FuelCell REBELv2" fits my style.
Do you have a particular style of clothing?
Kondo:I don't have much. I do pay attention to functional aspects such as quick-drying and ease of movement. But basically, as long as I can run, I'm OK.
Nowadays, all sportswear has basic functions as a matter of course. I think we live in an age where there are so many choices.
Kondo:I think so. That is why it is difficult to categorize, or rather, I feel that such genre division itself is becoming less and less meaningful.
Q Speed 7-inch shorts ¥5,000+TAX
That's true of New Balance's clothing as well, isn't it?
Kondo:That's right. The clothes I came in today are not only for the sports scene, but they are also easy to use as loungewear, and can also be used in outdoor activities and other situations. So I think it is good that the wearer can wear them in any way he or she chooses. I think it is attractive that there are many choices for the wearer to choose from, and that the range of wearing scenes is expanding.
I went to San Francisco a few years ago. There was a large "New Balance" store in the city, and I got the impression that this kind of sportswear was fully featured and accepted by the local people. I remember thinking how cool it was that New Balance sportswear had become an established part of people's lifestyles, that it blended in with their daily lives.
What about your commitment to shoes, on the other hand?
Kondo:I don't have much in the way of shoes (laughs). If I had to say, I hope they are not high grade ones. I would prefer something for beginner to medium class people.
Why is that?
FuelCell REBELv2 ¥12,000+TAX
Kondo:I feel like I don't fit in with my size. If I wear high-spec shoes and my time is slow, it would look really lame. So I want to choose shoes that fit me without being too tall. In that respect, the "FuelCell REBELv2" shoes I wore today fit me well.
The FuelCell REBELv2 is a shoe for beginners, Sub 3.5-4 races, and training for serious runners.
Kondo:The heel was soft and very easy to wear, and most importantly, it was easy to run in. They are lightweight and have just the right amount of acceleration. I felt very light when I was running.
The design, as you say, is designed to facilitate speed.
Kondo:I really felt that. Yet, I feel a great sense of stability. Compared to other sports brands, I have the impression that the width of "New Balance" shoes is wider, and they don't sway sideways when you land on your feet. This is my personal interpretation, but I think that's why they are easy to run in, even for beginners.
What do you think of the fashionable look?
Kondo:I don't feel out of place. I chose these red shoes because I thought they would be easy to match with my casual wear. The design of New Balance shoes is basic, and the style is the same for running shoes. Therefore, I chose clothes that are also basic for me. I chose a military fatigues jacket and slacks. These two items look good on anyone, so if I can match them with my running shoes, I can use them with my casual clothes without any problem.
What is your image of the "New Balance" brand?
Kondo:I still have a strong impression of shoes. I have an image that just by wearing them, you can become fashionable (laughs). The design is not excessive, and in a good sense, they are shoes that are worth cooking with, and can be worn in many different ways.
