Dozens of original model lines, hundreds of sneakers with unique designs, many innovations and technologies seriously distinguish the American brand New Balance from its competitors. This real bestsellers in the world sports shoes which are highly appreciated by buyers from all over the world. However, the unique corporate identity often catches the buyer by surprise - it is sometimes incredibly difficult to understand which New Balance models are better in a given situation, how they differ and how to choose the very perfect pair. Precisely because we have compiled a small guide for a simple choice shoe New Balance.
How to choose a New Balance model?
To make it easier for buyers to choose New Balance sneakers, the company has developed a special classification of shoes by type of activity. So, there are 3 main lines of sneakers of this brand:
Running shoes... It is a lightweight, durable and comfortable shoe designed specifically for running on parquet and asphalt. The most popular are the models
990v3, 890v6, Fresh Foam Zante, 1500. They have become real classics and are highly regarded by professionals and amateurs.
Casual shoes... These are everyday sneakers that combine the signature sporty character of New Balance with the highest level of comfort. In this line, you can easily find a pair in which you will not be ashamed to go to the office or to a party, travel comfortably on any surface, there is a pair for both narrow and wide legs. Particularly different among all the 574, 697 or 300 Suede series. They are exemplary of stylish modern design.
Specialized line of sneakers for professional studies a certain sport- basketball, tennis, weightlifting, etc.
Most Popular New Balance Models
For fans of the brand, the designation of the model is not just numbers, but a whole philosophy. To understand how to choose New Balance sneakers, first you should familiarize yourself with the most popular series:
New Balance 373- classic footwear for energetic, active young people, able to please with excellent shock absorption and high-quality sole made of lightweight porous polymer.
New Balance 410- a model that is distinguished by an unusual exclusive design and an original combination of suede and nylon.
New Balance 574 Is arguably the most popular running shoe with proprietary ENCAP technology, delivering record levels of comfort and protection for your foot.
New Balance 576- real champions in endurance and quality. Provide good ventilation, thermoregulation and shock absorption functions. Do not let your legs get tired even during long hikes.
New Balance 1500- offer an excellent combination of lightness and confident foot protection thanks to the ENCAP and EVA technologies.
Models of New Balance sneakers are really different and original, but they are all united by the manufacturer's quality approach to each stage of production, attention to the consumer, the desire to set the bar and implement the most advanced solutions.
Why do many people prefer these sneakers to other brands.
My first publication about sneakers was an instruction that smoothly flowed into the second - about "". The third article will reveal the cards why not only Steve, but so many others are so true. New balance... The company has a rich history, so keep 38 facts you didn't know about.
1. The roots of New Balance go back to England, where the immigrant William Riley was born.
He came to America and founded a company at the age of 33.
2. The name New Balance came to William Riley when he was watching a chicken in the yard.
Riley noticed that the chicken foot was very stable due to its three points of support. This idea was soon embodied by him in the design of a support system for shoes.
3. Initially, New Balance had nothing to do with sports. The company started out as a manufacturer of instep supports and corrective orthopedic shoes.
Riley develops a special instep support that creates support for the heel of the leg at three points, by analogy with a chicken foot. This technology brings him recognition, and the company gets its first official name - New balance arch company... It was 1906 outside.
4. Although New Balance's main manufacturing facility is located in Maine, the company was founded in Boston, Massachusetts.
Due to its advantageous sea position, Maine is the largest shoe hub in the New World. However, New Balance is still headquartered in Boston.
5. $ 5 - that's how much a pair of New Balance corrective insoles cost in 1927.
For the same price, the average American could buy full-fledged footwear from other manufacturers. Cost was not Riley's goal in itself. The company won when the customer was satisfied.
6. In the beginning, New Balance products were not sold in retail stores. It was distributed by traveling salesmen, traveling intermediaries.
In 1927, Riley met Arthur Hall, who at that time was distributing orthopedic shoes among representatives of professions experiencing a lot of stress on the legs. The guys became partners.
