New Balance Men's M2040 Running Shoe

This shoe which is one of the American Made series by New Balance just oozes quality at every stitch and angle. From the soft and supple suede leather, to the softness of the lining, through the cushioning effect of the sole, it shows that it IS the Top of the Line! I thought at first that it was going to be a little snug, but as I have worn it a little more, it has loosened up, and by changing out the removable insole, and exchanging it for a closed cell foam from a older Rebok walker pair, they work just fine. I do wish that New Balance would do a better job on their insoles. They are much too often flat non-descript pieces of foam and a piece of cloth that offer little in the way of cushioning or support. While the Rebok has a molded arch support that is not intrusive, and does offer a little better cushion for my older feet.Other than the insole, these shoes are great, and if you can catch them on a sale or get a good deal under $200 you will not be happy with the run of the mill off the shelve variety anymore.

Are these shoes nice? Yep. They even look really fantastic. BUT THEY'RE $265! I read the reviews for these and having plantar fasciitis myself I decided not to skimp and spend the extra money in the name of pain-free feet (after all I wouldn't buy cheap tires for my sports car, right?) I could not tell one iota worth of difference between these and the $75 Asics I've been buying. What exactly makes these so expensive? Well, the inserts that come with these are nice and gel-like soft, but other than that I don't get it. I'd give them only 1 star because they're so unjustifiably expensive, but I suppose they are nice shoes generally speaking. But not for $265. Not even close. Also, like one other reviewer mentioned, when I use my Birkenstock orthodic inserts, my heels are sticking up so high that they don't feel secure in the back and keep slipping out with every step. I only wish some of the other less expensive running shoes nowadays didn't look like a kaleidoscope and took some lessons from this particular shoe.

I've used Nike or New Balance running shoes for about 30 years. In my youth I was averaging about 1000 miles a year, jogging, but I'm nowhere near that now. I'll use these New Balance 2040 mostly on a treadmill, walking on an incline (my joints don't like jogging any more!).First impression, other than the excellent quality of materials and workmanship (and the obvious very high price) is that the shoes are (a) a bit on the heavy side and (b) they are VERY stiff.I expected them to be heavy -- leather runners just are -- but I didn't expect the stiffness. They are marketed as a "cushioning" shoe, not a "stability" shoe and I expected more "cushioning" and less stiffness.I still like them a lot, and would probably buy them again. But potential buyers who can't try them first should be aware that the soles are VERY stiff.UPDATE: I've had these about 4 Winter months and use them inside on an elliptical and a treadmill. I have NOT run outside in these shoes yet.However, I've changed my mind (above) and would NOT buy these again. They are too stiff and the sole rubber is too hard. Combined with the flat design of the sole -- there are no nubs as on most running shoes -- they feel really, really hard and unyielding.I'm very surprised because, as noted above, New Balance markets this shoe as "cushioning". In my experience it is NOT a cushioning shoe and I've had many, many other New Balance and Nike runners that were FAR better for "cushioning".As noted, I wouldn't buy these shoes again. The build quality and materials quality is excellent but they're not actually any darned good for exercising! And the price is really stupid. (If the shoes delivered what they promised, I wouldn't comment about price. But they DO NOT.)

I am a bigger runner in the US Army. I am 6'1" and typically weigh in around 225-235 lbs. I love to run and stay fit but my build makes finding the perfect shoe challenging. My friends the New Balance 2040 is that shoe. I have only been able to take them out twice since receiving them but both times my runs were strong. NO Foot Pain, No Stability issues.Prior to owning this shoe I was running in a pair of New Balance 2002's. I didnt think that product could be improved on..... it has been improved on and this is the shoe.When it comes to the comfort and health of my feet. No price is to high in my opinion. Yes they are are a little pricey at 250+ but you cant complain in knowing that this is an American Made Shoe and it has intrinsic value relative to the purchase price. If I could give it 6 stars I would.

I generally use New Balance or Asics shoes around $135 per pair. I got these M2040's on sale. I run about five miles per outing and have some knee issues. Am probably nearing the end of my running career. Bought these shoes for the extra support so see if this would help the knee issues.I have used now for a couple of weeks. They are a much firmer feeling shoe than the others I have recently used. I can feel the difference in the extra stability, but I think there has to be some sacrifice to cushioning, but so far, although they feel much firmer, I am having less knee pain after a run.They are extremely well made, as they ought to be at the price. If they extend my running career, they will be well worth the price.

The New Balance M2040 looks like a very well made running shoe but they fir a little tight. Some reviews stated this and I would have ordered a larger size but most of my shoes and boots are only 10.5 EE so I figured that 11 EE would be fine. My last New Balance model 993 fit fine so I thought maybe these would too. I'm going to try to see if they will break in after a while. Maybe a 4E would be better.

I really like this shoe but it is a little firm when you first get them and requires a little break in. It is very supportive and comfortable to where and you can tell it is made from quality materials. I only gave it 4 stars because for the price I was expecting a little more but still very satisfied with the purchase plus I got a really go deal on them that I couldn't pass up.