Having passed the US$6.5 billion revenue mark in 2024, it feels a bit disingenuous continuing to refer to New Balance as global sportswear’s resident “underdog.”
After more than a decade of groundwork, involving best-in-class product and some truly admirable sustainability initiatives, the American outfit has come to dominate the cultural conversation; with much (hard-earned) praise centring on its sneakers.
From various expressions of the iconic ‘990’, to the brand’s explosively effective collection of Fresh Foam runners, these are the New Balance sneakers you need to get yourself into a pair of stat. Explore our full shortlist below.
RELATED: B.H. Magazine Volume I — The Rise & Rise Of New Balance
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BH Approved: Our Favourite Pair Of New Balance Sneakers
‘Made in USA’ 990v6
Excellent
96/100
SCOREPROS
- Impressive all-day comfort
- Lots of premium materials
- Clean, versatile colourways
CONS
- Pricing
The latest incarnation of what New Balance execs initially pitched as the ultimate running shoe, the 990v6 builds on its 40-year legacy with a streamlined, clean design — best enjoyed (we think) in versatile wolf grey.
Part of the brand’s top-flight ‘Made in USA’ collection, the 990v6 dresses up its classic good looks in premium materials: think suede and pigskin leather accents throughout the upper.
With any 990 model, great design chops are a given; but comfort is where the 990v6 really excels. ENCAP cushioning runs the length of the shoe’s mid-sole: meaning wearers are supported consistently throughout the day, regardless of whether they’re deskbound or on the go.
New Balance 2002R (Best Trail Shoe)
DETAILS
- ABZORB midsole and heel cushioning
- Stability Web for added arch support
- ‘Mushroom/New Spruce’ colourway
- N-ergy outsole
Inspired by a technical running silhouette from the New Balance archive, the 2002R blends modern performance with the deliberately overbuilt style of sneakers from the late 2000s.
This ‘mushroom’ colourway is made with a dusty nubuck/mesh upper — perfectly in keeping with the trails and forests that are the 2002R’s natural environment.
Underfoot however, the technology is thoroughly 21st century. ABZORB cushioning is integrated in both the heel and midsole, helping to enhance stability and reduce impacts respectively.
On top of this, like a lot of the brand’s technical runners, the 2002R is made with a ‘Stability Web’ — a techy way of describing a feature around the shoe’s arch which helps to enhance mid-movement balance.
New Balance 740
DETAILS
- ABZORB midsole
- Moulded TPU ‘N’ branding
- Two-tone mesh upper
- Various colourways
A great option for sneakerheads whose first priority is getting a fit off, the 740 is another pair of archival New Balance sneakers that has gotten a revival in the past decade.
Yes, there’s a segmented mid-sole and ABZORB cushioning technology; but the main reason anybody buys this chunky, Noughties-inspired shoe is for the aesthetic.
New Balance is, evidently, aware of the 740’s cross-demographic appeal: which explains why there are no less than nine colourways to choose from.
For an especially impactful look, we’d recommend the ‘Concord Grape’: so-called because it renders the 740’s overlay detailing and big ‘N’ logo in an electrifying shade of purple.
New Balance 327
DETAILS
- Retro Supercomp-inspired design
- Oversized wraparound lug outsole
- Oversized ‘N’ branding
- Suede/mesh uppers
The extremity of the 327’s design almost makes you forget that, deep down, it’s an artefact of the 1970s. Paying homage to a number of old-school New Balance sneakers (most famously, the Supercomp), it has become a ubiquitous sight in fashion capitals around the globe — having first arrived in 2020.
The oversized ‘N’ logo and suede uppers both look like details lifted from a heritage sneaker, yet these are contrasted against an aggressive lug sole — with a footprint snaking up the shoe’s heel and front toe.
The asymmetric, wedge-like shape means many wearers of the 327 prefer to buy half a size down. But, even if you nail the proportions on your first purchase, it’s worth mentioning that this particular New Balance model doesn’t employ ABZORB cushioning or the brand’s N-ergy shock absorption tech. As far as chunky black sneakers go, though? These are excellent.
