New Balance CT520

MrMeebles · Post by **MrMeebles** » 18 Nov 2004 21:57

I've finally had a chance to shred in my new 520s. I just had a 2 hour sessions tonight, so I'm ready to share my thoughs with anyone thinking of making the swich.

Let's start with the good: First, I get much cleaner sets from the toes. My off side pixi was looking better than it ever has tonight. Even without rails the toe feels very secure, the bag never rolled off and seemed to leave the toe much cleaner than any other shoe I've used. Also the sole had a LOT more traction than Laver's. At first I actually had trouble spinning because the sole gripped the ground more than I'm used to. Also the shoe seems to have a bit better lateral support than Laver's, that is, the shoe has less tendency to roll to the side than Laver's. At any rate it feels much more solid when I land in these shoes.

The Neutral: The shoes are stiff, and I mean really stiff. Obviously this is a break in issue, but I'm used to getting a new pair of Lavers and getting them worked in, in a few days. My 520s are still very stiff, and in ways I wouldn't have expected. I kept dropping paradox whirl until I figured out that the problem was I couldn't point my toe. I still haven't been able to hit a simple barrage in them. I've also been fighting for every osis. My ancles ache after kicking becuase of the force I have to use to turn my ancle to the right position. Also I notice that you have to catch the bag further back on the toe with these shoes than Laver's.

The Bad: I removed material from the toe and instep and I still can't feel the bag. I'm told, and I believe that the fabric will break in, but still I never felt the bag the whole time I've played in my 520s. The shoes are thick. This takes away about a half inch of scoop. Most of the time this is no problem, but I had trouble with a few moves becuase I'm used to catching them low. Also for double dexes it feels like I'm wearing a boxing glove. I was unable to hit down double down after several tries, but again this might be because the material is still stiff and I'm unable to point my toe properly. Here's the big thing though, despite my first impressions the soles suck. They have no impact absorbtion. When I do p.s. whirl I might as well be barefoot. There's no spring to the sole, even my warn out Laver's have more "rebound" to their step. Finally I repeat that the insteps are useless without moding. However I added some shoegoo (and by some I mean almost half an inch) and they're fine now.

The Verdict: I can't wear Laver's. It's just the way my foot is built, but Laver's just destroy my feet. When I was younger and still played all the time I used to have to bandage my toes before I played so I didn't bleed all over my socks. I modified a variety of different shoes quite successfully, but after the last pair died I had to swich to Laver's for a while and lost all motivation to play. These are the best replacement I've found so far, and they're not too bad to kick in (not withstanding aforementioned break in issues ) but I'd have a really hard time recomending that anyone swich to these from Laver's unless, like me, Laver's hurt your feet. The 520s are much more comfortable.

Anyway, all of this is just one man's opinion. Two of the people I kick with, Red and Noah both wear New Balance and are kicking better than ever. So that's all from me, comments, questions, recomendations?

-Andrew

mc · Post by mc » 18 Nov 2004 22:40

I'd say keep using them, man. nasty nate can bust forever in 520s, other people have done great in new balance. if they can do it, so can you, and it's better not to be playing in pain.

how is the weight compared to lavers?

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 18 Nov 2004 23:07

I reiterate on my thought that you should brocka your shoes. You have very flexible ankles, and if you're having that much difficulty with them, that may be a good recourse. Further, between the brocka mod and shoe break in, bag feel increases noticably. Also, make sure the sole breaks in. One of the initial issues with New Balances is that there's no toe flex due to the tough sole

Have you tried ClimaCools or G-Units as another recourse? ClimaCools may be the way to go if your feet will let you...

MrMeebles · Post by **MrMeebles** » 19 Nov 2004 00:37

Nagasake wrote:I reiterate on my thought that you should brocka your shoes. You have very flexible ankles, and if you're having that much difficulty with them, that may be a good recourse. Further, between the brocka mod and shoe break in, bag feel increases noticably. Also, make sure the sole breaks in. One of the initial issues with New Balances is that there's no toe flex due to the tough sole

Have you tried ClimaCools or G-Units as another recourse? ClimaCools may be the way to go if your feet will let you...

I intend to cut some material around the ancle, but first I need to get some more appolstry thred. Until I get another pair of something these are my walking around shoes, so I don't want them to look too trashed. Anyway my comments were directed more for anyone thinking of making the swich. A lot of us don't have much money to spend on shoes so I figure the more you know before you buy the better. I'd like to try ClimaCools or G-Units, but I haven't seen them locally. I think what I may end up doing is what I did last time: find a pair of light running shoes with an airsole and mod the holy hell out of them. But first I'll give the 520s a chance and see how they break in.

matt cross asked:
>how is the weight compared to lavers?

About the same, maybe slightly heavier, but not enough so that I notice when I'm playing.

-Andrew

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 20 Nov 2004 18:09

All right guys I went to a shoe store today and found a pair of 520's. They were exactly my size, 11.5. They seemed to fit me but, a bit snugged, so I'm gonna go with a 12. It may be that they're too small or that I just like my shoes with a little room. But I do like them

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 27 Nov 2004 16:26

As other people have mentioned, I don't think you need to add the clipper rail. This just forces you to catch more towards the center of the shoe which I think is a better practice than catching the bag right on the edge towards the sole. Of course people have different preferences. For me: I'm going to buy a pair of 520's, right now I'm schoolin' the hell outta my clippers (currently using lavers) and trying to catch more towards the center for the shoe than on the edge.

see what works, and if it does great!

