480 Shoes, 480 Experiences
BOSTON (September 15, 2009) -- From the heritage of the 574, New Balance introduces the 574 Clips Collection. This staple New Balance silhouette is crafted into a new innovative style, which continues to inspire the blend of design with function. While the 574 silhouette's heritage will remain, New Balance will debut an innovative marketing campaign to support the launch of the 574 Clips Collection which will mark the first campaign from New Balance Lifestyle's agency of record, Mother New York.
The 574 Clips Collection
574 Clips is a collection constructed from leftover materials salvaged from New Balance's Lawrence, MA factory. Made in the US, the upper of each shoe is first constructed and then assembled in Massachusetts. To show pride in New Balance's continued dedication to domestic manufacturing, "USA"will be stitched on the heel and tongue of every shoe within this collection.
574 Clips stays true to the 574's premium design and comfort technologies, but acquires its name from being constructed of leftover clips of materials from other New Balance "Made in the USA"silhouettes, specifically the 993 and 996. Typically constructed of cow suede, the evolved 574 will feature supple grey pig suede, which comes from the leftover materials of the 993 stitched together with one of four different colored surplus meshes from the construction of the 996.
"Of all the shoes produced by New Balance, we're especially proud of the 574. It's a perfect demonstration of our core values of heritage, craftsmanship, innovation and imagination, as well as our deeply held belief that ‘grey is beautiful,'"says product manager Luis Navarro. This collection will follow the standards that all past 574 collections have embodied: the synergy of beautiful design and function. All content created for the 574 Clips campaign will also be inspired by heritage, craftsmanship, innovation and imagination, New Balance Lifestyle's core values.
The 574 Clips Campaign
The collection name, "574 Clips"has a dual meaning: The first stems from the leftover material clippings used to construct each shoe; the second from the video clips used in the marketing campaign supporting this collection's launch, designed by New Balance Lifestyle's agency of record, Mother New York.
The 574 Clips marketing campaign will target sneaker connoisseurs - one of a growing number of enthusiasts who collect, critique, discuss, analyze, obsess about, display, sell, and sometimes even wear the sneakers they buy. New Balance will be able to provide these tastemakers with a shoe that no one else has with a unique experiential story specific to that shoe.
The 574 Clips Campaign was designed to highlight the individualistic nature of each shoe. The campaign will be centered around a website that will feature 480 short videos, www.574Clips.com. 480 video clips were recorded of each of the shoes' unique experience before reaching the consumer. These videos were shot at locations throughout the US including Los Angeles, New York City and Lawrence, Massachusetts, where the shoes are manufactured.
To compliment the 480 short films, a Polaroid photo has been taken of the shoe's experience and placed in the corresponding shoe box, conveying a trading card collector feel. The back of each Polaroid will indicate the shoe's limited edition number (example: 017/480), size and color. A find tab will list the ten retail locations where the collection can be purchased.
Consumers can then visit the 574 Clips website and search for the exclusive video created specifically for their shoe. Once the consumer has found their "clipâ€, they can watch the short video featuring their pair. After the video is finished playing, the Polaroid will flip over and the owner has the option to "claim"their shoe by entering a unique 5 digit code and their name. Once clips are claimed, they can still be viewed, but the owner's name will be shown at the end of the short. Enthusiasm of purchasing and finding each shoe on the website will translate into a desire for the owner to share with their friends. If a user elects to share their new pair of 574's unique experience with friends, they are presented with several social media options including: Facebook, MySpace, Delicious and Tumblr.
"We took the iconic 574 and evolved the world around it,"said Paul Malmstrom and Linus Karlsson, Creative Directors and Partners at Mother New York. "We wanted to find a way to make each shoe extra special. We did this by creating 480 stories for 480 shoes, shooting people and places across the country. We were there for 443/480's entrance into the world. We screamed with 298/480 throughout its first roller coaster. We held 016/480's laces as it raced in an ambulance. We even had to chase a zebra to get 002/480 back."
The 574 Clips Collection shares various technologies with the 2010 re-engineered 574, such as removal of unnecessary foams in the tongue and collar to reduce heat and bulk and added rubber durometers to yield shoe flexibility and a softer feel. It also features a PU insert for ultimate, plush comfort and a microdenier lining taken from the 993 to create a luxurious feel.
The 574 Clips Collection will be available in September 2009, in four rich colorways: grey/blue, grey/green, grey/orange and grey/burgundy. There will be 120 pair per color available, limiting the total production to 480 pairs. 574 Clips will retail at $75.00 at ten top U.S. retailers including Reed Space in NYC, Undefeated in LA, Bodega in Boston and Goods in Seattle, among others.
Please visit www.574Clips.com for more information.
About New Balance Lifestyle
New Balance, based in Boston, MA, continues its tradition of premium footwear. Designed for both men and women, New Balance footwear features the finest construction and quality. Ranging from all-time classic favorites to reinvented modern silhouettes, each Lifestyle shoe features innovative materials and technologies that keep the New Balance brand as relevant and sought after today as it was 100 years ago. Celebrating heritage, craftsmanship, innovation and imagination, New Balance Lifestyle fuses classic designs from the past with bold ideas from the future.
Please visit www.newbalance.com for more information.
-source
***
The New Balance 574 clips doesn't seem to be just grabbing parts from old shoes and slap then on a new one. It's good that they've also improved the New Balance 574 Clip's design.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
New Balance Woos Sneakerheads
NEW YORK In an attempt to solidify its standing with influential sneaker bloggers, New Balance Lifestyle has launched a campaign around a limited release -- just 480 -- of the company's 574 Clips running shoe.
