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
New Balance’s Cordura Treatment Hits The 1000 Model
Cordura has properly fixed itself into the world of performance products due to its reliable durability and long-lasting synthetic fabrics. It’s especially useful in sneakers...
New Balance’s Distressed 1906A Model Continues A Stellar Introduction In “Slate Grey”
Picking a favorite shoe is like picking a favorite child, but New Balance has tipped off their answer to that impossible question plenty in recent...
The New Balance 1906R “Lunar New Year” Features A Soothing Gradient
New Balance is celebrating the Lunar New Year by bringing moon-inspired gradients to some of their foremost models. Hot off the heels of a fade-to-black...
The New Balance 1000 Celebrates The Lunar New Year With A Fade-To-Black Gradient
We’re used to seeing sneaker brands celebrate the Lunar New Year with designs inspired by Chinese Zodiac animals, but New Balance is approaching the annual...
New Balance’s Deconstructed 1906A Takes On “Slate Grey”
In making their dominance over the dad shoe realm shift from a comfort-minded proposition to a fashion-forward one, the “Protection Pack” was a major checkpoint...
The Apartment x New Balance 610 “Subway Series” Releases December 21st
The New York Mets dealt the Yankees quite a blow by inking former Bronx Bomber Juan Soto to a record-shattering contract this offseason, meaning tension...
The New Balance 1906R Embraces A Chilly “Team Royal” Blend
Mesh runners may not be your #1 choice as we get into frigid weather, but New Balance is ensuring that you’ve got some seasonal options...
New Balance Brings Another Timeless Grey Colorway To The 9060
Find someone who loves you as much as New Balance loves the color grey. Be it though their “Made In USA” line or otherwise, the...
Teddy Santis Closes Out 2024 With The New Balance 997 Made in USA “Moonrock”
Teddy Santis’ Made in USA collection has been an accelerant for New Balance collectors for multiple seasons running, further elevating the luxe atmosphere that’s defined...