Outfitted: New Balance
This post is sponsored by New Balance Canada as part of the New Balance Women’s Only Flex Spaces by Sport Chek. In exchange for this post, I have received perks in the form of products and/or compensation. All opinions on this blog are my own.
Happy Friday, friends! I’m excited that it’s the weekend – Easter weekend is so special from the gravity of Good Friday to the good news and hope of Easter Sunday! Other than church on Sunday, we don’t have that much going on this weekend as Mikey is close to the end of his first semester of his PhD and it’s a busy season of life.
In this season, it’s been fun to have a few surprises along the way like the chance to work with Sport Chek, whom I’ve worked with in the past for different campaigns, and New Balance Women, and I was really looking forward to my experience learning about their new line of clothing.
New Balance Canada has moved into a 18 Sport Chek stores across Canada with their new women’s line of clothes that represent a combo of both technical and lifestyle gear. I love the idea of a “balanced mind, balanced body” with this line, and it was created and tested for and by athletes but is available to anyone!
I met Heather at the SunRidge Mall Sport Chek location and she was great to work with – a New Balance Ambassador who owns her own studio that focuses on running program, spinning and yoga, she was super friendly and knowledgable about the line of clothing.
I was impressed with the display – a clean, dedicated area, larger than just the few New Balance items I’d seen more or less randomly in Sport Chek’s in the past – and impressed with the amount of clothing they had! When I thought of New Balance prior to this trip, I pictured more technical gear for runners and not much else. As a personal trainer who lives in workout clothes, I love the trend that mixes aesthetic appeal and quality gear, so I was really excited to see this new line and explore what they have.
One thing I love is the variety of sizes that they have available for women, because runners, lifters and women in general aren’t all made in size 0, 2, or 4! It’s great to see clothes that go from XS up to XL because athletes come in all shapes and sizes.
I got the opportunity to try on some outfits and Heather helped give me feedback, which was a blast! I rarely go shopping and normally just do by myself, so it was fn to do it with someone who helped me put some outfits together!
I decided to go with:
New Balance Women’s Pulse Bra (M…because I’m growing!)
Finally – a new bra and one that’s not only supportive, but cute! I took the pads out because they added girth I do not have and actually normally take the pads out of most my sports bras. But isn’t this one cute?
Surprisingly, the size S was too big, and even though I’m aware my body will be growing and changing, I decided they felt loose enough that they would be a good fit. They have the drop crotch which I love despite my shorter frame (I’m 5’2″ and I think this fit typically hangs well on taller people) and decided to go for them, especially at Heather’s encouragement. They’re gathered at the side and are a light material.
New Balance Women’s Run Layer Tank (S)
Also featured above in the photos is this high-necked tank that I love! It’s striped black and navy blue (love this slight color difference and combo) and is long, which I love for my tops both for working out and training in (and for my growing belly!).
Here’s another look at the back, which cuts in quite a bit:
New Balance Women’s Run Windcheater Jacket (S, in SSR Supercell color)
It’s the perfect lightweight layer (can you see a theme with what I chose?) and is perfect for our temperature in Calgary right now, which vacillates between sunshine, rain, and snow all in a day. I also don’t have a windbreaker for hiking and this will be perfect!
I love that the shoe is so sleek looking, not bulky or clunky, and is very light, minimal (hence the name!) and is actually one piece of fabric that wraps around. your foot. Now that I’ve lived in the shoes for a few days, I do find that the tongue (which is cool! a “burrito style” that is not a separate piece from the shoe) hits my foot right where my ankle flexes, so I’m trying to figure out if it’s the tongue, my foot, or the type of socks I’m wearing. But I love the wide toe box (perfect fit for my bunions!) and the color combo of black and navy blue. They move well and go with all my training outfits – I’ve sampled them both in the gym all day and in my workouts too.
Everything stood up to a burpee-pull-up and airdyne workout so I’d say it’s pretty great gear, and I’ve lived in the pants now since I got them on Tuesday (and yes, it’s Friday). I’ll likely be going back to purchase more gear knowing the quality, fit and visual appeal of this New Balance line!
The experience with New Balance was awesome at Sport Chek and I’m so grateful for the experience! If you’re local, head to SunRidge Mall to check out this display while it lasts – it’s only here for a few more weeks!
I want to know about your experience with New Balance – is this what you expected from their new line? Any colors or patterns strike you? Definitely check in your local Sport Chek if you’re across Canada to check out this cute and high-performing line to get you set for spring!
Live well & be well,
Bonnie