This marks the first New Balance work from independent shop Mother since the agency added the New Balance Lifestyle account last August. (BBDO, New York, handles the brand's other work.)
Mother's effort includes a Polaroid in each of the 480 shoes with a 5-digit code on the back that buyers can use to "claim" their shoe online. The individual attention is meant to underscore the unusual, all-American lineage of the sneakers: Each is composed of leftover material clippings in New Balance's Lawrence, Mass., factory, hence the name "Clips."
The 574 Clips will sell for $75 each, so the goal is not to boost revenue, but to create positive buzz among sneaker bloggers known as "sneakerheads" in the industry. "They're vastly important for us because of the influence they have over the broader marketplace," said Taylor Duffy, client integrated marketing manager.
One of the industry's key sneakerheads is Matt Halfhill, founder of NiceKicks.com, which gets 2 million hits per month. "I think we are tastemakers at times," he said. "What we say might catch on. Sometimes people look to the blogs for opinions about the shoes and read the comments closely."
Only a sneakerhead is likely to fully appreciate Mother's campaign, which invites buyers of the shoes to visit a 574 Clips Web site to find the video clip of their shoe and claim it by entering the 5-digit code. Later, consumers are invited to share that information with friends via Tumblr, MySpace, Delicious and Facebook. The clips show the shoes doing things like riding a roller coaster or even being chased by a zebra.
The viral media component is designed to let the buzz linger even after the shoes have sold out, said Kristina Helb, a client rep.
New Balance launched Lifestyle about two years ago, after Tyson Foods vet Robert DeMartini took over as CEO. The idea, similar to the Adidas' Originals line, was to recycle New Balance's older running shoes, which have become hip in certain circles. After Mother was brought on board, the agency launched a research project that identified New Balance's brand essence and its audience, including those influential bloggers. -source
***
Sneakerheads would surely want to grab one of these limited edition New Balance Sneakers. If you deon't get a hand on these, check out ebay. I'm sure someone will be making money off of these New Balance Limited Edition shoes.
This marks the first New Balance work from independent shop Mother since the agency added the New Balance Lifestyle account last August. (BBDO, New York, handles the brand's other work.)
Mother's effort includes a Polaroid in each of the 480 shoes with a 5-digit code on the back that buyers can use to "claim" their shoe online. The individual attention is meant to underscore the unusual, all-American lineage of the sneakers: Each is composed of leftover material clippings in New Balance's Lawrence, Mass., factory, hence the name "Clips."
The 574 Clips will sell for $75 each, so the goal is not to boost revenue, but to create positive buzz among sneaker bloggers known as "sneakerheads" in the industry. "They're vastly important for us because of the influence they have over the broader marketplace," said Taylor Duffy, client integrated marketing manager.
One of the industry's key sneakerheads is Matt Halfhill, founder of NiceKicks.com, which gets 2 million hits per month. "I think we are tastemakers at times," he said. "What we say might catch on. Sometimes people look to the blogs for opinions about the shoes and read the comments closely."
Only a sneakerhead is likely to fully appreciate Mother's campaign, which invites buyers of the shoes to visit a 574 Clips Web site to find the video clip of their shoe and claim it by entering the 5-digit code. Later, consumers are invited to share that information with friends via Tumblr, MySpace, Delicious and Facebook. The clips show the shoes doing things like riding a roller coaster or even being chased by a zebra.
The viral media component is designed to let the buzz linger even after the shoes have sold out, said Kristina Helb, a client rep.
New Balance launched Lifestyle about two years ago, after Tyson Foods vet Robert DeMartini took over as CEO. The idea, similar to the Adidas' Originals line, was to recycle New Balance's older running shoes, which have become hip in certain circles. After Mother was brought on board, the agency launched a research project that identified New Balance's brand essence and its audience, including those influential bloggers. -source
***
Sneakerheads would surely want to grab one of these limited edition New Balance Sneakers. If you deon't get a hand on these, check out ebay. I'm sure someone will be making money off of these New Balance Limited Edition shoes.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
New Balance - footwear at a clip
Foot work. Mother New York is playing the numbers game in a new campaign for New Balance. The sports shoe brand is rolling out its 574 Clips footwear, which is constructed from the remaining bits and pieces of the 993 and 996 lines, and the agency has launched a website, 574Clips.com, featuring videos of each of the 480 pairs of the handmade 574 shoes.
Owners of a couple of new Clips can go to the site and match the Polaroid snap that came in the shoebox with the image on 574Clips.com. They then get to see a short (five to 20 seconds) video of the ‘history’ of those particular shoes, which they can ‘claim’ online and share. -source
**
So this is what the New Balance 574 clips are. It's also nice to be able to see which part of the new shoe came from of the old new balance shoes.
Owners of a couple of new Clips can go to the site and match the Polaroid snap that came in the shoebox with the image on 574Clips.com. They then get to see a short (five to 20 seconds) video of the ‘history’ of those particular shoes, which they can ‘claim’ online and share. -source
**
So this is what the New Balance 574 clips are. It's also nice to be able to see which part of the new shoe came from of the old new balance shoes.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Nike’s green lobbying: Corporate responsibility or regulatory robbery?
Nike has relinquished its spot on the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to protest the chamber’s opposition to federal climate-change regulations. The shoemaker is lobbying hard for a cap-and-trade scheme to curb greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
Why is Nike joining the parade of Fortune 500 companies backing climate legislation? More than most companies, Nike seems to be acting from true conviction on this issue.
