The Ferrari of running shoes

Our favorite is back! A man and a woman’s points of view about the same subject: in this case, the New Balance Rebel V4.

He says:

Beatrice, what’s your motivation to buy new running shoes? I’ll tell you what mine is. First I see a picture on instagram which attracts my attention. Then I find out that the shoe I am looking at is not out yet. So it automatically becomes more desirable. Then I go look for reviews from pre-production testers. And of course I want to know what different colours the shoes will be available, and when. But the eye has to be attracted way before any technical specifications do. So, what about you Bea?

She says:You are giving me a headache! For me, it doesn’t need to be the latest model. A shoe needs to be beautiful, and then, when you actually use it, really comfortable. That’s it. I actually tend to wear very old shoes, just because I feel good in them, and because I bought them to match my outfits.

He says:

I got hoocked on the new New Balance Rebel V4 as soon as I saw them. Why? I love New Balance Running shoes. The 1080 has been one of my all-time favourites. But this Rebel has made a huge step in terms of looks. Graphics have gotten bigger, soles have gotten fatter, and colours got flashier. I just had to have them!

She says: Again, I feel different. I don’t particularly need big graphics, and, being tiny, I am also careful about the weight and bulkiness of my shoes. So I wanted to wear them, before I decided if I liked them or not.

He says:

The moment I am opening the box to see the shoes in real life for the first time is almost always magic. And it certainly was this time for sure. I love the blue and yellow, I love the scent of the new sneakers, I just love everything about them. I love them so much that I wish they would stay the same forever and ever. I cannot imagine getting them dirty. OK, now my running shoe-fetish is becoming a bit clearer and scarier. This has happened so many times. I get some new running shoes and I don’t want to wear them to run because they will get dirty. So I just wear them to go to town or to go shopping. As lifestyle shoes. Am I being weird about this Bea?

She says: Nooooo! Well, yes. That gave me a good laugh. But I admit that I also try to keep the shoes immaculate… until I photograph them. And then who cares. I read somewhere that English butlers used to wear their boss’ new shoes two to three times, before the gentleman could wear them. There is an incredible elegance in wearing almost new shoes.

He says:

So you have worn the shoes from day one. You loved them as well and you trusted them to run a marathon in them. That’s pretty much the biggest compliment a running shoe can get. If you can run 42 Kilometres and still love it, then it’s a great shoe. Period!

She says: Finally you are making sense. The fit is fabulous, the feeling is of a jumpy, sturdy shoes, but very light, and the long run test (I first tried them on a weekend, for a long training) was so positive, that I decided to run a marathon in them. I think they are the best shoes I’ve ever used, for a marathon. I arrived at finish line with perfect feet, perfect red toenails, perfect baby skin. I can’t ask for more, and I’ll give them a 10 out of 10.

He says:

Let me tell you what I have done with my pair of Rebel V4. I have kept them in the box for almost two months! Maybe I need therapy… But a couple of days ago I took them out and wore them. Brave move. They are so comfortable. The cushioning is just immense and it seems to be walking on a cloud of chewing gum and marshmallows. I have tested several shoes with carbon plates but I have to admit that I am simply too slow to need this technology. Eventually I will start running with these Rebels because it seems that they are among the best of what’s around without the trendy carbon plated technology.

She says: Carbon is for a 0, 0001 per cent of population, I guess. Did you know that, if you run 10 km (at any speed), you are part of the 1% of population? And if you’ve run a marathon, you are part of 0.17%. So imagine where the really fast people are…carbon is fancy, but it doesn’t make a difference at my speed (I run in 4:30, currently), it’s expensive, it makes the shoes last relatively little, and it just doesn’t help the bounce like the Rebel V4.

He says:

You know what’s funny? As soon as I thought that more and more people buy running shoes and wear them as lifestyle shoes, I got a mail with New Balance news. It featured the Rebel V4 in the so called Utility Pack featuring the new lifestyle colours Linen and Magnet.

She says: These are too comfortable for me to keep them exclusively for lifestyle . I have been wearing them twice with casual clothes, but i want to keep them for as long as possible as training/racing shoes. So I save them for every day. That’s why I need a new pack, I guess. I am as greedy as you. Just with more good taste!