New Balance update

[Rochellita]

I emailed New Balance asking why they had removed their symbol that indicated that their shoes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans and got this response:

Thank you for your interest in New Balance!

ALL of the following models are made with synthetic materials. However. please note that we do use different types of glues depending on what is available. Also be aware that some of our glues will contain animal products as many glues do. Even though the shoe contains all synthetic leather does not mean it will be completely vegan. We do not mix real and synthetic leathers on any shoe. It is either leather or synthetic period.

Running Shoes: M1221S M1122MC
M855NW M587NV
M2001GR M1041WR
M815BK M815WN
M765WR M765BY
M717WB M717GT
M717WR M880WG
M752WN M610WL
M725NB M725NC
M641NY M641NW
M641SG M900WO
M833WN M731NC
M1023NB M1023WY
M905OR M870OR
M780OR M806AT
M806BK M806GR
M806NV M706NV
M706BY M603GR
M603AT M603NV
M801SGR M801AT


Cross Trainers: MX800BR MX664WB
MX664NV MX1006W
MX1006NV MX790RB
MX790GB MX790NV
MX650NV MX650WN


Adventure Sports: MA901GY MA900BB
MA701GO MA701RB
MA696NV MA696GO
MA850BG MA850NV
MA805GY


Walking: MW842WG MW756WG
MW756GR MW740NV
MW656WN MW787WN
MW810WT MW810BK
MW810BE MW1045GN

Tennis: CT1001W CT1001NV
CT520W CT300W

Cleats: SC602BMP SC602BT

All of these models are from our Spring 2004 Line. All models available in women's.

Sincerely,
The NB Consumer Response Team

[shaunxcore]

I really really miss my synthetic 574's! I've since moved on to adidas ZX700's but the material is no where near as versatile as the synthetic 574s! What I want to know is why there aren't shoes made of the same material as vegan climbing shoes? As far as I know the stuff my five-ten's are made of is called "cowdura" or something. It looks, feels and stretch's/shrinks like real leather (which is essential for a good climbing shoe).. I wish someone made normal sneakers/trainers out of similar material!

[mooovert]

sounds like new balance are saying that none of their range is definately vegan cos of the glue. least they're honest.

i know they may not be athletic shoes but my vans are still going strong (must be a year of hard action) - they were promoted as vegan but i wonder if the glue really is?

[JO]

Thank you for your interest in New Balance!

ALL of the following models are made with synthetic materials. However. please note that we do use different types of glues depending on what is available. Also be aware that some of our glues will contain animal products as many glues do. Even though the shoe contains all synthetic leather does not mean it will be completely vegan. We do not mix real and synthetic leathers on any shoe. It is either leather or synthetic period.

Gee, kind of cavalier, huh? What should we do about it?

[CrashLikeThunder]

so 574's are definitely synthetic?

[andyO]

I don't think they make 574's any more. If you look on the new balance web site though

http://www.newbalance.co.uk/2005/Produc ... Run1.shtml

there is a catalogue of all the shoes they make, they put a little symbol in the top right corner if it is vegan friendy and a different one if it is made in the UK. It's pretty cool I think that a company has cottoned on that people are asking about it and actually include the information up front right next to the picture of the shoe on their website.

[ironman d]

I went in one of the New Balance shops up in the Lake district a couple of weeks back, the one in Keswick. Anyway, one of guys phoned the head office for me & basically said that all, bar one, of the trainers they had in the shop were made from synthetic materials.

Now, i know that doesn't necesarily mean they are all vegan (maybe the glue they use might be an issue???), but they do still have the 'vegan friendly' logo on the website.

Got a pair when i went anyway. £50 reduced from £75. Can't remember what the number is though.

Also, a girl who works at the shop in Keswick is vegan, but she wasn't there when i went.