The company put it this way in a recent report: “We believe climate change is a risk to our business and that creative approaches to tackling our footprint will enable our growth.”
This is a standard explanation from corporations lobbying for cap and trade — climate change hurts everybody, including our business. It may be Nike’s true motivation, but it’s also a convenient line to walk. You have to argue the legislation will help the company or you risk a shareholder rebellion. You can’t admit a narrow benefit to your company or you lose your claim to “corporate responsibility.”
While charity compels us to give Nike the benefit of the doubt — that they actually do believe greenhouse gases threaten the planet and that the company has a moral obligation to curb their emissions — it’s still worthwhile to look at the narrower ways in which Nike benefits from its green lobbying, not in order to delegitimize the company’s arguments, but just to cast some suspicion on them.
First, Nike is as much a marketer as a shoemaker. Image isn’t everything for the apparel, equipment and sneaker company, but it may be the biggest thing. So, the Oregon-based company helps its image with a sizable portion of the younger demographic by taking an aggressively green stance.
More importantly, Nike won’t bear most of the costs of a cap-and-trade scheme in the U.S. because Nike doesn’t make stuff in the U.S. Cap and trade adds to manufacturing costs by attaching a price to emissions, which makes energy more expensive. But “a vast majority” of Nike goods are made overseas, a company spokesman told me in an e-mail.
While Nike outsources its manufacturing to factories in Vietnam and other poor countries where greenhouse gases aren’t regulated, some of its competition makes their shoes here in the U.S., where Nike is lobbying to increase costs.
Among serious runners, for instance, Nike lags behind New Balance. New Balance makes running shoes in New England. Cap and trade would drive up the cost of making these shoes, likely cutting into New Balance’s profits and pushing up prices. This would give a competitive advantage to Nike by magnifying its cost advantage over New Balance.
It’s telling to look at Nike’s emissions numbers. The company touts its 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1998 to 2005, but the fine print tells an interesting story.
Almost all that reduction came from its replacing the air in its Nike Air shoes with a nitrogen gas (it had been sulfur hexafluoride, an extremely potent greenhouse gas). Nike also got a slight reduction by increasing efficiency in the facilities the company owns.
But Nike contracts out its Third World manufacturing. In its manufacturing and logistics, Nike emissions jumped 62 percent in that period. These are largely emissions that a U.S. cap-and-trade measure wouldn’t cover.
Nike (given its arguments that greenhouse emissions threaten the planet) deserves credit for measuring and reporting its offshore manufacturing emissions, and the company pledges to reduce them.
I asked whether Nike supports cap-and-trade regulations in the countries where its shoes are made, and a spokesman wrote, “We are focused on advocating for an international agreement at Copenhagen which will set a level playing field for all countries around the world.”
If Nike succeeds in creating the same mandatory carbon constraints in Vietnam that it’s lobbying to impose on U.S. manufacturers, that would erase the suspicion its climate lobbying is partly an attempt to kneecap its competitors that actually make shoes in the U.S.
In any event, Nike appears to take seriously the need the reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Time will tell if the company’s climate effort is an instance of true corporate responsibility or another case of regulatory robbery. -source
***
There will always be corporate wars like this considering that Nike is behind New Balance running shoes. I'm sure New Balance also have some things under their sleeves.
Why is Nike joining the parade of Fortune 500 companies backing climate legislation? More than most companies, Nike seems to be acting from true conviction on this issue.
The company put it this way in a recent report: “We believe climate change is a risk to our business and that creative approaches to tackling our footprint will enable our growth.”
This is a standard explanation from corporations lobbying for cap and trade — climate change hurts everybody, including our business. It may be Nike’s true motivation, but it’s also a convenient line to walk. You have to argue the legislation will help the company or you risk a shareholder rebellion. You can’t admit a narrow benefit to your company or you lose your claim to “corporate responsibility.”
While charity compels us to give Nike the benefit of the doubt — that they actually do believe greenhouse gases threaten the planet and that the company has a moral obligation to curb their emissions — it’s still worthwhile to look at the narrower ways in which Nike benefits from its green lobbying, not in order to delegitimize the company’s arguments, but just to cast some suspicion on them.
First, Nike is as much a marketer as a shoemaker. Image isn’t everything for the apparel, equipment and sneaker company, but it may be the biggest thing. So, the Oregon-based company helps its image with a sizable portion of the younger demographic by taking an aggressively green stance.
More importantly, Nike won’t bear most of the costs of a cap-and-trade scheme in the U.S. because Nike doesn’t make stuff in the U.S. Cap and trade adds to manufacturing costs by attaching a price to emissions, which makes energy more expensive. But “a vast majority” of Nike goods are made overseas, a company spokesman told me in an e-mail.
While Nike outsources its manufacturing to factories in Vietnam and other poor countries where greenhouse gases aren’t regulated, some of its competition makes their shoes here in the U.S., where Nike is lobbying to increase costs.
Among serious runners, for instance, Nike lags behind New Balance. New Balance makes running shoes in New England. Cap and trade would drive up the cost of making these shoes, likely cutting into New Balance’s profits and pushing up prices. This would give a competitive advantage to Nike by magnifying its cost advantage over New Balance.
It’s telling to look at Nike’s emissions numbers. The company touts its 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1998 to 2005, but the fine print tells an interesting story.
Almost all that reduction came from its replacing the air in its Nike Air shoes with a nitrogen gas (it had been sulfur hexafluoride, an extremely potent greenhouse gas). Nike also got a slight reduction by increasing efficiency in the facilities the company owns.