7. The first reputation came to the brand after cooperation with the police and firefighters.
When Arthur Hall drove into another city, the first thing he did was go to the police and firefighters, to whom he offered the products of a young American manufacturer.
8. New Balance survived the Great Depression because its product was niche.
From 1929 to 1939, American stocks plummeted and clerks were thrown out of the windows, but New Balance successfully survived this decade and even increased its revenue.
9. Until 1938, New Balance did not manufacture shoes.
Marvelous. However, in 1938, the company shod a young runner from the local sports club, Brown Bag Harriers. The upper of the shoe was made of kangaroo leather and the sole was corrugated.
10. In 1940, the production of custom-made shoes for athletes, not only in running, but also in baseball, basketball, tennis and boxing, began.
Riley wanted to make the best sneakers, so there was no question of mass production.
11. In 1954 the firm is acquired by Paul Kidd, who was married to Arthur Hall's daughter. In fact, the business remains in the family.
At this time, the number of people involved in jogging in the United States is increasing dramatically, and many start ordering New Balance running shoes, knowing that the company has a unique half-century of experience.
12. Since 1954, New Balance has been producing exclusively athletic shoes and has become a serious player in the US market.
The company started doing more than successful business.
13. In 1956, the name was changed to New Balance Orthopedic Laboratory to reflect the general American science hobby trend.
Let me remind you that at that time there was a Cold War with the USSR and an arms race. All the eyes of the community were riveted on technology. Plus it was the golden age for American science fiction. The name of the company only reflected the general mentality of the nation and did not last long in this form.
14. In the early 60s, Paul Kidd again changed his name to New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
This name is preserved to this day.
15. In 1960, New Balance introduced the highly successful Trackster running shoe.
For the first time this series had a wavy sole pattern. On top of that, there were models with different outsole widths at one size.
At that time, no one suggested anything like that.
16. New Balance faced reluctance from retailers to sell Trucksters.
Conservative sellers had only an assortment of sizes in their heads, and then suddenly - additional options for completeness. Many did not know what to do with it. Something similar happened with the first iPhones, when they tried to sell them, "like everyone else."
17. Aerobics founder Kenet Cooper becomes the first famous person to run the Boston Marathon in 1961 wearing New Balance Trackster sneakers.
Public attention was riveted on the shoes of the famous athlete. Nobody understood what this brand was?
18. New Balance does not sponsor sports teams at this time.
The company doesn't want people to buy its products because of the ad budget. She wants athletes to wear NB sneakers not because they were given with an envelope of money, but because they trust the quality of the brand.
19. In 1972, on the day of the Boston marathon, the company is acquired by Jim Davies.
At this time, the company consists of 6 people, producing 30 pairs of running shoes "Travel" per day. During 4 years of management, Jim Davis has been seriously developing the company.
20. The advertising slogan for New Balance is Davis's statement: "Show me an athlete in uncomfortable shoes and I'll tell you who's a loser."
Perhaps the slogan sounded like an ultimatum, but it was true. In the 70s, the sneaker market was uncompetitive. Davis prepared the company for the future.
21. In 1976, a new model of the New Balance 320 sneaker was released.
And it is awarded the first place by the authoritative magazine "Runner's World". The journal's notes are as follows: "New Balance M320 is recognized as the best model of the year for the introduction of such news, as a high, tightly fixing foot spring, and a good tongue
22.320s became the most popular running shoe in the States.
Jim Davies urgently expands production capacity, enlarges the staff to 50 people and brings the volume of sneakers to 200 units per day.
23. The N-shaped logo first appeared on the 320s.
To this day it is the trademark of the company.
24. Designer Terry Heckler joins the company and calls the Truxters "Adidas for the elderly."
Trucksters brought New Balance to the top league of sports shoe manufacturers, but the model is already obsolete and is being discontinued. There is nothing better than 320s.
25. Heckler drops names and introduces sequential lineup numbers.
Surely you have sneakers with funny names. New Balance wants to abstract from words and focus on feeling.
