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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:New Balance RC5000 Review}} I love the stunningly fast RC5000, which provides far more cushioning than you'd expect for one of the lightest shoes on the market...."
{{DISPLAYTITLE:New Balance RC5000 Review}}
I love the stunningly fast RC5000, which provides far more cushioning than you'd expect for one of the lightest shoes on the market. The cushioning is not as soft and plush as many other shoes, even those most would consider lightweight, but it's just enough cushioning to provide the benefits to [[Running Economy]]. The name "RC5000" is uninspiring, so I'm voting to rename it the "New Balance Damn That's Fast" or the "New Balance Oh Yeah". Of course, a shoe this light may not provide enough cushioning for everyone, but I'd recommend trying it out if you're a reasonably efficient runner looking for an edge. It would be my first choice for a fast marathon, and I adore this shoe. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. If you're after the lightest, fastest shoe available, you should check this out.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The RC5000 is astonishingly well cushioned given its stunningly low weight. There is less cushioning here than in other shoes that would be considered a light weight like the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]], but even those lightweight shoes way nearly twice as much is the RC5000. This shoe has just enough cushioning for me to consider it an optimal rather than a minimalist shoe. The lack of cushioning in a minimalist shoe reduces Running Economy, but the RC5000 allows me to run with just the same biomechanics as I would in a far more cushioned shoe.
* {{H:drop}}. The RC5000 has a touch more of a drop than I'd like at 4mm (3mm when loaded), but I doubt if this is enough to be an issue with all but the zero drop purists.
* {{H:structure}}. The RC5000 uses a single density of foam with no noticeable "arch support" to cause problems. There is a gap in the midsole in the middle of the midfoot that can act as a stone trap, and I have picked up stones when running over gravel that required me to stop and pull them out.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The RC5000 is flexible due to the relatively thin midsole.
* {{H:outsole}}. The RC5000 has lots of small, hard plastic lugs over the forefoot, and the outside edge of the heel. These are not the type of lugs you'd find on the trail shoe, but are intended to provide extra grip on asphalt, something they do nicely.
* {{H:shape}}. The shape of the RC5000 does not match the human foot, and narrows in the toe box, and I had to [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box open]] to prevent toe problems.
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is thin, inflexible and seamless with no padding other than a tiny bit around the ankle opening. The upper is so thin that I was concerned it would tear easily, but I've had no problems even where I've cut the upper open around the toe box.
* {{H:tongue}}. The RC5000 has a traditional tongue that is has a tab to attach it to the laces. The tongue is thin and unpadded, but I didn't find it uncomfortable.
* {{H:lacing}}. The RC5000 has traditional flat laces that are a little thinner than most, probably to save weight. I found that they stayed tied more easily than most shoelaces I've tried.
* {{H:heelcounter}}. Not surprisingly, there is no real heel counter in this shoe. There is a tiny tab that sticks up from the back of the heel, but nothing else. I find it interesting to run in a shoe without the heel counter, and I believe it emphasizes how useless they are and how much better off we'd be without them.
{{BuyShoes|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=How Far Can I Run in the RC5000? =
Different runners want different levels of cushioning, so this shoe may not suit everyone. Some runners want a [[Minimax]] shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100 mile race barefoot. Most people find that as the distance increases, they want a little more cushioning to protect their feet from the pounding and to offset a little of the fatigue that sets in over time. You can see from the charts below how the cushioning compares with other shoes I've tested for some comparisons. Remember that a thicker, firmer shoe would have the same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different. I've run the marathon distance in the RC5000, but I'd probably want more cushioning for a road 50 mile race. If I wanted to run my best to time in the marathon, this would be the shoe I choose.
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==New Balance RC5000 and Mizuno Wave Universe ==
On paper the [[Mizuno Wave Universe]] seems almost identical to the RC5000, but I found them quite different. For me, the difference in cushioning between the two shoes makes a huge impact on my [[Running Economy]]. The lack of cushioning in the Universe changes my biomechanics and I have to use extra effort to absorb the impact. This means the RC5000 is not only more comfortable, it's a lot faster than the Universe (or pretty much any other shoe I've tried for that matter).
