I would rather endure a root canal or give birth than go shoe shopping with my youngest son. When I get a root canal, I take advantage of pain medications offered to me. When I give birth, I get a magnificent prize at the end. When shoe shopping, pain meds are nowhere in sight, and the only prize I get is my son complaining about his shoes two days later. He cries, “These shoes hurt my feet! I hate these shoes!” accompanied by much whining, of course. Back To School time means shopping for new shoes and I dread it every year.
 
When the New Balance 688 arrived in the mail for my son to review, my oldest son said, “Are you kidding me? If he likes these, that means they must be some awesome shoes.” It sounded like the Mikey commercial from long ago. “He hates everything!”
 
I put the shoes on my youngest son and stood back. I waited for the screaming, the crying, the “these are pinching me!”  wailing. But he didn’t say anything at first. I made sure I tied them how he liked it –not too tight, but tight enough. He started jumping around the house shouting he loved the shoes. I couldn’t believe it!
 
But I knew better than to think this was the end of his shoe delight.
 
I knew from experience, the true test would be in two days when he usually proclaims his hatred for whatever new pair was purchased. This never happened. He still loves the shoes. Granted, he can’t tie them on his own, so sometimes he grabs other Velcro shoes he can take care of by himself, but he definitely prefers his New Balance 688 shoes.
 
The price point for these shoes is more than I would usually spend, but this review taught me something: when it comes to shoes, you get what you pay for. Usually, I buy cheaper shoes for my youngest son, but the shoes fall apart quickly, typically before he outgrows them. The New Balance 688 feature ABZORB cushioning. I’m sure other shoes I’ve purchased don’t have anything this technologically advanced. From now on, thanks to New Balance, my shoe shopping issues are over. In the future, I will order online and pay more than I’m used to. The shoes will provide much more support, last longer, and the hissy-fit can happen in the privacy of my own home if he doesn’t like them.
 
My son is difficult to buy shoes for, and I may fall in the same category, but for different reasons. In fourth grade, I dislocated my knee and had problems with it ever since. That didn’t stop me from joining the track team and being a life-long runner, but it caused me to know my limits. I can run a half marathon, but am nervous to complete a full one, and I have to be careful when I choose my shoes.

 
As I’ve gotten older, I really need to be careful or I could permanently mess up my knee and my running days would be over. I accepted the offer to review a pair of New Balance 890 shoes, knowing my limitations and high expectations. These shoes for me are similar to the New Balance 688 shoes my son loves. I wanted to love them too, but I have a strong allegiance to my left knee.
 
I have used these shoes since I got them and my knee is fine! I’ve worn New Balance since my teens and know the brand works well for me, but every shoe is different. I’m a fan of the New Balance 890 for many reasons: of course, I’m thankful they are light (only 9.7 oz. –that’s about what an apple weighs!), they offer support with the REVlite midsole, and feel comfortable for my long, Sunday morning run. One thing caught my eye when I took them out of the box: the aglets. An aglet is the plastic end of a shoelace, and these aglets are hot! They are polka dotted, and the laces are flat so they won’t come untied easily. One other feature pleases my picky tastes: the fabric over my big toe is protected with a reinforced area. My front toenails tend to wear through my shoes and I prefer a shoe that offers front toe protection.
 
Not only do these shoes offer the aesthetic features I prefer, they feel great, and my knee isn’t giving me trouble. A perfect combination for me.

As a celebration for the beginning of a new school year, one lucky Mom Central reader will be randomly selected to receive a prize package of a pair of New Balance 890 shoes for adults and a pair of New Balance 688 shoes for children.
*Please note that you must enter the giveaway through our Facebook page. Comments left on this post will not be counted as giveaway entries.

This giveaway is now closed.

Congratulations to our winner, Virginia D., and a big thank to you to all who entered!

Disclosure: Mom Central received pairs of New Balance 890 and New Balance 688 shoes to facilitate this review and giveaway.

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