It was a difficulty transition for me to adjust to the NB 1260, their high dollar motion control shoe with all of the bells and whistles thrown in. Given their recent advances in great cushioning technology and lightweight shoes I would expect New Balance to combine these aspects into a lightweight and more flexible stability shoe with more cushioning than the 1190.

New Balance 1260 First Impressions

What I first noticed when putting on the 1260s was the odd New Balance fit that I haven’t encountered in any of their recent models. I refer to it as the wide heel, narrow toe fit which tends to cause my heel to pop in and out of the shoe. In past models, especially the 763 and 910 trail shoe, I hoped that it would go away as I the shoe broke in a bit. Unfortunately this heel slipping is only exacerbated by how stiff the 1260 is due to overbearing motion control features throughout the midsole of the shoe.

New Balance 1260 Upper

The 1260s upper features a breathable mesh and very durable construction expected from New Balance. The lacing system is straightforward with standard oval laces and the tongue is well cushioning. The interior of the 1260 is plush, especially the heel collar, and the fit is snug throughout the mid-foot. Overlays are rampant throughout the shoe and some feel extraneous and simply for looks. The heel cup of the 1260 features molded plastic which further increases the overall rigidity of the shoe.

New Balance 1260 Midsole

During my first few runs in the 1260 my feet felt encumbered by the rigid Stabilicore post, “A stiff thermoplastic unit running from the mid-foot to the heel of the shoe to provide a smooth transition”. As a slight overpronator I didn’t feel corrected so much as I felt controlled. Added to this motion control feature is plastic stability web located in the mid-foot of the shoe which adds an even more rigid feel. My feet seemed to slap the ground at times due to the lack of flexibility in this shoe and the transition never felt smooth.

The heel drop of the 1260 is a standard 12mm and the myriad of cushioning features in the midsole, including gel in the heel and various kinds EVA foam throughout the length of the shoe, were overshadowed by the motion control overkill.

New Balance 1260 Outsole

A fairly standard blown rubber runs the length of the outsole with a cutout in the heel to save weight. However, at 12.6 ounces, this is by no means a light shoe.

New Balance 1260 Performance and Overall Impressions

I always try to make a concerted effort to find the positive aspects of running shoes and write to the crowd of runner for which the shoe was intended. But, with so many more appealing stability/ motion control shoes on the market I would not recommend the 1260 due to high weight, fit issues, and clunky features.

I managed just over 20 miles over the course of three runs in the 1260 before I felt my feet cramping up due to lack of flexibility in the mid foot and forefoot. I will also point out that I am in no way a minimalist runner and I run in a wide array of shoes on a weekly basis from stability trainers to neutral trainers to racing flats.

I would encourage any runner to try many of the new models in the New Balance line but this shoe missed the mark for me.

Please comment with your own suggestions regarding the NB 1260. We are always open to differing opinions!

We thank the nice people at New Balance for sending us this shoe for testing. This did not influence our review of the shoes, written after running 30 miles in it

New Balance 880 Lateral View

• New Balance 880 General Info:

A follow up to the popular 759, the 880s will feel familiar to any fan of its predecessor. After making extensive changes when developing the 759, New Balance was conservative with this update, making minimal changes to the overall fit and feel of the 759, and shaving a little weight off of the overall design. While the 880 doesn’t have the long list of brand-specific technology that comes along with so many trainers on the market, they are solid, versatile shoes that are comfortable even in rough conditions. For runners looking for a dependable, no-frills trainer for everyday use, the 880 could make for a great match. Ultimately, the 880 makes for a great all-around shoe for runners that prefer a stiffer shoe with a little extra support than a typical neutral trainer.

