Monday, September 7

New Balance Eco-Preferred Collection Review and Giveaway

This contest is now closed. Congrats to the winners!
Thank you to everyone who entered and to New Balance for sponsoring such a wondering giveaway.

When New Balance asked me to try out their new eco-preferred shoe, the New Balance 70, I was overjoyed.

I have never owned a pair of New Balance shoes before but I have heard my MIL raving about hers so I was excited about having a pair of my own, especially an eco pair.


After flipping a coin to decide between the blue pair and the green pair (blue winning) I anxiously awaited for them to arrive (which they did in a very short amount of time).

The first thing that I noticed when I removed the shoes from the box was how lightweight they were (light as a feather came to mind). 245 grams or 8.6 ounces of lightweightness to be exact. ;-)

A few days later I got the chance to wear my new eco-friendlier shoes to an evening BBQ. They were very comfortable in that setting and spruced up my jeans and t-shirt (which happened to be the same shade of blue as the shoes) attire.

I definitely appreciated the lightweightness of the shoe while I was wearing them and I also enjoyed the extra arch support they seemed to have.
Even though these were brand new shoes I did not feel like I had to "break them in" and at the end of the evening my feet felt fine (no soreness that is typically felt when I wear new shoes for the first time)
Another feature that stood out to me were the soles. They were very grippe, slightly elevated, and very cool looking.

I probably wouldn't wear these shoes hiking or running but for a day of leisure, running errands, or an evening BBQ, they were perfect.

Here are some official stats on the New Balance 70 eco-preferred shoe:

*This new collection features shoes that utilize environmentally preferred materials, constructions and manufacturing processes.

*Is developed for fashionable consumers who consider the environment without relaxing their standards of style and comfort.

*Seventy-five percent of the upper components are “environmentally preferred materials.”

*The laces, webbing, rand, quarter, tongue and saddle incorporate recycled polyester

*The foxing and the tip of the shoe are synthetics made with fewer solvents than traditional materials.

*Rice husks filler in the outsole reduces the amount of rubber needed, thus reducing the amount of petroleum used.

*Water-based adhesives (rather than solvent-based) are used to join the upper and the sole unit

*No paper stuffing or paper wrapping are used in the packaging of 70 (This is true. I hadn't thought about it until I just read it.)

*The upper is constructed with minimal layers to reduce unnecessary material usage. It features a uniquely efficient design--the parts fit together much like a puzzle--in an effort to utilize as much of the original cutting material as possible.

One downside to the shoe is that it is made in China and not in the USA. Maybe the next generation of New Balance's eco-preferred shoe will be made in the USA. (We can always ask nicely and hope they listen)

***The New Balance 70 is made with a reduced waste design and recycled materials, this trail shoe is an elegant blend of eco-friendly shoe construction and New Balance's famous fit and comfort

I would have to say that I agree with that summary! I am extremely happy with my blue New Balance 70 eco-preferred shoe.

Thanks to the generous folks at New Balance 2 of my readers will get a chance to determine if they agree with that summary too. How awesome is that!?! (Thanks guys!)

To Enter: Visit the New Balance website, take a look at their products, learn more about their first green shoe, then come back here and leave me a comment telling me what color and size of New Balance 70 shoe you would love to win!

Don't forget to include your e-mail address (if your profile does not have it listed)

Giveaway Ends: Sunday Sept. 13th!

Extra Entry: Blog or Twitter about this giveaway and post the links here.


Good Luck!

80 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great giveaway! I am a long time New Balance fan and as such am happy to read of their efforts to "green" their shoes. If I won I would choose blue in women's size 8.5.

Anonymous said...

Tweet! @greengigs
http://twitter.com/greengigs/statuses/3818884716

Rebecca said...

I would like the burnt orange in a women's size 5.5. These are so cool!!!!

Susan Heim said...

I love the brown/dark orange in size 8!

Susan Heim said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/ParentingAuthor/status/3823694496

Nancy said...

I am a loyal fan of New Balance shoes! I would love to have the blue shoe in Women's size 11.

Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

tawndam said...

very cool idea! I love the burnt orange size 9.5D

Anonymous said...

I like the blue in womens 8.5. So cool.

Anonymous said...

tweet http://twitter.com/drala625/status/3826277993

Lori said...

