New Balance WR1012 vs. New Balance WR850 review
Read about the differences between New Balance 1012 and New Balance 850 in this review, and find the cheapest motion control running shoe by comparing prices.
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In two previous articles I wrote about the New Balance WR1012 and the New Balance WR850 motion control running shoes for women.
The New Balance 1012 is a flagship motion control running shoe from New Balance, so theoretically speaking it should be superior than the New Balance 850. Let's compare them and take a look at where these two running shoes are similar and how they differ.
Looking at the New Balance WR1012 and the New Balance WR850 side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two types of running shoes.
The New Balance WR1012 and WR850 are very similar running shoes in that they both have a Stabilicore medial support system, which helps control pronation and increases stability.
Both running shoes also consist of a breathable mesh upper with strategically placed synthetic overlays for a secure fit. The synthetic overlays differ on both shoes, with the New Balance 1012 offering a more snug fit from heel to forefoot.
Another difference between the New Balance 1012 and the New Balance 850 is in the way the shoes lock down onto your feet. The New Balance WR1012 has what's called a LockDown Liner which is integrated into the lacing system to provide a custom fit, while the New Balance WR850 has an N-Lock external support system to keep the shoe snug around your foot.
Looking at the outsoles of the two running shoes you can see that the New Balance WR1012 has slightly more durable rubber in the heel than the New Balance WR850 and that the durable rubber in the forefoot area is on the outsides of the forefeet for the New Balance WR1012 and on the insides of the forefeet for the New Balance WR850.
What this means is that the New Balance WR1012 will likely last longer if you're someone who tends to land more on the outsides of your feet, while the New Balance WR850 is more for people who tend to push off more on the insides of their feet.
Other than that, the outsoles have a very similar shape both in the heel and forefoot and are expected to offer a similar amount of flexibility in the forefoot during toe-off.
Where shock absorption and cushioning are concerned, the New Balance WR1012 has N-ergy pads in both the heel and forefoot, which should serve heel-strikers well. Both the New Balance WR1012 and the New Balance WR850 have an ABZORB Strobel Board that runs along the full length of shoe to maximize shock absorption and comfort. The New Balance WR850 provides cushioning in the forefoot through ABZORB SBS instead of N-ergy.
One big difference to note is that the New Balance WR850 weighs approximately 10.2 oz (289 grams), which is 1.2 oz (34 grams) lighter than the New Balance WR1012 and which makes it one of the lightest running shoes when comparing motion control running shoes by weight.
If you're looking for a lightweight motion control running shoe that is flexible and which provides pronation control in addition to a comfortable ride, then the New Balance WR850 would be the running shoe to go with.
If you're not concerned about the weight of your running shoes and are looking for good stability and pronation control in addition to a secure fit and shock absorption in the heel, then the New Balance WR1012 might be the running shoe for you.
The New Balance WR850 comes at a suggested motion control running shoes price of approximately US $114.99 and the New Balance WR1012 costs around US $129.99, so is US $15 more expensive than the New Balance WR850.
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Disclaimer: This running shoe review on www.motioncontrolrunningshoe.org is based on personal research and analysis, and is not claimed to be accurate and/or complete. While the information presented in this review is intended to help you better understand the differences between running shoes, we shall not be held liable for any purchasing decisions you make based on this information. Please use your own good judgment before making a purchase. The owner of this website receives a small compensation whenever you buy a product after clicking a product link on this website; that's how we keep this site online. Read our full disclaimer.