Nike is making a lot of money, - said Terry, - so what of that? Let's play on external similarity, but provide the buyer with the best quality.
27. In 1978, a New Balance store opens in England and a factory in Ireland that manufactures New Balance products for the European market.
In addition, the company begins to produce sportswear in addition to footwear. Running suits made of shorts with a windbreaker made of Gore-Tex membrane fabric are offered for purchase.
28. In 1982, the company released the most expensive sneaker at that time for $ 100 - model 990. Competitors twist their fingers to their temples.
- Steward, STA ??? - this was the reaction of other sports shoe manufacturers. - Yes, people will not even take half a dollar!
But they were taken. The classic 990s are one of the best-selling models to this day. Why - you will find out further.
29. In the late 1980s, New Balance relocates some of its production to China, Korea and Vietnam.
It was necessary to capture budget segments of the market, and factories in the USA and England are switching to sewing only premium models.
30. The black and gray model 577 was sewn especially for the soldiers of the Israeli army in the late 90's.
577s have become collectible and are worth crazy money among fans of the brand.
31. Bill Clinton was a New Balance fanatic and ran in the 1500s.
Adidas, Nike, Puma pulling their hair out ...
32. New Balance is the last American company to sew 20% of all products at home.
Made in USA sneakers cost $ 100-200 more than Asian tailoring.
33. The inscription “Made in USA” is only 70% correct.
Some of the consumables and accessories are produced in Asia. That's roughly 30% of the shoe.
34. Steve Jobs only wore New Balance. The classic 990 series.
Read more about Jobs' style and the 990s in ours. Thanks to Steve, the 990s are becoming an icon.
35. In 2000, New Balance's footwear production reached 45 million pairs a year.
Sales surpassed the billion dollar mark. The company's products are sold in 65 countries on all continents. The headquarters of the company moves to Boston.
36. Prior to his re-election for a second term, US President Barack Obama wore a custom New Balance 990, like Steve.
And, of course, with the Made in USA inscription.
37. In 2013, New Balance showed 3D printed shoes.
The manufacturer has shown that with the help of computer technology, it is possible to create comfortable sneakers, taking into account the individual characteristics of the foot. Put your foot into the laser scanner, and at the exit you get shoes exactly under your foot.
38. Also in 2013, New Balance launched a series for skateboarders.
This shoe features foot support technology. It is convenient to balance on it when performing complex tricks.
To be continued ...
The author decided to go to the Russian New Balance store, talk to sellers, write a separate article about modern models sneakers, and at the same time buy something for yourself.
The New Balance company began its history back in 1906. The founder of the plant, William Wrightley, once drew attention to the most ordinary chicken, or rather to its legs, and how it keeps on them. After all, it is known that the most stable figures are those that have three points of support at their base. Based on these facts, W. Wrightley designed a shoe model, in which the instep supports were located, supporting the foot in the correct position, imitating the principle of a chicken paw in the shoe. Thus, the first orthopedic model appeared, which is still in demand today.
New Balance sneakers are very popular with people who prefer a combination of such important parameters as excellent quality, high level of convenience and comfort. The innovative technologies used by New Balance will not let your feet get tired, even when wearing these shoes for a long time.
Not unimportant is the fact that under conditions of maintenance high level quality and the use of the most advanced technologies, the New Balance company conducts a competent financial policy, which allows it to be popular both among athletes and ordinary youth, and among retirees.
It should be stipulated right away that New Balance manufactures its products not only in the United States, but also in countries such as England, Vietnam and China. Sneakers made in these countries also meet all the requirements and standards of the New Balance company.
New Balance - let's talk about the details
All original New Balance sneakers are constructed from just two last - SL-1 and SL-2. The first is characterized by a tight heel, moderate instep and a standard toe, suitable for people with narrow or medium legs and tightens the foot more tightly. The second has a more spacious forefoot, more instep and a tighter heel, therefore, it is suitable for a medium to wide leg. In addition, there are two varieties of soles made with Encap and Abzorb technology.
