New Balance: A Perfect Blend of Comfort, Performance

New Balance, an athletic company that has had a series of transformations over the years, was established in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company with its headquarters being situated in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

When the company was first founded, it wasn't meant to be an athleisure company but rather, focused on manufacturing and selling orthopedic products tailored for providing arch support and other orthotic issues. However, by the 1960's, the brand underwent a significant transformation, marking its foray into athletic wear with the creation of running shoes.

From then till now, New Balance has created shoes and other items with a strong emphasis on comfort and performance rather than style like colorful items or flashy designs. What makes this brand unique from its competitors is that most of the manufacturing is done across the United States and the United Kingdom; a stark contrast to brands whose production is mainly situated in China. Moreover, the brand places a huge emphasis on sustainability throughout its manufacturing process which is also reflected in its slogan of being "Fearlessly Independent". 

To acquaint yourself with the brand further, let's dive deep into seeing New Balance's extensive product range. While the company's specialization is on running shoes, that isn't the only kind of shoes the brand produces as you can find options for training, lifestyle wear and even walking.

Some notable lines include:

1. 990 Series:

Introduced in 1982, the 990 series was known for its minimalist retro design that became a cult favorite. It can be said that this New Balance shoe was the perfect blend of luxury craftsmanship with performance, propelling the shoe to premium status. 

2. 574 Series:

This shoe came into existence in 1988, and was helmed to be the company's first trail-running shoe. Over time, the shoe became known to be a lifestyle sneaker due to its versatile look that blends modern comfort with retro aesthetics. 

3. Fresh Foam Series:

Using Fresh Foam technology, this line of shoes was designed with comfort in mind as the shoe is not only lightweight but also has maximum cushioning. For those that want a shoe that responds to their movement, this one is the choice for you and also for those that partake in long-distance running. 

Aside from having an extensive line of shoes from luxury to leisurely to running, New Balance also has a range of products to choose from such as apparel designed to be performance apparel which are its moisture-wicking t-shirts, windproof jackets and training shorts. You can always accessorize your look with the brand's socks, hats and other fitness gear. 

Now, let's take a look at New Balance from a technological side by e-tailing the innovations the brand has incorporated into their products over the years.

1. Fresh Foam:

We've touched on this a bit earlier by detailing the Fresh Foam line, but to go into further detail, the Fresh Foam technology is proprietary cushioning technology by the brand designed to ensure that the shoe responds to the wearer's foot by adapting to it. For designs featuring this technology, the shoe will feel natural and smooth. 

2. Endurance Outsole:

The endurance outsole technology was designed to improve the outsole of the shoe by making it more durable to support stronger grips and provide longevity to the shoe. For heavy runners, this is ideal as it means you wouldn't be going through a lot of pairs of shoes, and it's even more ideal for off-road and trail runners. 

If you're wondering why you should consider investing in a New Balance shoe, let us tell you about its cultural and social impact. The New Balance shoes have a lasting performance legacy as the brand has built a solid reputation over the years as being a favorite shoe among professional athletes such as baseball players. For cultural impact, the shoe became a fashion and streetwear icon with the 574 and 990 models being part of the streetwear scene. You'll often see influencers and celebrities copping these lines. 

Did you know that high-profile celebrities such as Steve Jobs whose favorite line was the 992 have also endorsed New Balance? Kanye West has also been spotted wearing a pair of New Balances and so has Kendall Jenner. This gives the brand even more appeal and attracts a broad consumer base. 

If that isn't enough to convince you to get a pair of New Balances, then maybe learning about some notable collaborations would convince you. Some of the brand's most notable collaborations are with Jaden Smith who partnered with the brand to release the Vision Racer that blended eco-conscious elements with futuristic designs. Aside from that, there's also the collaboration with Stone Island to add more technical fashion designs to high functional sneakers that have been designed for outdoor performance wear. This collaboration ensured the sneakers durability and protection. 

New Balance has in fact been dominating markets over the world as it is considered to be a household name in the USA, but it's also a favorite amongst users in Europe and Asia, especially in the UK due to some of the shoes being manufactured there. But, people also shop the shoes through E-commerce platforms such as the brands website that offers direct-to-consumer shipping across several global countries. 

Blending Technology, Sustainability, and Style for Every Generation

As New Balance continues to dominate different industries and landscapes, the blend of technology and sustainable practices makes the brand stand out amongst its competitors in a highly competitive market. It's the perfect blend of sports and fashion wear. So even if you're not a seasoned runner or a fashion enthusiast, you'll eventually come to love these sneakers for their versatility as New Balance is a brand that offers something for everyone.  

With that in mind, if you're ready to elevate your footwear game, then why not explore the latest New Balance collections? They blend cutting-edge technology with style in one comprehensive and durable shoe. Personally, getting a New Balance shoe in today's generation does make you look cool, as it's the shoe the new generation such as Gen Z and Alpha are using to accessorize their outfits, as they go on a throwback journey to the good old days of Y2K fashion.