I would pick the Style: ME070SN in a men's size 15, because that's what my husband is. Though my Keens are starting to wear out, it is so hard to find sizes that fit him and New Balance 15 are perfect. I love that they're moving in this direction!
lkziegler[at]gmail[dot]com

alovelymadness said...

These look great. I love New Balance. I've had 2 pair in the last 6 years and I'm due again.
Since there is no purple or pink...I would choose green.
8.5 is my size.

dctm said...

13D in Men's - Brown and Light orange would be my choice.

Christie
dctm at bellsouth dot net

Daisy said...

I like the brown 070 in a size 7. The design is so cool!

silverhartgirl said...

I love this shoe. I like the green in women size 9 1/2

The Mom Jen said...

Very Cool! I love the light orange and brown shoe in an 8! Thanks for the chance Lena!

The Mom Jen said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/themomjen/status/3833749800

karenmed409 said...

brown in ladies 8.5. Big fan of New Balance, havne't tried the trail shoe yet, looking forward to trying them

karenmed409(at)comcast(dot)net

karenmed409 said...

tweet- http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/3833894836

karenmed409(at)comcast(dot)net

Erin said...

Fantastic giveaway! I'd love to win the green 070 shoes in size W's 8.

mothergreenest (aT] gmail {d0T) com

jemeliz said...

I WOULD LOVE THESE IN A 7.5 WOMENS BLUE, BUT ON THE NB SITE, I ONLY SAW LT ORANBE & DARK ORANGE. IF THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 OPTIONS, I'D HAVE TO PICK THE LT ORANGE. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY.

CMC said...

I'd choose a size 7 in Brown with Light Orange.

spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com

CMC said...

Tweet!

http://twitter.com/spitfyr323/status/3840319570

spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com

The Bertone's said...

I love New Balance shoes! We used to leave near one of the factories!

I would love to win the blue pair! In a size 11 (yes I have big feet, Lol)

Thanks again!

the3kidsandme@yahoo.com

The Bertone's said...

I tweeted about this giveaway!

http://twitter.com/the3kidsandme/status/3840626855

BargainFun said...

i'd probably pick the blue in a 7 1/2 Great giveaway !
bargainfun1 at yahoo.com

BargainFun said...

i blogged about it in my sidebar www.bargainfun.blogspot.com

bargainfun1 at yahoo.com

Ashley said...

What a great product! I love New Balance! I would have to have the green in a womans size 8.5!

ashley_miskel@yahoo.com

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

Wow. These look really neat. I've never tried New Balance but have always wanted to! Either the womens blue in a 6.5 or the mens orange in a 13 (if I was being nice).

Thanks for the chance! Very cool giveaway!!

Catherine M said...

Awesome! I would love these in orange - size 7.5!

csmastroianni (at) gmail (dot) com

Lagean Ellis said...

I have been wearing New Balance for many years now. You just can't beat their comfort.
I won a pair a couple months ago on twitter and chose the blue.
Now, I'd like to win the Brown/Light Orange ones for my son in a size 12.5.

ubrewme@yahoo.com

Lagean Ellis said...

Here's my tweet: @serenemoments2
http://twitter.com/serenemoments2/status/3855895515

Tabitha Michelle said...

I would choose the green in a women's size 7!

Tabitha Michelle said...

Here is my Tweet

http://twitter.com/TabithaMichelle/status/3856587578

Unknown said...

i like the light orange and brown shoe in an 9... i am shameless and love NB's

Christie said...

I've always loved New Balance! Mine are about needing to be replaced, too!! I'd pick the brown/orange in size 8!

bison61 said...

I would get the blue in size 8

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Linda Kish said...

I ONLY wear new balance shoes!! I would want the brown and light orange. Since men's shoe I would need a 7D.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Life Is A SandCastle said...

My favorite color green, love the green 070 shoes size 8, but I would not mind any color, the style is cool enough.

Life Is A SandCastle said...

My tweet, thanks.
http://twitter.com/lifesandcastle/status/3871057001

Bombtastic Belle said...

Awesome giveaway! I'd get the brown with the orage in 12.5 mens for my husband.
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shelly T. said...

