Candygram for Vongo

So it seems that New Balance is actually starting to name some of their shoes, getting away from the numbering system they're known for-- 980, 860, etc. Though they do have a Fresh Foam 1080 that's out there now. They've already named shoes Zante and Boracay, as well as the Vongo, which is a stability entry for their Fresh Foam line of shoes.

Medial side view of the NB Vongo. Note the grid pattern on the sole.
The diamond pattern is more compact here leading to a firmer feeling
 than on the lateral side.

I ran in these shoes Monday and today, and I am a big fan. They seem a little bulky and perhaps they are, at a weight of 10 ounces, but I like how smooth and cushioned these shoes are. The stack height is 25-21 for a 4 mm offset so the shoe has more contact with the ground which helps the transition feel less intrusive.

Since it's a stability shoe I don't have to wear my inserts, so perhaps there's also that factor at work. It contrasts especially since I wore an older model shoe (with inserts) for the last week while on vacation.

Something else I noticed is on the sole is the longitudinal groove.

My thought is that this groove is a big thing for those who make first contact on the midfoot and not the heel. Perhaps it serves as a bit of a guidance line since there isn't such a pattern on the sole, and it allows the shock to escape out the back of the shoe, helping the smooth transition with each footstrike. 

Great shoe. I like it a lot. It's also available in grey/black/green and blue/charcoal. I have the color shoe pictured above.