Shoe Review: New Balance 760

My "homeboy" PJ Pilares, National Sales Head of Planet Sports, has been convincing me for some time now to try out a pair of New Balance running shoes.  Don't get me wrong, though.  It's not as if I have anything against NB as a brand.  I (and probably around 10 million other hardened runners) know for a fact that NB makes some of the finest and technically sound running shoes out there.  I've been resisting PJ's overtures because I already have four pairs of running shoes, and all of them are still in good running condition (pun intended, of course).  I have the Nike Lunarglide+, the Nike Zoom Structure Triax 12, the Adidas Optiq, and my absolute favorite, the Adidas adizero Tempo.  I just didn't think I needed to get yet another pair.

Last weekend, however, I finally gave in and got my first pair of NBs - the New Balance 760.

 

It was a combination of factors, really.  For one, the shoes look great.  I was also thinking that my adizero Tempo, which I absolutely, madly in love with, are logging very heavy mileage.  I was thinking that I could conserve them by getting an alternate pair.  I'd use the Tempo as race day shoes and the 760 as trainers.  The clincher, however, was PJ's offer of a 40% discount.  This means I could get the shoes for only around P2,700.

And buy the shoes I did. I picked the shoes up at the NB store in Glorietta 4 on Easter Sunday.  I was told by Mark, the sales guy, that the New Balance 760 is built for speed and short distances (i.e., 5 to 10k runs).  Houston, we have a problem.  You see, I am not fast, and I like running relatively long distances. Mark suggested that I consider getting the New Balance 1064 instead.  I almost flinched and went for the 1064, but I stuck to the program and went with the 760.  I told myself I could just use them for my short weekday runs, which normally range from 8 to 10k.  I also told myself that, if the shoes don't work out for running, they'd still look great with jeans.  And with the 40% discount, I could NOT lose.

As soon as I got home, I went on-line searched for reviews and articles about the New Balance 760. Wait a minute. Shouldn't I have done this BEFORE buying the shoes?).  According to newbalance.com, "this highly responsive trainer has a performance fit and was developed for runners seeking premium cushioning and a moderate level of stability.  The successor to the popular 769, the lightweight 760 features the TS2 medial post, ABZORB® in the forefoot and advanced N-ergy cushioning in the heel to give serious runners an edge."  Some of its technical features are as follows: 

• TS2 Transitional Support System helps create a smooth transition from heel strike to toe-off
• Synthetic/Mesh upper provides lightweight comfort and support
• Stability Web delivers midfoot support and reduces the weight of the shoe
• Seamless PHANTOM LINER reduces the weight of the shoe plus enhances the comfort and fit
• N-ergy in the heel provides NB's most advanced shock absorption and cushioning
• Ndurance rubber compound for maximum outsole durability
• LIGHTNING DRY liner keeps your feet dry and comfortable as you train
• Removable full-length insert of ABZORB cushioning provides added comfort
• Dual Density Collar uses both a softer density foam against the foot for cushioning, and a firmer density foam for support
• Blown Rubber Forefoot for lightweight cushioning
• ACTEVA LITE premium lightweight midsole provides optimal resistance to compression set - 24% lighter than standard foam
• ABZORB Strobel Board runs full length of shoe to maximize shock absorption and comfort
• ABZORB cushioning in the forefoot for exceptional shock absorption
• 360 Degree Reflectivity for added safety

Just reading all the fine features and favorable reviews got my juices flowing, and before I knew it, I was already out the door and warming up for a long run.  I started my run outside the gate to our village, at St. Martin Street.  From there, I headed towards Lanuza St. and turned right at Julia Vargas.  I then entered Frontera Verde and went all the way to Ortigas Ave.  I made a left at C-5 and went all the way to Green Meadows Ave., where I turned left.  From there, I headed for Temple Drive and went straight to the Katipunan-White Plains area.  I made my u-turn just before hitting Santolan.  On my way back, I toured Ortigas Center and the UAP-Gold Loop area.  From Exchange Road, I headed back to St. Martin.  I ended my run at the 7-Eleven store in Silver City.  The run spanned 21.01k.  Check out my Last Run page for the details of the run.

The New Balance 760 was really light. As in, adizero-light.  No surprises there. What surprised me, however, was the fairly good amount of cushioning it provided.  The first few kilometers were a bit shaky, and I thought my feet would start aching by Km 10.  Surprisingly, however, the New Balance 760 held their own and gave me no problems throughout the route.  They provided great maneuverability and excellent response.  Apparently, the shoes, which are lightweight stability trainers, neutralized my mild over-pronation as I felt no aches or pains whatsoever on my feet, knees, and legs.  The New Balance 760 hurdled the half-marathon distance with flying colors.  

Now that the New Balance 760 had proven its mettle on the road, I wanted to find out how it would fare on a tartan track.  These shoes look bad-ass fast and are built for speed, so they should feel right at home in a "controlled environment" like the ULTRA track oval.  And so, decked in my new kicks, I went for a couple of 8k tempo runs last Tuesday and Wednesday.  At that distance and at tempo pace, the New Balance 760 felt awesome.  Mark (the New Balance guy) wasn't lying when he said that these shoes are perfect for distances of 5 to 10k.  And so, it is resolved.  I will use the New Balance 760 for short training runs, and I will still wear the adizero Tempo for races and longer runs.

To be honest, I'm not sure how the New Balance 760 will fare at distances greater than 25k.  I somehow get the feeling that, for longer runs, they would not feel as comfortable as, say, the adizero Tempo.  I guess I'll have to do a 25 or 30K LSD run one of these days and find out for myself.  But then again, the New Balance 760 were not made for long runs or even full marathons.  These shoes were built for short distances run at faster speeds.  All told, the New Balance 760 are excellent stability trainers that are well worth the full price tag. 

Now, if you get them at 40% off, shame on you because it becomes stealing.  Somebody call the cops!