I would get the brown with light orange in 9.5 mens for my husband.

s-tay(at)cox(dot)net

frugalgirl said...

I love the concept of these shoes! I would choose the dark orange(great fall color)in a size 7.5.

Steph said...

Great idea NB! I would love th Dark orange in size 8.

The Bluths said...

I would like the dark orange color in size 8. Although I really like that green color you have on this post, I didn't see it on their site.

The Bluths said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/budicheeks/statuses/3902003799

Jenna Z said...

Oooh, certainly the green for me! In size 9.5 womens.

Jenn said...

Great shoe. I'd love the brown & orange one in size 9 :)

Christina Gillick said...

I would love to win a green pair (size 8)!!
I can already imagine the comments "ooo I love your green shoes!" "Why thank you! They are actually "green" as well! hehe"
I'm an Eco-Friendly Wedding Planner and I work for an Eco-Friendly company called SmarterHomeEnergy.com that specializes in the Home Energy Analysis. These shoes are to die for! AND would be great in the field!
Here's my tweet about the contest:
http://twitter.com/ChrisGillick/status/3919529075
christinagillick@gmail.com

Nelsby said...

Thank you so much for this generous giveaway - I would be SO thrilled to win the Blue ones in a Womens size 7.
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/3919868688
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Nelsby said...

Tweet: http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/3919868688
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

Carol W. said...

I'll choose size 7.5 M in blue. New Balance makes a great product.

wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

rebecca said...

I love that New Balance is coming out with a greener alternative! They are my favourite shoe. I love the blue ones and I would need a size ten!

gitrecca at gmail dot com

Nova said...

I'd pick the Women's Blue in size 8.

cdmtx said...

i am a CNA and on my Feet ALL Day long and love the fact that these one are lightweight & made from recycled materials !! how neat.

awesome giveaway & shoe :)

cdmtx said...

opppss totally forgot :) ...i love the blue Balance 070 in size 7.5

cdmtx said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/cdmtx65/status/3932630420

Unknown said...

I love New Balance shoes! I would choose the Womens size 9.5 in the blue.
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Unknown said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/statuses/3934385000
jedoggett@embarqmail.com

Unknown said...

I'd love the blue ones in size 9! Great shoes! aitmama {at} gmail{dot} com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/3935462510

Seni said...

Ooo! I've always wanted eco-friendly shoes~
I'd like the green in Women's 5.5
I'm surprised they have them in my size!

reflejo-del-alma (at) hotmail (dot) com

Casey said...

brown and light orange in womens 7 would be great or a 91/2 womens my daughters friend had a fire she lost every thing the shoes would be great for her so forget the size 7 make it 91/2
eyeoresfriend@yahoo.com

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

What a great giveaway. I'm in need of a pair of sneakers. I need size 8.5 woman and I'd love the Blue.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

I didn't know that NB had entered into the "green" world!! Wonderful!

I would love a women's pair in blue, size 7.

Thanks!
nateandjakesmom at gmail dot com

andrea v said...

i would love to try these. I like the blue in 8.5 (womens)

lifeonprint said...

I LOVE the blue ones! In a women's size 8 1/2.
YAY! They are so cool!
lifeonprint@aol.com

lifeonprint said...

I Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/lifeonprint/status/3944749139
lifeonprint@aol.com

Over Coffee - the green edition said...

Tweet by J&NM: http://twitter.com/kariellen/status/3944122004

Anonymous said...

I would love a pair of women's in green, size 9. Thanks :-)

deedoo1225 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Tweeted!

http://twitter.com/deedoo1225/status/3960763178

username- deedoo1225

deedoo1225 at gmail dot com

Brenda said...

These shoes look comfy! I want the blue one's in a women's size 9.

email- bitabuns AT yahoo DOT com

Brenda said...

I tweeted.

http://twitter.com/bitabuns/status/3960816487

bitabuns AT yahoo DOT com

Lee-Ann said...

I would like the brown, in size 8.

Lee-Ann said...

Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/gordy93/status/3961509852

mrsshukra said...

Style: WE070BG - Women's Outdoor in blue or brown, 6 B!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Angela said...

Wow, what a great idea by a shoe company! :) I hope more follow suit and do what they did. If I won, I would want the men's brown/light orange in a size 8.5.

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