New Balance - How New Balance Shoes are Made

Ever wonder how your New Balance shoes find their way to your feet? Of course you are the one who picks them out and brings them home, but how did they get to the store shelf or that website?

Check out this awesome video from YouTube.com. This 4 minute video shows us how New Balance shoes are constructed and the effort put into each pair.

Watch Now!

Walk This Way! Wendy Bumgardner's NB Walking Shoe Picks

Are you looking for just the right walking shoe? Check out this recent article on About.com.
Wendy Bumgardner, an avid race walker, lists her top 4 picks of New Balance walking shoes.

Keep in mind her picks are for neutral walkers or walkers who do not have motion control issues. To my surprise, her top picks are mostly running shoes! Read and find out for yourself.

Has anyone ever tried strictly walking in a running shoe? How did the running shoe perform?

--Cassie

Daddy Ben Affleck in the 992's!

A picture that will warm your heart, just in time for Father's Day!

Check out this recent picture of actor Ben Affleck with his young daughter Violet. Looks like he is spending some quality 'Daddy' time with his little girl at a park in Brentwood, California. Too cute!

And of course he is wearing his New Balance 992's!

NB Zip - Wear Tested, Runner Approved!

Tom, our elite Wear Tester at NB Web Express, finished a few months of training in the NB ZIP™ (M8505SN). While training, Tom put together some comments and tips for those who are looking for a new type of running shoe:

The NB ZIP in the heel provides durable responsiveness while dispersing shock from initial heel impact. This shoe also features ABZORB® SBS in the forefoot for shock absorption while resisting compression set. The full length ABZORB® Stroebel Board maximizes shock absorption and comfort. New Balance has also added ACTEVA™ LITE (which is 24% lighter than standard foam) to the midsole increasing the overall comfort and lightweight feel of this shoe.

Recommendation:

The NB ZIP is ideal for neutral runners who do not have any motion control issues. This shoe is also great for runners seeking a firm and resilient running experience.

Overall, Tom rates this shoe with the highest official Wear Testing score:

26.2 Miles! The best!

Any other runners out there taken a test run in the NB ZIP? If so, let us know your thoughts. Your feedback is what we want to hear!

NCAA National Track and Field Championships

For you track fans, this week June 6-9, is the NCAA National Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA. Mary, our new intern and resident elite Cross Country runner, has made her personal favorite picks of athletes/teams to watch out for this week:

Women:
Teams to watch (Winners from each region):
Virginia Tech, LSU, Arizona State, Texas A&M

Individual Events and Mary's Personal Favorites:
5K: Michelle Sikes (Cleveland, OH native who runs for Wake Forest)—Won East Region 5K in 15:52.55
400m: Natasha Hastings: Fastest qualifying time in this race (50.23)—runs for South Carolina
1500m: Brie Felnagle, Fastest qualifying time in this race (4.11.86)
4 X 100m: LSU has top qualifying time

Men:
Teams to watch (Winners from each region):
Oklahoma, Southern California, LSU, Florida State

Individual Events and Mary's Personal favorites:
10K: Galen Rupp (Oregon)—Fastest qualifying time in this race 27.33.48
800m: Andrew Ellerton (Michigan)—Fastest qualifying time in this race 1:46.84

All results listed in this post were taken from regional results and meet heat sheets/start lists for women's and men's events.

So, for those of you following this event, who are your top picks, teams, and individuals? Who are the favorites?