But Nike contracts out its Third World manufacturing. In its manufacturing and logistics, Nike emissions jumped 62 percent in that period. These are largely emissions that a U.S. cap-and-trade measure wouldn’t cover.
Nike (given its arguments that greenhouse emissions threaten the planet) deserves credit for measuring and reporting its offshore manufacturing emissions, and the company pledges to reduce them.
I asked whether Nike supports cap-and-trade regulations in the countries where its shoes are made, and a spokesman wrote, “We are focused on advocating for an international agreement at Copenhagen which will set a level playing field for all countries around the world.”
If Nike succeeds in creating the same mandatory carbon constraints in Vietnam that it’s lobbying to impose on U.S. manufacturers, that would erase the suspicion its climate lobbying is partly an attempt to kneecap its competitors that actually make shoes in the U.S.
In any event, Nike appears to take seriously the need the reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Time will tell if the company’s climate effort is an instance of true corporate responsibility or another case of regulatory robbery. -source
***
There will always be corporate wars like this considering that Nike is behind New Balance running shoes. I'm sure New Balance also have some things under their sleeves.
Protect your feet with quality shoes, not Nike Shox
New Balance will have almost equal cushioning on the bottom throughout the shoe.
Runners World, who has been the number one source of quality and breakthrough information about running for years, has a shoe guide on their website. The shoes mentioned there are Asics, Brooks, and the upper priced New Balance. In the runner's world, Nike Shox are a joke. Whether at Happy's Running Club or the Reindeer Run, both of these races are laid back and even then the appearance of Nike Shox will not be on the feet of someone in the front of the pack, if at all.
Perhaps the most obvious flaw in the Shox is the fact that there are gaps in the shoe; the elusive Air technology. Though Nike markets this as the genius of the shoe, it is absolutely absurd have air where support could be. That is the equivalent of taking the sole of a shoe, cutting a piece of it out, and then convincing runners that it is a better shoe.
Though young people might think the Shox are like the shocks on a car and will give them more spring, it is actually a shoe that contradicts the necessary technology to support an injury-free runner.
LSU students and runners alike can receive similar information at local running stores. Usually these stores employ people who have some experience with running and will never offer you Nike Shox for your ideal trainer shoe. Do a favor and convert all Nike Shox into rainy day school shoes. -source
***
That's surprising. Nike Shox is marketed for runners yet it's not good for running? At least there are other opetions like New Balance running shoes.
Runners World, who has been the number one source of quality and breakthrough information about running for years, has a shoe guide on their website. The shoes mentioned there are Asics, Brooks, and the upper priced New Balance. In the runner's world, Nike Shox are a joke. Whether at Happy's Running Club or the Reindeer Run, both of these races are laid back and even then the appearance of Nike Shox will not be on the feet of someone in the front of the pack, if at all.
Perhaps the most obvious flaw in the Shox is the fact that there are gaps in the shoe; the elusive Air technology. Though Nike markets this as the genius of the shoe, it is absolutely absurd have air where support could be. That is the equivalent of taking the sole of a shoe, cutting a piece of it out, and then convincing runners that it is a better shoe.
Though young people might think the Shox are like the shocks on a car and will give them more spring, it is actually a shoe that contradicts the necessary technology to support an injury-free runner.
LSU students and runners alike can receive similar information at local running stores. Usually these stores employ people who have some experience with running and will never offer you Nike Shox for your ideal trainer shoe. Do a favor and convert all Nike Shox into rainy day school shoes. -source
***
That's surprising. Nike Shox is marketed for runners yet it's not good for running? At least there are other opetions like New Balance running shoes.
Most wanted: Running gear for the marathon and beyond
You may or may not be running a 26-mile race soon, but you’re still taking your fitness seriously this fall—which means having the right gear for running in the crisp, leaf-crunching weather. There’s another reason this is a great season to step into new footwear and running apparel—running gear is hitting a stylish and high-tech stride that enhances what has historically been a primarily functional role. Frankly, we’re finding these new runner’s duds inspirational. Editors-who-run John Dugan and Liz Plosser have selected some personal favorites from this season’s offerings of running shoes and apparel—just in time for this year’s Chicago Marathon or your pre-Thanksgiving training push. One warning: Once you’re wearing running a kit this cool, you’ve got no excuses. Meet you on the trail.
SHOES
Nike Lunar Glide+ shoes, $100 (men’s and women’s) available at Niketown (669 N Michigan)
Nike’s latest, greatest sneaker eliminates the ubiquitous runner’s quandary of having to choose between stability and cushioning by providing both in one shoe. (Bonus points for the sweet design and colorways.) The snugly fit (more slipper than sneaker) and soft (but not too soft) sole makes for a cushy ride. But lest you think you’re going to plod slowly away atop pillows, the feather-light sneaks (the women’s are a mere 8.6 ounces) make you feel like you’ve got rockets on your feet. Seeee ya!
