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.
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New Balance
The New Balance 860v2 Wears Fire Red Flares
It’s hard to believe, but we’re past half a decade with the New Balance 860v2, one of the harbingers of the tech runner movement we’re...
The New Balance 1906R Checks Off Another Metallic Look
While fresh formulations like the New Balance 2000 and 204L are fixing to make lots of noise through Fall 2025-onward, the 1906R is continuing to...
The New Balance 550 Unleashes A “Gum Pack” For Women
In so many ways, the New Balance 550 is the brand’s equivalent to the Nike Dunk, once at the forefront of sneaker culture and now...
The New Balance Minimus Squeezes Out A Refreshing “Dried Orange/Light Mint”
Collaborations with Action Bronson and ICE STUDIOS suggest the Minimus Trail might have more to offer beyond its trail utility – or at least New...
Shohei Ohtani And New Balance Just Launched A Footwear Trainer Collection
The starters for this year’s MLB All-Star Game are in, and unsurprisingly, Shohei Ohtani will once again man the DH spot for the National League....
Light Brown “Mushroom” Sprouts On The New Balance 1000
The New Balance 1000 was one of the most searched sneakers last year, but the arrival of new models like the 2000, 2010, and 204L...
The New Balance 991v2 Revisits “Brandied Apricot”
Silhouettes like the New Balance 1500 may give it a run for its money if you take a wider view, but the New Balance 991v2...
New Balance Is Restocking The First 1906 Loafer “Metallic Silver”
We sincerely hope you’re not one of the people that dropped $500+ on the New Balance 1906 loafer last year. After selling out instantly and...
The New Balance 204L Checks Off An Essential “Silver Metallic” Pack
What if the tech runner and slim-soled shoe trends were combined in one sneaker? In short, that’s essentially the idea behind the New Balance 204L;...