It's a calamity across the nation! An estimated three out of four Americans are walking around with an improper fit. 
When is the last time you had your feet properly measured? Are you a "cool guy" with potato shoes?

When all is said and done, it is up to you to determine if you are like the "cool guy" refusing to admit his feet have grown. Brown's Catalog and our New Balance stores are here to help you "lose your cool".

 

Are you a big fan of the walking 844? How about the running 858?
Well... I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?
The bad news is the 844 and 858 are on the way out.
We are sad to see them go but excited to see how well their successors perform!
Check out the new 845 walking and 859 running models available online now!

The 845 is the newest in a long standing, ultimate walking shoe line.
You may remember the late, great 842 or even beyond.
Charge up the comfort, streamline the look and snazz up your dogwalking days in the latest improvements!

Get the specs!
MW845WN/WW845WB

      MW845WN                                   WW845WB

The 859, the latest introduction in a series that is no stranger to providing a smooth and cushioned ride, now with even more features for a stable and comfortable relationship. What more could you ask for?

Get the specs!
MR859SB/WR859SB 

 

If you live close to your job, walk to work! On my thirty minute commute this morning I did some math. On average, I spend $200 a month on gas, and that doesn't include trips to the city on a whim. My last pair of shoes, WR768, retail at $94.95 and will last me about 4-6 months comfortably. I divided that out and compared the numbers. My shoes cost me around $19 a month compared to fuel costing me $200 a month. Geez do I wish I could walk to work!

However, saving money isn't the only reason to walk. Several studies have told us that walkers have less incidence of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other diseases. Brisk walking is a form of aerobic exercise, increasing the heart rate for an extended time to strengthen the heart, lungs, muscles, and bones. Regular exercise also improves mood and energy levels. So even if you don't have the opportunity to walk to work, get walking!

Jump start the day with a lap around the neighborhood, apartment building or even just your house in the 759. Take a walk through the building on your lunch break in the 844. Not only will you get some energy going for the afternoons work, but you'll be able to say hi to Bob in accounting that you haven't seen since last Friday. If you're more of a woods walker and would rather do your walking outdoor, Better Homes and Gardens recommends the WW965BR in their July issue for walks "off the beaten path".

Every step you take in a day counts! You'll be amazed at how many steps the 50005 Panic Pedometer tells you that you took just doing everyday activities. Of course you won't burn a lot of calories from a casual walk around the office but it still helps to get the blood flowing and the muscles moving. For anyone who would like to get started walking there is a great online program provided by Google and Cleveland Clinic. It is a 15 week program designed to gradually build up your endurance on the way to a healthier you. There are easy-to-follow steps on how to keep track of your progress and motivate yourself to keep going. And trust me, the website won't give you a dirty look when you walk shy of your goal but it may make you do the week over. Check out the program at Go for Good. *Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

In the meantime, I may not be saving a dollar but I'll be satisfying my early morning "walk craving" by parking further from the door.

Happy Walking!

The 10^th annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure drew nearly 64,000 participants bright and early June 21^st. Contributions totaled over $3.3 million, surpassing this year's goal! Each year Race for the Cure brings a greater awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded twenty-five years ago by Susan's sister, Nancy G. Brinker. At that time, when breast cancer was diagnosed before it spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate was just 74 percent. Today, it is 98 percent. Nearly 75 percent of women over the age of 40 now receive regular mammograms compared to just 30 percent in 1982.

Attending the race in St. Louis was a great reminder that even though the stats are improving, we still have far to go. The people I spoke with had such a positive attitude and glowed with hopeful inspiration given by the more than 4,000 survivors present at this year's race. Even with so many smiles seen in such a large turnout, no one overlooks the very serious reason we are there.  Names of sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and friends flashed by in the thousands on the backs of participants that were walking in memory of or in celebration of their loved ones. These names were listed on their backs but the sentiment did not take a back seat. This symbolized one of the ways people are leaving the pain behind and racing forward for a cure. 

Everyone showed up sporting different shades of pink and accessorized with crazy pink wigs, pink rabbit ears, and pink antennae.  One of the most popular accessories seen on participants were pink laces provided by New Balance. The pink shoelaces were given to survivors and offered to others for a minimal donation, with the proceeds going directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The pink lace donation is just one of the ways New Balance contributes to the cause.

New Balance is the longest running sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series.  They have made financial contributions of more than $6 million since 1989. To promote increased breast cancer awareness, New Balance has created the Lace Up for the Cure^® Apparel & Footwear Collection as a reminder that the ultimate finish line is a cure for breast cancer.

In 2008, New Balance will contribute 15% of wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure Apparel & Footwear Collection with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000. Find your favorite Lace Up for the Cure item here. One of my favorites is the pink laces. Brown's Catalog donates 100% of the proceeds from the pink lace to Komen for the Cure. Check out our footage from the race posted below. This was my fourth race attended and will not be the last. Hope to see you there next year!

Believe it or not, they DO make a difference!
I used to be one of the skeptical ones. Even when I first started wearing the New Balance socks, I thought to myself, "Sure these are nice but what's the difference? My old socks get the job done, even if I have had them since high school." What I did not know, did hurt me. 

The following is a true story.
Saturday was laundry day and I found myself out of clean New Balance socks. I had to resort to an oldie, so old in fact that I couldn't make out the brand name dotted across the bottom. By the time I took off my 1223's at the end of the day I had a little foot pain, arch strain. Gasp! Not in New Balance! I almost couldn't believe it! But I figured I was on my feet for about 10 hours straight and my shoes are about 7 months old so I'm due to pull out my new 768's. However I wasn't quite ready to give up on my favorite. On Sunday I pulled my SK260's out of the clean laundry basket and laced up my 1223's for round two. Guess what? When I slipped off my running shoes and into my 801 slip-ons Sunday evening, no foot pain. I was on my feet the same amount of time doing the same activities. It's not just in the shoes. It's also in the socks. The SK260, in particular, is made of Coolmax material to keep the feet cool and dry and incorporates a tighter woven fabric in the arch area for extra support. Just the support I needed!

