New Balance

New Balance - a valuable story

A brand that has managed to stay true to its values for over 100 years without negative gossip: New Balance is one of the oldest and at the same time most successful sports brands in the world. What initially began with orthopaedic insoles developed into the most popular running shoe for American college teams in the 1960s and, thanks to models such as the New Balance 990, is still an integral part of the lifestyle sector today. 

Despite its success, the company has remained down to earth and has stuck to its values since its foundation. Innovative spirit, top quality and a dose of courage paired with respectful interaction and responsible corporate governance are the cornerstones of the company. In this article, we reveal how it all began and which models you should know!

In the beginning was the chicken

New Balance was founded in 1906 by the English immigrant and shoemaker William Riley. For many years, the Boston-based company's core business was orthopaedic insoles, which revolutionized the market at the time. The reason: the specially shaped insoles even helped people who spent a lot of time standing or walking every day. Riley actually owed the idea behind it to his chickens: he discovered that they found the ideal balance through their three claws - and developed the three-pronged insole. By the way, this is also where the company name New Balance comes from.

The next milestone was reached when his daughter and her husband took over the company: They developed the New Balance Tackster, a running shoe with an undulating sole. It quickly became the most popular running shoe for college teams and brought the company an annual turnover of 1 million dollars.

But that was not the end of the story: with the sale of the company to Jim Davis and the running boom in the USA in the seventies, New Balance reached a completely new dimension. Sales suddenly skyrocketed and New Balance launched further product lines with new designs thanks to Davis and his wife. International distribution channels and the first clothing collections followed. 

With sales of over US$4 billion, New Balance is now the fourth largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world and the only brand that is still owner-managed. Chapeau! 

Strong values

"Our values keep us focused not only on winning, but on how we win."

If the company had wanted to become number 1, they would certainly have managed it. The know-how was there and there was enough time. But that was never New Balance's goal. The desire to equip athletes with the best shoes to make them even more successful is something New Balance has in common with many other sportswear brands. What makes them unique are the strong values that have accompanied them since the company was founded. New Balance stands for movement - whether in professional sport, for amateur runners or in everyday life. It should bring people together and create a sense of community. It's less about the competition and more about the enthusiasm for the sport itself.

The company puts a lot of heart into not only producing incredibly good products, but also doing its bit for the future. They pursue a zero waste policy and have their own foundation for medical and social projects. In doing so, they support the well-being and health of children and families worldwide and show what it means to take on social responsibility. 

The hottest silhouettes

New Balance's origins in shoe manufacturing lie in the running industry. Since the takeover by Davis, New Balance shoes have stood for sporty design with versatile color and style palettes - in professional sports as well as in the lifestyle sector. 

The shoes are mainly produced in the USA and England. The company deliberately avoids the cheapest production at the expense of local working conditions and the quality of the materials. The company is also one of the few manufacturers that allows you to choose not only the shoe size but also the width. From "narrow" to "extra-extra-wide", everything is available. 

In addition to the New Balance 2002r and the New Balance 992, there are three other models that you should definitely know about!

The New Balance 530

The silhouette of the New Balance 530, launched in the early nineties, is a retro-style running shoe. The upper is usually a mix of mesh and leather and is available in various colorways. However, it is not only visually reminiscent of the classic running shoe models, but also scores with technical innovations: Thanks to the ENCAP® midsole and ABZORB® foam for excellent cushioning, it always provides the stability and comfort required for running.  

With its chunky sole, it is right on trend with the 90s look, just like the New Balance 725, and is therefore also totally hyped as a casual sneaker. 

The New Balance 574

The New Balance 574 was launched at the end of the 1980s and is still one of the most popular models among sneakerheads today. A clear structure and simple design paired with modern colorways make it an absolute fave. It was deliberately not developed as a showcase model for the highest quality materials or most innovative technologies, but as an all-rounder that can do a lot. And that's exactly what makes this shoe so successful!

As a visual hybrid of off-road and road, it naturally also has to have a lot going for it technically: The innovative ENCAP® cushioning technology offers support with every step thanks to the special sole, creating the ideal mix of design and function. 

The New Balance 550

In addition to the New Balance 480, the 550 is also a true retro classic and is currently experiencing a new hype. Formerly made for professional basketball, the shoe features a scaled-down logo on the side and a thick sole with color highlights for a trendy vintage vibe. The upper is a mix of mesh and leather in a very clean design and suits any style. 

The sneaker, which had almost fallen into oblivion, made a successful comeback with the collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore. But all other release colors were also sold out immediately and the sneaker is now worn by stars and influencers up and down. The New Balance 550 is now even considered the biggest competitor to the Nike Air Force 1 or the adidas YEEZY.

Cult sneaker with an eye for the big picture

There's no question that New Balance can make insanely good sneakers. Not only are they constantly working on new technologies and innovative details, they also have an eye for trends. But New Balance stands for more than just sneakers and sportswear: for them, there is no compromise between quality and social justice. That's why they produce mainly in the UK and the USA and are committed to a sustainable future in which no one loses.

New Balance is a sneaker label with a passion for sport and design - and with its heart in the right place!

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