New Balance Canada will release two new shoe lines this summer with a focus on back to school Fall 2012. The 574 Backpack Collection, a lifestyle footwear brand, is geared towards university / college students as well as adults. For infants, pre and grade schoolers, the 689 Kids Collection offers kid-friendly colours with traditional New Balance quality and fit.
The 689 Kids Collection (KJ689 / KV689) is available in stores now. Both SKU’s are available in various colours and mom-approved quality and fit. They are made with a mix of leather and mesh upper package, Abzorb cushioning and a non-marking, rubber cup outsole. MSRP ranges from $39.95 for infant/pre-school children (sizes 2-5 and 5.5-10) to $54.95 for youth (sizes 7-10.5). They are also available in width sizes.
We were sent a pair of New Balance 689 shoes for each of my school-age kids.
Elijah received the 689BGY style in black, grey, and lime in a size 2 which fits perfectly (he’s 8).
He’s so not a fan of laces (still!) and was thrilled with the zig-zag elastic strap with hook and loop closure. He can still secure them as snug as he needs but isn’t fiddling around with laces when he has oh-so-much-else to do (like racing out the door for recess, I’m sure!)
The non-marking sole is of course important as it’s a requirement for most schools now but beyond that, the quality and craftsmanship behind a brand like New Balance is important when I have a rambunctious 8 year old boy – these shoes need to last a year so they need to be able to stand up to everything my son will put them through!
My daughter, who will turn 5 this fall, is in pre-school this year so while she undoubtedly won’t be as hard on her shoes as her older brother, she still needs something functional, stylish and good quality to support her growing little feet.
She was sent these adorable pink, silver and white shoes from the 689 Collection in a size 9.
Like he brother’s shoes, this style has an elastic strap but without the hook and loop closure – just a velcro tab (which, for her age, makes sense as it’s less to fiddle with).
The non-marking Flex sole has a lot of give ensuring her feet are well supported but also have a natural movement when in them.
And, of course, they’re super-adorable (which is the most important feature for your shoes when you’re 4!)
You can use the Store Finder feature on the New Balance site to find stores near you, as well as online, that carry New Balance shoes.
there would be awesome for my stepson!
I would love this!
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THESE SHOES FOR MY GRANDSON….HE LIVES SO FAR AWAY FROM ME i MISS HIM DAILY XOXO
This would be awesome for my girls who just started school and preschool….
I would like to win this for my niece.
My son!
One of my boys!! Love New Balance!
I’d like to win these for my 3 year old Bradley who could use some new school shoes!
My son or daughter!
My son who is starting kindergarten next month and I am having a hard time finding cheap runners for him…
This would be great for one of my two youngest kids, they are growing way to fast! My youngest is 4 and is in size 13! and my middle son is 8 and is in size 5 shoes! 🙁 My oldest no longer fits kids shoes and he is only 10 so unfair we now have to pay adult prices! 🙁
Would love to win this for my son!!
This would be great for m kids!!!!
My daughter would love a pair of these good runners
Would LOVE to win these for my daughter 🙂
Would love to win a pair for my little guy! Good luck all 🙂
My son wore these ones last year. They were fabulous! I was hoping to find a similar pair this year.
These would be fab for either of my children!
sweet ! grandsons would love these.
Perfect fory granddaughter.
my little guy
Id love it, but my children would also love this
I would love to win these for either my daughter or my son.
I would love to win this for my children.
they would be for my son – hes hard on shoes
our 2 grandkids!
for one of my youngest 3 children (ages 2, 3 and 5)
Sure could use these for the kiddos…actually could use 3 more pairs as I have 5 kids!
My son is going to need a new pair of shoes for school so I would love to win them for him! He loves shoes lol
I would like to win this for my grandson ..miss him he lives out of our town
I would donate them to one of my local charities at Christmas time.
Would love to win for my nephew 🙂
I have 4 kids… 3 in school this year… So far I haven’t bought any of them their new shoes for school. 3 girls 3 pair of runners. If only that was all!
I would give them to one of my nephews! It would mean a little more money in my sister’s pocket 🙂
I would love to win this for my grandson
I’d like to win this for my oldest son who is starting kindergarten this year!
I’d love to win a pair for my nephew, Tristan!
One of my sons or daughter…I am thinking my oldest son!
My son or daughter, probably my daughter because she is growing soo fast, she needs new shoes, again!
I would love to win for my son!
I would love to win a pair for my son!
i would love to win for my son! 🙂
I would like this for my son as he is always growing and shoes are always something you can use.
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
I would love to win these for my nephew.
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
I would love to win this for my son! dalleykt at live dot ca
my son
For my two kids. Thanks.
I would like to win this for my sons.
my son
For my little man
teddyoutready2(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this for my niece for sure
love to win this for Haaven
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
love to with this for my niece and nephew
My Daughter is in need of shoes right now!
My oldest daughter needs new runners
My oldest son
My two sons.
This would be for Ady we love these shoes for school
my son for back to school
Would love to win a pair for my park-lovin’ toddler!
My oldest daughter needs new shoes
love to win for my daughter and nephew!
I’d like to win this for my daughter
Love to win this for my boys!!!
This would be great for my son and my daughter…back to school shopping and they need 2 pairs each for school.
For my son
I would like to win for my nephew.
Just in time for school, I’d like to win it for my daughter.
I like to win for my granddauhter
I would love to win for my daughter.
I’d love to win this for my son.
Would love to win for my daughter! 🙂
Would love to win this for my daughter.
i would love to win for my son for his bday on Sept 3
I would love to win this for my daughter
I would like to win this for my beautiful little cousin
I’d like to win these for my son.
I would love to win these for my son.
My kids are the same ages as yours, 8 and 4.5, and new shoes for them would be very nice (for me too!)
My daughter
my daughter
I would like to win them for my toddler.
I would love to win them for one of my daughters! 🙂
My daughter needs a new pair for school
thanks
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
My son needs a great pair of running shoes. He’s four and is wears through shoes like they’re disposable.
My 5 year old daughter goes through sneakers so quickly – these would be great for the new school year!
I’d love to win this for my daughter.
I would like to win this for my 7 year old son
I would like to win for my daughter.
For 2 of my 3 kids. 🙂
I’d love win for my boy!
Cheers.
I would win these for my nieces.
Kingston!
perfect for my son
These would be perfect for my 6 year old daughter.
My daughter. 😀
My son would love to have these and he would rock these kicks!
perfect for back to school! along with all the extra activities the kids get into!!
I would love a pair for my daughter
I would love to win this for my almost 5 year old son.
I would like to win these for my very active Serena.
I would like to win this for my littlest grandson so he gets something other than hand me downs!
I would like to win this for my very active daughter!
I would like to win these for my son.
One of my nephews who needs new runners!
This would be an awesome gift for my best friends kid(s)
both of my daughters could use new shoes – these would be great
I would give these to a needy child since my daughter is too big for these shoes.
I would like to win these shoes for my little guy as his feet grow rapidly!
I would love them for my daughter!!
I would like to win these for my daughter
I know Madisson would love these running shoes..
My daughter!
i would like to win this for my son.
Much like yourself, I have a son 9 years old, and daughter 5 years old – these would be a great back to school addition!
My daughter
For my son
would love to win for my 9 year old daughter
I would like these for my 9 yr old daughter! She hates laces.
Gavin always needs new shoes
I would love to win this for my daughter.
My son
I want to win these for my two active kids ages 6 and 9!
I’d love to win these for my daughter.
My oldest daughter!