Review: New Balance 479 All-Terrain Running Shoes

I recently began wearing a new pair of "All-Terrain" New Balance 479 shoes bought at an Olympia Sports store. They replaced a pair of New Balance 804 shoes which were very durable and comfortable. I have been wearing the model 479 shoes for about a month now.

The shoes are mostly black and dark grey in color. They have similar treads to the New Balance 804 shoes I previously owned, which are fairly deep and took longer to wear out than other shoes I've had. They are designated as running shoes, but they're fine for walking and everyday use as well. It's worth mentioning that the 804s lasted about 2-3 times longer than other major brands I've worn, without developing any holes.

So far, the 479s have fit well, provided good traction, and haven't caused any discomfort. They offer good padding for walking on pavement and other hard surfaces, rather than the "flat" feeling some low-quality footwear has soon after being purchased.

The New Balance 479 shoes come with round (tube) laces. I have found that this type of lace comes untied too easily, so I immediately replaced them with flat laces. The Kiwi Sport "5-6" 45 inch laces aren't exactly the same length as the originals but they are long enough and work fine.

There is a small fabric loop on the back of each shoe, which can be helpful when putting them on (I suppose it could also be used to put them on a hanger). The shoe does not weigh very much; they are approximately thirteen ounces each, according to my digital scale.

They were moderately expensive ($64.99), but should be well worth this amount if they're as durable and long-lasting as my last pair from New Balance. Certain retailers charge somewhat more or less than this, and you may be able to save money by obtaining a manufacturer or clothing store coupon.

I was surprised to see that the 479s have "Made in USA" printed on their labels; the last two pairs I wore were made in China (and I don't often see any clothing that isn't from Asia or Central America). According to their web site, the New Balance company is based in Boston, MA and operates five U.S. factories.

Overall, I would highly recommend these shoes for most purposes, along with the similar New Balance 804 if you can still find a new pair of them. The 479 shoes are also available at Sears and New Balance Outlet stores. The full model number is MT479BK.