New Balance Blog

Whoa, sneakerjack.com has a mock customization flash app where you can paint a pair of 574s in a very wide range of colors. If only this were a real NB customization program!!

Feel free to send me screenshots of good ones you've done (email to steps [[at]] newbalance-blog.com) and I'll post some here.

Shouts to DNI for the heads up.

Happy late Thanksgiving!

Here's the fourth and final Villainy shoe from Crooked Tongues in case you haven't seen it already…

“For the fourth in our 'Confederation Of Villainy' collaboration with New Balance we decided to take a wander away from the beaten path, kindly trodden down for us by previous collaborators and play with a performance favourite – the 991. Far from obscure, this model was deemed state-of-the-art on its costly debut in 1999 and still gets plenty of high-mileage athletic outings. Whereas shoes from '89 and earlier generally earn the Flimby-made cult following, the 991 is considered the staple New Balance shoe worldwide, with such luminaries as Apple's Steve Jobs (prior to the dawn of the Nike+) and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass seen in a pair.

All of which meant Crooked felt the need to play around with this sneaker as part of this pack. Using black and grey suede plus green leather for the bulk of the upper, there's a blinding dash of flouro workwear fabric dropped in the mix as seasoning. New Balance kindly allowed us to incorporate a custom sole on this model – the ABZORB midsole, the outsole now blends in with the clours of its attached upper, while the outsole incorporates a neon green, lifting it from its usual stern appearance. The 'UK' panel on the heel now reads '991', there's a spot of contrast stitching to up the visual ante. Factor in the custom tongue label and white metal eyelet and we're pretty certain that the risk of entering unknown territory was well worth it, making a hi-tech product look even more forward-thinking.

The BJ Betts illustrated box for this shoe pays homage to the mysterious highwayman, and one-time scourge of Bedfordshire, Black Tom with some beautifully executed packaging. And here's the important details in brief – 99 pairs. CT store only. December.”

Via CT

Villainy episode 3 of 4 is a beefy yet tasteful 575 with the same black-heavy design paired this time with shades of blue. Nice stitching and white highlight around the “N”. Black Bart was a polite Wild West stagecoach robber who used to leave poems at the scene of the crime- nice!

“Another official debut for one of our forthcoming Crooked x New Balance 'Confederation Of Villainy' models – you might have had a fleeting glance at this 575 that's looking to beat the competiition black and blue before, bit it's time to explore it in more depth. As mentioned, blue is very much the colour, with with a strikingly bright variation used as the highlight on the upper and sole unit. The white leather behind the 'N' and a substantial scattering of 3M sets off the whole shebang. As previously mentioned, you can expect a custom tongue label, intelligent use of the 'ol contrast stitch, premium materials and the white metal top eyelet, but in this case, your limited edition acquisition is guarded by a super-durable gum outsole. For trail heads and blueophiles alike, it's an appealing shoe.

Accompanying this 575 is custom packaging themed after the gentleman crook of the Old West, Black Bart, with the same obsessive level of attention to detail as the kicks themselves. Again, 99 pairs, CT store only and scheduled for early December. Right, that's three down, one to go…”

Via CT

ps- My guess for the fourth shoe–BLACK BUSH!

CT has released the info on the second in the Villainy series – a yellow 577 named after Song Jiang aka “Black Sword.” Can't mess with the yellow and grey combination and the mesh tongue looks very distinct. The 577 is one of the best models of New Balance IMO so this one looks like another winner.

“Another day, another preview of one of the four shoes in our 'Confederation Of Villainy' collaboration with New Balance. The premium quality and comfort of the 577 has given it a cult following and the packaging on this limited edition makeover pays tribute to Chinese outlaw Song Jiang aka Black Sword – another BJ Betts illustrated banger that'll make you want to jettison those generic stacks of cardboard teetering around your homes.

But onto the shoe itself – a carbon 'N' is backed with bright white leather, a mesh tongue, trim and toebox is in effect, as is a subtle spot of 3M and dash of dark grey premium leather. Oh, and the mustard yellow suede and lining might generate a few fans. Some tactically-placed white contrast stitching, the white metal top eyelet and the custom 'Confederation…' tongue label maintains the theme, but like its three siblings, it can hold its own away from the pack. Again, these are limited to 99 pairs exclusively from the CT store, and due to drop in early December…”

Via CT

London's Crooked Tongues has done four shoes with New Balance as part of a “Confederacy of Villainy” series, limited to 99 pairs each with custom packaging. The first is a 1500 inspired by Black Beard; the remaining three will be revealed over the next three days. Badness! Villainy, feel him in ya heart chakra chart toppa / Star shit stoppa be a smart shoppa…

“Over the next week we'll reveal our latest collaboration with New Balance – the 'Confederacy Of Villainy'. One shoe each day for the next four days allowing you the opportunity to see each shoe on it's own merit.

