When it comes to finding the perfect walking shoe, comfort and support are non-negotiable. Whether you’re heading out for a long stroll, running errands, or on your feet all day, the right shoe can make all the difference. The New Balance 840 walking shoe is a standout choice, offering a combination of exceptional cushioning, durability, and timeless style.
Designed with the modern walker in mind, the 840 delivers unparalleled comfort through its advanced midsole cushioning and premium materials. Its spacious toe box and supportive fit cater to a variety of foot shapes, including those who need extra room or have orthotic requirements. Beyond comfort, the shoe’s sturdy outsole provides reliable traction on diverse surfaces, ensuring stability with every step.
What sets the New Balance 840 apart is its thoughtful balance of functionality and design. While it’s engineered to support your every stride, it doesn’t compromise on aesthetics, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
Quick Overview
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Keeps the feet dry and fresh
- Can last for many wears
- Easy to pair with everyday clothes
- Offers improved traction
- Has the right amount of flexibility
Cons
- Poor stitching on the side panels
Finding a pair of stylish walking shoes that also offers comfort and support is not easy.
We’re sure you will find a few, but you would probably need to pay hundreds of dollars to take one home.
How about those on a budget, though?
You don’t have to go from store to store because we found the shoes that deliver on these and more.
Curious to know more about them?
This New Balance 840 Walking Shoe review will tell you all the important things you need to know.
New Balance 840 Walking Shoe Review
The New Balance 840 V2 is a versatile pair of shoes that offers style and comfort for your day-to-day tasks.
Whether it’s for working out or just your everyday errands, you can trust this pair to get you through the day.
Just like its predecessor, the NB 840 V2 is also known for the level of comfort it offers.
Since it was designed to be your go-to shoes, you can trust that your feet will stay comfortable all day, even if you walk around in them for hours.
Compared to the previous version, the V2 focused more on the overall structure of the shoe but without compromising on its breathability.
It features more leather and less mesh, so you will get improved support and longevity while still keeping the foot chamber ventilated.
What Should You Consider When Trying on New Shoes In-Store?
When shopping for new shoes, ensuring comfort while you’re still in the store is crucial. Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right choice:
- Immediate Comfort is Key: Your feet should feel good as soon as you put on the shoes. Even though a little adjustment period is normal, a shoe should never feel painful or restrictive from the start.
- Bring the Right Socks: Wear or bring the same type of socks you’ll typically use with the shoes. This helps achieve an accurate fit and prevents any surprises later on.
- Shop Later in the Day: Plan your visit for later in the day. Since feet tend to swell as the day progresses, this timing helps you find a size that accommodates your feet at their largest.
Additional Tips
- Walk Around: Don’t just stand still; take a short walk around the store. This helps identify any pressure points or discomfort areas early.
- Check the Fit: Make sure there’s about a half-inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Also, the heel should fit comfortably without slipping.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you’ll be more likely to leave the store with shoes that make your feet happy.
How Does the New Balance 840 Differ from Running Shoes?
When comparing the New Balance 840 to typical running shoes, the differences primarily lie in their design and construction, tailored to meet the unique demands of walking.
Enhanced Midfoot Support
The New Balance 840 provides more support under the midfoot area, which is crucial for those who need a stable base. This feature is especially beneficial for individuals who prefer additional support or use orthotic inserts.
Stability and Comfort
While running shoes are generally designed for forward propulsion, prioritizing lightness and flexibility, the New Balance 840 focuses on offering a broader, more stable platform. This design minimizes foot fatigue over longer distances and enhances comfort.
Cushioning and Durability
Furthermore, the cushioning in the New Balance 840 is optimized for shock absorption with each step, which is slightly different from the more responsive cushioning in running shoes designed for impact at higher speeds.
In summary, the New Balance 840 stands out with its extra midfoot support, enhanced stability, and specialized cushioning, making it a preferred choice for walking.
Who Is This Product For?
The NB 840 V2 is for people who find themselves always on the go.
For instance, if you are a liaison officer or someone working on the field, you need a pair of footwear that can keep up with you.
