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.

“The NP Collection is all about cross-merchandising so consumers can mix-and-match their colors and get a full outfit for less than $75,” Caffrey said. “We’re targeting the fitness runner who wants well-fitting apparel that performs like top-tier running gear for a fraction of the cost.”

The NP Collection also has features that differ from competitors’ pieces, including a crepe fabric boxer-brief liner in the men’s shorts, a music-friendly back pocket in the women’s shorts and an “In Case of Emergency” name-and-information-tag in the shorts for both genders. The collection is more versatile than other products on the market and can be worn from the gym to the running trails, in between coffee stops and soccer practice drop-offs.

“NP is innovation at its simplest form,” Linafelter said. “We thought about what this consumer is looking for and delivered it to them.”

“We filled a need in our apparel line by creating low-price pieces that perform in the tradition of NB products,” Caffrey said. “We are excited to see consumers’ reaction to the collection and grow NP throughout 2010.”

Look for the all-new NP apparel collection at New Balance stores and other select retailers in April.

The men’s short, which features an internal crepe boxer-brief, two side pockets and three colors, is available for the low price of $28, making it one of the best deals for men’s athletic apparel on the market. A matching shirt creates an affordable apparel ensemble.

White tank top for women, part of the NP Collection, incorporates colors from shorts and sports bras in the line so that it can be matched with any other piece.