Ergonomically designed, comfortable sneakers.
1906 | BOSTON, USA | William J. Riley
The predecessor of New Balance was "New Balance Arch," founded by Irish immigrant William J. Riley. Their first product was an arch support insole inspired by a chicken's claws. This product, which supports the foot with a three-point arch structure rather than a surface, reflects the company's current approach of designing shoes based on an understanding of anatomical balance and skeletal structure.
In 1938, at the request of a local Boston running club, they produced their first running shoes. The lightweight shoes, made with supple kangaroo leather and crepe soles, became popular, and in 1941, they were commissioned by the Boston Braves, a Major League Baseball team, to produce baseball spikes.
Furthermore, in 1960, when custom-made running shoes were the norm, they released the Trackster, the world's first ready-made running shoe to incorporate width sizing. Its superior grippy ripple sole (shark sole) gained popularity among runners.
Then, in 1972, Jim Davis, considered a marketing genius, acquired New Balance. At that time, the previous owner reportedly instructed that "the concept of width sizing should not be changed." This personnel change allowed New Balance's high-quality products, based on its technological capabilities, to reach a wider audience.
In 1975, Tom Fleming won the New York City Marathon wearing the "M320" model, which offered both full foot support and flexible construction. Later, the "205" training model, featuring a simple yet robust studded sole, was released, and, aided by the running boom, became widely popular.
New Balance models are also known for having model numbers that combine Roman letters and numbers.
By looking at the Roman letters, you can find out the country of manufacture and the intended use. "M" indicates a standard model made in the USA or UK, "CM" is a lower-priced version mainly produced in Asia, "UK" is British standard, and "J" is Japanese standard. There are also "MR" for men's running and "WT" for women's trail running, so those interested might want to look into those further.
Looking at the numbers, it's clear that generally, smaller models are entry-level, while larger models are part of the premium line. Representative models are as follows:
The "1500" is a classic, high-end model with a luxurious feel, made from smooth leather. The "1300," which is reissued every five years and enjoys great popularity, is a shoe that even Ralph Lauren himself praised. The "996" is a long-selling classic model. The "990" is a high-performance running shoe with a high-tech feel. The "574" is an off-road running model, a basic model characterized by its rounded form. As you can see, New Balance has a diverse lineup ranging from classic styles to high-tech running shoes, which is one of the reasons why it is supported by a wide range of runners.
New Balance, known for its extensive range of running shoes and its origins as an insole manufacturer, has a strong reputation for comfort. It's certain that they will continue their commitment to robust and reliable craftsmanship, unaffected by fleeting trends.