The New Balance Rainier was originally developed in the early 1980s with the well-known mountaineer Lou Whittaker and launched on the market in 1982. The Rainier was a groundbreaking success in the outdoor industry as it managed to combine stability, a non-slip sole, flexibility and sure-footedness in a slim and lightweight silhouette. The shoe features a polyurethane footbed for optimal cushioning, a special technology for the Achilles heel and a Vibram sole that completes the robust look and offers optimal grip.