New Collection. New Performance. New Balance.

Meghan Caffrey and Tera Linafelter, apparel product managers, were driving from the Lawrence, MA New Balance factory to our Boston headquarters one day and noticed a trend with runners along the Charles River. “Many of the women were wearing shorts that didn’t necessarily flatter their figures, with cheap, white cotton tank-tops,” Linafelter said. “We realized that these fitness runners want something comfortable, fashionable and affordable while running.” The duo began brainstorming how they could bring these three qualities into an NB performance apparel line, and thus, the New Performance, or NP collection, was born. The apparel team began developing women’s shorts for a low price-point market with an array of colors and created tops and sports bras to match. The men’s line followed with the same concept.