New Balance

New Balance (also known simply as NB) is an American sportswear company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1906 by English-born William J. Riley, the brand is known for its comfortable, high-quality products.

Over the past 115 years, the North American institution has made its shoes in both the U.S. (Massachusetts, Maine) and U.K. (England). Since its origins as a company specializing in arch supports, the brand has enjoyed widespread popularity among runners, which began with the New Balance Trackster, the first-ever running shoe with rippled soles (1961), and continued well into the subsequent decades thanks to the New Balance 320 (1976); New Balance 990 (1982); and New Balance 1500 (1993), among others. (President Bill Clinton famously wore the pair during his presidency, which led to high sales of the model.)

Several popular New Balance shoes are rooted in performance-needs, but they’ve also gained popularity within the lifestyle space. Special collaborations with Concepts, Ronnie Fieg and Aimé Leon Dore have helped it gain footing within highly sought-after sneaker collections.

Recent years have seen the Boston-based manufacturer’s widespread popularity sky-rocket thanks to the “dad” shoe trend. In 2020, the Steve Jobs-approved New Balance 992 from 2006 experienced its first retro run since 2010. New propositions like the New Balance 327 – which debuted April 2020 in collaboration with Casablanca – have quickly garnered praise for their equal-parts heritage and modern design.

Elsewhere, NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard, who signed to the brand in 2018, has brought the company further attention, especially in the performance-basketball space. Leonard’s own signature shoe – the KAWHI – launched Fall 2020. Leonard’s sneaker has been succeeded by the Jamal Murray-endorsed TWO WXY, but much more attention had been payed to NB’s vintage basketball shoes. With the help of Aimé Leon Dore’s Teddy Santis, who was appointed Creative Director of Made in USA in April 2021, the New Balance 550 has become extremely popular.

Away from sportswear, the North American company has supported Covid-19 relief efforts with general-use face masks and footwear for healthcare workers.

New Balance

Stone Island And New Balance Join Up For The 574 Legacy

The New Balance Stone Island 574 Legacy collection lands June 14th, both pairs retailing for $140. Sticking in characteristically neutral territory, the retooled take on...

By Matt Varga June 3, 2024
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The New Balance 574 “Grey Day” Pack Is Available Now

Grey Day is to New Balance what Air Max Day is to Nike. It’s an unofficial holiday that celebrates what the brand does best; timeless...

By Andrew Rizzo May 7, 2024
3520

Miu Miu Applies More Deconstructed Looks To The New Balance 574 For Spring 2023

Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu isn’t a longtime collaborator of New Balance, but it’s gradually cementing itself as such. Ahead of Spring/Summer 2023, both brands unveiled...

By Jovani Hernandez February 21, 2023
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The Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy Releases Worldwide On February 16

Unveiled with an assist from Raheem Sterling in mid-November 2022, the Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy finally sees a global launch on February...

By Jovani Hernandez February 10, 2023
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Get You A Man Who Can Do Both: New Balance Signs Shohei Ohtani

Athletic sportswear brands often look to partner with ground-breaking superstar athletes. In baseball, it’s either a slugger than can launch bombs into the outfield bleachers,...

By John Kim January 31, 2023
7452

The New Balance 574 TDS Returns In A Greyed Out Colorway

New Balance’s Tokyo Design Studio was, at one point, relentless in their innovations, unveiling a drove of new models in quick succession. But despite their...

By Michael Le January 27, 2023
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New Balance Presents A Thorough Footwear Collection For Lunar New Year 2023

While February usually sees the sneaker ecosystem’s largest entities unveil their honorary Lunar New Year compositions, the upcoming Year of the Rabbit has instead proffered...

By Jared Ebanks December 19, 2022
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Stone Island Brings “Steel Blue” To Its New Balance 574 Legacy Collaboration

Having announced its Football Drop just a few days before the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Stone Island x New Balance are set to extend the...

By Jared Ebanks November 22, 2022
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Raheem Sterling Assists Stone Island In Unveiling Its New Balance 574, Furon V7, And Kit Collaboration

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is just three days away. As players continue to find their form through training sessions and exhibition matches, some...

By Jovani Hernandez November 17, 2022
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