• New Balance 880 Impressions:

Not having worn a pair of New Balance running shoes since my high school gym days, I was excited to see what had changed in the past few years with my old favorites. Immediately after lacing them up, I remembered why I loved them so much at sixteen–the snug but unrestrictive fit felt natural from the start. Hitting the road in them for the first time was definitely an adjustment period, however, as the 880s feature a stiffer sole unit than my everyday trainers. Feeling clunky on the roads for the first few miles, I decided to see how they would feel on a softer surface, moving over to the dirt path along my favorite loop. Off of the pavement, the stiffness in the sole turned out to provide much-needed stability to my weak ankles as I passed over gravel and loose dirt meant to smooth the path.

New Balance 880

• New Balance 880 Sole Unit:

New Balance 880 Outsole

The rubber outsole provides much more traction than expected, making it possible to run over all but the slickest conditions without worry of slipping. The 880s were great over slippery sidewalks, including the slippery marble sections of sidewalk in front of office buildings and museums. After putting in roughly thirty miles on streets, sidewalks, and trails, the outside showed no evidence of wear and tear–an excellent sign of their overall durability.

• New Balance 880 Upper:

The upper unit is comprised of a synthetic mesh, which does an excellent job of managing moisture and dries quickly post-run when the weather takes a turn for the worst. New Balance was generous with adding extra cushioning in the tongue and around the collar, adding to the overall comfort and wearability. The collar contains a blend of a softer, dense foam against the foot for comfort and a firmer foam for added support beneath that layer, to provide the best of both worlds. The upper wraps the foot nicely, and is especially snug around the midfoot, providing an extra bit of support, which doesn’t go unnoticed on longer runs.

• New Balance 880 Opinion:

Every runner has their own preferences about the stiffness or flexibility of their trainers, and both types of shoe have their advantages and disadvantages. The 880s are a great option for runners that prefer a stiffer shoe that offers a little more protection. They provide a soft landing, protecting the legs from the wear and tear of long runs, keeping legs feeling fresh throughout. For those that tend to opt for more flexibility, they can also be a great choice for days on light trails or dirt paths, especially for runners that find trail-specific shoes to be a little too heavy for non-technical trails.

The strong point of the 880 is definitely the fit and the upper unit. The upper wraps the foot securely, and provides plenty of soft cushioning all around. From the beginning, it is clear that the 880s are shoes that aren’t going to blister, even on hot, humid, or rainy days. The construction of the upper manages moisture well, and keeps everything dry, cool, and comfortable on a hot day. Even after a run in the rain, the 880s dried out quickly, and were ready to go the next morning with no evidence of the soggy run from the day before. Rounding out the overall solid fit is the base, which supports the arch nicely, adding to the overall sense of security and comfort. Overall, the 880s are a great option for beginning to advanced runners that prefer a little more support and protection from the road.

Review by Courtney Roy

We thank the great people at New Balance for sending us the Cortana for review. This didn’t influence the review of the shoe, written after running more than 30 miles in it.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

• New Balance 880 Price Comparison:

	Men's New Balance 880 Running Shoe - Yellow/black 10 RoadRunnerSports EXTRA 25% OFF WITH CODE CX12J120 UNTIL Feb 8th ! Free shipping, 60-day perfect fit guarantee: possible to exchange shoes after using them for two months.	$98.95
	New Balance The 880 Shoes (yellow) - Men's Shoes - 12.0 4e shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$99.99

New Balance 890

100
Recommended For: Runners looking to move towards a more lightweight running shoe

• New Balance 890 General Info:

New Balance aims to reinvent themselves in the neutral shoe market with the release of the 890, a shoe that combines their new Revlite cushioning technology and updated aesthetics from the usually steadfast shoe company. It seems that the same forward thinking design principals in New Balance’s trail shoe arsenal are rubbing off on their road shoe design. New Balance has attempted to break into the neutral shoe category before with shoes such as the 905 and the 759 (both released last year) but the 890 is an entirely different breed of shoe. I was able to put this shoe through the paces over a two week period accumulating roughly 80 miles on asphalt, concrete, and crushed gravel surfaces to find out if the new Revlite cushioning is as responsive as advertised.

