You may not think your dad or husband has much in common with today's most fashionable celebrities, but we can think of one trait they might share — their love for New Balance sneakers. It's a fact that the brand highlighted in its 2019 ad campaign for the 990v5 sneaker, which included the slogan: "Worn by supermodels in London and dads in Ohio."
Since then, their universal appeal has only grown — New Balance has become one of the most in-demand sneaker brands of the moment, with everyone from runners to walkers, influencers and, yes, plenty of dads swearing by their comfortable shoes.
Below, we're sharing some of the pairs that our editors — who are avid walkers, runners and marathoners — love. Plus, we spoke with a stylist and podiatrist about what makes the shoes so great,
Best New Balance sneakers, according to editors
Dr. Miguel Cunha, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City, says that the 574v2 is the New Balance shoe that he recommends most often. “The shoe is highly durable, it’s highly flexible, it’s lightweight, extremely comfortable, [has a] superior arch, has soft shock-absorbing cushioning on the footbed to relieve pain and it has a cool vintage-y classic old school look but is still modern.”
Shop TODAY commerce deals coordinator Victoria Herlocker recently bought a pair and says that she loves how versatile they are. “I can wear them casually with jeans, in the office with a pair of wide-leg pants or on a walk!”
Associate editor Shannon Garlin wore this pair on a trip to Orlando, where she walked over 40,000 steps. “These sneakers saved my feet and provided so much support and comfort for an exhausting (but fun!) and active day on my feet, I could almost feel the shock absorption taking place,” she wrote in a review article.
"After wearing my current rotation of New Balances to the ground after about a year and a half of wear, I decided to upgrade to the 327s after seeing a great deal on their Reconsidered resale site," shares deputy managing editor Jess Bender. "What immediately caught my attention was the way the soles snaked up the back of the heels, a style I haven't really seen before from previous sneaker shopping, but there was virtually no break-in period with its like-new condition. They're sold as a lifestyle shoe, but I've found them to be great for walking long distances around New York City and standing on my feet during concerts, cooking classes and commuting on crowded trains thanks to the comfortable width and just-enough arch support."
“I recently got these sneakers and when I say I haven’t taken them off, I mean it,” says editor Vivien Moon. “I wore them for days on end and I typically walk over 10,000 steps on a daily basis and I’ve had no pain or issues with these. Typically, sneakers have been harder for me to wear lately, but these are extremely easy to put on which might be my favorite part.”
According to New Balance, if the brand only “made one running shoe, it would be the Fresh Foam X 1080,” and from the first time I slipped it on, I could understand why.
I spend a lot of time writing about sneakers and have tried pairs from almost every major sneaker brand at this point, but these remain my top choice for everyday walks and runs. The Fresh Foam X midsole cushioning provides the perfect mix of plush comfort and support, so your steps feel soft but still there's enough structure to keep you from totally sinking into the shoe.
I have worn them for everything from double-digit marathon training runs to shorter jogs. They’re also the shoes that I’ve been reaching for when I have to be standing or walking a lot in the days following long runs, to help my tired feet and legs recover. As I’m walking around, I feel less impact with each step, thanks to the ultra-soft cushioning.
While I do find them to be a little tight in the toe box, they have wide, extra-wide and narrow styles available, so it's easy to find a comfortable fit.
The FuelCell Rebel V5 is a great everyday running shoe. The cushioning is made from a blend of PEBA and EVA foam and it feels cushioned and propulsive to put a little extra pep in every stride.
One of my favorite things about the sneaker is how lightweight it feels. Each shoe is just 6.3 ounces (for a women's size 7), so they're great for both long and short runs. But even with less weight, they don't sacrifice comfort.
These sneakers have become a staple in my daily wardrobe (the exact version that I have is no longer available). Not only are they super comfortable — thanks to the impact-absorbing cushioning — but they’re also super stylish. I’ve worn them almost everywhere, from the office to vacations and dinners, and have repeatedly gotten compliments and requests for the name of the sneakers.
With their Energy Arc technology, cushioning and a propulsive feel, the shoes check basically every box for what I would look for in a long distance running sneaker.
The tech and carbon plate give it the springier, bouncy feel of a racing shoe. It does have a fair amount of cushioning, but it's definitely firmer than a shoe that I would choose for everyday runs, so it's great for anyone who wants more of a structured feel under their feet. This shoe is also pretty lightweight, since it features breathable mesh in the upper and a strategic cutout in the sole (don't worry, you can't feel that).
