New Balance 764--STILL GREAT and PRICES SLASHED!
Written: Jan 23 '04 (Updated Jan 24 '04)
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Pros: A running shoe you can love and trust--stability and cushioning, now deeply discounted!
Cons: Running out of stores at the reduced prices, now becoming harder to find.
The Bottom Line: A shoe for the ages, the NB 764 was great when it hit the market, and will be great next year! Grab 'em if you can still find 'em!
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| brett_w's Full Review: New Balance Men's Stability Running Shoe 764 |
In fall of 2003 I was training for an 8.1 mile leadoff leg in the Tucson Marathon Relay. I hadn't run that far in well, maybe forever. My last shoes were ASICS Gel 140s, and although I loved them and they were still going strong (despite some Epinions warning otherwise), I thought to replace them because they were pushing 500 miles. I was also experiencing the "terrible too's"--training too fast too long and too soon (for me), 20 miles a week. I was beginning to experience knee and hip pain ("make my supplement 'glucosamine', please"), and wanted to switch to a new shoe. Oh yeah, I had also blown my race budget on some of those sexy, Under Armour cold gear leggings (awright, no "queer eye for the straight guy" jibes).
The New Balance 764's were a welcome sight at their sales price. They felt wonderful the week up to and during my race. I was able to exceed my expectations (8-minute miles), and my team placed third in the men's relay division.
Although the New Balance 764 running shoe is no longer featured on www.newbalance.com as of 2003--it has been replaced by the cosmetically-updated M765BY (blue-yellow) and M765WR (white-red)--there are still pairs of this popular and trusted model available in stores and online. Original Manufacturer's Suggested Retail for the men's model M764 was $80, women's W764 $85 (explain that), but I found mine at a downtown running "boutique" discounted to only $29.99 about six weeks prior to this writing. Given that resale value and "this year's model" prestige ought not be significant factors in your running shoe selection, GRAB THESE WHILE YOU CAN if you are a "small- to medium-framed runner with medium to low arches", and a neutral to mild pronator. At 5'10" and 145 lbs, and with normal arches and a neutral gait (running tech jargon for "my shoe soles wear evenly as opposed to predominantly along the inner or outer edge"), I seem to fit this profile.
As I understand it, over-pronating runners wear-out the outer edges of their shoes first. They might want a shoe with even more stability, designed specifically to counter the tendancy to roll-off the outer edge of the foot.
The 764 is a serious, true distance training shoe--just right for a 5K to a marathon, on road, track, or occasional trail. At 12.0 oz, it is fairly light for shoes of this class, but then it is not really recommended for heavier runners or those requiring prevention of severe under- or over-pronation. It is lighter and the tread less knobby than the new trail shoes, but more stable and cushioned than a pure racing shoe.
I love to lace them on--cool mesh, comfy cushioning, and snug fit. Of course it also means that I am going to run! I am particularly impressed with how much lighter and more flexible they feel than early running shoes.
The 764, although mostly white and clean-looking, appears the teeniest bit dated (many of this year's models seem to feature red or orange trim). The men's 764 has navy and yellow trim; the ladies has medium blue trim. I feel right up to par with my buddies in their Mizunos, Sauconies and Brooks (and plenty of other NBs). Nike has nifty ads, but I never liked their shoes or prices, and I do try on ALL the brands.
The NB 764 product blurbs read as follows:
Blown-rubber outsole gives added cushioning and flexibility
ABZORB in heel and forefoot for shock absorption
Midfoot Stability Web provides lightweight support
Feel the smoother ride with the Gradient medial post
Breathable, durable synthetic leather/mesh upper
My only gripe with the 764 is that the insole was light and flimsy like any shoe off the shelf, and while it undoubtedly saved on cost and weight, I achieved much better cushioning by replacing them with Sorbothane insoles (which claim absorption of 94% of the shock).
I'm now back to running 12 miles a week, and although I have to be cautious of over-training to avoid joint pain, that is really no reflection on this shoe. The New Balance 764 is helping me continue running, competing, and having fun, cheaply and injury-free!.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
brett_w
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Member: Brett Wilmore
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
Live a life less ordinary!
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