• New Balance 890 Sole Unit:

Revlite cushioning debuts with the NB 890, and this new foam feels responsive and durable over the long haul. It is 10% lighter than Nike Lunarfoam and possesses enough firmness to be adequate for mild overpronators. I will go out of my way to say that I was so impressed with the Revlite cushioning that this shoe became my go to road trainer. The shoe is light enough (9.8 oz) to facilitate tempo runs and speedwork and the cushioning is substantial enough to hold up during the constant pounding of a long run. The shoe has a traditional heel to toe drop of 12mm which will make it an easy transition for runners looking to train in a lighter more responsive shoe.

The sole of the 890 is simple and functional. It features a thin carbon rubber outsole that showed very little wear over the course of approximately 80 miles, and the cutouts in the outsole iesigned to save weight do not pick up rocks when training on gravel or trails.

• New Balance 890 Upper:

New Balance utilized the names of some of their elite sponsored athletes to grace these shoes. The men’s version of the 890 gets tagged with British Olympian Andrew Baddeley’s surname, and as a 3:49 miler the association is apt. The women’s version brandishes the name of Jenny Simpson (ne’ Barringer) referring to American Olympic middle distance star. I felt this was one of the coolest touches that running shoe companies can do to get young runners excited about the sport. It reminded me of being in middle school and clammering for nike basketball shoes such as the sky Jordan’s, the Barkley’s, and the Hardaway’s. The believable part about this joining of elite athletes and this shoe is that this is the kind of go fast trainer that these Olympians would log their miles in.
The upper of the 890 consists of overlays that keep the shoe fitting snuggly and gives the wearer the impression of being tied down to the shoe. But, maybe my favorite aspect of the 890s upper is the fact that New Balance used flat laces with flat lace holes which improve the lacing system’s ability to function as a part of the shoe rather than just not coming untied. Shoe companies have been experimenting with new-fangled lacing systems for the last decade, mostly to keep the shoes from coming untied. The 890s lacing system feels more like that of a racing flat, and the flat laces avoid putting too much pressure on the top of the wearer’s foot.

• New Balance 890 Opinion:

The New Balance 890 is a game changer in the neutral and lightweight trainer category of running shoes. In my opinion, the Revlite foam cushioning is the most responsive cushioning system on the market featuring that perfect Goldilocks principal of being neither too firm nor too soft. From the elegant upper of the shoe to the thoughtfulness put into the tongue and laces, the 890 is the perfect blend of back to basics shoe construction and new lightweight technology. Runners looking for a lightweight trainer that they can run high mileage and do faster paced workouts will love this shoe. This shoe can also be a great transition shoe for runners looking to move towards a more minimalistic running shoe. I think that the 890 offers enough protection for heavier runners as well as slight overpronators, and for budget minded runners this is a perfect all around shoe for all of your training/ racing needs.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Review by Tom Caughlan.

We thank the nice folks at New Balance for sending us this shoe to try. This did not influence our review of the shoes, written after running more than 80 miles in it.


• Price Comparison:

	Men's New Balance 890 Running Shoe - Grey/lime 12.5 RoadRunnerSports EXTRA 25% OFF WITH CODE CX12J120 UNTIL Feb 8th ! Free shipping, 60-day perfect fit guarantee: possible to exchange shoes after using them for two months.	$74.95
	New Balance The 890 Shoes (silver/blue) - Men's Shoes - 9.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$95.00
	Christopher Kon 890 Zoe Woven Tote endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days).	$247.50

New Balance 1226

• New Balance 1226 General Info:

New Balance updates the 122x series with the new MR/WR1226. Designed as a high-mileage trainer for (heavier) runners who require moderate stability, offers a quite soft heel cushioning. NB packed all its trademark technologies in this shoe and sells it at a hefty price tag. Good stability features on the sole and light, breathable mesh on the upper are its best characteristic.

