Customer Reviews

New Balance Men's MO1201 Outdoor Shoe,Brown,9 EE

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought these boots for my summer backpacking trip to the Sierras. I was carrying about a 55 lb. pack for 8 days of hiking and fishing. All and all I like these shoe for how it performed, I never lost footing, my feet did not get wet when crossing streams, my feet did not get hot or cold, and the support was just right. Although this shoe did have some flaws but that was easy to fix. For one the cushioning factor was lacking; so I fixed it by making my own personal cushing insoles; this was done after I went on a few pre-hikes. Secondly, the glue connecting the sole to the shoe came loose in a few areas; not a problem, I always carry with me a tube of Weldit by Devcon; works better than the original glue that was used on the boot; never leave home without it on a hike. One thing though, after reading one of the reviewers here who mentioned it's lack of waterproofing, I purchased a waterproofing product by New Balance and sprayed four coating on them before the trip. I have a very wide foot so New Balance was my only choice for a boot that would fit; I had used originally an LL Bean Knife Edge hiking boot but that was only a 2E width which was never wide enough; thank god New Balance came out with this boot, it comes in a 4E width.

These shoes look great and fit nice, but after only 2 weeks the let your feet get soaked,I work for NYSEG and read meters, so I needed comfortable shoes that are waterproof, I thought these where the answer, I was wrong, I am sending them back, very disappointed in these New Balance shoes

The NB 1201 has proven to be the only casual shoe my Plantar Fasciitis foot can handle, however using them does the addition of Birko-Motion insoles for proper arch support, which they have plenty of room for. I am ordering my third pair today. These are daily wearers for all my non-formal-attire activities, and after about a year, the arch of the boot begins to get too flexible for long term comfort with my problem, so the old ones get retired to the really grungy jobs!

Can't comment on just how waterproof they are. I ride a motorcycle and use waterproof covers in the rain just so the suede doesn't get weathered.

These New Balance hiking boots are incredible. They are sturdy, fashionable and take an incredible amount of abuse. The arch support makes this shoe. I would purchase these again in a minute.

I've used these boots for half a year for short day hikes and love them for their fit and support. I love New Balance because of their consistent sizing and comfort and this boot is no exception. My only problem is hat the ankle support feels really good tight, but don't wear them that way as something in the hiking motion causes uneven ankle pressure, so just keep them slightly snug and you're good.

These boots really fit my needs as a short day hiker with exact sizing/fit needs.

I started with the 1200 which I'm still wearing after 3 yrs of hiking many miles. I bought a pair of the 1201's as my replacement but as yet have not walked that first mile. The lack of waterproofing is a negative and I found out the hard way. It appears both 1200 and 1201's came from the same mfg source and the quality was'nt there on the width of the right shoes. Even though I'd bought the different styles years apart, the width was more like an E instead of what I needed in a EE. Had to take both to the shoe cobbler to have them stretched. Grips on bottoms is good except for on wet or muddy areas and I've slipped and gone down a few times. I wish the 1201's would have had the higher backs like the 1200 did. Now that the back is lower it doesn't offer as much support on the ankle. I'd like to see the height increased. The top of the tongue area has always bothered me in that the top should go back into the boot more- maybe have the edges tapered so they tuck in a bit around the start of your ankle and stay there, and have them go back into the boot another 1/2" on either side- the way it is now is ok when the shoe lace is first tied, but the top of the tongue pops out (away fm the ankle)as soon as you start walking. In summary- There aren't many (if any) other brands that are sold in a Wide size so I'm content to live with the negatives until I see another competitive brand to try.

These shoes look great but right out of the box I could tell that they would be too narrow, although I ordered them in a 9.5 4e which is the size that I wear in all other New Balance without any problems. This is actually the specific reason that I ordered these boots (they're some of the only decent looking boots that come in this size). Immediately upon trying them on my toes were scrunched together. After only a few minutes of wearing them I literally started losing circulation and my feet started burning and feeling like they were on pins and needles (this was just from sitting there and wearing them, mind you). I work overseas, so it's a bit of a process to receive and return things, so I was hoping that these would be a good fit and get me through the winter here in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to return them and try to find something else because there is no way that I can bear to wear these for any extended period of time, especially traversing rough terrain and being on and off my feet for several hours at a time.

Got these boots when they were on sale $59.95 thru amazon great deal great boot keeps my feet dry and not sweaty great gortex lining did not see any boots in this price range with the gortex lining good high ankle support if you like that in a boot could have a little thicker insole i just added a gel sole from store .Remember this is a 149.00 boot from most outlets.

I wanted to give 3.5 star but there isn't such a choice...

Anyway, here's the story.

This is my first time buying a high-cut hiking boots. i had no idea how to wear them, how long to break in, what to look for... etc.

I purchased a 7.5(2E)... i think i should have gotten a (D) instead.

first time hiking with it, it feels good. very stable and doesn't feel tired at the bottom of my feet which means good support.

2nd to 6th time hiking, my feet above the outer part of the upper ankle hurts. not sure why. i was about to give it up, and get another pair. i actually went to REI to search for another pair but didn't find a good deal. The upper ankles was basically bruised. i don't know how that happened, and what caused it. i tried many things such as different ways to to tie the shoes. then i decided to use different insoles and wear them to work. after 2 weeks at work, and with 2 pairs of insoles, I feel fine with them now. It could be because my feet was too small for (2E) so i have to use 2 insoles to have a tight fit, and then slowly broken into it. I'll try hiking with them again this week, and see how they flare.

To be fair, even though they did cause me pain, it felt very very stable and balanced. in very steep slope going downhill in sandy/rocky trails, i've never felt out of balance. now that i think i've broken into them, i do feel the ankle, and the whole feet is very stable and won't roll. This is a great pair if u've found the right size.

UPDATE:
I did went hiking with it, and it wasn't good either. I felt the same where the side of the leg slightly above the ankles were bruised. I ended up getting another pair of low-cut merrel.

Last weekend, I went for another hike, using them, and brought with me the merrel just in case. I used my own insoles + the merrel insoles together. It felt fine. i didn't feel any pain on my legs or feet. I'm not sure if it was the merrel insoles or that i have broken in to the boots finally. it could be both. Also, we went downhill on a path that was very very steep. I didn't slip at all but my thigh is a bit sore due to the downhill.

I think this is a good quality pair of hiking boots for the price ($60, no tax, free shipping). But just get one that really fits u, and it may take some time to break in.

I got my MO1201 shoes in December, 2008 and they have worked great for me. My problem is that I have a size 15 foot so it has always been a struggle to find anything that fits at all. Fortunately, the Internet is starting to change that and this is the best pair of outdoor shoes I've ever owned. (Don't laugh at that if you have smaller feet:).)

Anyway, over the last year I've worn these at least weekly for hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. I haven't had any problems with them leaking as long as the water level doesn't go over my ankle. They are comfortable, the traction is good in mud, and they are reasonably warm. Although there was one time that I wished they were a bit warmer; when I was sitting in a blind and it was 25 degrees and snowing outside:).

At this point they are starting to fall apart, but I feel like I got my money's worth out of them. Now that I have a bigger selection of boots available to me than ever before, maybe I'll branch out and try something new - but I won't hesitate to come back to another pair of New Balance boots if that doesn't work out.