New Balance 905 shoes, $94.95 at nbwebexpress.com
This year, New Balance 1063s turned around my running game—somehow their design gives support to my oddly shaped giant boats and has put some spring in my morning jog. I quit my gym, I lost weight—those shoes are that rad. I’m thinking of stepping up to a racing shoe (maybe even racing again) and number one on my list is the “premium lightweight stability trainer,” the New Balance 905, which can be used for both training and racing debuting in January 2010. On the techy side, these are designed to hug the foot with a custom-like fit, control moisture and reflect 360º for safety. The 905 has a brighter, more aggressive look—which I’m digging—and marks a shift for New Balance away from fairly humdrum running shoe colors of the past. These babies pop.
adiStar Ride 2, $125 at shopadidas.com
The new elite running shoe from adidas has yet to hit the streets, but its talking-point attraction is a new technology allowing the shoe to flex more naturally with your movement. Active ForMotion involves “a panel of stretch material located in the upper midfoot section of the shoe reduces overall torsion stiffness, thus supporting the foot in its natural running movement.”
SHORTS
New Balance Women’s NBX Shorts, $40 at nbwebexpress.com
At first glance, they look fairly simple. But hang on because there’s a half dozen bells and whistles humbly at work in these shorts. First, the X-Static fabric is: antimicrobial (no yucky sweat germs), eliminates odor (no nose-pinching, post-run stink), regulates temperature (perfect for an Indian summer day or steamy treadmill session), eliminates static (no lame short bunching). Then, there’s the subtle storage compartment—on the front of the shorts so you never again have to man-handle your butt as you try to grab that fiver out of the pocket for a post-run cup of coffee. Finally, the sewn-in, customizable “In Case Of Emergency” tag. Yeah, you’ll probably never need it, but it’s nice to know NB is thinking of everything, isn’t it?
Nike Pacer Women’s Low Rise Running Capris, $50 available at Niketown
Yeah, it’s just a pair of black capris, but considering they’re a staple of any runner’s wardrobe come the crisp days of October, they’d better be comfy. And cute. Nike nails both of these crucial elements with the new Pacer. Dri-FIT fabric wicks sweat, flat seams minimize chafing, the low-rise waist is super flattering, mesh hems add some style, a back zip pocket stores your cash and ID, and a media-player pocket makes it a cinch to take your tunes on the road. Ladies, you will live in these suckers!
Nike Dri-Fit Tempo Track Two-in-One Men’s Running Shorts, $50 available at Niketown
Regularly jogging men, if you are still running in sweats or basketball shorts, I have news for you—there’s a better way—a much better way. If you can’t get over the fact that strangers will see your thighs and you won’t pony up for short and proper running shorts, the 7” inseam Tempo is for you. The built in boxer keeps one dry and they’re light as air, with a media pocket for your music player.
TOPS
New Balance Women’s Tissue Knit Tank, $36 at nbwebexpress.com
At first touch, you’ll think, “comfy nightshirt that I want to wear on a lazy Sunday morning while reading the paper.” While that may not be the ideal mind-set as you suit up for a run, be assured that this shirt is just right for jogging. No tight, body-hugging lycra, no weird cutouts exposing skin, no rough seams that chafe and scratch. Just a straightforward, cotton-feel that belies the intense technical fabrics in action (hydrophobic polyester yarns move moisture to keep you dry). The mellow lavender hue just adds to the experience. So you have it both ways in this tank—read your newspaper or run in it. Or both!
NBx Adapter Long Sleeve, $60 at nbwebexpress.com
Meet the clothing of the future you can wear now. The long-lasting high-tech fabric in this shirt has a layer of silver in it and is made to cool off in summer, insulate in winter—but we just think it looks like something you wear on another planet while cruising around. You could layer it for a cold-weather workout, but that would be a bit of a shame. It’s meant to be seen.
ASICS ARD Women’s Shimimel, $55 at asicsamerica.com
Each piece in the new ARD (advanced running development) collection is made with ultra-lightweight mesh, strategically designed for reflectivity, flatlock stitch and welded seam-free back mesh for breathability and comfort. While we dig the Shimmel’s built-in shelf bra and zipper for temperature management, whatever you choose from the collection, you can pound the pavement confident that you’ve got on an A+ piece of performance gear.
Brooks Women’s HVAC Seamless Long Sleeve Shirt, $98 at brooksrunning.com
Go, go gadget, uh, long-sleeve shirt! Thanks to its thermoregulating HVAC technology, this super-smart long-sleeved top detects changes in body temperature and reacts by moving heat from high- to low-heat areas, so you stay “thermally balanced” (in other words, comfortable). Bonus points for the stripey design.
RoxyAthletix Medium Impact Support Bra, $38 at roxy.com
Hopefully you’ve got a six-pack midriff you’re dying to show off, because it’d be a shame for no one but you to see how fun this print-detailed sports bra is with its fashion-forward back cut-outs.
JACKETS
Brooks Women’s Motion Vest, $60 at brooksrunning.com
We know, it’s so cute—with its ribbed neck, wide ribbed waistband and funky quilted stitching—that it’s almost a shame you’ll be sweating in it. But please embrace its cuteness and slip into this butter-soft vest on a chilly fall evening.
RoxyAthletix Women’s Halftime Hoodie, $58 at roxy.com
The good news: You’re going to feel super stylin’ as you jog along the lake path in this hoodie. The bad news: You’re going to get stopped every half-mile by an admirer who’s desperate to know where you found it. Surprise! It’s an awesome new running line from surf company Roxy.
NBx Conduction Half-Zip, $75 at nbwebexpress.com
With a Chicago fall and winter coming up, runners will need some layering options. This New Balance jacket has X-STATIC fabric (which has a layer of silver in it) with antimicrobial, odor-eliminating and thermodynamic properties. It also has a music-friendly external storage pocket and 360 degree reflectivity, so you’ll be visible when listening to Born to Run.
