The New Balance 910 is a high-end trail shoe — it retails for $130 — launched this past July. It has a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane and is made for all-weather, year-round use. In my test, it has proven to be a solid and versatile shoe.
I’ve been using them for the past two months on the dirt trails of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on snowy mountain trails, and around town in Los Angeles. Even though my running form is “total crap” (as my British friends would say) and my right ankle is prone to rolling, the 910s have inspired confidence.
They are comfortable and supportive, including something called an “NLOCK support system,” which makes the shoe pull snugly around the midfoot. The heel pad is generous. For winter use, New Balance added “technical elements” that maintain their performance as the weather turns cold. This includes the shoe’s midsole cushioning and shoe flex.
One warning: My pair, size-wise, run a bit large. Try these shoes on before buying if you can. Or go at least a half-size down.
Overall, I have few critiques. These are solid and versatile trail-running shoes. If you need a four-season trail runner, the 910 is a safe pick. www.newbalance.com
—Stephen Krcmar
