Why No Love For New Balance??

[larry10s]

how come new balance is rarely discussed ?? ive used nb 801.802 803 now 804 with xcellent results regarding wear comfort stability (important for me) etc. just curious why few replies when new balance comes up

[njsigman]

I have seen some other threads on this before, but I think NB doesn't have too much in the variety of styles and colors. Nike and Adidas seem to be the favorites around here. I actually used Babolat shoes and like them very much...

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by larry10s

how come new balance is rarely discussed ?? ive used nb 801.802 803 now 804 with xcellent results regarding wear comfort stability (important for me) etc. just curious why few replies when new balance comes up

I am guessing its because they are mostly known for running and casual sneakers and not a "tennis specific" brand? I think they make a great quality sneaker, but at the moment I am happy with my Prince T22's.

[TMCW140]

Because they're not endorsed by anyone major, so people don't really immediately consider them as an option

[max]

I LOVE New Balance! The first pair I had, though, I sent back to the company because they were so unstable. . . and the company sent the new, improved 803s I think they were.

But it's wonderful to have a shoe really fit your feet well. It really matters in tennis, for support. have narrow feet, so NB is great: I would use them nowadays except they don't have as much cushioning as I'd like. . . and TW only stocks the wide varieties for the most part.

[bcart1991]

They make quality shoes, but they lack the flash and endorsements to get them more noticed.

I've had a couple pair. I liked them.

[Douggo]

I'm constantly amazed by the number of "which shoe for my wide/narrow feet?" threads here. As far as the masses of medium-width players go, I think not seeing them on top pros leads people to think it's an "off-brand", as has been stated above. To a certain degree, you know what you're getting when you buy Nike or Adidas. Not everybody will roll the dice on K-Swiss, NB, Diadora, etc., and even fewer here will, given that this forum is centered around an online store, where you don't even get to try your stuff on before you buy.

[the mania]

new balance is kind of boring. all of their shoes look alike, boring. when they tried to get with the program by making a black shoe, they ruined it by slapping red all over it.

[T21D]

I've ran in 2001's and 992's but have never tried their tennis shoes. As some members have stated, they might not have the bells and whistles and latest lunarfoam/adiprene/zig technology as the others, but a more bang for your buck alternative.

[mikeler]

I love NB. If you have the feet of a hobbit it is a godsend.

[100Inch]

You asked. They are terrible compared to my Barricades: soles and uppers wear out and breakdown, much less support overall. Unfortunately I have wide feet and must buy them. Oh how I wish other shoe makers would offer something for those of us with wide feet....

[FloridaAG]

I used to wear them - they were ok although not geared for performance and the cushioning did not last very long. I think the wides are too wide for me and the regulars too narrow - I played in the wides for a long time before I figured that out.

I wear T22s now and they are much better

[SmAsH999]

heh. new balance. i used to go through a pair in 3 weeks. the quality of adidas or nike is far better.

[snoopy]

Originally Posted by FloridaAG

I used to wear them - they were ok although not geared for performance and the cushioning did not last very long.

Originally Posted by SmAsH999

heh. new balance. i used to go through a pair in 3 weeks. the quality of adidas or nike is far better.

I agree with these guys.

I never wore them on court but I tried on a few versions of NBs high end tennis shoes in my local shop.

The NBs felt like they didn't have enough lateral support. My foot never felt secure. The cushioning also felt sub par compared to the competitors.

[rich s]

I like NB, I just don't like their styling.... it leaves a bit to be desired.

I used to wear NB extensively (higher end 600's and 800's) because I need a 2E.

To me they were very stable, wore like iron and were extremely comfortable once they were broken in..... I just got tired of wearing boring looking shoes and started looking at shoes that had a more generous fit in the width (Prince shoes as an example).

[SteveI]

Originally Posted by 100Inch

You asked. They are terrible compared to my Barricades: soles and uppers wear out and breakdown, much less support overall. Unfortunately I have wide feet and must buy them. Oh how I wish other shoe makers would offer something for those of us with wide feet....

I got a great deal on some 655s... They did breakdown very fast and I got my very 1st (after tennis playing for 40 odd years) case of PF. Not the best shoes. I was a Reebok and KSwiss guy for years.. and years.. and I going back and never buying another pair of NBs.

Not sure they suck.. but they did I am sure, cause the PF.

Steve

[Hapless]

NB tennis shoes aren't usually sold in general sports stores (where you can always find something by Adidas, Nike, etc.), limiting their market exposure. Compounding that is the fact that most people don't change shoe brands once they've found something they like...as the business adage goes, a repeat customer demands much less effort for a sale than a "conquest".

As a brand, NB are also lousy shoes for over-pronators (the more common cause of "flat feet" needing orthotics), which further reduces their appeal.

[Bartelby]

They're 'anti-sex on a stick'.

[FedEx23]

There's nothing better than the retro NB 574. That's all they're good for, in my opinion.

[parasailing]

I love NB for running shoes but their tennis shoes are not that good. I have tried their top of the line models but they don't have the stability and cushioning like the Nike CB 2.3s.