Well Newbie finally figured out how to do colors (sometimes) but they were still perceived to be "your fathers shoes" ie shoes for old guys with wide flat feet. That is about to change thanks to PL-1.
What the heck is PL-1 you ask? Well it is the new last from NB. The last of a shoe is the form that it is built around. New Balance has 26 different lasts to chose from but up until now the majority of their running shoes fit wide, with volume to spare and lots of time pretty sloppy in the arch and rear foot.
Now with the PL-1 last, runners have the option of a New Balance with a narrower forefoot without so much volume, a snugger heel and better fitting arch support. I personally have a PL-1 foot and love the fit of the new 769's and 1063's.
Will everyone be happy with this new fit, of course not. I'm sure some long time New Balance wearers will have to make some changes. That is not an issue as Newbie still has their SL-1 and SL-2 lasts in other models or a person may just have to switch up to a EE from a D width in the PL-1. Any FIT specialist would be able to help a person make the switch.
What this does for New Balance is open up a huge part of the running community that just couldn't get a good fit in their old shoes. Back in June I had an SL-1 lasted 768 on my left foot and a PL-1 lasted 769 on my right foot and could not believe how much better the 769 fit my foot. As soon as my calf heals I'll be logging some miles in the production 769's. I haven't been able to actually train in a NB in a very long time.
So if you've avoided New Balance for many years 'cause they just didn't fit your foot, it might be time to give them another look. And they have some nice colors, not that navy or grey aren't nice colors.
Live FIT.
1 comment:
Unfortunately, it cuts both ways- New Balance's push towards the PL-1 last has alienated a lot of former NB users. Nearly every pair of athletic shoes I've purchased for the last 15 years have been from NB. I've had running shoes, cross trainers, trail runners, and outdoor shoes (MO), and definitely considered myself a fan.
With my last pair of MT909s on their last legs, I tried its successor, the MT910 a few months ago. No dice. I've since tried every other mid-range and high-end trail shoe that New Balance provides (everything 6xx and above) and have struck out completely. I was stumped until my local dealer pointed out that all of NB's trail runners are built on the PL-1 last. Makes sense, as all of the shoes had similar issues- big, sloppy heels with a lot of slip and tight toe boxes.
I have to give my local NB retailer a lot of credit- after ordering and sending back the 910, 869, 813, 814, and 759 she had the integrity to tell me that she didn't think New Balance had anything to tell me anymore, and suggested some particular brands and shoes I could try, as well the competing retailers where I might find them.
Neither of us were happy that her store had invested so much time and energy in helping me find the right shoe only to have me walk away without making a purchase.
Still, I guess it's good that New Balance is doing a great job at becoming yet another Nike or Brooks.
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