Review on 👟 Enhanced Performance: New Balance 1540V3 Running Black Men's Shoes and Athletic by Eric Trask

I've been wearing the 1540 and its predecessors for almost 20 years. I've gone through at least 30 pairs. Before that there was 1122 and 1121, both in different versions from BC. Once upon a time the new version was bad. The product received bad reviews and sales fell. They then quickly fixed the issues and released v2. This line of shoes, along with Brooks "The Beast" shoes, are the two best running shoes for people who may have plantar fasciitis, who use orthotics, are overweight and/or overpronated. It is based on the New Balance S2 last, which offers a straight last with extra space in the toe area. The extra room in the toe box makes a huge difference for people with diabetes, neuropathy, bunions etc. I wear these shoes every day. I have 3 pairs in use, I wear each pair every 3 days. This allows the foam in the sole to expand again between wears, keeping the foam soft and springy for longer. I commissioned a new pair of shoes every 18 months and replaced the oldest pair with a new one. I immediately realized that 1540v3 is a completely new design compared to v2. I put the shoes on and wore them around the house all evening. I noticed right away that the shoes don't have the wonderfully cushioning feel that I'm used to from the new shoes in this series. The sole is much stiffer and has less cushioning. The main reason I am changing these shoes is that they no longer have cushioning. I can tell because my legs are going to hurt a lot at the end of the day. So starting with a new shoe that already has a firm sole is out of the question for me. The second thing I noticed with the v3 is that I feel hard pressure points in the arch area as well as along the outer edges of the shoe. . I think it has to do with the combination of my orthotics and the firmer sole of the shoe. The pressure points were so severe my legs ached after wearing them around the house for hours. It's not a start for me either. The shoe also features a completely redesigned outsole and the shoe has a more robust feel as you put your foot down and step forward. Shoes resist rolling in and out more than v2s. I like this firmer feel, but time will tell if this increases or decreases foot comfort. The length of this shoe is exactly the same as the v2. The v3 toe box has a little more space and less pressure on the toes. The forefoot of the v3 is now pointed slightly inward as opposed to the v2 which was pointing straight forward. This puts a little pressure on the outside of the toes and can be a problem for people with bursitis. Bursitis shifts the toes to the outside of the shoe and presses the toes against the outside of the shoe. I have small bones in my feet but with the wider toe box on the v3 I don't think this will be a problem for me. I think this change was made to make the shoe look more stylish but may affect comfort for some wearers. The boots have more padding on the sides and back of the ankles, making them more comfortable in those areas. I really like the new style and colors of the gray and blue shoes. The upper appears to be made from stronger and more durable dirt-resistant materials. These are all nice improvements. The main thing I didn't like about the previous models is that they wear out too quickly for a shoe in this price range. The soles lose their cushioning and the outsoles feel like soft rubber that wears out too quickly, especially on heels. Time will tell if the v3 lasts longer. Due to the lack of cushioning in the sole, these shoes no longer fit me. I'm going to try a pair of Brooks Addiction 14s, which I really liked when New Balance ruined the 1122 a few years ago, and maybe the New Balance 840v4 as well. If others also feel that the sole of the v3 is too stiff, maybe the v4 is coming soon. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on v2 shoes in my size and color. Update July 2nd, 2021: I just saw an announcement that the 1540v4 shoes will be released in October 2021. This is the V3 version. , will be released in a limited size first and will be heavily discounted just before the release of V4. I hope the V4 comes back with a softer sole like the V2. If so, then I'll probably wear them again. In other aspects, this is a very good shoe.