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For all of you that love the 2001 running shoe and are still driving your local running store crazy trying to find them, rest easy.  I have heard rumors that the 2002 will be releasing after the first of the year.  Look for it to release in January at a price point of $225.00.  We will see how this works out for runners, and those who love the 2001’s.  NBKicks will keep you informed with any information we get regarding this new release.  If you have some news let us know!

UPDATE: After a quick call to the customer care line at NB, the nice young lady said that this was just a rumor and their is no update planned for the men’s running 2001.  I know that this is not true, but it may be more like 3rd quarter 09 instead of this January.  I guess we will see if NBKicks knows whats going on.

This post is brought to you by the letters NB and the number 574.  In 2006 NB “finalized a four-year multi-million dollar agreement with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, to become a program sponsor of the Emmy-winning children series, Sesame Street.”  Check out the press release here. 

Nb will release a series of kids classics featuring some Sesame Street favorites.  These little classics are on the timeless 574 frame and range in sizes from an infant 2 all the way to a kids 7.  The smaller sizes will start at about $40 with the larger sizes pricing out at $60.  I expect these babies to be a hit, definitely can’t miss.  NB Concept stores should have them in the middle of this week, followed by a national release of July 1st.

Elmo has a smooth leather upper.  The Cookie Monster has a Velvet Nubuck upper.  Oscar the Grouch is sporting a suede upper.  Enjoy!

New Balance will be changing the last in some of their top performing running shoes.  The PL-1 last is designed to provide a performance fit For consumers that have normal foot types.  According to New Balance, “this new last will provide a snugger feel and streamlined toe box characteristics improving fit and cosmetics.”  NB is hoping this “fit” is appealing to dedicated runners looking for a high performance, snug fit as well as the younger consumer.  In comparison to the current SL-1 last, the shoe will have less volume. 

The downside to this change is that if you love the roominess of your current shoe, you may not like the updates cut.  Of course you can try a wider size, but I would suggest stocking up on what you love.  This being said, if you have a narrow foot or you like your shoes snug then old off until after the new year for some new shoes.

The replacements for the following running shoes will have the PL-1 last:

1062, 903, 768, 748, 8508

The New Balance 805 is a lightweight trainer designed for the athlete preparing for a variety of sporting activities, and who use speed and interval training as their main form of conditioning.  This trainer comes in a variety of colors and is available in medium and wide.  This shoe has a very breathable upper, Lightning Dry upper, and an Acteva midsole, weighing in at only 281 grams (9.91 ounces).  The Abzorb insert and the full length Abzorb strobel board create a nice first feel.  The shoe has a very snug fit, so try it a half size larger than you’re other NB’s. 

The 805 has a very unique forefoot design, with lots of forefoot cushioning.  Not a good choice as a everyday trainer if you are a heel striker.  Chi Runners, or midfoot strikers have liked the placement and feel of the cushioning system. A perfect choice for Chi Runners looking for a lightweight training or racing shoe.

Zappos has them for $89.00 and free shipping both ways. New Balance Tampa has the best price I’ve found at $79.99 but customer pays return shipping.

 The trail running 874 has been out for a couple of weeks and is getting great reviews.  The Runer’s World, April 2008 had the following to say:

New Balance focused on tightening up the arch area of this update. The laces connect to an independent inner liner that, when pulled taut, holds the foot more securely on the sole. The new memory-foam sockliner is built up a bit under the arch to help lock the foot in place. A mix of hard- and sticky-rubber lugs provides excellent traction and a supportive foundation. Another nice feature: The upper overlays and mesh are made with 30-percent-recycled material. Recommended for runners with normal arches looking for a firm midfoot fit.

 This update to the award winning 873 runs more narrow in the forefoot.  If you ran in the 873 you want to get this shoe a little wider than the last.  They added more midfoot structure and drastically changed the sole and the toe from the previous model.  Overall this shoe is an upgrade but it fits and feels different than the last one so I’m sure some trail runners wont be happy.  I will say that you can not beat the new color.
 

Best places to buy: check it out here.

The 920 got a great review from Maxim magazine in their April 2008 gear guide.  The SM920OL is designed to dry fast after getting wet, channeling water through 12 holes in the sole and the insert of the shoes.  Vibram outsole provides maximum surface contact and multi-directional traction.   Would have loved to see a little more cushioning in the heel, as it stands, this shoe is not a great running shoe, even on the beach.   It is a perfect shoe for your next canoe, kayak, or rafting adventure.

The current ad campaign from New Balance is getting some mixed reviews.  Many people love the fresh take on running and relate to the termotous relationship a runner has with the sport.  Some people are offended by the obvious effort to atract younger consumers and a break from New Balance’s traditional grass roots advertising campaigns.

Smith of Harlem 26.2, says: “I think young people connect to those that inspire them…but Nike’s got Ryan Hall, etc. New Balance needs to hand pluck some up and coming talent in the U.S. and put them in their shoes, maybe they can sign up David Goggins or something.” 

Michele Miller and WonderBranding, is infuriated, and qoutes David Wolfe in an email exchange describing NB as having “committed a classic marketing error of stupendous proportion:  departing from the brand’s traditional essence.  Rarely do brands succeed in making so sharp a break with their past.  It’s like walking down the street one day, seeing your best friend and quickly learning that some brain trauma has robbed him of the personality you’ve known him by for years.”

Rachel seems to disagree and the folks over at NB are hoping that most people will also disagree with the critics.  I personally like the new campaign, it embodies how alot of runners feel about running.  I don’t feel that it excludes NB’s core demographic, New Balance is simply introducing themselves to younger runners. 

Staple Design has been collaborating with NB on a New Balance 575 “Pigeon”.  These kicks will release in the same colorway as the 2005 Nike Dunk SB “Pigeon”.  This 575 will have a special tag on the toungue of the shoe and some pigeon ”drops” on the insert.   Looks like the sneaker is scheduled to drop later this year.  pic and info via highsnobiety. 

UPDATE:  NiceKicks reports that these babies are not going to be made.  Hope they are wrong or NB still drops the colorway.

The 992 is the current model in a running series that NB originally released in 1981 as the 990.  This was the first running shoe that broke the $100 price barrier.  This is normally the shoe that people think of when they think of New Balance.  Well, the 993 is going to replace the 992 in the fall.  No pictures as of yet, but the word is, it fits more like the 991.  NB has also added the DTS in the heel (think 1061/1062), which should give the shoe a softer “first feel” and more cushioned heel strike.  The 993 will also be more expensive than the previous model with a suggested retail price of $150.  The 992 was originally released at the end of ‘05, just in time to help celebrate NB’s 100th year in ‘06. 

I just got Sneaker Freaker’s newsletter and I saw these babies, among the “New Releases.”  I am all about the 580’s, and I must have these.  More importantly I wanted to give NBKicks a little self love, we previewed these kicks on the 24th of January.  Check out the original post titled appropriately “You Saw it Here First”.  As an update: all three colors in this line release on the first, and they should be available in tier 1 stores.