New Balance # containment thread

[Inspectah Deck]

I just realized what bothers me about 933... the branding on the tongue only reads "New Balance" and not NB# or New Balance Numeric. The NB#/New Balance Numeric division is a lot cooler than New Balance proper and leaving that branding detail off is a huge mistake in my opinion.

[Sk8 Prick]

I think part of the reason the 933 has been so divisive is because we're all having a hard time fully convincing ourselves that this is a good looking shoe... Its frustrating because its so close to being a good design, every time we see it we hope to like it more and convince ourselves further, but in reality, its only like 70% there.

In my opinion, the back half of the shoe looks great! The 993 design language looks cool and the meticulous paneling makes the shoes feel nimble and athletic in a tasteful way. Once you get past the N, the styling in the front half of the shoe takes a massive nose dive. Sure, the paneling is placed in a way to maximize protection and abrasion resistance for the purpose of skateboarding, but its done so in such a heavy handed way that makes the shoes look clunky and unsophisticated - almost reminiscent of vans design language from the late 90s  - so much emphasis was put on making sure the shoes were durable that they forgot to make them look good.

Also, its been mentioned, but lets be real - this colorway and basically all the rest that we've seen are hot garbage. This is the wrong tone of brown to support an orangeish/red accent color - the colors are too far from one another to be tonal, but too close in hue to accentuate each other. Its just muddy and not visually appealing! I think this shoe could maybe look better in the classic NB grey color like the OG 993 (not the grey color we've seen, those are horrible too)

I am impressed with the outsole design. Its my favorite part of this shoe. If the upper design was as successful as the outsole, this shoe would look insane. The rest of the tooling is just OK - again, it looks cool in the back with the exposed grey foam (I think its foam?) but as you move towards the front its just super boring and timid. I'm fine with the runner toe, I like the homage to the 990 series runners.

One last thing, the stripe on the tongue should have been webbing instead of hot melt imo. I get that they want to be cohesive to match the hotmelt on the toe and heel, but I think it would have been more satisfying from a tactile standpoint as a physical textile. If it was a costing thing implemented by the higher ups then heck 'em, this is the goddamn Reynolds shoe!

Not hating, just giving my 2 cents - Andrew is the goat of all time and NB makes cool stuff.

[thehogsniper]

I think part of the reason the 933 has been so divisive is because we're all having a hard time fully convincing ourselves that this is a good looking shoe... Its frustrating because its so close to being a good design, every time we see it we hope to like it more and convince ourselves further, but in reality, its only like 70% there.

In my opinion, the back half of the shoe looks great! The 993 design language looks cool and the meticulous paneling makes the shoes feel nimble and athletic in a tasteful way. Once you get past the N, the styling in the front half of the shoe takes a massive nose dive. Sure, the paneling is placed in a way to maximize protection and abrasion resistance for the purpose of skateboarding, but its done so in such a heavy handed way that makes the shoes look clunky and unsophisticated - almost reminiscent of vans design language from the late 90s  - so much emphasis was put on making sure the shoes were durable that they forgot to make them look good.

Also, its been mentioned, but lets be real - this colorway and basically all the rest that we've seen are hot garbage. This is the wrong tone of brown to support an orangeish/red accent color - the colors are too far from one another to be tonal, but too close in hue to accentuate each other. Its just muddy and not visually appealing! I think this shoe could maybe look better in the classic NB grey color like the OG 993 (not the grey color we've seen, those are horrible too)

I am impressed with the outsole design. Its my favorite part of this shoe. If the upper design was as successful as the outsole, this shoe would look insane. The rest of the tooling is just OK - again, it looks cool in the back with the exposed grey foam (I think its foam?) but as you move towards the front its just super boring and timid. I'm fine with the runner toe, I like the homage to the 990 series runners.

One last thing, the stripe on the tongue should have been webbing instead of hot melt imo. I get that they want to be cohesive to match the hotmelt on the toe and heel, but I think it would have been more satisfying from a tactile standpoint as a physical textile. If it was a costing thing implemented by the higher ups then heck 'em, this is the goddamn Reynolds shoe!