• New Balance 1226 Sole Unit:

The sole unit of the New Balance 1226 is quite constructed and sofisticated. The main material is ABZORB® FL, the white coloured foam that NB claims being 20% lighter than traditional foam (even though, with each brand having their own foam trademark, “traditional foam” is a quite generic term).
On the medial (the internal) side of the midsole you will notice a grey area that goes from the heel to roughly the end of the arch. This “Stabilicore” insert is a harder compound of foam, designed to offer more resistance to your arch and preventing it to roll inward excessively, or overpronating. The size of the Stabilicore in the NB1226 is quite large and its stability properties are enhanced by the “stability web”. A plastic cage (or web) wraps the arch of the outsole, preventing the plantar fascia from rotating awkwardly longitudinally or excessively flexing in order to prevent irritation of the fascia itself, main cause of plantar fasciitis in runners. NB’s stability web is one of our favourites, together with Asics’ Trustic System.
Looking further in this shoe’ sole units, you can see the pillars of cushioning materials (N-ergy) both in the rear and in the forefoot.

The result is a shoe that feels very soft and cushioned on the heel, quite rigid in the midfoot area and soft and flexible on the forefoot/toe area.

• New Balance 1226 Upper:

The best feature of the upper of the NB1226 is the mesh. Light and highly breathable wraps the foot comfortably and extends when the miles pile up and the foot swells at each step. As for NB tradition, the shoe fits wide feet quite well and offers a toe box wider than most other shoes. Plastic overlays especially in the mid-rear section of the upper keep the foot locked in the right position. This configuration reflects the structure of the sole unit: more stable and rigid in the rear/mid, and flexible on the forefoot.
Heel collar and tongue contain a double density lining that feels very soft. Last, the insole is soft, cushioned and removable.
The look and feel of the NB1226 is shiny and metallic.

• New Balance 1226 Opinion:

Why is this shoe indicated for high-mileage and heavier runners? A high-mileage trainer is the main shoe you use in training for long distances, such as a marathon. The foot is bound to get hot and swollen during a long run, therefore a soft mesh and comfortable fit are essential. The collar lining and the tongue also are usually soft (as in the NB1226), as a harder surface might cause excessive friction and ultimately discomfort. The key is the long mileage: for short runs, you can stand a little discomfort and maybe focus more on the low weight of the shoe, but when the miles pile up each excessive friction or heat can be cause of blisters, pain or injuries.
As for the heavier runner target, the NB1226 is a quite rigid shoe that prevents collapsing the arch excessively but that offers a strong cushioning (more in the heel than in the forefoot, where a few runners report feeling much less cushioning) for the heavier impact that a heavier runner sustains with each step.
Is the NB1226 a good shoe? Yes. Is it worth the 140$ suggested retail price? This really depends on you. The price is indeed high and you might be able to find other good high-milers shoes that are good for you. But, if you try this shoe and it’s indeed comfortable on your foot, you should think about it. Not for the occasional runner, somebody that trains for a marathon will log a significant amount of miles in this shoe and might feel the added comfort is worth the extra price.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

• New Balance 1226 Price Comparison:

	New Balance Men's Mr1226 Running Shoe endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days).	$109.99
	New Balance The 1226 Shoes (silver) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$119.00
	New Balance Mr1226 (men's) - Silver/blue Shoebuy Free shipping, free return shipping, price guarantee and no sales tax	$144.95

New Balance 850

• New Balance 850 General Info:

The New Balance 850 is the update of the New Balance 859 (NB always had a curious numbering system). The new 850 is a complete makeover of the 859, with the aim to accommodate moderate to severe over-pronators.

• New Balance 850 Sole Unit:

The biggest, visible change in the NB 850 is New Balance’s new Stabil Core “posting” element. When looking to improve the stability and motion control of a shoe, the industry standard practice is to “post” a harder foam compound in the midsole of the shoe in the area below the medial (internal) side of the foot’s arch – it is easily recognizable as the darker insert on the internal side of the midsole. New Balance decided to introduce its Stabil Core system (picture below) instead, replacing the harder foam compound post with a plastic element that gives the shoe the rigidity it needs in order to support the collapsing arch of an overpronator while sensibly cutting down on the weight, usually an issue with Stability shoes.

