About a week ago, on Friday, June 15, I purchased a pair of New Balance M767ST running shoes for about $95 from Active Endeavors in Iowa City. I was able to use the shoes immediately and they were very comfortable with no wear-in period.

COLOR CHOICES

My pair are the M767ST. The “ST” designation refers to the colors (mine are white with navy and yellow accents). A few color combinations are offered. I later discovered that the other colors may have a different feel than mine. I tried the M767SB (blue and gray with silver accents) and found them to be very stiff.

PROVEN FOOTWEAR TECHNOLOGY

The 767 design replaces the 766 shoe, which replaced the 765. I’ve been using this series of shoes from New Balance for a few years now ever since I started running again. Apparently, this is one of the best selling models in the entire New Balance line.

MANY UNIQUE BENEFITS

There are many benefits to this particular line of shoe from New Balance. Here are just a few of the benefits that I appreciate:

1. •Soft and Stable. A few years ago, I’d stopped into Active Endeavors and asked their footwear and running consultant for the softest shoe they have. Previously, I had been using cross training shoes which were stiff and had less cushion. This caused knee fatigue. He commented my current cross training shoes would give me stability while biking or hiking on uneven trails, however, the cross trainers don’t have as much cushion effect to minimize impact. He suggested that I consider using a “street running” shoe. The street running shoe has a lot more cushion, but slightly less stability since it’s presumed that they will be worn on hard level surfaces and used for forward motion (unlike tennis shoes for example). After comparing many shoes, I was amazed to discover how soft this series of shoes are from New Balance. I found that even for trail running, they provide me with sufficient control and stability. The 767 line of shoes from New Balance are considered a cushion and stability shoe. Shoes designed only for cushioning can feel wobbly on the feet. Shoes designed only for stability, can feel stiff and lack cushion. From what I can tell, the New Balance M767ST has a sufficiently stable outer shell and soul which is filled with a very soft cushion. So, the foot lands in a soft rubbery surface, yet it’s surrounded by structural support. It’s really the ideal way to make a shoe.
   

2. •Width. New Balance is known for offering extra wide shoes. I order my shoes in 4E which is the widest size available. The wider shoes have so much toe room that they feel like sandals. In April 2005, I wrote an article about the importance of wearing shoes that don’t crowd your toes or crush your feet. At that time, I was wearing the 765 model and would soon replace them with the 766. For bicycle riding, a wider shoe may require platform pedals (such as the Easton Flatboy Platform Pedals).
   

3. •Synthetic Material. Increasingly people are looking for sensible and compassionate alternatives to animal skins and fur for clothing. This model of shoe uses all synthetic materials.
   

4. •Sure Lace™. The shoe laces on the 767 offer a alternating variable width so that once the shoes are tied they are not as likely to become untied.
   

5. •Made in USA. It’s a rarity these days to find a product that’s made in the USA. These shoes are manufactured in the USA.* Apparently some of the components of the shoe are imported, yet their final construction relies upon U.S. labor.
   

A SHOE FOR ALL SEASONS

I wear New Balance running shoes year-round and find they provide me with excellent foot care and support whether running, biking, walking, or standing. They look great at the gym or at the office. I’ve found that Smart Wool sox are great for year-round comfort. They are cool and breathable in the summer and very warm in the winter.

As far as I’m concerned, these are the only shoes a person may ever need. Remember to keep your old pairs for working in the garden or mowing the lawn. You might want to buy two pair to have one pair for walking and daily wear while keeping another pair for running. If you go running in the rain, they can dry out overnight while you wear your other pair during the day.

UPDATES

20070816th. Within a few days after purchasing some new M767ST shoes, the stitching on the left side of the right shoe had separated just as they had in my previous pair after a short time. I’ve determined the problem is due to the fact that I’m doing some toe raises (calf exercises) that the shoes weren’t designed for. Because the shoes are a bit big for my feet, the strain is increased. The stitching that comes loose isn’t really structural or functional. So, I think I’ll continue wearing the shoes for my workout. Today I purchased an additional pair for walking and while at work. I’m guessing this new pair will not have the same problem with the stitching since I won’t be wearing them to do toe raises.

