This enthusing chunk of foot-apparel will hit the shelves of your preferred running dealer in just a few days. Brighton, Massachusetts, based New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. is on heavy rotation with attention grabbing releases. The unique looking green machine is the up-to-the-minute creation. Let’s have a closer look what it has to offer.
Look
There is not much doubt that New Balance got the design dead-on lately. Coming from a fairly tedious looking running shoe background, they are now hitting the market with very lean, fresh and tasteful looking performance shoes. Since last 2 years they picked up their game vastly. Further they keep introducing inventive product designs and concepts. The last few releases continued to hold this level and by expanding their Fresh Foam line 2015 starting with the latest Zante they keep improving even further!
Performance
Based on the Fresh Foam 980, the 213 grams light-weighty Zante is a tuned-up, thereof speedier version of this well know light trainer. A nice stretchy mesh upper creates a nice feel in the toe box and gives the feet good space without loosing a “grippy” fitting. While the mesh is soft it is likely to scratch on the sides (specially in the front), which happened to my shoes while unintentionally skidding a curb or a step.
With a sweet 6mm heel-toe balance it transports a reckless emotion straight from the first impression. Usually I’m fascinated by simpler runners with fewer drop, not so with the Zante. Besides the fairly huge portion of cushioning, I still got a straight, fast feeling while running thanks to a toe spring that reminds me a bit of the adidas Boost technology. It even supports a natural stride and an incredibly smooth heel to toe transition, which I found to be the highlight for myself. As I hit the ground with the forefoot I found this shoe to be very good. For people striking with the middle-foot I can see a bit more cushion and thereof a bouncy feeling due to the concept of the sole.
If you are looking for a well-designed, multitalented lightweight training shoe for your up-speed road workouts or long run, the Fresh Foam Zante is going to be your partner without a doubt. It will interest to see what’s next from a very active New Balance camp.