So I get to keep my 1223's for a little while longer and hopefully sharing the story of my sock naivety can prevent you from making the same mistake in thinking your old holey socks are good enough.
Word to the wise: If your toe pokes through, it's time for new!
Slide into any of the NB socks and let us know how it makes a difference!

    Do you suffer from foot pain or discomfort?  Are you having a hard time ordering custom orthotics that really feel good and function well?  Where should you go if you are looking for shoes for the whole family?  Do you have narrow or wide feet and find it almost impossible to find good fitting shoes? 

    If you or a loved one are having difficulty in any of these areas, look no further.  Our New Balance stores specialize in carrying the broadest range of New Balance shoes in Missouri and Kansas.  We carry widths from 4A to 6E and a size range from infants to men's size 20!  ^*Certified Pedorthists are staffed to fill prescriptions for custom orthotics, over the counter orthotics, shoe modifications and can even make insurance submittions to Medicare and United Health Care. 

    New Balance athletic shoes have a great reputation among doctors and nurses everywhere.  Do you know that New Balance also makes dress shoes?  The men's dress brand is called "Dunham" and women's dress brand is called "Aravon".  Dunham and Aravon, although very different in appearance, share one main goal:  To provide you with dress and dress casual shoes that fit and feel more like an athletic shoe.

Take your life back today and let us help with all of your footwear needs.  Ask your doctor about New Balance!

^*A prescription from your doctor IS needed for custom orthotics and anything being submitted to insurance.  Insurance claims cannot be made through catalog or internet orders.

Take OFF your shoes!

We put shoes on every day for many purposes. The 768 is for the morning run. The 801 goes on while we get ready for work. The 844 gets us to work, for a lot cheaper than a gas guzzler. And the Maddie or Burlington takes us in style through the rest of the day. That's 4 pair before noon! Shoes. Something we take for granted when 300 million children in the world have never owned one pair. We are concerned with comfort and style while they are concerned with health problems caused by a lack of proper footwear. Now don't panic! I'm not going to flash sad pictures on your screen but I do want to introduce you to a wonderful organization that has recently been creating smiles all over the world.

Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls runs on a simple concept. They get shoes and give them away.
Originating in reaction to the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia and then the catastrophe of hurricane Katrina, Soles4Souls is currently working in over 35 states and 50 countries. The  organization not only provides disaster relief but provides solutions for a more day-to-day need.  They accomplish this by contributing to summer camps for disadvantaged children (abused or neglected), Indian reservations, domestic abuse shelters and inner city hospitals. To find out more about Soles4Souls click here.

"How can I help?" you ask.  "Take off your shoes!"

If you live in Missouri or Kansas stop by one of our retail stores and donate your new and slightly worn shoes. Over the past two months we have sent over 150 pairs to Soles4Souls. It is recommended to replace your shoes every 5-8 months, highly understandable considering the average person takes between 8,000-10,000 steps a day. So retire your slightly worn 992's or 965's. We all have those dusty boxes in the back of our closets but do you really think those orange patent leather flats are going to get another day in the limelight? Are hightops with two layered "scrunch" socks gonna make a comeback? Bring them in and get fitted for some new kicks, with the peace of mind knowing you'll have good foot karma from donating to those in need.

*If you don't live in Missouri or Kansas, print the donation form by clicking the link above the donation box pictured. Send us this form along with any new or slightly worn shoes you would like to donate and we will send you a Brown's Shoepon in appreciation for every pair received. Brown's Shoepons can be redeemed in our stores, through Brown's catalog or BrownsCatalog.com for $5 off any regular-priced pair. *One coupon per pair.

S4S Donation Form.pdf (158.15 kb)

 I'm not sure the last Blog entry did our New Brands justice. To make an indelible impression is an impression that cannot be eliminated, forgotten nor changed. We want the newest arrivals to make as indelible an impression on you (as a customer) and your life as they did on ours.
These are shoes to really Live In! You trust and enjoy New Balance for running, walking and daily activities. Now we want you to excite your summer with Teva, Merrell, Keen and Clarks.

With the national average gas price of $3.79 per gallon (as of 5/20/08) I don't foresee myself going too far for summer vacation. In fact short trips and simple outdoor family activities are predicted to be the summer entertainment chosen by the general population this year. My friends and I plan on taking our new kicks out to the nearest National Parks. With the growing urgency to "Go Green", supporting the National Parks is a great and enjoyable way for everyone to get involved. You can start your next adventure or family outing at a National Park near you.

psssst...Bring us Along!

You may be no Myron Avery but if mild hiking is your interest, track through the trails with Merrell, Women's Siren Sport or Men's Chameleon Hex.
If you get to feeling a bit more amphibious, ride the rapids or take a leisure float with the Teva Hurricane or Keen Newport H2.
Keen didn't forget the little fish! Bring the kids along in their Newport H2 as well.

A couple other hybrid styles you may want to paddle your way through summer in would be the Men's Keen Napali or the Women's Keen Venice H2.
Not feeling so energetic yet?

Ladies relax in the Clarks Keira or slide into all day cushioning and comfort in the Clarks Culleen.
Men take your favorite gal out on a casual stroll or to the Memorial Day BBQ in the Merrell Rambler.

Anyone else excited about the new brands and how sizzlin' they can make your summer?
Maybe you could use a little more persuasion to try out and fall into summer love with our new brands.