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 27 Nov 2004 17:47

Actually, no, adding the rail allows you to stall in the center. Without the rail you're forced to stall on the shoe's sweet spot... Which is nearer to the toe. The rail prevents roll off which is what occurs when you try and stall in the exact center of the instep.

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 27 Nov 2004 18:12

mosher wrote: At first glance it looks like they will suck for clippers and that a rail is needed, but if you really crank your ankles (ike you should be anyways) then they produce a perfect landing deck.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 27 Nov 2004 23:16

First, Tom doesn't indicate where that landing deck -is-. I find the place I described to do clippers to be the best and most common in players, anyway. Second, I've owned 520's, I'm aware of what he's talking about, but it doesn't always work out that way. The N and the fabric in the instep create a bulge which falls away pretty steeply as it approaches the sole. You don't need shoe goo as much if you mod the instep.

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 28 Nov 2004 07:27

Oh

Could the material break-in in time if you just wear them excessively? I'll probably buy this shoe to walk around in, and keep shreddin' with my lavers untill the NB's are worn in (I usually do this when I get new lavers). Could this work?

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 15 Jan 2005 18:18

All right you guys, my impression of the CT 520's. I think this is a great shoe, but you just need to get use to it a little. Like all shoes, it needs to be worn in a little, so walk around in them and so forth. I have not modded my shoe in ANY way. People complain how the insides are terrible...well for me, I just don't believe in catchin' the bag on the edge where the bag can fall off. Anyways I'm definitely likin' these shoes

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 15 Jan 2005 22:01

JFootbagger wrote:All right you guys, my impression of the CT 520's. I think this is a great shoe, but you just need to get use to it a little. Like all shoes, it needs to be worn in a little, so walk around in them and so forth. I have not modded my shoe in ANY way. People complain how the insides are terrible...well for me, I just don't believe in catchin' the bag on the edge where the bag can fall off. Anyways I'm definitely likin' these shoes

That's sweet man!

See what I mean about them being playable raw?

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 18 Jan 2005 05:32

Quite frankly, I think playing in these shoes can bennefit your clippers. This forces you to stall it more so on your foot, than near the edge (like I've said before). Plus the whole being stiff complain, well...just wear the shoe like all the time, hell, even put some fabric softner on it

Whatever works...

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 18 Jan 2005 10:01

the design on the 520 will never break in. You can play with them without modding them, but they suck ass compared to the 300's, the laver, the G-unit, and even unmodded climas.

The material is too stiff, and rolls away way too much on the inside.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 18 Jan 2005 18:24

I will be receiving my second (better fitting) pair of 520's tomorrow. Hopefully this will alter my slightly mediocre opinion of the shoe, otherwise it will become a shoe to walk in for me, and I will continue shredding in the 300. I will most likely take pictures of each to compare and contrast.

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 19 Jan 2005 09:48

I cut out the fabric covering the toes and insides like a leather laver mod, and replace with something more appropriate.

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 19 Jan 2005 17:28

While I won't take any pictures, my opinion of the shoe is basically the same as last time (but now I appreciate the shoe much more as it fits like a glove

). I apply the brocka mod and I cut out the inside. As far as the toe box goes, the shoe is fantastic. I don't see the need for anything but the lacing mod. However, the inside is much worse. I can barely play in the shoe unless I brocka it. The material covers too much of my ankle to get anywhere close to my full flexibility. This may very from person to person by ankle type. My other issue was expressed by Cameron in that the inside is much too rounded without taking out the inside. After taking out the inside, the situation is improved, but I think if I want this shoe to be better than the 300, I will need to make a small rail with shoe goo. The actual issue with the instep may not be that there's too little sole, but that there's too much fabric. Even after taking out the padding on the inside, it seems as if the fabric does not have anywhere to go, and thus remains as a bit of a bulge. I have faith in this shoe, though. The weight and build of it is fantastic aside from those express problems.

shredj · Post by **shredj** » 19 Jan 2005 18:05

Tsiangkun wrote:I cut out the fabric covering the toes and insides like a leather laver mod, and replace with something more appropriate.

wow.

care to post a pic?

JFootbagger · Post by **JFootbagger** » 21 Jan 2005 14:12

IMO, I think it's more impressive if you can play with them raw, instead of doing all these modds, again IMO

sampotter · Post by **sampotter** » 21 Jan 2005 15:24

Well, I think playing in leather boots and shredding people out is impressive, but I won't myself. I'd rather be able to flex my ankle and feel the bag and be confident in my shred. While I see a point of -too- many mods, I believe the point is to make the shoe playable for you. Playing in an unmodded shoe to be impressive is non-sensical. Try having a session in Lavers or whatever you're used to -- you may surprised at the results. I've played in lots of shoes and thought I was playing great and that I didn't need mods... And then I played in modded shoes or what I was used to previously and had a MUCH better session. I know other people who have had similar experiences.

I personally play in this shoe because it gives me a cross section of what I love about both Lavers and 300's. It's tapered off, lighter, and thus provides for crisper dexes like the Laver, and it has a lot of support like the 300. However, playing in them unmodded doesn't work due to roll off. Mod the inside, brocka -- problem solved. A terrific shoe for me.

I think Cameron said it best when he said that after a time the stalling surface was just not that important.

(also, I think I may have come around on my opinion on the shoe goo rail, but I'm not 100% on that, yet)

New Balance CT520

520s Review