I am predisposed to not like Jamie Thomas, I’ve heard rumors about some unethical practices, and I don’t appreciate the fact that had a big marketing campaign and skate video with the same name as my skateboard company. So, I am definitely biased. What about you?
From ESPN:
New Balance is the latest mainstream brand to throw its hat into the skateboard footwear market.
Based out of Boston, Mass., New Balance is strongly positioned in running and other traditional categories, but has not succeeded in their previous attempts to enter the skate market with the hi-top V74 and the V45 low-top sneaker, released in 2010. Their new entry into skateboarding is called New Balance Numeric or NB#.
New Balance, looking for a strong skate company to help ease their way into the market, will be manufactured and distributed by Black Box distribution of Carlsbad, Calif. Owned by professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas, Black Box currently distributes board brands Zero, Slave and Mystery, along with Insight Apparel and Fallen Footwear
I swear I recently saw an episode of SNL or Portlandia where they equated New Balance shows with senior citizens. When I think of New Balance I think of nylon running shoes. Way to jump on the bandwagon at the very last possible moment.
27 comments
Skating 15 years
“New Balance, looking for a strong skate company to help ease their way into the market…” Yea Jamie Thomas, why not just provide the Lube for them to FUCK skateboarding in the ass. Just another corporate company trying to wipe their ass with a subculture to make a sale.. expand the demographic. Well guess what. Fuck you Jamie Thomas. It is greedy of you to expect full time jobs to come from skateboarding just because you were able to manipulate the situation for awhile and allow for it to happen based on temporary sales. You MAKE it about business. You say people are “Idealists” for shunning you and saying you could have said NO to new balance.. you say that its on YOU at that point when people have to be shown the door. So what the fuck? Now its every skaters problem instead of you? You fucking prick. Way to sell skateboarding down the river.
Mike
Bah I don’t think they will be any good
ssk
Aren’t all skate shoes big corporate owned now? If they at least give back something, make good shoes, hire skaters, sponsor skaters…
Guess we’ll see.
myanklesare70
F-Bombs are a skaterock band out of Wenatchee WA. All old angry guys 40+. CD available on snatcheercords.com One of the best songs on the CD? SEND IT BACK TO CHINA….Send it back
myanklesare70
Websites dead.. Imagine that. Snatcheerecords facefuck i suppose
myanklesare70
thats snatcheerecords.com
scummer13
all shoes are made pretty much made in China, even my Danner work boots. American companies are greedy and the new generation is LAZY. Everyone wants to sit in front of a computer and get paid. Bring real work back to the US…By the way Nike can suck it..
Nathan
I’ve understand it correctly Blackbox will be in charge of the manufacturing and that will mean the shoes will be made in asia.
francisco
They aren’t forcing anyone to buy their shoes. If you don’t agree with something don’t support/buy it. Now, where did I put that dead horse of mine…
egbert
I’m curious to see what they come up with.
kilwag
I am mildly curious as well.
Explore it!
Craigslist personals have a little something for everyone. Be safe!
kilwag
I said mildly curious, not bi-curious.
Explore it!
Don’t be afraid to party.
vance billings
The fact is that NB does make alot of shoes right in my home state of Maine, My homie sage works there, and is doing well to raise a family. They also make alot of footwear for the military. Nb donates alot of shoes to homeless shelters ect in Maine. They make light weight kick ass footwear for running, as of now out of there hundreds of styles there are only a few with the right kind of sole for skateing. Get your heads out of your asses and realize that if a company is willing to make there product in the usa, They are part of the solution! now go put on your nikes and drink your starbucks coffee!
Love.it.Be.it.212
yeah, one factory = alot of shoes LOL you should direct that “get your head out of your own ass” line to yourself, that company makes over 75% of its product overseas.
wes
maybe your homie should get a job at Dekline or Osiris.
wes
would you quit ridin indys for Walmart trucks? some would and they would try to brainwash you to ride em too! This is the definition of sell out.
Not a jogger
Damn right. Skateboarding for skateboarders by skateboarders.
wes
skate shoes for skateboarders! or go play football. For real fuck yall new schoolers and old school sell outs. go die
abqlurker
Who cares? Nike already took over and kids love them. Buy what you like and get over it. Everyone’s trying to make a buck nowadays…
orezona
I’m wearing a pair of New Balance shoes right now, so I’m really getting a kick out of these replies, etc…
Seth
In case anyone cares, here is my personal take on this and some more info on the situation: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2891144557513&set=a.1282700587419.2043351.1227211037
Seth
Drew, they only make a very select few of their shoes in the US, most are not. With margins as they are in the skate industry I am betting on not.
Drew
I’m for it. I mean at least they make their shoes in the us of a don’t they?
houseofneil
that rumor has been around for ages and they make a lot of mileage out of it. But the reality is that only around 20% of their shoes are made or manufactured in the usa.
misio
20% more than nike and other american brands 🙂