24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
This is NOT the 608!! This is the 608V2. Save your money!, January 1, 2011
This review is from: New Balance Women's WX608 Training Shoe (Apparel)
As the headline says, this shoe is nothing like the "classic 608" that is in fact, the best selling athletic shoe of all time, men's or women's. I learned about this impostor the hard way (so did my wife), by believing what the company, and now the resellers like Amazon are trying to claim, that it "just the new version".
It's a totally different sneaker; much harder, less cushy, the V2's break down faster, and are made of cheaper components. If you check other websites, you'll see reviews from other loyal NB customers, like myself, who've even bought and worn out a pair of these V2's. The reviews are remarkably similar.
It's not just a small difference either, it's huge. I keep trying without luck, to get online stores to clearly state "V2", but as you can see, Amazon has not yet done this, I suspect, because the name 608 is literally sneaker legend. The V2 is a disappointing experience, especially if you've worn 30 or more pair of the REAL 608's like I have, starting way back in 1998. It's a disgrace & a misnomer to call this "608 anything".
Here's how to tell. It's easiest on the white, or any of the light colors, the black is hard to distinguish. Look at the closeup that shows the side of the shoe. The V2 has a gray 'section' of different compound running from the back around to the side, the real 608 does not (this section doesn't show up on the inside of the sneaker, just the outside edge, if you will). The gray 'sections' also appear on the bottom running laterally across the sneaker. If you look at the pic of the tongue of the shoe you can see in small writing it says "New Balance 608V2". It very clear on Amazon's pics.
One reviewer wrote that they contacted NB and they were told they were made the same way as the 608's. That's "corporate code", and disingenuous in my opinion. "The same way", simply means the same type of construction, the materials are TOTALLY different. That gray section in the heel, for instance, is hard as a rock. The real 608's have the heel section made entirely of the super cushy molded EVA foam that the entire outsole (part that touches the ground) of the sneaker is made of.
The ENTIRE outsole of the sneaker is made out of a completely different (and cheaper feeling) compound. The insole support is also different. The V2's feel flat inside. The real 608's have a nice arch support. Sad that they've tried to pull such a trick on the public. My opinions come from a side by side comparison, both visual and having worn the V2 for weeks. It's a lighter & harder compound. Hold both side by side & the difference is obvious.
If you've never worn a NB 608, maybe you'll like the sneaker, though they're nothing to write home about. However, if you've EVER owned a pair of real 608's, these will feel alien, hard, and unforgiving.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
not the same 608 as several years ago, August 29, 2010
This review is from: New Balance Women's WX608 Training Shoe (Apparel)
I too have worn 608's for several years. When I purchased 2 new pairs last year from 2 different sources, though the number was the same, the arch support in the new ones was no where nearly as good. I tried several other places and found the same to be true on all the pairs. When I called the New Balance Company, they said that they didn't understand because the old ones and new ones were made the same way.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
NB WX608V2 is not the same as WX608, June 14, 2009
This review is from: New Balance Women's WX608 Training Shoe (Apparel)
I am a long time user of the WX608 and recently tried the WX608V2. The WX608V2 looks nicer, but is a very different shoe. If you are looking for a shoe with great arch support and great for plantar fasciitis, stick with the WX608. I also found the WX608 on sale in store at Sears for $29.99. I can't find a price anywhere near that on the Web.
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