The technical running shoe that's earnt its rightful place in the hearts of heads worldwide is a prime candidate for some collaborative action, so it took a little more to make the 1500 stand-out after some tight partnerships using this premium performance silhouette. Using a mixture of leather and mesh there's a few asides to the original construction of this shoe, before the animal hides took over entirely. A mix of black, white and grey plus a nicely-timed burst of very flouro red reflects the villain the shoe was themed after – Blackbeard, the hollow-point bad-boy of piracy who allegedly upped the fear factor by rocking lit matches in his beard. Given the dark subject matter, a black midsole was incorporated – it was relevant, so we're unapologetic to the white sole faithful!

While we're on-topic, there's plenty of other details on board – a dose of contrast stitching, both white and red and in line with this 1500's three villainous brethren, a white metal eyelet, and finally a unique tongue label that will only ever grace these four models. And then there's the packaging. Working with BJ Betts, there's some premium pirate skull action at work that should impress those bored with the generic boxes stacked in their closets. It's been a helluva lot of work and cost, but in the years since '04's first wave of CT/New Balance collabos, the stakes have been well and truly raised. As confirmed last week, these are limited to 99 pairs on sale exclusively via the site in early December… “

Via HighSnobiety

Atmos in Japan is now listing the CM576S in four monochrome suede models. Release date is Dec 2nd. These are for you if you like suede and, um, color.

Via HighSnobiety

Hypebeast reports on a new 710-model collaboration between New Balance, Samurai Magazine and Mita. Available now at Mita Japan in black premium leather and multi-color suede versions, proving again that they are not ones to shy away from bold colors!

From what I can glean of the translation there are 7 colors which represent the 7th anniversary of Samurai Mag. The traditional hiking / mountaineering model is recast here as an urban boot for the city.

Via Hypebeast

HostileKicks.com is a new online sneaker shop with a New Balance section. Go snap up those Mita and Mad Hectic MT580s!

Via High Snobiety

New Balance is one of the case studies in a new document designed to help businesses combat counterfeiting and piracy. The Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) recently released the document (PDF), called a “No Trade in Fakes” Supply Chain Tool Kit.

There are two pages on New Balance; it's a nice short read for anyone interested in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy strategies for their own business, or for those curious how a sneaker company approaches this common problem.

“Footwear counterfeiters aren't just making a fake product; they're diluting the brand, damaging the company's reputation, and undermining the worldwide salability of the product.”
– Ed Haddad, Vice President, Intellectual Property and Licensed Products, New Balance

Via NAM

Just got the blast from Hanon that they've released a set of the three “Flimby Heroes” Centenary kicks along with a book, stamp set and toys modeled after the three Flimby workers.  This is limited to SIX sets only!

This weekend we launch a limited edition New Balance Centenary set.

New Balance celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2006 and to mark the milestone have released a commemorative footwear collection. This weekend in conjunction with NB we will be releasing six Centenary sets. Each will comprise of all three models – the M1500IB Ian, M670VD Victor and M577AS 'Audrey as well as a special edition hardback book and all bonus accessory additons

The book is especially desirable as it is not available for resale but created solely for inhouse promotion. Released for the centenary and finished with a plush hardback cover it charts 100 years of the New Balance company. All footwear models are featured in detail as well as classic advertisements, company history, production and ethos, and striking archive photography from sporting events throughout the years.

The Centenary Set (6 pieces only)

• M670VD Victor
• M1500IB Ian
• M577AS Audrey
• Hardback Centenary book 'Enduring Performance The New Balance Story'
• Collectable Playmobil toys
• Stamp Set

The sets will be priced at £239.95

For the first 3 orders we have a '3 widths mug set set' set to give away.

The New Balance Centenary set will go live this Saturday November 11th at 1pm (UK)

Previously:
Centenary (100 Years) Edition – 577, 670, 1500