New Balance 850 Stabil Core

The cushioning is taken care by New Balance’s Absorb DTS and SBS systems in the heel and forefoot – while the use of ACTEVA EVA foam as the main midsole component provides a stable but cushioned ride. Test showed that the cushioning is aimed at medium weight runners, while heavier runner might be in the need of a softer shoe.

A reasonably good plastic shank (Extended Web in NB terminology) wraps the under-arch of the midsole in order to provide torsional stability while also reducing some weight.

The outsole has a very similar pattern to the one in the NB 859, but the forefoot flex grooves (the horizontal carves) have been extended in order to provide a better forefoot flexibility and a more reactive toe-lift-off.

• New Balance 850 Upper:

The upper hasn’t been revolutionized as much as the sole unit, just upgraded. You will find the same mesh as in the previous version, but the overlays have been re-designed in a clever way. We like the way the new heel counter wraps around the midsole.

For the rest, all the newest NB features are included on the upper of this shoe: from the N-Lock system that connects the lacing with the midsole in order to wrap and securely lock the ankle in the shoe, to the Phantom Liner lining that is built seamlessly in order to reduce chaffing and abrasion. The lacing is engineered with the Sure Lace system that helps prevent the un-tieing of the laces.

The collar is double-density so that a softer compound cushions your foot while a harder one keeps it stable during the ride.

Finally, the NB 850 is built on the SL-1 new performance last, that received good feedback and that NB is placing in most their renewed models.

• New Balance 850 Opinion:

The New Balance 850 is a good improvement over last year installment (859). The shoe is among the most stable (aiding controlling pronation) shoes on the market but still feels soft and flexible, especially in the forefoot. The amount of cushioning is decent but might be insufficient for heavier runners.

The introduction of the Stabil Core TPU insert is a welcome news, as the 850 delivers exceptional stability and reduced its weight.

The fit, as with most New Balance running shoes, accommodates wide feet – as is the case with many runners with flat feet who definitely should give the 850 a try.

• New Balance 850 Price Comparison:

	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 11.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 12.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
+ 25 others available from shoes.com ↓
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 7.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 14.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 10.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 10.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 8.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 8.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 11.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (white/black/red) - Men's Shoes - 13.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$67.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 9.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 10.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 12.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 8.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 14.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 7.5 2e shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Men's Shoes - 7.5 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$76.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (grey/pink) - Women's Shoes - 10.0 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Women's Shoes - 7.5 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Women's Shoes - 6.5 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Women's Shoes - 6.0 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Women's Shoes - 8.5 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (black/silver) - Women's Shoes - 7.0 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50
	New Balance The 850 Shoes (grey/pink) - Women's Shoes - 11.0 B shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns	$85.50

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

New Balance 1224

• New Balance 1224 General Info:

New Balance 1224 is NB’s top of the line stability running shoe. It is the premium sister of the New Balance 769, which we reviewed earlier and found very good.

• New Balance 1224 Sole Unit:

Very similar to the sole unit of the NB 769, the New Balance 1224 applies the same concepts and design philosophy as in the lower priced shoe but adding some premium detail. Let’s have a look.
First detail to look at in a stability shoe is the medial post, an injection of a harder (and visibly coloured darker) foam in the medial part of the shoe (internal, underneath the foot arch) that prevents the arch to collapse on itself during the impact with the ground – while still allowing the softer foam compound to cushion the rest of the shoe. The post in the 1224 has two densities: softer in the heel (index of hardness: 60) and harder in the midfoot (65) and it works great for a progressive impact.
Wrapping around the midfoot we also find the plastic shank – Stability Web for New Balance – whose function is to avoid unnatural torsion of the middle part of your foot, supporting and guiding your stride from heel to forefoot which is where the flex needs to be.
The heel is split in two parts in order to apply different cushioning to the impact area and the area that touched the ground second, both guiding your ride and adding to the longevity of the shoe.

