Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The MW812 is a redesigned version of the discontinued MW811. This version is inferior to the 811 in form, fit and function. New Balance has reduced its manufacturing costs, but not its price, with this redesign. My first disappointment was the fit. The 812s do not grip my foot as well or feel like they provide the same support. New Balance eliminated the blue "walking strike path" insert that ran the full length of the sole on the 811. The 811's "rollbar", which was integrally molded with the "strike path" insert, has been replace with a smaller grey plastic insert. It appears the 811's 2-layer sole has been replaced with a single molded piece. The 812 uppers have a wider gap for the lacing. They are single-stitched in some places that were double-stitched on the 811. The smooth leather has been replace with a cheap looking pebble-grained leather. There are fewer individual pieces and in one place there is a non-functional stitch that seems designed to mimic a similarly placed functional stitch on the 811. The shoe just looks cheaper than the 811. They eliminated an inset, separately-stitched logo on the back of the heel counter to save money. Definitely a step backward.