Read more: http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/09/most-wanted-running-gear-for-the-marathon-and-beyond/#ixzz0Sr4m1xai
***
These are really cool running gear! I don't know who won't get encouraged to run with such cool stuff!
SHOES
Nike Lunar Glide+ shoes, $100 (men’s and women’s) available at Niketown (669 N Michigan)
Nike’s latest, greatest sneaker eliminates the ubiquitous runner’s quandary of having to choose between stability and cushioning by providing both in one shoe. (Bonus points for the sweet design and colorways.) The snugly fit (more slipper than sneaker) and soft (but not too soft) sole makes for a cushy ride. But lest you think you’re going to plod slowly away atop pillows, the feather-light sneaks (the women’s are a mere 8.6 ounces) make you feel like you’ve got rockets on your feet. Seeee ya!
New Balance 905 shoes, $94.95 at nbwebexpress.com
This year, New Balance 1063s turned around my running game—somehow their design gives support to my oddly shaped giant boats and has put some spring in my morning jog. I quit my gym, I lost weight—those shoes are that rad. I’m thinking of stepping up to a racing shoe (maybe even racing again) and number one on my list is the “premium lightweight stability trainer,” the New Balance 905, which can be used for both training and racing debuting in January 2010. On the techy side, these are designed to hug the foot with a custom-like fit, control moisture and reflect 360º for safety. The 905 has a brighter, more aggressive look—which I’m digging—and marks a shift for New Balance away from fairly humdrum running shoe colors of the past. These babies pop.
adiStar Ride 2, $125 at shopadidas.com
The new elite running shoe from adidas has yet to hit the streets, but its talking-point attraction is a new technology allowing the shoe to flex more naturally with your movement. Active ForMotion involves “a panel of stretch material located in the upper midfoot section of the shoe reduces overall torsion stiffness, thus supporting the foot in its natural running movement.”
SHORTS
New Balance Women’s NBX Shorts, $40 at nbwebexpress.com
At first glance, they look fairly simple. But hang on because there’s a half dozen bells and whistles humbly at work in these shorts. First, the X-Static fabric is: antimicrobial (no yucky sweat germs), eliminates odor (no nose-pinching, post-run stink), regulates temperature (perfect for an Indian summer day or steamy treadmill session), eliminates static (no lame short bunching). Then, there’s the subtle storage compartment—on the front of the shorts so you never again have to man-handle your butt as you try to grab that fiver out of the pocket for a post-run cup of coffee. Finally, the sewn-in, customizable “In Case Of Emergency” tag. Yeah, you’ll probably never need it, but it’s nice to know NB is thinking of everything, isn’t it?
Nike Pacer Women’s Low Rise Running Capris, $50 available at Niketown
Yeah, it’s just a pair of black capris, but considering they’re a staple of any runner’s wardrobe come the crisp days of October, they’d better be comfy. And cute. Nike nails both of these crucial elements with the new Pacer. Dri-FIT fabric wicks sweat, flat seams minimize chafing, the low-rise waist is super flattering, mesh hems add some style, a back zip pocket stores your cash and ID, and a media-player pocket makes it a cinch to take your tunes on the road. Ladies, you will live in these suckers!
Nike Dri-Fit Tempo Track Two-in-One Men’s Running Shorts, $50 available at Niketown
Regularly jogging men, if you are still running in sweats or basketball shorts, I have news for you—there’s a better way—a much better way. If you can’t get over the fact that strangers will see your thighs and you won’t pony up for short and proper running shorts, the 7” inseam Tempo is for you. The built in boxer keeps one dry and they’re light as air, with a media pocket for your music player.
TOPS
New Balance Women’s Tissue Knit Tank, $36 at nbwebexpress.com
At first touch, you’ll think, “comfy nightshirt that I want to wear on a lazy Sunday morning while reading the paper.” While that may not be the ideal mind-set as you suit up for a run, be assured that this shirt is just right for jogging. No tight, body-hugging lycra, no weird cutouts exposing skin, no rough seams that chafe and scratch. Just a straightforward, cotton-feel that belies the intense technical fabrics in action (hydrophobic polyester yarns move moisture to keep you dry). The mellow lavender hue just adds to the experience. So you have it both ways in this tank—read your newspaper or run in it. Or both!
NBx Adapter Long Sleeve, $60 at nbwebexpress.com
Meet the clothing of the future you can wear now. The long-lasting high-tech fabric in this shirt has a layer of silver in it and is made to cool off in summer, insulate in winter—but we just think it looks like something you wear on another planet while cruising around. You could layer it for a cold-weather workout, but that would be a bit of a shame. It’s meant to be seen.
ASICS ARD Women’s Shimimel, $55 at asicsamerica.com
Each piece in the new ARD (advanced running development) collection is made with ultra-lightweight mesh, strategically designed for reflectivity, flatlock stitch and welded seam-free back mesh for breathability and comfort. While we dig the Shimmel’s built-in shelf bra and zipper for temperature management, whatever you choose from the collection, you can pound the pavement confident that you’ve got on an A+ piece of performance gear.
Brooks Women’s HVAC Seamless Long Sleeve Shirt, $98 at brooksrunning.com
Go, go gadget, uh, long-sleeve shirt! Thanks to its thermoregulating HVAC technology, this super-smart long-sleeved top detects changes in body temperature and reacts by moving heat from high- to low-heat areas, so you stay “thermally balanced” (in other words, comfortable). Bonus points for the stripey design.
RoxyAthletix Medium Impact Support Bra, $38 at roxy.com
Hopefully you’ve got a six-pack midriff you’re dying to show off, because it’d be a shame for no one but you to see how fun this print-detailed sports bra is with its fashion-forward back cut-outs.
