New Balance and snowboard company, 686, celebrated the first taste of fall weather with the East Coast launch party for their collection 686 Times New Balance Collection held on Thursday night, October 22nd at sneaker store, Concepts, in Cambridge, MA. For the first time, New Balance and rider-owned and operated 686 come together to introduce a winter collection of boots, footwear, outerwear and accessories. The collection is a perfect combination of historical legitimacy, quality craftsmanship, technical wisdom and progressive minimalistic design. We call it: 686 Times New Balance.
At the forefront of the 686 X New Balance collection is the 580 Times New Balance Snowboard Boot. The boot combines proprietary New Balance patented technologies including Rollbar® stability and Abzorb® cushioning along with 686 BOA® FOCUS system and Recco® avalanche technology. The result is a fully functional, technically advanced snowboard boot with a sneaker-like fit.
Michael Akira West, owner and creative director at 686, adds, “Sneakers have been a part of my life just as much as snowboarding and skateboarding, and I hope to bring to board sports what NB has done in the performance and lifestyle categories”. West continued, “New Balance and 686 share similar backgrounds in quality workmanship, technical fits and being independently operated. Combining the two brands will definitely create excitement.”
686 owner Mike West and VP of Marketing Kristin Cusic, Concept Brand Manager and Men’s Buyer Frank Rivera, New Balance Nat’l Sales Manager, Lifestyle Joe Casagrande and Product Manager Jennifer Lynch
