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

“Electric Yellow” Marks A Radiant New Balance WRPD Runner

The New Balance WRPD Runner continues to roll out new looks as it approaches 7 months as a general release NB model. So far, those...

By Matt Varga March 17, 2024
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Tom Knox’s New Balance Numeric 600 Drizzles In “Rain Cloud”

The New Balance renaissance has come to pass largely on the back of turn-of-the-century retro runners and premium lifestyle sneakers. The success of those two...

By Matt Varga March 16, 2024
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The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 990v4 Is Available Now

Coinciding with today’s release of the Aimé Leon Dore New Balance 860v2, the two collaborative partners are continuing the momentum via the New Balance 990v4....

By Matt Varga March 15, 2024
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Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 Releasing Online Today

The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 pack that was available for pre-order last year gets a wider release, with all three colorways available...

By Andrew Rizzo March 15, 2024
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New Balance’s Retro-Futuristic WRPD Runner Chills Out In Icy Blue

New Balance may be pumping on all cylinders, but there are a few that have sputtered from the starting line. That would be the WRPD...

By Sneaker News March 14, 2024
326

Klutch Athletics By New Balance Is Ready To Launch Second Collection

Rich Paul and Klutch Athletics by New Balance are set to launch their second collection, building on the success of their first effort with more...

By Andrew Rizzo March 14, 2024
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James Worthy Era UNC Hits The New Balance 650

Evidently, spring means the New Balance 650. While the high-cut basketball model has been a featured silhouette in the NB brand strategy since taking off...

By Matt Varga March 12, 2024
336

The New Balance 991v2 Gets A “Nimbus Cloud” Makeover

New Balance’s “Nimbus Cloud” colorway echoes the elegance and premium feel of the brand’s “Made In” designs, particularly admired for its simplicity and exquisite use...

By Andrew Rizzo March 12, 2024
1267

New Balance’s Utility-Driven 1906 Gets A Pastel Update

All eyes are on New Balance in 2024. They’re hitting on all the right cylinders, delivering impressive in-line “general release” options to support their collaborative...

By Sneaker News March 11, 2024
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