New Balance has a new collaboration out today featuring running sneakers and apparel, but the product is being treated as a footnote and the project is instead highlighted by a series of mental health awareness courses.
Working together with California-based District Vision, which began in 2013 selling performance eyewear and has evolved into a wellness-focused running brand, New Balance is offering a series of micro-courses led by a variety of athletes and personalities. Featuring five courses total, hosts include rapper/actor GaTa, pro skater Alex Olson, Olympic and New Balance runners Emily Sisson and Brenda Martinez, running coach Mike Spino, and District Vision co-founder Max Vallot. Priced at $10 apiece, the videos see each host discuss how running and fitness have benefited their mental health and are available now from districtvision.com.
“We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with a heritage running brand, like New Balance, on a collaboration that goes beyond just product,” Vallot says. “It is our hope that consumers will gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a ‘mindful athlete’ and learn how running can be used as one tool in their mental wellbeing journey.”
In addition to the wellness component, the District Vision x New Balance collaboration includes the FuelCell RC Elite v2 running shoe in black and white colorways, both of which are available now for $220 each from districtvision.com followed by a newbalance.com release on March 24. The collection also has a full range of performance running apparel priced from $55 to $150.