Not hating, just giving my 2 cents - Andrew is the goat of all time and NB makes cool stuff.

it was a mistake to hide the design for two years, not show it to the shops, expect them to blind buy, and then have four meh colorways as the launch colors. I was at the very least expecting them to reference the three reynolds colorways they previously released, yet we get saddled with four very boring versions that probably should only have been 2.

[yourfuckingdad]

Gonna get the 933 and wear it with pants and shirts. Should work!

You'll never pull it off!

[fakiefs180]

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I also feel there are a bit of sizing differences across materials and colorways. Sometimes my usual size fits great sometimes it fits too large.

[close]

Glad to know I’m not crazy. Had black with gum, now on green with black sole from the fall.
In the cream and latest blue cws both felt a bit bigger at the end of the forefoot towards the toes. Got the blue a half size down, a bit worried it may prove too tight.

The black with gum from the launch colorways. Those had the thickest tongue, which made the overall fit feel way better in my opinion. I also own the olive green with the black sole. The tongue on them is way thinner as the previous shoe versions but the length and width still seems to be the same. I also found the newest colorways too long/big at the forefoot and at a half size down it was uncomfortably tight. Such a bummer because I really liked the OG versions of the 600.

But I will also admit that I am very specific about the fit of shoes, I think you could call it madness.

Really looking forward to the new 808 versions now.

[rikki]

Anyone else have issues with the 440v2?

I absolutely loved the original 440, and the 600 fits me like a glove. The 480 and all the thicker shoes are not for me. I like my boardfeel in the plenty.

Hence I had high hopes for the 440v2.

I've skated a pair for two long sessions now. For some reason, I'm getting this weird numbing pain in the forefoot on my left foot (I'm regular) especially in the beginning of the session.  It goes away once I warm up, but this hasn't happened with any other shoe before. Plus my feet seem more tired after a sesh than with other shoes.

I can't put my finger on the reason, really. I mean, is there something drastically different in the forefoot of the 440v2 as compared to the previous version? Am I wearing my shoe too tight? Should I give it more time to break in?

Trying a different insole would probably do something, but I kinda want to feel comfy in my shoes stock, as I've been doing with the 440v1 and the 600. With them, I've never needed to tweak anything regarding insoles, except for swapping in an FP insole once the outsole has worn so thin that I start to feel it on my feet.

To summarize: the 440v1 and the 600 have felt great from the get-go. Not so much with the 440v2.

Any similar experiences or tips? Madness bound here. 

[pops]

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The 808 lite’s are popping up all over the place. The photos are hard to tell if the shape was adjusted at all in the toe box. I’m hoping it’s an illusion and they didn’t round it out and make it stubbier 🥶

[close]

I would be mad if they messed up 808. Still have 3 pairs of og 808 in stock. I read the new model fit smaller than usually, so maybe .5 up like the the og?

[close]

I thought the main point of the 808 lites was to fix the sizing so ppl could go tts rather than go .5 size up?

https://olympiaskateshop.com/products/new-balance-numeric-tiago-808-light-black-gum

LIGHTER, BETTER.

IF YOU'VE WORN 808'S IN THE PAST YOU KNOW THEY'RE STIFF AF OUT THE BOX. THE 808 LIGHT IS MUCH EASIER TO WORK WITH.

BE WARNED THEY RUN SMALLER THAN USUAL. I SUGGEST SIZING UP ONE FULL SIZE. 

[rocklobster]

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The 808 lite’s are popping up all over the place. The photos are hard to tell if the shape was adjusted at all in the toe box. I’m hoping it’s an illusion and they didn’t round it out and make it stubbier 🥶

[close]

I would be mad if they messed up 808. Still have 3 pairs of og 808 in stock. I read the new model fit smaller than usually, so maybe .5 up like the the og?

[close]

I thought the main point of the 808 lites was to fix the sizing so ppl could go tts rather than go .5 size up?

[close]

https://olympiaskateshop.com/products/new-balance-numeric-tiago-808-light-black-gum

LIGHTER, BETTER.

IF YOU'VE WORN 808'S IN THE PAST YOU KNOW THEY'RE STIFF AF OUT THE BOX. THE 808 LIGHT IS MUCH EASIER TO WORK WITH.

BE WARNED THEY RUN SMALLER THAN USUAL. I SUGGEST SIZING UP ONE FULL SIZE. 

