The long awaited arrival of the New Balance Cross Trainer 1007 in Men's
and Women's is here. This cross-trainer replaces the 1006. This model is
a superior performing trainer to take you from the gym to a 5 mile run.
It is the only cross trainer that New Balance gives a green light to run
up to 5 miles. Now availabe in Men's white or navy, Women's white or gray
color combinations. Check out here.
http://www.newbalancetampa.com/shop/product_detail.asp?model=MX1007W

New Balance Passport, New Balance Nation? What is that? According the New Balance, it is your key to this year’s 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon VIP access. Think about it, you could have access to reserved seating in the grandstands and hospitality at the finish. It includes being able to access the New Balance Nation cheering zones at miles 13, 21 and grand stand seats at the finish line complete with shuttle service. Looking to get back to home after the race, New Balance is also providing a CTA day pass to get you to the first New Balance Nation and home after the race. In your passport you will get a map of the race course to navigate from one New Balance nation to the next New Balance nation. You can jam with a DJ spinning tunes, New Balance have giveaways, lots of complimentary food and beverage, internet access to browse the New Balance site and check out the updates on the race. Want to know how to get one of these New Balance Passports to the marathon? Get a New Balance Passport.http://www.newbalance.com/passport/

New Balance has some new competition and you'll never guess who. Nope it's not Nike, Puma or Converse. It's the British Army! Yep, that's right, the British Army has developed the PT-03 a serious running shoe designed by some of the fittest people on the planet.

The press release.

Soda, stamps, candy bars, bubble gum and super balls move over. Shoes are breaking into the vending machine business. Last month Reebok put vending machines in San Francisco and New York after testing the market in Japan.

I find myself waffling somewhat on this new concept. I'm sure we've all experienced situations where a comfortable pair of shoes were sorely needed in a pinch. So from a convenience standpoint I like the idea. However, what about the Reebok dealers that have helped steadily build the brand over the years? Now they find themselves competing with the parent company. That doesn't seem very fair. Too, just what are folks to do when the shoe doesn't fit? Some will find themselves in a dilemma... should I try again for the next size up or down? Then when the second pair doesn't fit guess what? You've got yourself a nice little package to ship back to Reebok...super!

What about the economics of this concept. Reebok, can easily place the machines in any market and bypass the dealer and that's their right. But as consumers we know what it cost to go buy a pair of Reeboks from a retail outlet and if Reebok is going to bypass the dealer... essentially collapse the channel shouldn't the consumer benefit by getting a better price for the product at the vending machine?

How do you suppose the folks that sell these products for a living feel about this movement? My guess is that it's been kept quiet. There's no mention of it on the Reebok News Page but it was reported in the Witchita Eagle.

It looks like New Balance has stepped up to be the "Official Running Shoe Sponsor" of the Houston Marathon.

There's plenty on the official press release here.

It's always nice to see a corporation give back to the community. Recently the New Balance Foundation donated $90k cash and an additional $35K in footwear to the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA at the Alfond Youth Center in Maine.

The money is going to be used to implement programs that specifically target obesity and diabetes in addition to supplying further funding to the Teen Adventure Program.

You can read more about this on MaineToday.com.

Haaretz International has published an interesting article titled The brand name for people opposed to brands.

I personally have never noticed the footwear enjoyed by the global protesters but apparently New Balance is the politically correct shoe of choice for the global protester.

Do you protest and what shoe do you wear?