By Amelia Rosser
Over two days in June, New Balance hosted their annual Media Famil, and Runner’s World Australia and New Zealand was lucky enough to attend.
Things kicked off with a deep dive on all the latest New Balance updates, including a first look at the newest Rebel v5 colourway, which dropped today.
New Balance Australia Vice President, Darren Tucker spoke with us about the brand’s mantra, Run Your Way. “Historically, we always pitched to the top of the triangle,” Darren said. “Everything was about the 2-hour marathon. But Run Your Way was developed to be inclusive. It’s allowed us to talk to the general and broader population.”
When we chatted about the Rebel v5’s, Darren mirrored this sentiment. To New Balance, the shoe represents the intersection of sport and culture, designed to be worn travelling with jeans and also out on a 10K run. “This time,” Darren said, “it delivers on it [the intersection of sport and culture] from a performance side.”
Darren was emphatic, New Balance wants to be the best brand in running. How do they plan to do this? “We’ve got to educate the rising independent about our performance product,” Darren said. “We’ve got some work to do still, but the change in customer has been more important than growth – it’s allowed us to get younger.”
Over the past two years, running has been shaped by brands, run clubs and influencers. What you wear to run is more important than ever. The incredible Jade Leung, Melbourne stylist and creative director, was on the scene at the New Balance HQ to talk to her styling of the Season 2 2025 collection.
“There’s been a big push towards how we congregate together,” Jade said. “Collectively, we are more conscious of how to style ourselves while we do it.”
“It’s all about exercise gear to style into your everyday life, like throwing on a jacket for a post-workout coffee.”
We of course had to ask for her top fashion tip: “Style from the shoe up!”
The first day was capped off with dinner and an AFL game at Marvel Stadium.
Early in the morning of day-two, we laced up for a scenic 4K run through Fitzroy Gardens, led by NB running ambassador Katie Kelso.
After a coffee to catch our breath from the speedy and relatively hilly run, we sat down to chat with Katie, who is a key member of the AM:PM run club, alongside her role as New Balance running ambassador.
As someone who gets early access to New Balance gear, we had to ask Katie what her go-to-shoe is. “I’m a shoe nerd these days,” Katie said. “The Fresh Foam 1080 v14’s are my everyday go-to, but I was surprised by how much I like the new Rebel v5’s. This change feels the most significant in a shoe design for New Balance – the soles are more cushioned, but still lightweight. I’m torn between both pairs!”
Her most important advice for runners at the moment? “Get some gloves! It’s glove season, they help – just get out that door.”
Thanks to New Balance for sharing everything they’ve been up to and where they’re headed – we’re super excited about the new Rebel v5 colourway.