The difference between them is significant. So, Encap is designed for people with wide legs. The outsole is elastic, springy and perfectly protects the foot from uneven road surfaces. This characteristic is suitable for off-road driving. In such shoes, the legs are not overloaded, and fatigue occurs much later.
The Encap sole in combination with a reinforced heel is recommended for people with orthopedic problems - valgus and varus, that is, with predominant support on the outer or inner edge of the foot. The Abzorb outsole is softer and more pliable, with a cushioned ride. It is a great help for people with foot and ankle injuries. This is due to the increased soft-spring cushioning of the sole and damping of the impact of the foot on the ground while running.
Features of Original and Fake New Balance Sneakers
Overall workmanship
New Balance has both technologically sophisticated models and relatively “simple” retro sneakers to manufacture. Some models may be manufactured in the UK and USA, some in Asia. However, in no case are crooked seams, sloppy stitching or glue sticking out of the sole unacceptable for the original. The general negligence of execution, the obvious "cheapness" of materials make it clear to us that this is a very crude forgery. All logo embroidery for all New Balance editions is always done with care. All inscriptions are easy to read. The lines are executed exactly. Something like this.
Materials (edit)
The model is made strictly from those materials that are laid down according to the technology. This primarily concerns the materials of the outsole. So, having coveted at a low price, for example, New Balance 998, you can get "sneakers" not on the technical elastic Abzorb sole, but on a completely unnamed heavy piece of rubber or polyurethane. There can be no question of any comfort when wearing such sneakers. In addition, the name of the technology by which the sole is made is always written on its side (for example, for 998 it is Abzorb, for 577 it is Encap). Uneven careless embroidery, as mentioned above, clearly speaks of the unoriginality of the product. We also see cloth language, which is not used in original model new Balance 998.
Logos and embroidery
All New Balance brand and model logos are printed on the face of the tongue. For example, if this is model 998, then the language is written in this way - 998 new balance. All inscriptions are even.
The model is never indicated on the backdrop. If you see something like that, this is a fake.
Also for English editions the inscription "Made in UK" is embroidered in the language. Also in this case, the image of the flag of Great Britain can be applied to the tongue and backdrop. However, if you see the English edition of New Balance without a flag, this does not mean that this is a fake. For example, in some editions of the 577 the flag is absent, while in front of you are the sneakers of the English assembly.
Also, the model name is duplicated with back side language on the label, along with the size in the American, English, European and sometimes Japanese size rulers. The country of origin must be indicated on the label. The clearest proof that we have before us the "free creations" of Chinese shoe masters is the incorrect image of the logo, the addition of details that do not exist in the original products and sometimes simply a distortion of the name of the original manufacturer.
Package
New Balance's packaging is standardized. As a rule, sports and inexpensive walking models are packed in a blue and red box, while re-editions of lifestile models are packed in light boxes of unpainted cardboard with the inscription “achieve New Balance”.
For models made in the UK the same box labeled "made in England" can be used. At the moment, all lines can be packed in regular blue and red boxes. This is New Balance's most popular type of packaging. For some editions (for example, some models made in USA), the following box can be used: On the side of the package, a sticker with a barcode and indicating the size in the US / UK / EUR grid, completeness and model name is required. In addition, the barcode on the box must match the barcode on the label on the back of the tongue.
Insole and tongue
The insole will help to distinguish the original New Balance from a fake. Most often, copies do not differ in special quality, they only bear the size of the shoe. The original products are completely different. There is no pair size on the insole, only the company logo should be applied on it. You can also distinguish the original New Balance from a fake by examining the inner "tongue" of the shoe. A small sticker should include size information, country where the pair was produced, model number and QR code. If the label is dedicated to ultraviolet light, the company logo will appear.