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 top]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 bottom]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 inside]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 outside]]
|}
==New Balance RC5000 and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is another favorite shoe, and if I need more cushioning than the RC 5000 provides, the Hyper Speed is my first choice. If you find that the RC 5000 does not provide enough cushioning for you, then I'd recommend the Hyper Speed. Don't expect a plush, cushy ride even from the Hyper Speed; it still is stripped down, go faster running shoe.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]
|}
==New Balance RC5000 and Asics GT 2000==
I realize that this is a rather foolish comparison, but bear with me. I like to compare shoes against the [[Asics GT 2000]] as it represents the traditional running shoe. The GT 2000 weights over three times as much as the RC5000, so what do you get for all that extra weight? Mostly you get over engineering, with excessive features that go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]]. This is more likely to cause problems than solve them, as well as adding a lot of extra weight. Of course, you also get a huge amount more cushioning with the GT 2000, with better padding in the upper, especially in the tongue and ankle opening. Running in the GT 2000 after the RC5000 feels like you've put on a wooden clog and ankle weights. This weight difference impacts your [[Running Economy]], and the calculations suggest that an average runner in the RC5000 is around 12 seconds/mile faster than in the GT 2000. (In practice, I feel like it's a bigger difference than that.)
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 top]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 outside]]
|}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}
I love the stunningly fast RC5000, which provides far more cushioning than you'd expect for one of the lightest shoes on the market. The cushioning is not as soft and plush as many other shoes, even those most would consider lightweight, but it's just enough cushioning to provide the benefits to [[Running Economy]]. The name "RC5000" is uninspiring, so I'm voting to rename it the "New Balance Damn That's Fast" or the "New Balance Oh Yeah". Of course, a shoe this light may not provide enough cushioning for everyone, but I'd recommend trying it out if you're a reasonably efficient runner looking for an edge. It would be my first choice for a fast marathon, and I adore this shoe. {{H:WhatToLookForInShoes}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|250px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
|}
=Characteristics=
* {{H:WhyBuy}}. If you're after the lightest, fastest shoe available, you should check this out.
* {{H:cushioning}}. The RC5000 is astonishingly well cushioned given its stunningly low weight. There is less cushioning here than in other shoes that would be considered a light weight like the [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]], but even those lightweight shoes way nearly twice as much is the RC5000. This shoe has just enough cushioning for me to consider it an optimal rather than a minimalist shoe. The lack of cushioning in a minimalist shoe reduces Running Economy, but the RC5000 allows me to run with just the same biomechanics as I would in a far more cushioned shoe.
* {{H:drop}}. The RC5000 has a touch more of a drop than I'd like at 4mm (3mm when loaded), but I doubt if this is enough to be an issue with all but the zero drop purists.
* {{H:structure}}. The RC5000 uses a single density of foam with no noticeable "arch support" to cause problems. There is a gap in the midsole in the middle of the midfoot that can act as a stone trap, and I have picked up stones when running over gravel that required me to stop and pull them out.
* {{H:flexibility}}. The RC5000 is flexible due to the relatively thin midsole.
* {{H:outsole}}. The RC5000 has lots of small, hard plastic lugs over the forefoot, and the outside edge of the heel. These are not the type of lugs you'd find on the trail shoe, but are intended to provide extra grip on asphalt, something they do nicely.
* {{H:shape}}. The shape of the RC5000 does not match the human foot, and narrows in the toe box, and I had to [[Shoe Modifications| cut open the toe box open]] to prevent toe problems.
* {{H:upper}}. The upper is thin, inflexible and seamless with no padding other than a tiny bit around the ankle opening. The upper is so thin that I was concerned it would tear easily, but I've had no problems even where I've cut the upper open around the toe box.
