Today's Question: What is the N-Lock feature?

The N-Lock feature is an integrated lacing and webbing system featured on some of the New Balance shoes. It helps tighten the laces which secures your midfoot region. The N-Lock is also angled so that it pulls your feet backwards, locking your heel into place.

The N-Lock system provides a lightweight support and gives you the optimal fit, locking your foot into place which prevents in shoe friction and provides security from heel strike to toe off.

Some of the shoes that have the N-Lock feature are the, W1222WB, M1222WS, W767ST, M767ST , WX716WP, CT1002W.

-Vanessa

If you missed the Dateline program about New Balance: You can read about it on their website. The article is titled Companies Buck the Outsourcing Trend which discusses how New Balance is the only athletic shoe company manufacturing shoes in the USA.

Shoes Made In The USA

- Michele

I hate Shin Splints! I always struggle with trying to avoid shin splints I think that it is my bodies way of reminding me that I am not "built for running." They start as a minor annoyance but can build to an immense pain. If you've had them, then you know how much fun stairs can be!

Shin splints are referred to as an overuse injury and are extremely common. Causes can vary. A sudden increase in miles or mild to severe pronation can all contribute to the injury.

My original treatment plan was Motrin prescribed by a corpsman - it didn't help much. Since then I have found that stretching the calf and lots of ice helps a lot. I think that the most important thing is finding a shoe that provides a nice combination of stability and cushioning and then replacing them before they wear out. Right now I’m wearing the New Balance 1222's but most of the stability shoes work for me.

For some additional reading -
Shin Splints
Shin splints - the BIG Five - the 5 most common running injuries

- John

Check out these $59.99 deals on select New Balance models:

Mens

Did you see the New Balance webpage on the 767. New Balance states that the 767 was made to be better than the 766.

What do you think?

M767ST

W767ST

So I just happened to be looking over the New Balance site this evening when I noticed a Buy Now button prominently located on a page promoting the 1000 model... it's this page. This is the first Buy Now button I've ever seen on the New Balance site so I thought it would be worth checking out.

That button takes consumers to the Finish Line web site. Wanna know why that's not such a great idea? Try to order the shoe in a 12.5 2E. Ah, I bet you see the problem now. New Balance customers are all about having the right fit! Now try to order any of the New Balance shoes in any type of width. I couldn't find any.

Mens

You do know that this is a tough group of consumers to reach though right?

This is just a hunch because the site doesn't launch until next month... but have you seen NB Zip? Go take a look (requires Flash).

The impression is sorta obvious right? New Balance appears to be jumping into X Sports. That's a huge untapped market for someone like New Balance. Sure, DC, Element, Etnies, Vans and others make shoes for this space but how many of them have the patents and technology that New Balance has? Here's a better question, so where do I go to get my Callicut Etnies in 4E?

I'm really curious to see what is coming with NBZip and whether or not it has a coolness factor that can make or break a product with this particular consumer group.

I signed up to win 12 free pair; if I win then we'll give them away here on the blog.

New Balance 1122

Hey, did any of you Rescue Me fans catch Phil Espisito wearing New Balance while playing street hockey.

Those were the 1122’s, he bought them in our store at the Westshore Plaza.

Oh yeah – the episode was pretty good too.

- John

Pink Ribbon Golf Shoe

New Balance has extended it's Pink Ribbon Collection to include the 1275 women's golf shoe.
This golf shoe has a 2 year waterproof guarantee and loaded with lots of New Balance technology such as ABZORB in heel and forefoot, Stability Web, EVA midsole, Dri-Lex ® moisture management lining, Poliyou performance insert and is Built in 3 widths – on 2 width outsoles which allows for less spill out over the sides.

The 1275 is also made in 2 other women color combinations and in men’s sizes.
Women 1275- Women’s WG1275B
and Women’s WG1275W

Men 1275 – Men’s MG1275B, Men’s MG1275BR and Men’s MG1275W.

- Michele

The New Balance 992 series has a model for both men and women that is made with a synthetic/mesh upper rather than the pigskin/leather version. This model is the Men’s M992BW and the Women’s W992BW.

M992BW

W992BW

• 992 Available Widths


• Today’s Question about the 992


• New Balance 992 Fit


• Who's Not Wearing New Balance 991's


• 991's Still Available


• New Balance 991 and 992


• Are you looking for New Balance 991's?


• New Balance 991 to be Discontinued


• Steve Jobs Wears New Balance

Dunham will no longer be making women shoes. If you want a Dunham shoe and it is a men's model, you need to drop down 1 and 1/2 sizes. For example, if you are a size 10, you would wear a size 8 1/2.

- Michele

Dunham MCN510BR


I've seen lots of guys lately walking around in some tired looking boat shoes, and I know that its been a long time since those shoes have been comfortable. Try Dunham boat shoe by New Balance. All the Dunham boat shoes have a waterproof leather upper that is lightweight and breathable, Abzorb cushioning and the stability of the Rollbar. Not to mention a nonmarking soft rubber outsole.

Oh, yeah they look cool too, just don't wear them with socks.
Dunham Boat Shoe Available in 6E Width
Dunham Introduces the Captain Collection of Boat Shoes

- John

I have been alternating my walking shoes with my old ones because it takes me awhile to adjust to a new pair. While wearing my new walking shoes I got a blister on each of my heels. I asked Ken, our general manager about this, maybe I needed a different size. He relaced them in a different way and boy what a difference, the heel cups no longer slipped up and down on my foot. So
check out how New Balance suggests that you lace up for fit.
The following issues are addressed:

My little boy always runs ahead of us when we are out. Just the other day when we were at the beach, my older son and I were wadding at the edge of the water and my 4 year old was looking around on the wet sand for shells. I saw him look up to the beach area as if looking for where we had left our blanket, beach towels and cooler. He looked again and started running down the beach, looking up for our blankets and chairs, and running faster, and looking up again for us and running and panicking. We started running after him, yelling for him but he just kept running and running. About a mile down the beach he stopped, crying and panicking. A nice young mom, playing with her small children, saw his panic and stopped him. When we finally caught up to him, we were all relieved.

With the knowledge of my sons reaction when he cannot see us, I realize in the future his first reaction may be to run if for some reason he doesn't see us. I am now worried and when I worry I have to find ways to overcome my anxiety, especially when it comes to my children. So today when we were out shopping I saw a very orange t-shirt and orange Adidas (yeah, I know, I felt really guilty) shorts marked down once and then marked down an additional 50%. I think the whole set was $6.00. I showed my two older sons, and we started laughing, “Good for Busch Gardens!” Yes, we now buy him easy to spot clothing for heavily crowded areas.

So when I saw these just released New Balance kids shoes, I became very excited. I visualized all the times we are walking around at night after ballgames, amusement parks, parades, ect. I could see my little guy running ahead with his flashing “N” with every step he took. Although, I try never to let him out of my site, this is just another thing I can do to assist in finding him when he runs ahead.

These New Balance leisure athletic kids shoes are fun and functional with a lighted “N” logo in pink or blue leather upper. It comes in Medium, Wide and X Wide widths from size 10.5-3.

KL401WB

KL402WP

Here's a great story that one of our New Balance Tampa customers wrote on her blog:

Obituary (New Shoes)
- John