Actually found Made in USA stuff

[rjundi]

I don't ever go out of my way to buy anything made in the USA. I just accept the global economy.

I went to New Balance factory store(nice place in old mills) in Lawrence, MA and was able to get some decent running shoes 50% off retail and athletic socks both made in the USA.

If Made in the USA is your thing worth the 5 min drive off RT495.

 

[tommygunn]

I don't think all of their shoes are made in the USA.

 

[fxrider]

Be American Buy American..

 

[tommygunn]

Who cares, New Balance makes good shoes, no matter where they make em.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
I don't think all of their shoes are made in the USA.


They do make some in China and probably elsewhere. I've had Chinese New Balances and US New Balances...the US shoes were higher quality, but cost more. I think they were worth it though.

NB does make good shoes. They are my default choice for general purpose shoes since I don't like shopping for stuff like that.

 

[dailydriver]

They sometimes make the SAME EXACT MODEL/SIZES in BOTH the USA, and elsewhere.

One has to look on the box for the "Commitment to American Workers" sticker/label with the flag on it, or look under the tongue of the shoe itself and see where it is made.

Sadly, except for those very few, BIG buck, running shoe models (like > $150.00 retail), very little in their line is made "from U.S. sourced materials", as well as being sewn/glued together here.

I just bought a pair of their black 411 trail runners from Kohl's (for 20% off with coupon).
They had my size in both U.S. constructed (but with foreign sourced materials), AND constructed in Vietnam versions, SAME everything else.

It's worth the 'effort' to look and support one's OWN country's workers/economy/tax base/etc.!

(Global economy be [censored]!!!)

 

[mpvue]

they explain the situation on the website (you can google it yourself)
just imagine how labor intensive shoes are, and then think of how long it would take to make a pair, and how much you'd be willing to get paid to do that job, AND how muc you'd be willing to pay for that pair of shoes, and then you'll see why most all shoes are made overseas.
personally I won't pay more than $50 for a pair of shoes, so the only way I'd get a pair of NB's is if they are on sale (which I did)

 

[DeeAgeaux]

1/4 of New Balance shoes are assembled in the USA.

almost 3/4 quarters are made in China with a few in Vietnam or Indonesia.

If assembled here there is an American Flag on the tongue of the shoe.

 

[Vikas]

What? You actually went to Lawrence and lived to tell? I am kidding! I hear the town has been trying to improve its reputation and it is succeeding.

Why isn't shoe making pretty much automated? I mean anywhere you need repeatability, there is no reason to have any manual labor in the process. For example, one would think that all size 10 shoes of a specific model would be exactly like each other and if you had to make them by hand, they just won't be.

 

[sunfire]

I always pay attention to where my shoes are made/assembled.

I have NEVER seen made in the US shoes before. Nice to know there is a shoe company that hasn't completely given up on US labor.

Shoes are just sewn, pressed, and glued together. The quality of materials used are probably more important than the country of origin. IMO NB doesn't make any outstanding shoes, I'll never buy from them again.

 

[Bluestream]

When you place an order or a large amount of shoes from an Asian manufacturer, they will label the shoes to be made in what ever country you ask them to.

I assume everyone knew that..

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
I always pay attention to where my shoes are made/assembled.

I have NEVER seen made in the US shoes before. Nice to know there is a shoe company that hasn't completely given up on US labor.


There are a lot of Red Wing work shoes that are still made in USA although that percentage is falling. 10 years ago, a lot of cowboy boot outlet stores sold American made boots, but that number is way down also.

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: fxrider
Be American Buy American..


I buy whatever is BEST made for the money I pay. It's a bonus if it's American, but I am not buying some Junk just because it has 'made in USA' on it.
That would be stupid. I work hard for the money I pay and I want to get the best value for it.
I cannot think of any category where USA made is best. At least categories that we shop for. I WISH US stuff was the best - but sadly it's not often so.

If I find 2 products of equal best quality and one of them is US made, I WILL choose the US made one. Can't remember when it happened last, though.

 

[xBa380]

Love the NB made in USA shoes... That DOES make a difference.

I have been wearing NB shoes for years due to my size 15 4E wide foot. They generally last me about one year, replacing every spring. This is for the normal $75ish range of shoes they make (made wherever).

Last time, I decided to go for the MR993 (USA model) at about $100+ or something, I forget the price exactly... They lasted me two years, twice the time over the other models I used prior. Generally the bottoms get a hole and the interior tears up a bit (rough with shoes). But these MR993's lasted me twice the length.

After two years, I replaced those MR993's with you guessed it, the same shoe. Hoping for another two years. Comfortable, well made and is the FIRST time I ever bought the same shoe back to back. If these last two years, there is NO doubt it is because of the quality of the workmanship. I never, EVER had shoes last me more then a year. Just does not happen.

 

[rjundi]

The majority of the shoes I saw in there had that commitment to USA logo attached.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
What? You actually went to Lawrence and lived to tell? I am kidding! I hear the town has been trying to improve its reputation and it is succeeding.



My commutes 30 miles down there to the hospital. She loves the "diversity" which sometimes includes gangs etc.

Not sure if its improved.

 

[PandaBear]

Clothings are very labor intensive, so they are going to Asia instead of made in the US. Before China they were made in Hong Kong, and as China is getting expensive, they are now switching to Vietnam.

The only exception seems to be the high end stuff that sold for $100-200, they are still made in the developed world.

 

[Nick R]

I only wear new balance shoes. Comfortable and last longer than anything else. I also go out of my way to buy the ones that are Made in USA. Past 4 pairs have been US Made.

 

[DeeAgeaux]

I only wear Air Jordan 3 sneakers.

They last me about 3-4 years.

They are made in China.

Have never had or seen a pair of better sneakers.

 

[daves87rs]

I have two pairs of NB, one US made and the other made in china. Both are holding up well so far...