Sole
To tell the difference between a genuine New Balance and a fake, it is imperative to inspect the sole. It must be of high quality, most often black. The sneakers should be bent, if they are soft and elastic, then most likely these are original products. When a couple does not bend, this indicates that a rough copy is in the hands. Looking at the heel, the original New Balance will have a stitched NB label and badge. Most often, a fake is devoid of such trifles, or they are attached with glue, and the work itself is done inaccurately.
V Lately we are increasingly confronted with fake New Balance shoes, some of which are quite difficult to "expose". Therefore, you have probably wondered more than once: how to distinguish original New Balance sneakers from a fake?
The New Balance team has come up with a surefire way to identify the authenticity of our sneakers. This can be done even at home using an ultraviolet flashlight or lamp: You need to shine ultraviolet light on the inside of the "tongue" and the New Balance logos should be highlighted.
Thus, you are now protected from counterfeiting! Buy the original and you will be 100% satisfied with your purchase! 🙂
Attention: on sneakers made in England, the logo does not glow due to the peculiarities of production at the New Balance plant in Flimby - here the label is applied with paint. But in the near future, methods of determining "English originals" from forgeries will certainly be developed.
Where can I get the original?
In order to 100% save yourself from problems with fakes, it is best to purchase New Balance sneakers (and other brands too) in online stores specializing in a similar product. In principle, all of the above recommendations relate to a situation when a buyer saw a product at a good price from a private seller and is tormented by doubts. In this case, it is worth considering in detail the photographs of the product. Also, do not hesitate to ask for real photos of the lot, because the description can be standard, and photos can be from the manufacturer's website. In any case, if you are not sure about the product and the seller, it is better to abandon the purchase and purchase this product in a trusted store. Here are some of them.
- http://www.newbalance.com Official website of the brand. The store only ships to the United States. However, people are successfully ordering there to the addresses of the mailforwarding companies. In addition, only on the official website you can order customized New Balance, "painted" by you personally in the designer on the website. This option is currently available for models 574, 998 and 993.
- www.pickyourshoes.com The largest online sneaker store in the United States. The largest selection of sizes and colors. If you are looking for new items, then it is worth looking first here. New Balance made in USA has been placed in a separate category. The store has direct delivery by EMS. Although, in some cases, it may be cheaper to send the order to an intermediary.
- www.size.co.uk One of the most famous British sneaker shops. There is direct (and very inexpensive) shipping. However, the store does not deduct VAT.
- www.endclothing.co.uk Also the UK's most popular store with an excellent selection of New Balance. Very good prices during discounts, automatic VAT deduction and fast express delivery.
As for the sellers on Ebay, even there you can find quite worthy New Balance sneakers, and it is this platform that is worth looking at first of all if the buyer is interested in some kind of archived publication that is already difficult to buy in stores.
Nikolai Maxwell
I can add that the distance between the seams on the letter N on the originals can be measured with a ruler, it is the same. With fakes, everything is usually crooked and askew.
Critical Strike
The main thing: glue drips, the integrity of the coating (any, especially suede), appearance(evenly stitched tongue) + technologies used: thick heel, soft sole, look under the insole so that there is no incomprehensible garbage there .. And one more thing, I don't know for sure if that pair of 577FMN that I ordered was left (but rather just yes), I did not take it, since this model should be produced at Flimby in England (by the way, according to all documents it was, these stickers are all types of relatives and passport things), but the barcode (from 6 ) was USA-Canada .. it was very strained, in theory, it should not be so. I also think that there should be no unnecessary inscriptions on the box (all the more hieroglyphs, if the alleged thing was made in England / USA / Canada. If I am mistaken in something - correct it, everyone will only get better from this.
Lipsmackers
Look at the price level in American Internet stores, and you will understand whether it is original or not. Even though the prices of the original are very different, the husband has 2 or 3 pairs of this brand, one up to $ 100, the second almost $ 250.
Anonymous_1038
Less than $ 100 is definitely not the original, but fakes are now no worse than the originals, they are pleasant to the touch, and they are also excellent in socks, the labels come with emblems, which you cannot tell, often the manufacturer comes across Vietnam.
conclusions
Distinguishing features of New Balance
- First, a model of this color must be presented on the official website of the manufacturer.