JACKETS
Brooks Women’s Motion Vest, $60 at brooksrunning.com
We know, it’s so cute—with its ribbed neck, wide ribbed waistband and funky quilted stitching—that it’s almost a shame you’ll be sweating in it. But please embrace its cuteness and slip into this butter-soft vest on a chilly fall evening.
RoxyAthletix Women’s Halftime Hoodie, $58 at roxy.com
The good news: You’re going to feel super stylin’ as you jog along the lake path in this hoodie. The bad news: You’re going to get stopped every half-mile by an admirer who’s desperate to know where you found it. Surprise! It’s an awesome new running line from surf company Roxy.
NBx Conduction Half-Zip, $75 at nbwebexpress.com
With a Chicago fall and winter coming up, runners will need some layering options. This New Balance jacket has X-STATIC fabric (which has a layer of silver in it) with antimicrobial, odor-eliminating and thermodynamic properties. It also has a music-friendly external storage pocket and 360 degree reflectivity, so you’ll be visible when listening to Born to Run.
Read more: http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/09/most-wanted-running-gear-for-the-marathon-and-beyond/#ixzz0Sr4m1xai
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These are really cool running gear! I don't know who won't get encouraged to run with such cool stuff!
New Balance Hopes Sneakerheads Will Run With 574 Clips
New Balance Lifestyle has launched a campaign around a limited release of the company's 574 Clips running shoe that includes a Polaroid in each of the 480 pairs of shoes with a five-digit code on the back that buyers can use to "claim" their shoe online, Todd Wasserman reports. Each pair of 574s is composed of leftover clippings from New Balance's Lawrence, Mass., factory.
The goal is to create positive buzz among sneaker bloggers or "sneakerheads," as they are known. "They're vastly important for us because of the influence they have over the broader marketplace," says Taylor Duffy, integrated marketing manager for New Balance's Lifestyle. The 574 Clips sell for $75.
New Balance launched Lifestyle about two years ago. The idea, similar to Adidas' Originals line, was to recycle New Balance's older running shoes, which have become hip in certain circles, Wasserman writes. -source
**
I don't understand. What do you mean by claim your New Balance Shoes online?
The goal is to create positive buzz among sneaker bloggers or "sneakerheads," as they are known. "They're vastly important for us because of the influence they have over the broader marketplace," says Taylor Duffy, integrated marketing manager for New Balance's Lifestyle. The 574 Clips sell for $75.
New Balance launched Lifestyle about two years ago. The idea, similar to Adidas' Originals line, was to recycle New Balance's older running shoes, which have become hip in certain circles, Wasserman writes. -source
**
I don't understand. What do you mean by claim your New Balance Shoes online?
New shoes let runners bare their soles, almost
Longtime fans of running recall Ethiopia's Abebe Bikila running through the cobbled streets of Rome, barefoot, in the 1960 Olympic marathon.
As a last-minute replacement on his team, he was unable to find a pair of shoes that fit, and since he trained barefoot most of the time anyway, he decided to give it a go.
Turned out it went pretty well: Bikila won gold that day.
In the years since, distance coaches have advocated sessions of barefoot running to strengthen the feet and ankles, and to develop an efficient gait. The problem is, it's not that easy to do.
For one thing, you have to find an area that's not too hard or rough, and where you're not going to cut your feet. For another, feet that have been coddled all their lives by shoes tend to be a bit sensitive to the elements. Bare feet certainly were not made to run on concrete or asphalt.
But shoe companies, recognizing that less can be more, have begun developing shoes that offer the closest thing to barefoot running, and may deliver some of the same benefits.
Not surprisingly, Nike was the pioneer with the Nike Free, which came out five years ago. Since then, New Balance and Brooks have jumped into the barefoot-style fray, and a new Boulder, Colo.-based company called Newton has developed a shoe that encourages runners to run with a more natural and efficient technique.
While Nike originally stated up front that the Free was intended to be used only for certain training sessions and not as an "all-of-the-time" running shoe, some have found they can't go back to the seemingly clunky, feature-laden shoes that are the norm.
"I think that nature has developed a complete package — the interaction of the feet with the body, the foot with the ground — it's pretty incredible," said running shoe guru Paul Carrozza of RunTex. "The beauty of the human body is how adaptive it can be."
Carrozza notes how running midsoles evolved from EVA that was simply cut from a sheet, to compression-molded EVA that was contained by walls.
That changed the way the foot interacted with the shoe and helped develop shoes with different firmness, support, etc., but the downside is you need an exact match of running shoe type to your foot type.
Enter injection foam, which is what the barefoot-style running shoes all have, and you get the ability of the foot to self-level and create the natural shape it needs to jump with the most power.
"The Frees work beautifully. I think it's the flexibility," said Paul Seals, a longtime Austin runner and 2:45 marathoner who started wearing the Nike Free around 2005. "I had been having foot problems with the really cushioned protective shoes, but not with the Frees."
Lately, Seals has been running in the Lunar Lite, a cousin of the Free, and finds them to be super light, and yet durable. The interesting thing is, he's not a typical light-weight runner, the kind you'd expect to get away with a minimalist shoe.
"I'm 6-foot-4 and weigh 200 pounds, and I'd put these up against any other shoe in terms of wear," Seals said. "They maintain their cushioning for months. They mold to your foot, so you are running more in your natural gait. It's where your foot wants to strike as opposed to where the shoe wants to strike." -source
**
It's good that New Balance is also going towards the "almost" barefoot feel of shoes.
