For three years, we have seen more and more people wearing sneakers with a big “N” on each side. An “N” for “New Balance”. This certainly hasn't escaped your notice, as the trend has grown with the brand's entry into retailers such as Foot Locker.
New Balance brand logo.
This “N” also definitely tells you something: your father (or even your mother) may have been wearing them for a long time while jogging. Because before joining the wardrobes of sneaker addicts , New Balance were intended for sports. “Real running shoes” therefore, for running and not for wearing in town.
A little look back, to understand the history of the brand and its evolution.
New Balance: from chicken claws to orthopedic shoes
The New Balance company was established in Boston in 1906 by English immigrant William J. Riley, joined soon after by his future partner and business manager Arthur Hall.
Initially, he manufactured orthopedic insoles (arch supports to be exact). For the record, it was by observing chickens perfectly balanced on three claws that he decided to develop an arch support system which would offer real comfort to people suffering from foot pain (support based on an axis of three essential points forming a triangle).
William was then 33 years old and set up his small production facility for orthopedic insoles and shoes in Cambridge (a suburb near Boston).
The brand's first point of sale, in Cambridge.
Old New Balance ad.
1925: entry into the world of athletics
The business continued, and in 1925, New Balance produced its first running shoe for the Boston Athletic Club: the Boston Brown Bag Harriers.
The success was there and pushed the brand to create a whole range of specialized shoes for running, but also other sports such as baseball, basketball, boxing and tennis.
The history of New Balance is strongly linked to that of athletics.
1961: the “Trackster” model and the athletic revolution
It was in 1961 that New Balance revolutionized the world of running with the model called "trackster". The Trackster is the world's first running shoe to be available in multiple widths. The success is phenomenal (runners, coaches, athletics clubs are fighting for it), and propels New Balance to the rank of “avant-garde” brand.
The “Trackster” model.
Advertisement for the "Trackster", the first shoe in the world for which it was possible to choose the width.
Today, the brand is also focusing on the development of the lifestyle range that sneaker addicts are craving.
New Balance available in a running range and a lifestyle range
Today the range is divided into two main categories: running shoes (for athletes) and the lifestyle range.
The brand is growing in both segments. As proof, in addition to developing co-branding with brands like APC and Norse Projects, the brand is the main partner of several marathons (the best known being Boston) where it is regularly seen on the bibs of many athletes.
A running model was even created for the 2014 Boston Marathon.
New Balance is, among other things, main partner of the Marseille-Cassis race.
The model in collaboration with Norse Projects.
Proof of its desire to develop the lifestyle range and create a real universe, the brand recently launched a limited series entitled "Tea Pack". The three models are inspired by the varieties of tea favored by employees of the Flimby factory in England.
For each model, an additional pair of laces is slipped into a tea case (we agree, this remains a marketing operation, built to appeal to lovers of cute stories and sneaker addicts , but the video is rather funny. ..).
The “Tea Pack” is made up of three models: English Breakfast, Fresh Peppermint and Earl Grey.
Note that New Balance has recently launched into the tennis and skateboard shoe market and that it also produces Trail shoes.
Different production sites and quality levels
This product test will focus on the New Balance lifestyle range. I wasn't brave enough to try running shoes... However, with all the pastis I drank this summer, a little jogging wouldn't have hurt me... 🙂
Regarding the lifestyle range, it is essential to warn you that there are different quality grades in the general offer proposed by New Balance.
Given the large number of "fashion" models offered by the brand (with different shapes and materials), the simplest way to segment this offer and navigate it is to look at the place of manufacture. New Balance produces its models in Asia, the USA (near Boston), and in England (in the legendary Flimby factory).
Of course, a pair of New Balances for 75 euros at Foot Locker " made in Asia " is of much lower quality than a pair " made in England " or " made in USA " for which prices vary by 150 and 200 euros.
New Balance is the last sports shoe brand to have kept part of its production in the United States, in its factory in Norridgewock (Maine, East Coast of the United States).
For my part, I strongly advise you to choose “ made in UK ” or “ made in USA ” models. Of course they are more expensive, but the price difference is really justified.
This observation is based on several criteria: quality of the materials used, number of different materials on a model, quality of the sole, quality of the assembly of the sole with the upper... Some models are even only made at the factory from Flimby (the 576 for example...).
You should consider purchasing a pair of New Balance as a real investment that will accompany you for several years. Believe me, I have friends whose pair of “ made in Asia ” New Balances didn’t last more than six months.
And of course, the “ made in USA ” or “ made in UK ” models are more aesthetic.
Test of the New Balance M576 (special “Three Peaks” pack, 185 euros)
I tested a pair of New Balance M576, the brand's emblematic model. The model in question comes from a collector's pack "Three Peaks Pack". This pack pays homage to the three highest mountains in the United Kingdom: Ben Nevis (in Scotland), Scafell Pike (in England) and Snowdon (in Wales).
