I had torn my old casual sneakers to shreds and ordered these on a whim; I like New Balance's running shoes, and $33 for a traditionally designed sneaker seemed like a good deal. I had not anticipated, even from the photos on Amazon's website, just how shiny and metallic these sneakers are. They would have looked perfectly at home at Studio 54 in 1983. On the feet of a middle-aged man in 2012, the effect is either ridiculous or ironic. I feared the former, but my wife doesn't mind them so I'm going to keep these shoes around.

I'm not sure these would be good for working out in; they seem to be designed primarily for show.