As a last-minute replacement on his team, he was unable to find a pair of shoes that fit, and since he trained barefoot most of the time anyway, he decided to give it a go.
Turned out it went pretty well: Bikila won gold that day.
In the years since, distance coaches have advocated sessions of barefoot running to strengthen the feet and ankles, and to develop an efficient gait. The problem is, it's not that easy to do.
For one thing, you have to find an area that's not too hard or rough, and where you're not going to cut your feet. For another, feet that have been coddled all their lives by shoes tend to be a bit sensitive to the elements. Bare feet certainly were not made to run on concrete or asphalt.
But shoe companies, recognizing that less can be more, have begun developing shoes that offer the closest thing to barefoot running, and may deliver some of the same benefits.
Not surprisingly, Nike was the pioneer with the Nike Free, which came out five years ago. Since then, New Balance and Brooks have jumped into the barefoot-style fray, and a new Boulder, Colo.-based company called Newton has developed a shoe that encourages runners to run with a more natural and efficient technique.
While Nike originally stated up front that the Free was intended to be used only for certain training sessions and not as an "all-of-the-time" running shoe, some have found they can't go back to the seemingly clunky, feature-laden shoes that are the norm.
"I think that nature has developed a complete package — the interaction of the feet with the body, the foot with the ground — it's pretty incredible," said running shoe guru Paul Carrozza of RunTex. "The beauty of the human body is how adaptive it can be."
Carrozza notes how running midsoles evolved from EVA that was simply cut from a sheet, to compression-molded EVA that was contained by walls.
That changed the way the foot interacted with the shoe and helped develop shoes with different firmness, support, etc., but the downside is you need an exact match of running shoe type to your foot type.
Enter injection foam, which is what the barefoot-style running shoes all have, and you get the ability of the foot to self-level and create the natural shape it needs to jump with the most power.
"The Frees work beautifully. I think it's the flexibility," said Paul Seals, a longtime Austin runner and 2:45 marathoner who started wearing the Nike Free around 2005. "I had been having foot problems with the really cushioned protective shoes, but not with the Frees."
Lately, Seals has been running in the Lunar Lite, a cousin of the Free, and finds them to be super light, and yet durable. The interesting thing is, he's not a typical light-weight runner, the kind you'd expect to get away with a minimalist shoe.
"I'm 6-foot-4 and weigh 200 pounds, and I'd put these up against any other shoe in terms of wear," Seals said. "They maintain their cushioning for months. They mold to your foot, so you are running more in your natural gait. It's where your foot wants to strike as opposed to where the shoe wants to strike." -source
**
It's good that New Balance is also going towards the "almost" barefoot feel of shoes.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Run On! plans to open running-shoe store in San Antonio
Run On! will launch its first San Antonio location later this year.
Dallas-based Run On! will open the new store in the Alta Vista Shopping Center in the Stone Oak area. The store will sell ASICS, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike and Saucony-branded shoes and accessories. The new store also will offer marathon training classes to San Antonio runners.
This will be Run On!’s fifth store location — all of which are in Texas.
Michele Allen will serve as the San Antonio’s store co-owner and manager. She has worked for Run On! for six years and has experience managing the company’s Coppell and Richardson stores. Most recently, Allen was the senior buyer for all of the company’s Texas stores.
The company’s other stores are located in Dallas and McKinney.
“We have been contemplating a fifth store for the past year and the opportunity to open our first San Antonio location evolved rather quickly,” says Run On! founder Bob Wallace.
“With Michele relocating to the area, it gave us a natural leader and partner for the store, and we are looking forward to opening the doors and expanding Run On!’s brand in another region of Texas,” he adds.
Bob and Rebecca Wallace founded Run On! in 1995. For the past three years, Run On! has been voted the best running store in Texas by the readers of Competitor Texas magazine. It also holds the distinction of being ranked as one of the top 50 running stores in the country by the Running Network LLC and Footwear Intelligence. -source
***
Run On! must be doing great since they're opening their 5th store. Seems like there's a growing market for running shoes. I've heard that New Balance Running Shoes are great!
Dallas-based Run On! will open the new store in the Alta Vista Shopping Center in the Stone Oak area. The store will sell ASICS, Brooks, Mizuno, New Balance, Nike and Saucony-branded shoes and accessories. The new store also will offer marathon training classes to San Antonio runners.
This will be Run On!’s fifth store location — all of which are in Texas.
Michele Allen will serve as the San Antonio’s store co-owner and manager. She has worked for Run On! for six years and has experience managing the company’s Coppell and Richardson stores. Most recently, Allen was the senior buyer for all of the company’s Texas stores.
The company’s other stores are located in Dallas and McKinney.
“We have been contemplating a fifth store for the past year and the opportunity to open our first San Antonio location evolved rather quickly,” says Run On! founder Bob Wallace.
“With Michele relocating to the area, it gave us a natural leader and partner for the store, and we are looking forward to opening the doors and expanding Run On!’s brand in another region of Texas,” he adds.
Bob and Rebecca Wallace founded Run On! in 1995. For the past three years, Run On! has been voted the best running store in Texas by the readers of Competitor Texas magazine. It also holds the distinction of being ranked as one of the top 50 running stores in the country by the Running Network LLC and Footwear Intelligence. -source
***
Run On! must be doing great since they're opening their 5th store. Seems like there's a growing market for running shoes. I've heard that New Balance Running Shoes are great!
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