This is my second year now as an ambassador for the RBC Run For The Kids and New Balance Canada has stepped up their sponsorship game with a $250 gift card to spend on gear!  This comes with the preface that we use this gear while training and post on our SM wearing the gear.  There was no obligation for me to do a blog review and I do so at my own choice and offer my honest review here for your benefit.

Thanks New Balance Canada

Bayview Village New Balance

I chose to visit the Bayview Village location.  The staff there were more than helpful as I explained what sort of items I was looking for.  First and foremost I wanted a new pair of kicks!  I showed the associate what I am currently running in so she would have an idea of what type of shoe I needed {she didn’t even mind that it was a competing brand ;)}.  With the general idea in mind of what I wanted she still did a proper gait and walking analysis to ensure she would be bringing me the proper models.

My “Foot Print”

Just a small selection of the men’s shoes available

I was then presented with these shoes:

 New Balance 880v5:

Vazee Pace:

Fresh Foam Zante:

While they all really felt amazing and gave me great support I found the Zante’s fit my foot the best.  I prefer a shoe that doesn’t feel like it has a high sole and the Zante gave me exactly what I was looking for under my feet.  I find with some shoes that the top sometimes is too snug across the top of my foot and the upper of this shoe wrapped around my foot like a grove.  Since it fit so well I did not need it to be laced too tightly until I got to the last eyelets where I like the back to be tight around my ankle.

My new Zante’s in all their glory!

Along with the shoes I also picked up some sweet New Balance clothes!

Windcheater Jacket

Technical deets:

• Material: 100% Polyester moisture wicking fabric
• Athletic fit
• Lightweight performance woven
• Reflective logo
• Reflective tape at back
• Two zipper enclosed pockets
• V-fold binding at hem and cuff
• Water-resistant
• Wind-resistant

Accelerate 5 Inch Short

Technical deets:

• Material: 100% Polyester moisture wicking fabric
• 5 inch inseam
• Athletic fit
• Contrast color mesh insets
• Internal key pocket
• Reflective logo
• Sleek woven

My thoughts:

The shoes are amazing!  The have performed exactly the way that I need my shoes to perform!  They are not heavy and feel so light on my feet! The cushioning on the sole is exactly right.  The upper is the perfect fit for my foot shape and requires little tension on the laces to keep my foot snug.  The toe box is roomy and airy and with the all the vents on the shoe they breath really well!  I never have any soreness on my feet from my short runs to my long runs.  I have a really good feeling that New Balance is going to be my go-to shoe from now on!

The jacket and the shorts are both made with the same NB DRY material. They but work perfectly at wicking the moisture away from my body.  I wore the jacket for a run along the lake on a windy but still very warm day.  I found it worked very well as a wind breaker and at the same time did not find I was sweating or overheating any more than usual in the heat.  The length of the shorts is perfect for me since I don’t like long shorts riding up and down my leg with each stride.  They come with and inside liner which does exactly what I need it to do.  The NB DRY material means all of the sweat I generate is quickly evaporated away from my body!  I actually find myself reaching for these shorts over all my others now!

I am so happy with all the New Balance gear I was so lucky to have been given!  I would recommend all these products to my friends when asked.

I want to send out a thank you first to RBC Run For The Kids for giving the opportunity to be an Ambassador again, New Balance Canada for sponsoring the run and providing the gift cards to the Ambassadors and to Fit4Balance for all their expertise and help with selecting and purchasing this amazing gear!

See you out there!

#KeepSmilin 🙂