Full Name: New Balance 769 (MR or WR) |
Category: Stability |
Weight: 11.7 oz. (332 gr.) |
Suggested Price: 100 $ |
Recommended For: Neutral to Mild Over Pronator |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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New Balance 769 Price Comparison:
Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!