* {{H:tongue}}. The RC5000 has a traditional tongue that is has a tab to attach it to the laces. The tongue is thin and unpadded, but I didn't find it uncomfortable.
* {{H:lacing}}. The RC5000 has traditional flat laces that are a little thinner than most, probably to save weight. I found that they stayed tied more easily than most shoelaces I've tried.
* {{H:heelcounter}}. Not surprisingly, there is no real heel counter in this shoe. There is a tiny tab that sticks up from the back of the heel, but nothing else. I find it interesting to run in a shoe without the heel counter, and I believe it emphasizes how useless they are and how much better off we'd be without them.
{{BuyShoes|RRS=T|AZ=T|ZP=T}}
{{ShoeGraphs}}
=How Far Can I Run in the RC5000? =
Different runners want different levels of cushioning, so this shoe may not suit everyone. Some runners want a [[Minimax]] shoe when they run a 5K, while others will run a 100 mile race barefoot. Most people find that as the distance increases, they want a little more cushioning to protect their feet from the pounding and to offset a little of the fatigue that sets in over time. You can see from the charts below how the cushioning compares with other shoes I've tested for some comparisons. Remember that a thicker, firmer shoe would have the same cushioning rating as a thinner, softer shoe, but would feel rather different. I've run the marathon distance in the RC5000, but I'd probably want more cushioning for a road 50 mile race. If I wanted to run my best to time in the marathon, this would be the shoe I choose.
=Comparisons=
Here are some direct comparisons with its potential competition.
==New Balance RC5000 and Mizuno Wave Universe ==
On paper the [[Mizuno Wave Universe]] seems almost identical to the RC5000, but I found them quite different. For me, the difference in cushioning between the two shoes makes a huge impact on my [[Running Economy]]. The lack of cushioning in the Universe changes my biomechanics and I have to use extra effort to absorb the impact. This means the RC5000 is not only more comfortable, it's a lot faster than the Universe (or pretty much any other shoe I've tried for that matter).
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 top]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 bottom]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 inside]]
|[[File:Mizuno-Wave-Universe-5-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Mizuno Wave Universe 5 outside]]
|}
==New Balance RC5000 and Asics Gel Hyper Speed==
The [[Asics Gel Hyper Speed]] is another favorite shoe, and if I need more cushioning than the RC 5000 provides, the Hyper Speed is my first choice. If you find that the RC 5000 does not provide enough cushioning for you, then I'd recommend the Hyper Speed. Don't expect a plush, cushy ride even from the Hyper Speed; it still is stripped down, go faster running shoe.
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 top]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-Gel-Hyper-Speed-6-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics Gel Hyper Speed 6 outside]]
|}
==New Balance RC5000 and Asics GT 2000==
I realize that this is a rather foolish comparison, but bear with me. I like to compare shoes against the [[Asics GT 2000]] as it represents the traditional running shoe. The GT 2000 weights over three times as much as the RC5000, so what do you get for all that extra weight? Mostly you get over engineering, with excessive features that go against [[The Science of Running Shoes]]. This is more likely to cause problems than solve them, as well as adding a lot of extra weight. Of course, you also get a huge amount more cushioning with the GT 2000, with better padding in the upper, especially in the tongue and ankle opening. Running in the GT 2000 after the RC5000 feels like you've put on a wooden clog and ankle weights. This weight difference impacts your [[Running Economy]], and the calculations suggest that an average runner in the RC5000 is around 12 seconds/mile faster than in the GT 2000. (In practice, I feel like it's a bigger difference than that.)
{| class="wikitable"
|- valign="top"
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 top]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 bottom]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 inside]]
|[[File:New-Balance-MRC-5000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|New Balance MRC 5000 outside]]
bottom]]
|- valign="top"
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-top.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 top]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-bottom.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 bottom]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-inside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 inside]]
|[[File:Asics-GT2000-outside.jpg|none|thumb|150px|Asics GT2000 outside]]
|}
=A Comparison with other Recommended Shoes=
{{:Shoes-include}}