- Second, the strip on the sole should be even and symmetrical. ENCAP is clearly visible in capital letters. The rubber on the back is dense and well glued. Gaps, slots, etc. not allowed.
- New Balance heel lettering is crisp with straight stitching. The letters should not be connected with threads - each one separately.
- The sticker on the inside of the tongue must be present. And the serial number on it must match the barcode on the box.
- The sticker should glow under ultraviolet light, with the exception of sneakers that were produced in England.
- New Balance sneakers are made in factories in Indonesia, Vietnam, China, USA, Great Britain.
- Real New Balance is distinguished by the availability of information on the size and place of manufacture.
- A low price and a dubious seller is a guarantee of purchasing a fake.
- A sign of a fake is the presence of crooked seams, a drop of glue, all kinds of irregularities and damage.
- Original New Balance products are odorless.
- The New Balance brand features a dense, non-slip tread with rubber heel protectors and branded logo.
- All labels on original products are applied in complex ways - embroidery, stamping, etc.
In inventing the New Balance sustainable sneaker, English expatriate William Riley didn't even think he was creating an iconic shoe. At the beginning of the twentieth century, his sneakers were readily worn by professional athletes. In the 1990s, the highest quality running shoes made them an object fashionable wardrobe... The popularity of footwear has spawned a wave of counterfeiting, so when buying, you need to know how to distinguish real New Balance sneakers from fake ones.
How do I verify the authenticity of my purchased New Balance sneakers?
Determining the authenticity of New Balance shoes is much the same as checking Nike or Puma sneakers: the seams are neat, there are no glue smudges, the item numbers are verified on the box and the shoe tongue. However, the manufacturer has prepared several "traps" for counterfeit manufacturers.
1. Logo glowing in ultraviolet
Shine a UV flashlight on the tag located inside the tongue. The real New Balance will show the brand logo. The exception is shoes from the UK.
2. Packaging
The box should be labeled with the following information:
- model name,
- barcode,
- color code,
- size (indicated in three grids: for US / UK / EUR).
Be sure to check that the packaging barcode is identical to the one on the inside of the pull tab.
Colors of the box
There are the following types of packaging branded New Balance:
- blue and red boxes - the most common type of packaging for sports and inexpensive walking models;
- from unpainted cardboard - for re-editions of lifestyle models, as well as shoes made in the UK;
- red and white boxes - for sneakers from the USA.
Workmanship
Crooked seams, crawled threads and glue drips on the surface - in front of you is a fake New sneaker Balance. The color of the material should be uniform, without streaks and whitish spots. The color combinations are the same as on the manufacturer's website. For example, a photo: on the right - a fake, on the left - branded sneakers. You can compare what the original New Balance sneakers look like and the fake.
Tongue label
A label is always sewn on the back of the tongue with the country code, size and model number.
Remember: original NB sneakers are made in five countries (UK, USA, China, Vietnam, Indonesia). If you have shoes from another country in your hands, then this is definitely a fake of New Balance sneakers.
The photo shows an outright fake. Even the brand logo is missing on the label.
Data embroidery
The model number is indicated on front side uvula. There should not be such numbers on the backdrop.
For English shoes, the “Made in UK” inscription is embroidered on the tongue. Also, the British flag can be applied to the heel and tongue of the sneakers. However, if in front of you the English New Balance without a flag, do not think that this is a fake. On some models, for example, the 577th, the flag is not embroidered. However, they are manufactured in the United Kingdom.
Imprint on the sole
New Balance logo imprinted on the heel of the sole.
Outsole material
The outsole is made from high-tech materials Abzord and Encap, the names of which are indicated on the side of the sole.
The most optimal, but also the most time-consuming way to distinguish a fake NB sneaker is to go to the manufacturer's website and find the model you need. If it is not located or looks different, then you have a fake.