New Balance BB550
DETAILS
- Leather and synthetic uppers
- ‘Team Forest Green’ colourway
- Perforated detailing throughout
- Inspired by New Balance’s 1989 b-ball silhouette
Consisting of a perforated leather upper, anchored on a low-top sole unit, the BB550 might have languished in obscurity for another decade if it weren’t for Teddy Santis — the prolific founder of Aimé Leon Dore (who now works on New Balance’s ‘Made in USA’ range).
As indicated by the ‘BB’ prefix, this particular shoe was designed in the late 1980s for on-court use by basketball players and is a personal favourite of Santis’s.
These days, you’re more likely to spy it in on the person of various well-dressed urbanites. Fortunately, in a pinch, these still make for a robust training shoe.
New Balance 574
DETAILS
- Suede and textile uppers
- Multiple colourways
- EVA foam cushioning
- ENCAP midsole
Comfortable, easy-wearing, and unostentatious (almost to a fault), the best way to characterise the 574 is as the ultimate jack of all trades.
To be sure, there are better options for working up a sweat, or for eliciting compliments with their aggressive aesthetic; but it’s impressive how this silhouette manages to do a little of both — despite (initially) appearing to be so unassuming.
The 574 is such a foundational style that New Balance Australia currently offers it in eight different variations. Our pick is the ‘Spruce’ green: bound to work as well with smart trousers and knitwear as it is a full-blown sweatsuit.
New Balance 1906L
DETAILS
- Suede and textile uppers
- Multiple colourways
- EVA foam cushioning
- ENCAP midsole
Some may find it strange that New Balance has tried its hand at the task of making the world’s most athletic loafer, but the company’s roots in Massachusetts (AKA the heartland of East Coast preppy style) lend it surprising credibility in this arena.
Streetwear enthusiasts would certainly appear to agree. Though New Balance Australia has chosen to list the 1906L on its webstore, the only place in the country you’ll be able to try a pair on is at the New Balance flagship in The Galeries. If you ask us though, this new loafer style absolutely lives up to the hype.
As part of the ‘1906’ range, wearers can expect impressive shock absorption (courtesy of the proprietary N-ergy outsole) along with a handful of technical features that have been reworked to cohere better with the whole dressy look. Who knew a TPU heel cage would look so cool over suede?
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 (Best Running Shoe)
DETAILS
- New Balance’s “most cushioned” Fresh Foam yet
- Rocker profile for seamless heel-to-toe motion
- Triple jacquard mesh uppers
- Gusseted tongue
Marketed by New Balance itself as “the one running shoe” the brand would make in the modern era, this iteration of the Fresh Foam X 1080 is a great option for all but the most fanatical of run club racers.
At a glance, the v14 hews closely to the style of similar performance runners: sporting a ‘rocker’ shape, jacquard mesh uppers, and oversized sole unit. The latter is filled with the eponymous ‘Fresh Foam X’: a cushioning material of proprietary make, manufactured using 3% bio-matter.
New Balance 1906R (Best Design)
DETAILS
- ACTEVA LITE cushioning
- Shock absorbing N-ergy pods
- Stability Web for added arch support
- Various colourways
A big favourite on the celebrity style circuit, the 1906R is actually the forerunner and direct inspiration for New Balance’s revamped 2002R collection — albeit with a bigger emphasis on comfort and cutting-edge styling cues.
In the sole, you’ll find a fusion of ACTEVA LITE and ABZORB cushioning: features that make for a much more enjoyable wearer experience in daily, urban settings.
The aforementioned edgy aesthetic comes through most effectively in the ‘Black Cement’ model: consisting of uppers in a knit textile material, made to resemble concrete, highlighted with streaks of dark navy and grey.
If you’ve enjoyed our shortlist of the best New Balance sneakers, consider exploring some of our other style-related buyer’s guides below:
