Umpire Base Shoe Review - New Balance MU

[teebob21]

After 150+ games in my base shoes, I thought it was time to spend a game fee on new ones. I have been wearing the New Balance MU950 MLB shoes since September 2014. They were great shoes, but the midsole is shot and my feet and knees hurt even after a doubleheader. Since there is so little good information and such a small selection of shoes for us out there, I thought I would document my reactions here for you all.

It turns out New Balance has discontinued the MU950 and updated it to the MU950V2. This shoe is available here: http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-MU.../dp/B00VADDX0U

Fit: True to size, but NARROW. My old size of Men's 10 2E was sold out. I purchased the 4E as my feet get wider and wider as my arches break down (used to run a lot and have some lower leg issues). I could have worn a 2E, but my foot fills this 4E. This shoe is the only one I have ever purchased in a width. I normally wear Nike's in a 10.5 (known for being narrow shoes). It feels weird having room in the toe box. Because the 4E is ever so slightly longer than the 2E, I could have went with a 9.5, but I think a 10 will be fine.

Appearance: Click the link above. I have not yet worn them on the field, but these are some ugly shoes. Maybe they will look better when I am wearing dark socks and base pants. Maybe that is because I got the wides and they look a little like old-man velcro walking shoes with the curved toe and sole extention. The silly triangle design on the sole and instep is, well, silly. That said, I expect these to be easy to clean ON THE FRONT OF THE SHOE. There are no seams to catch and collect dirt on the synthetic leather portion of the shoe. Unfortunately, the heel area of the shoe is a synthetic mesh, which is going to be a pain to keep clean, and cannot be shined.

Sole: Aggressive. I like it. The lugged rubber sole reminds me of my old Spotbilts, only more aggressive. It looks like it will provide quality traction and good wearability. The tiny nubs on the old MU950s wore down rapidly.

Comfort: Good. I wore these around the house today, as my preferred way to break in shoes is to walk in them for a few days. My feet did not swell in them, and the toe rapidly creased and softened as I walked. They were a bit stiff right out of the box. Break them in before running on the field. They are neither light nor very heavy, but they definitely feel heavier than the original MU950s. The laces are an appropriate length and there are extra lace holes if you want a tighter fit around your ankle.

Aesthetics: OK. I bought the "all-black" version without the MLB logo. Instead, the tongue has a white New Balance logo that no one should ever see while I am on the field. There is also a grey "N" on the outside foot portion, and a grey New Balance logo on the heel. If your assigners are picky, you may need a Sharpie.

I will continue to add to this thread as I work some games in them.

Edit: I typo'd the thread title and cannot edit it. If a MOD can update the thread title, it should say "MU950V2" rather than just MU.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by teebob21

After 150+ games in my base shoes, I thought it was time to spend a game fee on new ones. I have been wearing the New Balance MU950 MLB shoes since September 2014. They were great shoes, but the midsole is shot and my feet and knees hurt even after a doubleheader. Since there is so little good information and such a small selection of shoes for us out there, I thought I would document my reactions here for you all.

It turns out New Balance has discontinued the MU950 and updated it to the MU950V2. This shoe is available here: http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-MU.../dp/B00VADDX0U

Fit: True to size, but NARROW. My old size of Men's 10 2E was sold out. I purchased the 4E as my feet get wider and wider as my arches break down (used to run a lot and have some lower leg issues). I could have worn a 2E, but my foot fills this 4E. This shoe is the only one I have ever purchased in a width. I normally wear Nike's in a 10.5 (known for being narrow shoes). It feels weird having room in the toe box. Because the 4E is ever so slightly longer than the 2E, I could have went with a 9.5, but I think a 10 will be fine.

Appearance: Click the link above. I have not yet worn them on the field, but these are some ugly shoes. Maybe they will look better when I am wearing dark socks and base pants. Maybe that is because I got the wides and they look a little like old-man velcro walking shoes with the curved toe and sole extention. The silly triangle design on the sole and instep is, well, silly. That said, I expect these to be easy to clean ON THE FRONT OF THE SHOE. There are no seams to catch and collect dirt on the synthetic leather portion of the shoe. Unfortunately, the heel area of the shoe is a synthetic mesh, which is going to be a pain to keep clean, and cannot be shined.

Sole: Aggressive. I like it. The lugged rubber sole reminds me of my old Spotbilts, only more aggressive. It looks like it will provide quality traction and good wearability. The tiny nubs on the old MU950s wore down rapidly.

Comfort: Good. I wore these around the house today, as my preferred way to break in shoes is to walk in them for a few days. My feet did not swell in them, and the toe rapidly creased and softened as I walked. They were a bit stiff right out of the box. Break them in before running on the field. They are neither light nor very heavy, but they definitely feel heavier than the original MU950s. The laces are an appropriate length and there are extra lace holes if you want a tighter fit around your ankle.

Aesthetics: OK. I bought the "all-black" version without the MLB logo. Instead, the tongue has a white New Balance logo that no one should ever see while I am on the field. There is also a grey "N" on the outside foot portion, and a grey New Balance logo on the heel. If your assigners are picky, you may need a Sharpie.

I will continue to add to this thread as I work some games in them.

Edit: I typo'd the thread title and cannot edit it. If a MOD can update the thread title, it should say "MU950V2" rather than just MU.

I had checked the new New Balance shoes online when they first came out and they are ugly. I prefer the mid-highs and the cloth portion makes them very ugly and will catch soil very easily and one will not be able to clean that portion of the shoe very easily.

I am thinking of going to the New Balance 623 (the also come in all black) as me next par if base shoes, but the do not come in mid-highs.

MTD, Sr.

[Lcubed48]

I'm wearing a pair of these shoes as I make my reply. I'm a NB user. They fit my feet very well. I do like the sole. They're comfortable, but, yes, they're not the best looking official's shoe. Oh well! The price more than makes up for it - $56 (Amazon) as opposed to $84 (NB).

[BretMan]

Back a few months ago I found a place that was closing out their "version 1" stock for $35. I snatched a pair. So I'm a generation behind, but I should be set on base shoes for a while.

Now if I can only find the last remaining size 11.5 pair of the discontinued Reebok Magistrate plate shoes in America I'll be all set!

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Back a few months ago I found a place that was closing out their "version 1" stock for $35. I snatched a pair. So I'm a generation behind, but I should be set on base shoes for a while.

Now if I can only find the last remaining size 11.5 pair of the discontinued Reebok Magistrate plate shoes in America I'll be all set!

Next time you find such a deal, post here!

Edit: I have decided the shoes I bought were too big. I am returning them, and will post when I get a smaller pair.