Black and gum is such an iconic colorway, definitely adding these to the stack.

[moonordie]

Just in case

[somedudefromnj]

Anyone else have issues with the 440v2?

I absolutely loved the original 440, and the 600 fits me like a glove. The 480 and all the thicker shoes are not for me. I like my boardfeel in the plenty.

Hence I had high hopes for the 440v2.

I've skated a pair for two long sessions now. For some reason, I'm getting this weird numbing pain in the forefoot on my left foot (I'm regular) especially in the beginning of the session.  It goes away once I warm up, but this hasn't happened with any other shoe before. Plus my feet seem more tired after a sesh than with other shoes.

I can't put my finger on the reason, really. I mean, is there something drastically different in the forefoot of the 440v2 as compared to the previous version? Am I wearing my shoe too tight? Should I give it more time to break in?

Trying a different insole would probably do something, but I kinda want to feel comfy in my shoes stock, as I've been doing with the 440v1 and the 600. With them, I've never needed to tweak anything regarding insoles, except for swapping in an FP insole once the outsole has worn so thin that I start to feel it on my feet.

To summarize: the 440v1 and the 600 have felt great from the get-go. Not so much with the 440v2.

Any similar experiences or tips? Madness bound here.

I love the v2, but I must admit I didnt even try skating them with the stock insoles.

They still feel paper thin at times though

[mindfuzz]

Just in case

I know it’s been said in this thread but what’s the other launch colorway again? Is it the black/olive?

[rikki]

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Anyone else have issues with the 440v2?

I absolutely loved the original 440, and the 600 fits me like a glove. The 480 and all the thicker shoes are not for me. I like my boardfeel in the plenty.

Hence I had high hopes for the 440v2.

I've skated a pair for two long sessions now. For some reason, I'm getting this weird numbing pain in the forefoot on my left foot (I'm regular) especially in the beginning of the session.  It goes away once I warm up, but this hasn't happened with any other shoe before. Plus my feet seem more tired after a sesh than with other shoes.

I can't put my finger on the reason, really. I mean, is there something drastically different in the forefoot of the 440v2 as compared to the previous version? Am I wearing my shoe too tight? Should I give it more time to break in?

Trying a different insole would probably do something, but I kinda want to feel comfy in my shoes stock, as I've been doing with the 440v1 and the 600. With them, I've never needed to tweak anything regarding insoles, except for swapping in an FP insole once the outsole has worn so thin that I start to feel it on my feet.

To summarize: the 440v1 and the 600 have felt great from the get-go. Not so much with the 440v2.

Any similar experiences or tips? Madness bound here.

[close]

I love the v2, but I must admit I didnt even try skating them with the stock insoles.

They still feel paper thin at times though

Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that I gotta go custom insole as well. What insoles do you use?

[thehogsniper]

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The 808 lite’s are popping up all over the place. The photos are hard to tell if the shape was adjusted at all in the toe box. I’m hoping it’s an illusion and they didn’t round it out and make it stubbier 🥶

[close]

I would be mad if they messed up 808. Still have 3 pairs of og 808 in stock. I read the new model fit smaller than usually, so maybe .5 up like the the og?

[close]

I thought the main point of the 808 lites was to fix the sizing so ppl could go tts rather than go .5 size up?

[close]

https://olympiaskateshop.com/products/new-balance-numeric-tiago-808-light-black-gum

LIGHTER, BETTER.

IF YOU'VE WORN 808'S IN THE PAST YOU KNOW THEY'RE STIFF AF OUT THE BOX. THE 808 LIGHT IS MUCH EASIER TO WORK WITH.

BE WARNED THEY RUN SMALLER THAN USUAL. I SUGGEST SIZING UP ONE FULL SIZE. 

amazing, they still can't fix the sizing.

[DanRar009]

Just in case

I’m praying we get an all black colorway sometime this year or a proper brown/gum colorway. Like one dude mentioned a few posts ago the colorways are keeping me from really loving the shoe, it’s rare for new balance to miss on the launch colorways for a shoe but none of the 4 we’ve seen so far are making me want to buy em day one.

[Daydream]

https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/andrew-reynolds-interview/

yesssss, friday blessings. shot by jerry.

