See Mike D's explanation about odor in New Balance tennis shoes from his 6/08 post. My podiatrist recommended them and my 587s were perfect - almost. The cat pee odor sent me back to the store, where they replaced them, saying if it happened again, I'd need to work with the manufacturer. Yes, same thing again, and the manufacturer replaced them but did not deal at all with the problem or even admit there was anything wrong with the shoes.
Sadly, I had to switch to another brand. Months later when my neighbor was explaining that she wouldn't let her husband in the house with his smelly tennis shoes. I asked if they were New Balance, and told her it wasn't his feet, it was some sort of chemical decomposition in the center of the sole. I don't understand why New Balance never owned up to the problem - they didn't with me - because other than that, it was one of the most comfortable tennis shoes I've ever worn. ... View related article.