New Balance put a serious effort in the cushioning of the shoe, a factor sometimes overlooked while looking for stability but that is very important. The midsole is composed of Absorb FL foam, a compound which is more shock absorbing than standard foam. The heel and the forefoot are cushioned by the Absorb DTS system, a three-layered construction similar to the one we found in the cheaper model, in which a few holes have been cut in order to save weight (in the heel).

• New Balance 1224 Upper:

The upper of the 1224 is shaped around the standard SL-1 last (the shape around which the shoe is built) which is a bit of a shame, considered the extremely good feedback that the PL-1 (the new one) has received.
For the rest, a combination of premium solutions populate the upper of this shoe: stability is added to the upper through New Balance’s excellent NLock system: an integrated lacing and webbing system that embraces the arch of the foot connecting the shoes’ eyelids to the midsole going through the “N” logo, providing a secure and comfortable feeling of having the foot always in the right place. Added to this is the new welded overlay system, very visible at a first look. This, combined with the NLock system, ensures the foot has the necessary support.

Next in comfort is the Phantom Liner, a technology that mimics a seamless construction: less seams less chaffing less irritations.
Other details include the Ortholite sockliner, a molded memory foam removable sockliner that adapts to the shape of your foot providing a comfortable ride, the dual density heel collar, a very open and breathable mesh and NB’s SureLace system: laces engineered to stay tied longer.

• New Balance 1224 Opinion:

The New Balance 1224 is an extremely good stability shoe: takes its support role very serious with great technologies both in the sole unit and the upper without forgetting the cushioning. The foot feels safe and secure also on uneven grounds but the shoe is slightly on the heavy side. Another minor issue is the adoption of the old NB performance last, but if you were comfortable in New Balances before, you will still be in the 1224.
This shoe is recommended to runners who tend to overpronate and to runners with flat feet. You will find a very rich shoe that competes nicely with the Asics Gel Kayano 15. Compared to its cheaper sister, the New Balance 769, we feel this shoe will give you a more supported ride.

• New Balance 1224 Price Comparison:

Sorry - no matching products found.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

New Balance 769

• New Balance 769 General Info:

The New Balance 769 comes as an update to the successful NB 768, and it includes a new sole unit and a new last. Shoe philosophy hasn’t changed – a good value for money stability trainer, competing directly with the world favourite Asics GT 2140.

• New Balance 769 Sole Unit:

The new sole unit reveals at a first look a medial post, heel and forefoot cushioning and a TPU (plastic) shank on around the midfoot.
The heel is decoupled (split in two semi-independent sections that collapse at different times) and the crash pad (the external one) is cushioned by New Balance Abzorb DTS technology. A big enhancemet from last years’, the DTS technology is a three – layer cushioning system, composed by a number of plastic “pods” sandwiched between two different layers of shock absorbing foam.

The internal side of the heel lays directly on top of the TS2 dual density post: an injection of harder foam than the rest of the midsole in order to support the foot from collapsing too much (overpronating).

The plastic shank feels more solid than the one present in the 768 and offers a very good resistance to torsion.

The overall impression of this sole unit is that is slightly stiffer and less flexible than the previous one.

• New Balance 769 Upper:

The upper of the 769 is built on New Balance new last (called PL1) which is designed to better fit the foot while running. We see this last on a few of  NB newer shoes and feedback is mainly positive.

A good combination of synthetic leather overlays which are strategically placed to connect the lacing system to the midsole, together with New Balance N-Lock lacing/webbing system (in other words, the “N” of the logo is designed to support the medial and lateral side of the foot), make the upper effective in adding support.

Other solutions include a Phantom Liner to neutralize the effect of the stitching and significantly reducing blister issues, very open mesh, the Sure Lace lacing system and Lightning Dry lining – to quickly let moisture out and keep the foot dry.