[rawbertson.]

whats so good about the 440s? i had the 306 and was pretty happy with them, but everyone seems super hype on these. both tiago models seem like they have cooled down a bit - i am not seeing that many pros wear them anymore, but still seeing decent amount wearing 306 (could be just the skaters im seeing) i am still seeing tons of 440s though the entire time and seeing them a lot in person too. they made a v2 which to me is a key indicator this is a really popular shoe.

[Daydream]

Anyone else have issues with the 440v2?

I absolutely loved the original 440, and the 600 fits me like a glove. The 480 and all the thicker shoes are not for me. I like my boardfeel in the plenty.

Hence I had high hopes for the 440v2.

I've skated a pair for two long sessions now. For some reason, I'm getting this weird numbing pain in the forefoot on my left foot (I'm regular) especially in the beginning of the session.  It goes away once I warm up, but this hasn't happened with any other shoe before. Plus my feet seem more tired after a sesh than with other shoes.

I can't put my finger on the reason, really. I mean, is there something drastically different in the forefoot of the 440v2 as compared to the previous version? Am I wearing my shoe too tight? Should I give it more time to break in?

Trying a different insole would probably do something, but I kinda want to feel comfy in my shoes stock, as I've been doing with the 440v1 and the 600. With them, I've never needed to tweak anything regarding insoles, except for swapping in an FP insole once the outsole has worn so thin that I start to feel it on my feet.

To summarize: the 440v1 and the 600 have felt great from the get-go. Not so much with the 440v2.

Any similar experiences or tips? Madness bound here.

just typed a whole response and it got deleted, frustrating. but yes, I liked the 440v1 and have 3 pairs and love the 600. Tried the Vu 440v2, and had a similar toe experience, very uncomfortable even though they were my correct size. tried shoe trees and I think I swapped insoles but it didnt matter. gave them time to break in too. must be something w the last on that pair, who knows. one of the first 480 the Reynolds had an issue in the mid foot too.

[soot_yawd]

https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/andrew-reynolds-interview/

yesssss, friday blessings. shot by jerry.

The Boss calling out Kader?

“You could probably party and skate a little, but I can tell that all the guys I know who are hooked on weed are really hurting their careers in skating. People don't see it, and they don't want to hear it, especially young people, but it takes away some drive, some spark in them that they probably had when they were a little kid.”

[rikki]

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Anyone else have issues with the 440v2?

I absolutely loved the original 440, and the 600 fits me like a glove. The 480 and all the thicker shoes are not for me. I like my boardfeel in the plenty.

Hence I had high hopes for the 440v2.

I've skated a pair for two long sessions now. For some reason, I'm getting this weird numbing pain in the forefoot on my left foot (I'm regular) especially in the beginning of the session.  It goes away once I warm up, but this hasn't happened with any other shoe before. Plus my feet seem more tired after a sesh than with other shoes.

I can't put my finger on the reason, really. I mean, is there something drastically different in the forefoot of the 440v2 as compared to the previous version? Am I wearing my shoe too tight? Should I give it more time to break in?

Trying a different insole would probably do something, but I kinda want to feel comfy in my shoes stock, as I've been doing with the 440v1 and the 600. With them, I've never needed to tweak anything regarding insoles, except for swapping in an FP insole once the outsole has worn so thin that I start to feel it on my feet.

To summarize: the 440v1 and the 600 have felt great from the get-go. Not so much with the 440v2.

Any similar experiences or tips? Madness bound here.

[close]

just typed a whole response and it got deleted, frustrating. but yes, I liked the 440v1 and have 3 pairs and love the 600. Tried the Vu 440v2, and had a similar toe experience, very uncomfortable even though they were my correct size. tried shoe trees and I think I swapped insoles but it didnt matter. gave them time to break in too. must be something w the last on that pair, who knows. one of the first 480 the Reynolds had an issue in the mid foot too.

Hey thanks for the input. Glad to hear I'm not tripping just by myself. Gonna try out some different insoles and give 'em some more time to break in. Let's see. Kinda frustrating, but hey, that's skateboarding and gear sometimes.

[Idk]

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https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/andrew-reynolds-interview/

yesssss, friday blessings. shot by jerry.

