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{{DISPLAYTITLE:New Balance RC1600 V2 V2 Review}}Not surprisingly, the New Balance RC1600 RC1600 V2 is selected by a good number of marathon runners I know. The RC1600 is nearly as good as my favorite in this class, the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]]. While New Balance market the RC1600 as a 'racing flat', I consider it to be a great all round running shoe. The RC1600 provides ample cushioning and it's only significant flaw is that the toe box is not designed for the human foot, a failing shared by most running shoes. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
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=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. The RC1600 is a great choice for a lightweight, nicely cushioned and comfortable shoe. While the placement of the high grip outsole is rather bizarre, it doesn't cause any problems.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has excellent cushioning for its weight, with a cushioning-to-weight ratio that is up there with the likes of the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] or the [[Nike Zoom Streak LT]]. There is a gap in the midsole under the heel, which tends to center the foot slightly, but without being in any way intrusive. * {{H:drop}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has 5mm of drop when loaded, which is a tad more than I'd like, but similar to other shoes in this category and it shouldn't cause any problems.
* {{H:structure}}. The RC1600 doesn't struggle to control your stride with a medial post. As noted above, there is a gap in the midsole, but I found this just made the shoe feel secure underfoot. There is no intrusion to cause pressure on the arch of the foot.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has good flexibility to allow the foot to bend naturally.
* {{H:outsole}}. Sometimes it seems like every shoe has to have at least one mistake in the design. For the RC1600 is the placement of the outsole, which thankfully is not a major problem. The RC1600 has some nice, high grip outsole that NB call DynaRide, but they don't place it under the pressure areas of the foot. Instead, it's behind the ball of the foot and under the toes. The area you'd expect to have the high traction material has normal outsole rubber; under the heel and the forefoot. There is some exposed foam under parts of the heel, but I haven't seen any undue wear. The gap under the heel is a stone trap, and I've had the occasional problem with this.
* {{H:shape}}. The RC1600 RC1600 is not designed to fit a human foot, so I [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box]] to allow my toes room and my foot to move naturally. {{H:TryCuttingShoes}}
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is inflexible and a little thicker than I'd like for non-winter use. The upper is largely seamless, with no padding except a little around the ankle opening. It's not perfect, but it works fine.
* {{H:tongue}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has a traditional tongue design that is has a tab to attach it to the laces. However, the tongue material is rather unusual. Instead of being softly padded to protect the top of the foot from the pressure of the laces, the thin tongue is quite stiff. I found this worked nicely, and is probably a better solution than the normal padding. * {{H:lacing}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has thin flat laces that never come undone on me. * {{H:heelcounter}}. The RC1600 RC1600 has almost no heel counter, which is nice.
{{FastBlr|new-balance/rc-1600-v2-735|735|New Balance RC 1600 v2}}
=How Far Can I Run in the RC1600? =
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==New Balance RC1600 RC1600 and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The RC1600 and the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] are quite close, and while the Hyper Speed is better, it's only by a narrow margin. The Hyper Speed has a slightly better shape and a slightly more comfortable upper. More importantly the Hyper Speed offers better cushioning for only a slight increase in weight.
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{{FastBlr|asics/gel-hyperspeed-6-192|192|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6}}
==New Balance RC1600 RC1600 and Nike Zoom Streak LT==
The [[Nike Zoom Streak LT]] is another similar shoe. The Streak is more flexible, and I find the upper is a little more comfortable, though you're unlikely to notice unless you run in them back to back. Both shoes are excellent, and I'd recommend choosing between them based more on price and fit than anything else.
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{{FastBlr|nike/zoom-streak-lt2-1090|1090|Nike Zoom Streak LT2}}
==New Balance RC1600 RC1600 and New Balance RC5000==While the RC1600 RC1600 is lightweight the [[New Balance RC5000]] is 40% lighter. If you're happy with the limited cushioning the RC5000 provides, then it's a better shoe, but most runners will welcome the additional cushioning of the RC1600.
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{{FastBlr|new-balance/rc5000-v1-852|852|New Balance RC5000}}
==New Balance RC1600 RC1600 and Asics GT 2000==
I tend to compare shoes against my benchmark "normal running shoe", the [[Asics GT 2000]]. The GT 2000 is over engineered and these features go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]], causing more problems than they solve. Moving from a GT 2000 type shoe to the RC1600 is a big change, and would take a little time to adapt. The RC1600 is not as well padded, but that's quick to get used to. After running in high heels, the RC1600 will be more natural, but it will also stretch the calf a little more. The level of padding is nearly the same, but the RC1600 is less than half the weight of the GT 2000. I believe the RC1600 is a far better shoe, but you may need a transitional shoe like the [[Saucony Kinvara]] as a half-way house.
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