New Balance - 855 Cross Training Shoes Review

I've become a big fan of New Balance sneakers.  They seem to have just the right mixture of features I like, durability, and affordability.  Most recently I bought a pair of New Balance 855 Cross Training shoes which I use mostly for longer walks, and so far I am very pleased.

What I like most about these shoes is the stability they offer. The broad sole gives your foot a large footprint (no pun intended) and you are less likely to trip and fall.  On the downside, when I recently walked through some freshly fallen snow in these shoes, it looked like Sasquatch had passed through!

Some of the features of the New Balance 855 Cross Training shoe are as follows:

• Effective cushioning
• Sufficient support
• Motion control (inhibits pronation)
• Breathable leather uppers
• Durable rubber sole

These shoes are not as cushiony as running shoes, but they are good. They provide sufficient comfort when walking for me. The support is what I like best, since I have a high arch which needs more support than many other shoes offer.  I also like the ROLLBAR motion control since I have a tendency to pronation, which is a slight rolling over effect of my feet.

The styling of the New Balance 855 Cross Training shoe (sometimes called MX855) is mostly good. They are sold in Navy/White which has far more white than Navy, but I can live with that. The heel has a funny-looking clear plastic strip with some reflective material. I don't care for that as much, but again I can live with it.

Besides the stability features, I have come to like the durability of the soles in New Balance shoes. Almost every pair I have owned over the last few ears have endured well after the cushioning and uppers started to wear out. Since I walk on a variety of surfaces (pavement, gravel, grass, snow/ice) I need to know that the soles will hold up a long time.

Overall I'll recommend the New Balance 855 Cross Training shoes and give them 4 stars. I like many of its features a great deal. On the negative sides are some styling issues and the fact that these will set you back $100. I hate to spend that much on shoes, but when you need 4E width sneakers the choices are limited and New Balance seems to be the best for me.