New Balance Lerato Running Shoes - AW21

Product Information

Renee: The Lerato is a luxurious and overall comfortable shoe. As a running shoe, it’s just too heavy for my long, easy runs (despite the carbon plate and great midsole). I probably weighed 110-115 lbs while testing the shoes and I’m not that strong of a runner, which does affect my dislike of the weight. I can see the Lerato being a great easy/long run shoe for bigger and stronger runners. For me, I’ll choose it on days when my legs are tired and I just want a few miles in comfort at an even speed. Nils: Usually I can’t run in shoes as soft as the Lerato. They are just not stable enough especially at more relaxed paces when my form isn’t as powered up like at competition pace.

As for how it runs, the answer is truly not that pleasant. Don’t get us wrong, the midsole actually turns over really well. It’s the heavily structured upper along with the amount of weight the shoe carries with it that makes it less than optimal. They are really just too heavy, outweighing most trail shoes by a lot. if you are a walker, then this could be a really compelling choice as that experience is totally fine but for runners, we think they could do better. A carbon plate running shoe weighing 340g. in men´s size US9 and 290g. in women´s size US7,5. It sounded completely wrong before I tested the shoe as carbon plate shoes usually feature among the lightest shoes. Derek: This is your typical carbon plated midsole in that you have a relatively soft midsole foam with a carbon plate sandwiched in the middle. There are a few aspects to this that readers should be aware of. First, The plate is not very stiff. There is some flex to the plate and you do get a fairly natural flex through the toebox when you run. I’d say the flex is closer to what you get in the Puma Deviate Nitro and is even more flexible than the fairly flexible FuelCell TC.If you are an experienced runner and/or elite runner, you should/can use the shoe for the same purpose as me. And if you then need a similar experience in a lighter racer-version, you should consider FuelCell TC or the ultimate racer FuelCell RC.

The Lerato is comfortable, has a soft, responsive midsole with a carbon plate AND good outsole coverage..Certain types of items cannot be returned. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item. Designed without compromise, New Balance running shoes are guaranteed to provide a responsive ride that fuels your run - in other words, get ready to feel faster-than-fast. Speed-seeking, breathable, conforming fit, optimal cushioning - New Balance has something for every run and every man.

Nils: I jump on Renee’s comment about the height of the shoe entrance (tongue, heel collar and heel counter). I experienced the exact same and additionally I had some weird pressure points around my ankle caused by the tongue. I think it was actually too wide for my feet. The pain disappeared after 2-3 runs but needs to be mentioned nonetheless. Other than that I can’t say any bad about the upper of the Lerato. If you on the other hand are a fairly new runner or exerice runner, Lerato is a completely amazing choice for all of your weekly runs. I just gotta say that this is just a very, very impressive running shoe which I can easily characterize as one of the most luxurious carbon plate running shoes. It suits all kinds of runners. The eliter runner as well as the exercise runner.

However I also have to mention the weight as a limiting factor for the Lerato. I wouldn’t take them for anything longer than a mid distance run as well as nothing faster than general aerobic efforts. And the shoe is actually asking for exactly this more moderate use, because it’s plate loads up the most while heel striking. I never ran a 990 but an older good friend, a very accomplished entrepreneur, swore by them in the 1990’s and it was all he ran road or trail. Adam: The Lerato is a carbon plated shoe featuring New Balance’s highest end Fuel Cell foam (which I found wonderfully bouncy in the Rebel v2 and RC Elite 2), fully intended for training. It looks like a modern incarnation of the 990 “Dad Shoe”, with the finest materials and top quality construction. This is very much a modern reimagination of a classic running shoe with the intention of using cutting edge foams and plates to make running more comfortable rather than just faster. Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The History