Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: New Balance Men's 1540v3 Running Shoe, Burgundy/Grey, 8.5 UK

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2013

This is purely subjective, but I think these are horrible. Being objective, what a terrible shoe for proper training. The sole is very spongy/springy, which means that in a typical lower body strength exercise the foot is not being worked properly and there is lack of feel when pushing through the foot. These might be OK for someone wanting to go for a power walk, but for sprinting, lifting weights, etc., they are a waste of time. I thought someone should make this clear as NB put this kind of shoe forward as a 'training shoe'.
It's also worth noting that these come up half a size too small (as is the case with all NB shoes in my experience), so you need to order half a size bigger than you normally would (i.e., if you're a UK 11, order UK 11.5).

One person found this helpful

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Mountain Man

This one will be a flop

Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2020

Size: 11.5 UK WideColour: Marblehead BlackVerified Purchase

I have been wearing the 1540 and its predecessors for nearly 20 years. I have gone through at least 30 pairs. Before this one there was the 1122 and the 1121, both in various v versions. Once before, a new version was bad. The product got bad reviews and sales tanked. They then quickly fixed the problems and came out with a v2 version. This shoe series, along with Brooks "The Beast", are the 2 best shoes for people who may have planter fasciitis, use orthotics, are overweight and/or over pronate. It is built on the New Balance S2 last which produces a straight lasted shoe with extra room in the toe box. The extra room in the toe box is a big deal for people with diabetes, neuropathy, bunions, etc.

I wear these shoes every day. I keep 3 pairs in service, wearing each pair every 3 days. This allows the foam in the soles to re-expand between wearings and keeps the foam soft and cushiony much longer. I put a new pair of shoes into service every 18 months, replacing the oldest pair with new ones.

I could see immediately that the 1540v3 is a whole new design from the v2. I put on the shoes and wore them around the house all evening. I immediately noticed that the shoes do not have that wonderful, soft cushiony feel that I am accustomed too with a new pair of this series of shoes. The soles are much harder and have less cushioning. The main reason I replace these shoes is when they no longer have enough cushion in them. I can tell, because my feet will to hurt badly at the end of the day. So to start out with new shoes that already have hard soles is a non-starter for me.

The second thing I noticed with the v3 is that I am feeling hard pressure points through the arch support area and also along the outside edges of the shoes. I think this is caused by the combination of my orthotic inserts and the harder soles of the shoes. The pressure points were bad enough to make my feet sore after wearing them around the house for a few hours. This is also a non-starter for me.

The shoes also have completely re-designed outer soles and the shoes have a more solid feel when you plant your foot and walk forward. The shoes resist rolling to the inside or outside more than the v2s. I like this more solid feel, but time will tell whether this increases or decreases foot comfort.

The length of this shoe is exactly the same as the v2 model. The toe box of the v3 has a little more room in it and feels less tight on the toes. The front of the v3 toe box now points inward a little unlike the v2 model which pointed straight ahead. This crowds the outside of the toes a little and could be a problem for people who have bunions. Bunions shift the toes towards the outside of the shoes and crowd the toes against the outside of the shoes. I do have small bunions, but with the wider toe box on the v3 model, I don't think it would be a problem for me. I think this change was made to make the shoes look more stylish, but could decrease comfort for some wearers.

The shoes have more padding along the sides and rear of the ankles which makes them more comfortable in those areas. I really like the new styling and colors of the gray and blue shoes. The uppers seem to be made of stronger, more durable materials that would resist staining. These are all nice improvements. The main thing I have disliked about the previous models is that they seem to wear out to quickly for a shoe in this price range. The soles lose their cushioning and the outer soles seem to be made of a soft rubber that wears away too quickly, especially in the heels. Time will tell whether the v3's will last any longer.

Because of the lack of cushioning in the soles, these shoes no longer work for me. I am going to try out a pair of the Brooks Addiction 14 which worked out pretty well for me when New Balance ruined the 1122 model some years ago. I may also try out a New Balance 840v4 model. If others also find the soles too hard on the v3 model, we may be seeing a v4 coming out soon. In the mean time, I will be keeping my eye out for v2 shoes in my size and color.

Update on July 2, 2021: I just saw an announcement that the 1540v4 shoes will be released in Oct. 2021. This, the V3 version, will start to show limited size availability and, shortly before the V4 is released, will be offered at big discounts. I hope the V4 goes back to a softer sole like the V2 version has. If so, I will likely start wearing them again. In other aspects, it is a very good shoe.