Download mobile app that allows you to scan barcodes of shoes and compare them with the data on the manufacturer's website. That way, even a high-quality fake can be detected, when the visual differences of New Balance sneakers are not observed, and there is no flashlight with ultraviolet light at hand. The application identifies well the authenticity of branded products, with its help you can, Adidas and other famous brands.
You may be interested
Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you for advice as an experienced shopper)) I want to order 2 pairs of New Balance from the USA. From experience, who would you recommend for delivery? One pair at 6pm another at Joe's Official New Balance Outlet.
6pm and Joe's Official New Balance Outlet are great discounts where you can find shoes at a very low price. If you had to deliver one pair of shoes or two pairs from the same store, then I would still recommend 3 options:
- FastBox Lite from Fishisfast with Boxberry courier delivery to the pick-up point and without combining parcels(weight limit - 1.8 kg, so it is suitable for light sneakers without boxes),
- Fastbox from Pochta.com with courier delivery to the pickup point and without combining parcels,
- Light with courier delivery to the pickup point and without combining parcels(you need to apply a coupon for free incoming)
- Small packet from with delivery by state mail.
You can estimate the weight of a pair of shoes on the American Amazon. Shipping weight - the weight of the parcel with a pair of shoes, indicated in pounds. You can also estimate the dimensions in inches. These figures are not always accurate, but they can get some kind of estimate.
The second question to decide with shoes is whether to leave the shoe boxes or throw them away. If you want to return the product at 6pm or Joes New Balance Outlet, no one will refund the cost of shipping from the USA, as well as returning from Russia to the USA. But if you want to attach an unsuitable size through the message board, then it's easier to do it with a box (although not all buyers are worried about the lack of a box).
Throwing out the shoeboxes will reduce both the size of the package and the weight (also due to the fact that the smaller box weighs less). But a small package made of simple polyethylene may be damaged when delivered by state mail. And without discarded boxes, you can not fit into the weight of 2 kg or in size. Much of course depends on what kind of shoes you want to buy.
Knowing the approximate weight, you can use the calculators on the websites of postal intermediaries to compare the cost of delivery to your specific locality. Of course, calculators sometimes do not indicate additional services like packaging materials, incoming parcels, the cost of recharging an account, ... But in general, you can estimate the cost. Look at the same Pochtoy, Fishfast, Shopfans and Polar Express for a start. Also low prices among large intermediaries, it offers LightMF (but personally I do not use this company because of the level of service). It is difficult to recommend an ideal company, especially since the lowest prices can be offered by companies with far from the best service.
Pay attention to the difference in price when buying in one store and in different ones, as well as the difference in the cost of delivery of parcels to the pick-up point without consolidation and with consolidation. It may turn out that overpayment when buying in one store will lead to a comparable reduction in the cost of shipping parcels without consolidation. True, the store can send goods in several parcels. And when you use Fastbox from Pochta.com and Shopfans Light, you won't be able to throw shoeboxes away, since these cheapest types of delivery involve sending parcels in the form in which they arrived at the warehouse.
In general, for lower shipping costs, it is better to take multiple items so that the cost per kg is less. Including you can cooperate with friends and relatives, so that the package contains at least 5-7 kg. But in any case, the United States Parcel Service (USPS) will be cheaper than the US state mail, for light parcels this is very noticeable.
I also recommend checking out the British sports discount Sports Direct, which also sells New Balance shoes. There are fabulous prices on sales in this store. To our surprise, they are even lower than in the United States. The store is certainly not perfect (on facebook they complain about the responsive support and mixed products), but we made our third order in this store. You can buy in it both in pounds sterling on the British version and in euros on the German version of the store (Sports Direct offers conversion to other currencies, but it will certainly be much less profitable than the conversion of the Visa / Mastercard payment system). Direct shipping from Europe is cheaper than shipping from the United States. The only limitation is that one parcel when delivered to Russia cannot contain more than 15 goods, and the total weight cannot exceed 5 kg (there is no such problem when delivering from this store to the warehouse of a European postal intermediary).