It should be sturdy enough to withstand everyday wear and tear and still keep your feet comfy all day.
The NB 840 V2 is exactly what you’re looking for.
This pair is also an excellent footwear choice for people who go to the gym often.
Simple workouts or jogging in your neighborhood will become more comfortable with the NB 840 V2.
Why Pedorthists Recommend the New Balance 840:
- Orthotic Compatibility:
With its spacious interior and a full-length removable sockliner, the New Balance 840 seamlessly accommodates orthotic devices. This ensures a comfortable fit and enhanced support for various foot conditions. - Adaptable Design:
The shoe’s construction allows for easy stretching, modification, or alteration to meet specific patient needs. This adaptability makes it a preferred choice for addressing unique foot challenges. - Enhanced Stability:
Featuring a broad, stable base, the New Balance 840 improves gait efficiency. This stability is particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with orthotic devices, providing a solid foundation with every step. - Supportive Structure:
A strong heel counter offers excellent support for the back of the foot, while the smooth forefoot rocker promotes a natural walking motion. This design ensures comfort and reduces strain, making it a top recommendation by experts.
What’s Included?
The package comes with the New Balance 840 V2 walking shoes—nothing more, nothing less.
You will have three colorways from which you can choose, from all black to gray/white and gray/rose gold combo.
It is also available in a wide range of sizes.
Anyone with a shoe size ranging from the smallest 5 to the biggest 13 will find the perfect fit in these shoes.
There are half sizes and even wide and extra-wide options, too.
Overview of the Features
Looking at its design, support, and comfort, the NB 840 V2 is definitely one of the best pairs of shoes anyone could ever ask for.
The key is knowing whether or not it matches your needs and preferences.
To help you figure that out, here are the best features you will get to enjoy from these shoes:
- True to Size
As mentioned, the New Balance 840 V2 walking shoe fits true to size and comes in different widths.
Women can get the size in B – Medium, 2E – Extra Wide widths, and D – Wide.
To get your right size and fit, you can check New Balance’s Fit Finder Tool.
- Rubber Outsole
The New Balance 840 V2 boasts two different types of rubber used in making the outsole.
The first one is Ndurance, a compound sturdier than your regular rubber. You will find it on the shoes’ high-friction areas like the heel and ball section areas.
It is non-marking, too, so don’t expect any streaks when you walk on polished floorings.
The second type is known as the blown rubber, which you’ll find just below the toe area and the midfoot.
It is durable, but it is a level lower than Ndurance when it comes to sturdiness.
- Impressive Grip and Flexibility
You can see flex grooves on the outsole, which adds to the shoes’ flexibility.
In addition, the tread pattern on the rubber would increase the grip of the shoe on different surfaces.
- ABZORB Midsole
The New Balance 840 V2 features the ABZORB midsole, which protects the foot and the joints in the lower extremities.
This full-length foam helps absorb the impact as you run or jump.
It is also very soft and comfortable, so you can wear your shoes all day long without feeling any discomfort.
- Leather Upper
You will find that most of the upper part of the shoe is leather.
This particular material is very durable and provides added comfort to the wearer.
The perforations you will see on the vamp will keep the inside of the shoe fresh and comfy.
- Traditional Lacing System
Plus, with flat laces, you can easily customize the fit depending on your preference.
- Mesh Fabric
This is possibly one of the most important features of the New Balance 840 V2 walking shoe.
To give homage to the classics, the NB 840 V2 makes use of the traditional lacing system to secure your foot.
It is used for the collar and tongue to ensure that the foot chamber will always be fresh and well ventilated.
The mesh fabric allows the cool air to go inside the shoe and the hot air to dissipate.
How To Maintain Your Walking Shoes
Walking shoes can get very expensive, especially if they are packed with plenty of innovative features.
Learning how to maintain them will help lengthen their lifespan and keep them looking brand new.
Here are a few things that you can do to take proper care of your footwear:
1. Let your walking shoes breathe.
Most walking shoes have removable insoles.