[close]

The Boss calling out Kader?

“You could probably party and skate a little, but I can tell that all the guys I know who are hooked on weed are really hurting their careers in skating. People don't see it, and they don't want to hear it, especially young people, but it takes away some drive, some spark in them that they probably had when they were a little kid.”

[close]

Or most sponsored teenagers

Foy just won SOTY twice and he is a big stoner. Seems super motivated.

[thehogsniper]

whats so good about the 440s? i had the 306 and was pretty happy with them, but everyone seems super hype on these. both tiago models seem like they have cooled down a bit - i am not seeing that many pros wear them anymore, but still seeing decent amount wearing 306 (could be just the skaters im seeing) i am still seeing tons of 440s though the entire time and seeing them a lot in person too. they made a v2 which to me is a key indicator this is a really popular shoe.

it's just a really good middle-of-the-pack shoe from NB#. It's simple but gets the job done. not too much, but not too little.

[Rick Trapasso]

whats so good about the 440s? i had the 306 and was pretty happy with them, but everyone seems super hype on these. both tiago models seem like they have cooled down a bit - i am not seeing that many pros wear them anymore, but still seeing decent amount wearing 306 (could be just the skaters im seeing) i am still seeing tons of 440s though the entire time and seeing them a lot in person too. they made a v2 which to me is a key indicator this is a really popular shoe.

It's a thin cupsole with a secure fit.

Very little break in time if any.

I'd argue most people could skate a pair and make do even if it wasn't their generally preferred style of shoe.

[Fooj]

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https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/andrew-reynolds-interview/

yesssss, friday blessings. shot by jerry.

[close]

The Boss calling out Kader?

“You could probably party and skate a little, but I can tell that all the guys I know who are hooked on weed are really hurting their careers in skating. People don't see it, and they don't want to hear it, especially young people, but it takes away some drive, some spark in them that they probably had when they were a little kid.”

[close]

Or most sponsored teenagers

[close]

Foy just won SOTY twice and he is a big stoner. Seems super motivated.

Seems like Reynolds is speaking in generality from observing this in multiple people.
I think Foy is one of the greatest exceptions of all time. Whether or not he blazes, his body type, durability, and what he skates are all crazy.

[Daydream]

Back to the shoes.. lol

That cw in the article/pics is the one I’m going for. Don’t care for the tan launch

[moonordie]

[Watson]

I think the 933 is sick and I like that brown colour. I'm gonna wear some and if you see me walk by you're gonna be like "Ooooh damn he be lookin real good."

[jfrankparnell]

Really wanna see the cross section of the 933.

I suspect the midsole might be similar to the Nike GPS. The GPS has substantial cushioning but there’s not a ton of drop between heel and toe and there is a bunch of cushioning to support the arch. Kinda like a birkenstock. I’m sure that’s not universally appealing but for me the GPS is one of my favorite non skaters shoes because of that feature specifically.

1010 has that countered midsole going on to some extent but I’d like to see it taken further.

[art hellman]

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whats so good about the 440s? i had the 306 and was pretty happy with them, but everyone seems super hype on these. both tiago models seem like they have cooled down a bit - i am not seeing that many pros wear them anymore, but still seeing decent amount wearing 306 (could be just the skaters im seeing) i am still seeing tons of 440s though the entire time and seeing them a lot in person too. they made a v2 which to me is a key indicator this is a really popular shoe.

[close]

it's just a really good middle-of-the-pack shoe from NB#. It's simple but gets the job done. not too much, but not too little.

the 440 was my fav NB shoe, especially the high, and i was really nervous when the 440v2 came out.  the 440 v2 is even better.  it does have more cushion and umph to it than the 440.  it’s a perfect transition shoe for anyone coming from vulcs to cupsoles.  it has a great fit for my feet and most importantly, the heel lock is perfect on even the low version.  another perk is that it lasts a long time.  the secrettape posted a great pic of the 444v2 after a month or two of skating, and it still had plenty of life left

summary— 440v2 is my current fav skate shoe

[noxiousPond]

For those who don’t want to read that

tl;dr the shoe will come in standard sizing and wide sizing.

[Fooj]

Man, this pic make part of me wish the outsole was all white. The half and half doesnt look to bad tho