20070803fr. I’ve noticed that even as a walking shoe, the M767SB is too stiff for my liking. So, I stopped by the store again today and dropped off the M767SB shoes. The footwear consultant at the store said that he could try sending them back to New Balance and see if they would offer credit since they were too stiff. We’ll see what comes of that. Keep in mind that my experience with the M767SB shoe may have just been an uncommon quirk. I don’t know if the entire production batch of that color are stiff, but that one pair sure were. So, at present, I’m back to wearing the M767ST model. I’m curious to see if these have the same problem with the stitching coming out.

20070802th. I stopped by the store again this evening and purchased a pair of the M767ST shoes and then ran just over 3 miles in them. The M767ST is definitely much more comfortable and better cushioned than the M767SB. The M767ST shoes are very comfortable the first time out. The M767SB shoes were stiff around the ankle and I needed to loosen the laces to avoid rubbing. When I spoke with one running shoe expert, he thought it might be possible to order a stiffer version of the 767 line and that perhaps the M767SB was the stiff and less cushioned version.

20070731tu. I tried running in the M767SB shoes again today and they are definitely too stiff for running. The cushion is hardly functional at all. My knees started hurting both times going running with these shoes.

20070729su. My replacement shoes arrived last week. I finally picked them up this Sunday. I decided to order a different color this time, since I was special ordering anyway. They look great. However, after running in them today, I realize that they have much stiffer than the other pair. I don’t understand why since they are the same model. I do notice that the model number M767SB (for the blue and grey pair with silver accents) is different than my other pair which are M767ST (the blue and white with yellow accents).

20070703tu. After about one week of use, one of my shoes already had some stitching coming out. This is very unusual and not representative of New Balance quality or the durability of this design. I know, because I’ve used essentially the same design of shoe for several years. In all other respects, both shoes are performing very well. I have a theory about a possible cause of the stitching coming out. I’ve been doing some toe raises while working out -- something I’ve not done in the past. This, combined with bending of my foot while running, may cause the additional unexpected wear. Because my shoes are slightly larger in size than needed, there tends to be a bit more wrinkling and bending of the material than if my foot filled the shoe completely. I stopped by the store today and they said they would replace the shoes with a new pair that should arrive in a few days. I’ll see how the replacement shoes perform and hold up. I’m guessing they will give me years of use just as my previous pairs have.

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* The following information is from the New Balance web page that addresses US manufacturing. [PDF Source]

Many New Balance brand shoes are produced in one of six United States factories. While most of the footwear industry has moved its production overseas to take advantage of low labor costs and generally cheaper production costs, we continue to make many of our shoes in the United States and have expanded production substantially. Since 1995, we have increased our manufacturing jobs by 45%. We at New Balance are proud to provide jobs to the U.S. workforce, and proud of our well educated, high quality associates who can compete with anyone in the world. Through their hard work, we are able to make many of our models of shoes in the United States despite the competition from lower cost imports.

Unfortunately, we are not able to obtain all materials and components that are needed for these shoes in the United States. In some cases, they are simply not available. In other situations, economic and quality considerations dictate foreign sourcing. However, New Balance remains committed to providing jobs for American workers and to supporting domestic manufacturers and suppliers where possible. The Federal Trade Commission has attempted to determine what it means to say a product is “made in” the United States. While this seems like a simple question, the answer is not always obvious given the global nature of the economy. We believe most consumers think “Made in USA” means that real manufacturing jobs were provided to U.S. workers in order to make that product. The shoes produced in our U.S. factories are made by U.S. workers using both U.S. and imported materials. Where the level of domestic value is at least 70%, we have labeled the shoe “Made in USA.” Where it falls below that level, we have qualified it as containing both domestic and imported materials. This determination is based in part on a survey of consumers conducted by the FTC.

The Federal Trade Commission’s analysis of the Made in USA issue can be found on the Internet at FTC’s web site or for a copy write to New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. Brighton Landing, 20 Guest St., Boston, MA 02135-2088 Attention: Corporate Communications.

New Balance has proven that high quality, width-sized athletic footwear can be made by Americans for discriminating consumers and we are proud of this fact.