The three 576 models from the "Thee Peaks" pack.
The 576 sneaker from New Balance ( made in "UK" )
This is one of the brand's emblematic models. It is exclusively made today in the English factory in Flimby (in the beginning, it was made in the USA).
Today, the Flimby factory has 210 employees and produces 28,000 pairs per week!
Only number 10s in the Flimby New Balance team.
The 576 model is one of the most popular today, but you should know that success was not always there. Launched in 1988, it is the brand's first model to see the light of day in 100% smooth leather and/or suede versions (whereas before, the models always offered leather/mesh mixes).
For the record, Rihanna is a very fan of this model (I know full well that this is an argument that cannot convince a BonneGueule reader, but hey, I had to inform you of it).
A model of M576 100% smooth leather.
The upper of the New Balance M576 Snowdon: mix of colors and materials
From the “Three Peaks” pack, I tested the M576 Snowdon. First thing that jumps out at you: the assembly of colors.
Inconsistent color mixes are a New Balance habit. It may be "shocking", but you will see that it can very easily be integrated into a classic city outfit.
On the upper (= top of the shoe) of the Snowdon, we therefore have: orange, black, gray, beige, and sea green. The mix is ambitious. But don't panic, we'll come back to the outfit possibilities later.
A second pair of laces is offered to vary the pleasures 🙂
Many materials are assembled in this model: suede leather (also called suede), nubuck and mesh:
- Black suede leather on the heel and toe of the shoe,
- Gray suede leather on the sides,
- Orange nubuck on the heel,
- Black mesh tongue,
- Gray mesh on the toe of the shoe.
The materials are of excellent quality: as proof, my “ made in UK ” New Balances that I have in my personal collection are still in perfect condition even after three years of wear.
Of course, you shouldn't wear the same model every day, but alternate with other shoes... But you already know that!
Also, beautiful materials require your full attention and specific maintenance is required (see the article on the maintenance of suede and nubuck leather ).
The ENCAP sole: trademark of New Balance sneakers
All New Balance “ made in UK ” models are equipped with “ENCAP” soles. These soles have the particularity of absorbing and dispersing shocks. The first time you put on a pair of New Balance with ENCAP soles, you'll simply feel like you're wearing slippers. The comfort is truly impressive!
The ENCAP sole is made up of two parts. A cover (the white part) in polyurethane and a core (the blue part) in EVA technology. It is this assembly which ensures the absorption and dispersion of shocks.
What can I wear a pair of New Balance with?
If the multiplication of colors and materials scares you, I will reassure you right away: integrating a pair of New Balance into a casual outfit is not very complicated.
I'm going to prove it to you by showing you three looks, very simple to construct and into which my New Balances fit easily.
New Balance shoes can be worn with chinos (fundamental piece of a casual outfit). The proof with beige chinos and a chambray shirt.
Carhartt chinos (all my chinos are from this brand, I love them!) and BonneGueule chambray shirt.
You see, even with burgundy chinos, this gives a very interesting result:
Carhartt chinos and BonneGueule chambray shirt.
For my part, I like to hem my pants during the summer period. We then discover my magnificent ankles. However, as you can see, you can very well not do this and still keep an interesting visual result! The bottom line is that New Balance pairs perfectly with most classic chino colors (I could easily have worn navy chinos).
In any case, I advise you to wear basic pieces with your New Balances. Indeed, the combination of ambitious colors on the upper makes it a strong piece: therefore avoid overdoing it and reduce this feeling by favoring simple basics for the rest of your outfit.
Pairing it with raw jeans is also very easy! With a heathered t-shirt, you get a “spicy” basic outfit (New Balance adds an interesting twist).
APC raw jeans and t-shirt from the BonneGueule line.
Conclusion: a strong style with comfort (for the rhyme)
Whether you are looking for your first pair of sneakers or you are a sneaker addict (still not converted to New Balance), I strongly recommend that you purchase them. For beginners, they are the ideal entry point into the world of sneakers because they are less sportswear and more dressy than a pair of Nike or Adidas, which allows you to wear them with most of the casual basics in your wardrobe. . For the more experienced, this is about enriching your sneaker collection with an original and excellent quality product.
Certainly the price of a New Balance ( made in US or UK ! not made in Asia !) is high, but you have to take a step back and understand: the multiplicity and quality of materials, the technicality of an ENCAP sole which ensures real comfort and the price of labor (no need to point out that labor in Great Britain is more expensive than in Asia) justifies a higher price than those applied by other brands.
A pair of New Balance represents a real long-term investment: as written a little above, I have pairs of New Balance which are still in very good condition even after three years of wear!
The model tested is available on the Size website here (as it is a limited edition, there are only a few sizes left, but with a nice reduction!), but you also have a wide choice of New Balance available on Menlook here or on the English site End here.
