would wear them.

http://www.aperfectdealer.com/scstor...bb610bp_lg.gif

I went to a NB store last month to reorder a new pair of the 610's. I was told that the 610 style is no longer made. I ordered a pair of the 888's. I wore them last week for the first time in two games, and they seemed fine. What style of NB did you switch to?

Agreed, which is why I never bought those shoes at all.

Peace

I wear them when I want to be 2 inches taller. :)

888 vs Air Max
 

I have worn the 888's in the past and yes, they are heavy. I purchased a pair of Nike Air Max 2009 last week and have worn them twice and they are by far the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn on the court. Very light! I have had issues with shin splints in the past year and I think I have found my solution. They are pricey but worth every penny....Good luck!

Bought mine last year (high tops). Paid a few $$ extra to order them fitted through a retailer), same problem.....too heavy. Plus I found them stiff.
Going back to my old New Balance shoes which were my backups last year until I find something better.

I wore the 888's last year for the first time and while I agree that they are heavy, I did not have any other issues with them. Nike's have never fit my foot well and I have always had knee issues with Nike, so I will sacrifice the weight of the 888's for comfort.

Curious though, for those of you that went to another NB shoe, which one did you go with? Once I find a shoe that works, then I am afraid to make a switch, but am sure that there is something that works better out there.

I like my NB 855's

I used to wear the NB610 and I loved them. But they no longer make them in my width. So I just got my first pair of 888s. I'll try them out in my first scrimmage in a couple weeks.

Replaced NB610s with 888s last season. First 2-3 games they were stiff but then they broke in quite nicely. They are now very comfortable and supportive. Side note I also wear NB622s to referee all soccer matches unless the field is so wet as to require studs to ensure footing.

I've had my 888's for a whole season and I've been very happy with them. The high gloss shine is a great look. You get the look of the patent leather shoes without the issues that come with the patent leather. I will agree that they are a little on the heavy side, especially compared to Air Max's, but I haven't found it to be a problem even during 4 game sets.

These are what I wear, as well. I need to get a new pair for the coming season. Time to look for internet deals.

I wear a pair of New Balance cross trainers (600 something?) that worked very well for me last season. They are not basketball shoes but they did the job all the same.

I do not think work for most officials because of what we do. We are just running, not running and jumping and going in multiple directions. Which is why most of the shoes people are talking about are running shoe or cross-trainers. At the end of the day it is all about what works for you and helps you do your job. This is such a personal thing.

Peace

JRut,

I hear what you are saying, but you mean to tell me you never slide or go side to side on a court? You must be darn quick as the lead to turn your body and run to the new strong side as the ball moves, or quick at changing directions in C on an open court turnover.

BTW, the 610's are sold by NB as crosstrainers.

BL,

The 993LBK's you want are going fast never to be seen again. I would order them today if you want them. I wanted a pair of them, and called New Balance directly but they never made the shoe in my size. You will have to go to NB to get them at this point I think, or somebody on Amazon.com might have them cheaper.

NB used to make custom made shoes back in the day. It's a shame they don't now.

My point is we do not make those same movements that are likely to turn and angle or to change direction. I did not say we never go side to side, but that certainly is not at full speed or with the same changing of direction that I made as a basketball player. I do more side to side movement as a football official than I have to do on a basketball court. And again we are not jumping either which is why many of us do not need the ankle support in our shoes as a player would.

Peace