• New Balance 769 Opinion:

The New Balance 769 is a serious competitor at 100$.  A lightweight stability shoe, packs good improvements from the previous model while keeping the same price.

The adoption of the new PL1 last changes the fit of the shoe and general feeling is that you will probably need a half size mroe than you used to for previous models of this shoe.

We recommend the NB 769 to Mild Over Pronators, or neutral runners with low to mid arches who want a more supported ride.  Runners with wide feet seem to find in New Balance their shoe of choice.

• New Balance 769 Price Comparison:

New Balance The 769 Shoes (silver) - Men's Shoes - 7.0 D shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns

$61.20

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

• New Balance 1063 General Info:

The 1063 (MR for the Mens Running, WR for the Womens Running) is New Balance top shoe for cushioning, in its 2009 version. Runners worldwide expressed very positive feedback about this shoe and Runner’s World awarded it with the “Best Update” badge. Let’s see what makes this shoe so appreciated.

• New Balance 1063 Sole Unit:

Let’s start with the cushioning solutions provided by the 1063. New Balance cushionign technologies are called Abzorb (then declined in every sort of acronym: DTS, SBS, FL…) and in the 1063 there’s plenty of these solutions.
The heel has an external crash pad, which is the area of maximum impact with the ground. New Balance placed their Abzorb DTS system there, which is the visible (dark blue in the picture) plastic pods inserts between the outsole and the midsole. These pods are designed to distribute the shock throughout the whole surface of the crash pad. Our impression is that the offered cushioning is a bit stiffer than other systems, but still providing a good absorption of the shock.
Abzorb FL is the name of the foam used for the midsole which has a good feeling of compressing and releasing upon impact, to cushion the ride without disperding your energy on the ground.
On the forefoot we have the SBS system which is again very similar to the one implemented on the heel crash pad: pods of a plastic material inserted in between the flex grooves. Our impression on this system is very positive and the toe-off of the running gait feels cushioned and responsive.
We are glad to see a plastic shank on the midfoot (a shank is a plastic “cage” placed right below the midsole in order to add torsional stability to your foot during the heel-to-toe transition). The shank is not on par with the ones found in the Asics Gel Cumulus or Nimbus, but it is one of the best in the cushioning range.
Last, we really liked the design of the outsole especially in the toe area, where the flex grooves (the carves in the outsole) seem to do a good job at adding the flexibility and responsiveness at toe lift off.

• New Balance 1063 Upper:

The upper of the 1063 is where New Balance made the biggest improve.
The first and most noticeable is the use of the new Performance last (the last is the shape around which the shoes upper is built: a wide last will provide a wide fit for the foot and so on). Runners previously complained New Balance shoes to be too wide; NB took the challenge on and modified their last and achieved an unbelievable result, with a shoe which feels now more wrapped around the foot and definitely more comfortable after some mileage is adding up.
Comfort solutions in the upper are quite a few. Just to mention the N-Lock system, where the “N” of the logo on the lateral and medial side of the shoe is formed by two webbing element that connect the eyerings to the midsole, providing a secure support of the foot.
The mesh used is very open and feels breathable. 3M reflective elements are added in strategic positions so to provide night safety.
Heel collar is in two differently dense foams so to provide a good fit without being too hard on the heel. The laces have a special design that truly helps them stay laced – it is a little thing, but having to stop and re-do your laces a couple of times during a run can be frustrating.
NB used their Phantom Liner design for the inside of the shoe. That means a seamless construction in the areas of maximum wear. It is a solution that more and more brands are implementing and we believe it really is a great way to prevent blisters and providing a more comfortable ride – especially at great lenghts.

• New Balance 1063 Opinion:

New Balance did a terrific job in upgrading the 1062 and bringing the 1063. Good cushioning and a great feeling of comfort make this shoe definitely worth buying. Price tag of 125$ is appropriate for all the solutions offered.
We recommend this shoe to a neutral pronator or supinator that wants the maximum comfort during long runs.

• New Balance 1063 Price Comparison:

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