So, after every use, take them out and let the shoes breathe before storing them.
It’s not that hard to do, too; you just leave them in the open and let them dry.
Open the tongue of the walking shoe as much as possible to get rid of all the leftover moisture inside.
It’s one of the simplest things you can do to prevent unpleasant odors from ruining your shoes.
2. Don’t wash them in the washing machine.
Never wash your walking shoes in the washing machine, especially if there is a mesh material.
The only things you can machine-wash are the laces; the rest should be washed by hand.
As a synthetic material, you would want to clean the mesh part of your shoe using a damp sponge.
Dip it in a little soap and lukewarm water and use that to wipe the shoes after you remove the laces.
Instead of drying them in the washing machine or using a blower, let the shoe air dry for about a day.
You can also put crumpled newspaper inside to help remove the moisture.
3. Always clean the outsoles.
Always clean the outsoles of your shoes every time you go home.
Leaving dirt and debris stuck on them might cause damage over time.
If you leave them dirty for a couple of days, they would be much harder to remove.
Before you clean your shoes, allow them to dry first so that you won’t spread dirt on the upper part.
Once dry, slap the soles together to remove as much dirt as you can.
Using a dry brush, remove any remaining dirt and stones stuck on the grooves.
When all the stones and dirt are gone, use a sponge damped with soap and lukewarm water to clean the outsole.
Alternative
Looking at the New Balance 840 walking shoe review, it may seem like all the basic features are already included.
The problem is, you might find that these shoes are a bit on the pricier side.
If you need a cheaper alternative, the Fila Women’s Memory Runtronic is your best option.
The durable leather and mesh overlays on these shoes provide comfort and security to your feet.
They are very lightweight and breathable, too, so you should not worry about moisture.
With their slip-resistant outsole, you can walk and run on different terrains without slipping.
Conclusion
The New Balance 840 V2 offers a combination of style and comfort, making it perfect for active women who want to stay fashionable at the same time.
It is a bit expensive, but it is definitely worth every penny if you need a shoe that provides amazing support and durability.
I love new balance! They’re such a comfortable and good value for money too, they can be a bit pricy, but I find that you generally get what you pay for and it is not a good idea to compromise on footwear.
Thanks for the care tips; I do wash my trainer’s in the washing machine, which I know can damage them!
Hi Bespokenutrition, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Yes, New Balance is a great brand. Quality costs money, so, understandably, shoes with high quality cost more than others which aren´t as well designed or with less good quality!
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too. I believe you would like this article too as there is more information about New Balance walking shoes.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.
What a great review on New Balance 840 Walking shoe. The image of the pros and cons gives that added support if someone is on the fence between New Balance and Reebok. It would be worth buying regardless of the price the quality your getting is worth the cost.
Great review
Hi Sharon, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.
Hi, and thanks for sharing this. I’d be very tempted to get a pair of New Balance 840 as a Christmas present for my wife as her Reeboks are looking a little tired and worn these days. I have to say that despite all the technical details about what materials are superior. So much of the appeal is down to marketing and brand loyalty. Thanks, Andy
Hi, Andy, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
New Balance is a great brand, old and steady. They have always come with good running shoes through the years, and New Balance 840 is one of them.
Of course, marketing and loyalty play their parts, but I disagree that it is key because the technical parts are crusical for people to feel comfortable and find the shoes which fit them best!
If the brand was not focused on the qualities, it would be selling except maybe in the start. If you are not offering quality, thinking about all details, then you are out of the market.
You can see another example of a good shoe from New Balance here if you want. Shoes that have been very popular among the readers of us here in Sportssend.com.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.
New Balance is one of the most underrated shoes. People tend to overlook it because they are so focused on other brands like Nike and Adidas. I own a pair of new balance, and I must say, I absolutely love those shoes. To anyone reading this, don’t play yourself. Go and get yourself a pair of New Balance.
Hi, Daniel Tshiyole, and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words.
New Balance is a great brand, old and steady. They have always come with good running shoes through the years, and New Balance 840 is one of them.
Great to hear about your benefit of the article too.