127 people found this helpful

Smooth Earl

The price is a lot higher than the quality

Reviewed in the United States on 29 July 2021

Verified Purchase

On a lark, I thought I’d splurge on these $175 pair of New Balance 1540 V3s recommended to me to help with plantar fasciitis. I thought if they cost three times as much as what I usually spend on a pair of shoes, they must be three times as good, right?

I couldn’t be more wrong. I got these at the end of January, and before the end of March they already had a hole worn in the left toe area! I just wear them to work and as casual, everyday shoes (and it’s not like I’m dragging my feet on the pavement or anything)!

I like New Balance shoes ... as a guy who needs extra-wide shoes for very flat feet, they’re my go-to brand. I’ve never had this problem before, where shoes wore out so fast ... I’d normally get three pairs of shoes for what I paid for this pair! Caveat emptor - higher price doesn’t always mean higher quality.

7 people found this helpful

Grandpa

Not New Balance quality

Reviewed in the United States on 28 October 2018

Verified Purchase

These shoes were purchased 6 months ago in 4/18. I have another pair of New Balance and alternate the them every day. The lineing is disintegrating, NOT New Balance quality

21 people found this helpful

Photoshop Wannabe

Quality in the toilet

Reviewed in the United States on 30 November 2020

Size: 9 UK XX-WideColour: Marblehead BlackVerified Purchase

Bought in August. It is now December. I’ve had 3 back surgeries since August so I doubt if I’ve worn these more than a dozen times. My big toe is poking through a tear in the top.

Good bye New Balance. 20 year customer gone.

6 people found this helpful

Mr. Gadget

Poor materials used

Reviewed in the United States on 14 July 2020

Verified Purchase

I have been buying NB running and tennis shoes for years now, since they have the best fit for my wide feet. I purchased this newer version of the 1540 in May 2020 since last years version was not available. I've had the shoe less than 2 months and there is a hole in the right shoe where the toe touches the top front. The fabric is so thin that is simply wore out.
It is outside my normal return window, so unless Amazon allows me to return them for a new pair, I am stuck buying another pair of running shoes.

5 people found this helpful

James P. Murray

SQUEAKY and not a flat feet friend.

Reviewed in the United States on 28 March 2021

Size: 12.5 UK X-WideColour: Black CastlerockVerified Purchase

A million years ago I had a wonderful pair of New Balance that were made with flat footed people in mind. They made it possible for me to get exercising again. But that version was discontinued and every subsequent successor sneaker has failed to do the same. The latest pair I bought in January not only fails to ease the pain of walking with flat feet, but they also SQUEAK terribly! Not some little faint squeak, but walking in Canadian geese squeaks. I looked online for solutions. Tried the foot powder, it did nothing except make my sneakers smell better.
What I might try next is to set them on fire and laugh maniacally. Can’t hurt, right?
👎

2 people found this helpful

Traci K.

Long time wearer. Poorly made shoe, or this is a Second.

Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2020

Verified Purchase

As a person with severe rheumatoid arthritis, these shoes have been a necessity in my life, the past 20 yrs. The last 2 shoes I have purchased, have not been made well. The heel section has some sort of plastic support imbedded into the fabric. This plastic cuts into the back of the heel, after 2-3 mos. These shoes were returned. Either this is a second, or NB is really making poor products lately. I hope not, as I cannot live with out. I re purchased straight from the web site. I am waiting for my order..

4 people found this helpful

T. Baker

SHOES have a hole in the top after 3 months!

Reviewed in the United States on 14 August 2020

Size: 12.5 UKColour: Marblehead BlackVerified Purchase

I purchased these shoes for my husband. He has had this pair/style before and had good results so we purchased again. He wears these shoes for good, not for mowing or yard work etc. They starting tearing a hole in the top between his toes after 3 months!

4 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Don’t waste your money!!

Reviewed in the United States on 22 October 2020

Size: 10 UKColour: Marblehead BlackVerified Purchase

Honestly these were probably the worst shoes my husband has ever bough they lasted a month and he works from home so he’s not walking much in them. They were heavy to wear and the heel area in the back started creating a hole we think because they are so heavy. The reason we bought them is because he has high arches and they were supposed to help with that but now we’re just having to buy another pair of shoes! This time we’ll try Brooks! Too bad New Balance especially since they are made in America! We were really disappointed don’t waste your money!

3 people found this helpful

5 star		74%
4 star		13%
3 star		6%
2 star		3%
1 star		5%

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