The New Balance 2002R was inspired by 2000s-era models, according to the brand. It features an ABZORB midsole, designed to absorb impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance, as well as heel cushioning and arch support.
Shop TODAY partnerships editorial assistant Erica Marrison loves the 2002R for their shape and texture. "I'm obsessed with Copenhagen fashion and I often see photos of Danish women in grey New Balance sneakers like these. I'd pair them with wide-leg dark denim and an oversized T-shirt, turtleneck or blazer depending on the season."
Why New Balance?
So what exactly makes New Balance shoes so beloved? “They’re really for everybody,” stylist Stacee Michelle tells Shop TODAY. “We’ve seen over the past 100 years, everyone from the president to NBA superstars and celebrities wearing the sneakers.”
Originally founded in 1906, the sneaker brand has become well-known for creating shoes that put comfort and performance first, making them a top choice among athletes, casual sneaker wearers and, of course, dads. But a number of high-profile collaborations with fashion companies like Miu Miu and Stüssy have also cemented New Balance as a must-have sneaker brand among fashion and trend-savvy consumers.
To find out what exactly makes them so popular, as well as the best styles to shop, we consulted with Michelle and Cunha. Here is everything you need to know about the beloved footwear brand, including information on its latest sneaker.
Are New Balance sneakers good for your feet?
No one wants to wear an uncomfortable sneaker. And a large portion of New Balance’s popularity stems from the fact that they actually feel good on your feet. Cunha says that New Balance is one of the brands he most commonly recommends to patients because of its design.
“Typically, their shoes are designed with engineered footbeds that are great for arch support, comfort and stability,” he says. The footbeds tend to be well-cushioned for comfort and provide anatomical arch support, which he notes can “help minimize fatigue and pain, not only for your feet but your ankles, your knees and your back.” They also have a deep heel cup that allows your heel to sit firmly inside the shoes instead of riding up the back as you walk or run, which can help prevent blisters.
But that’s not all. Cunha says that the middle of the shoe has a rigid shank, which keeps it from bending in an area where your foot wouldn’t naturally bend. The shoes also tend to have a wide toe box, which not only gives it the classic bulky “dad shoe” look, but also lets your toes move freely without restrictions and minimizes discomfort on your forefoot.
“These shoes are also biomechanically engineered with a structured saddle, synthetic upper, cushioned collar and flexible and durable rubber sole, which will help provide maximal shock absorption properties and cushioning to maximize motion control,” he says.
How to style New Balance sneakers
Aside from their benefits for your feet, some people would argue that New Balance sneakers are pretty stylish, too. Their current popularity is likely, in part, thanks to the growing trendiness of wider pant styles. Dad sneakers like these are a great choice to pair with wide-leg or baggy trousers since they allow you to keep “the scale the same all the way down,” Michelle says.
Another way to style the sneakers? Pair them with an oversized jacket. “You’ll see a lot of celebrities wearing a topcoat with a slim bottom and the sneakers,” she adds. It can be a trench coat or a jacket that goes past your knees, but she says that the look is “really clean and sleek.”
You can also try pairing them with something unexpected, like a dress or skirt. “We’ve seen a lot of this trend at fashion week and with street style, where people are wearing coordinated blazer and skirt sets with a pair of New Balance sneakers,” Michelle says. “Or they’re wearing a slip dress with a pair of New Balance sneakers and maybe something underneath, whether it’s a turtleneck or a jacket. So there are ways to elevate it from the ankle up, but still keep it cool and casual down below.”
With so many styling options, the shoes are a versatile staple that anyone can pull off. “It’s great when you can have that crossover of a sneaker that you can wear to the gym but then also throw on with a great pair of jeans, a jacket and head out the door or a blazer and a skirt,” Michelle says. “Versatility is important in your wardrobe, so I definitely always encourage that to clients when looking for new pieces to include.”
How we chose
We asked our editors to share their favorite pairs of New Balance sneakers. Many of our staffers are frequent walkers and runners. I regularly do both activities, and have trained for and run both half marathons and marathons in New Balance sneakers. In total, I've logged over 500 miles in various pairs of shoes from the brand. We also interviewed a podiatrist and a stylist to get their thoughts on New Balance and their shoe recommendations.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Miguel Cunha, DPM, is a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City. His interests include all areas of podiatric medicine with an emphasis on cosmetic surgery and sports medicine injuries.
- Stacee Michelle is a North Carolina-based wardrobe stylist.
