New Balance is a sports shoe brand from Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. The company was founded in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company. At first they made arch supports and accessories to improve how shoes fit, not the shoes themselves. From there the business moved into running shoes and sports gear. The brand is known for its N logo, its numbered models, and a wider range of shoe widths, including options for very narrow or very wide feet. Some of its products, such as the 990 series, are made in the United States and the United Kingdom. This is not common among its competitors, and it is one reason the new price tends to be higher. For people buying secondhand shoes, this background is useful for reading the labels and understanding what you are holding.
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The founder, according to the sources we use, was William J. Riley, an Irish immigrant who started the business in the Boston area in 1906. His first product was a flexible arch support, designed with three points of contact so the foot would be better balanced. The name "New Balance" reportedly came from Riley's habit of watching the chickens in his yard. He even put a chicken's foot on his workbench to explain the three-toe principle to customers. In 1927 Arthur Hall joined as a salesman, and he became a business partner in 1934. In the 1930s, baseball players and runners began seeking out the company for specialized shoes.
Hall sold the business in 1956 to his daughter, Eleanor, and her husband, Paul Kidd. In 1960 they designed the Trackster, the first running shoe available in several widths. The Trackster spread through YMCA programs and was then worn by college cross-country teams such as MIT, Tufts, and Boston University. Marketing at the time was mostly by word of mouth.
Jim Davis bought the company in 1972. At that point it had only six employees, made about 30 pairs of shoes a day, and sold mostly by mail order. Boston was becoming a center of the running boom in the 1970s, so the product line grew along with it. The factory in the United Kingdom opened in Workington in 1982 and moved to Flimby in 1991. In 2024, New Balance launched the Reconsidered program, which sells secondhand shoes through its own online store.
- Trackster: a running shoe designed in 1960, the first to come in a range of widths, and worn by college running teams in the United States.
- 990 series: one of New Balance's most popular models, made in the United States and in the United Kingdom for the European market.
What we check before listing
We start with the label on the inside: the N logo, model number, size, and country of manufacture must be clearly legible and consistent with the model. We also match the width code letters (narrow, standard, wide) to the shape of the shoe. We inspect the upper stitching, the glue along the sole edge, and the neatness of the heel area one by one. We press on the midsole to look for areas that have hardened, cracked, or yellowed unnaturally. Finally, we look at the wear on the outsole and the inside of the shoe, because running shoes that are worn often usually wear down at the same spots. This is our inspection routine, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Caring for it
Clean mesh fabric and suede uppers with a soft brush and a little soapy water, and do not soak them for long. Avoid washing machines and dryers, because heat can weaken the glue and the midsole. Dry in a shaded place with air circulation, then stuff the shoes with paper to keep their shape. Store away from direct sunlight and damp rooms.
FAQ
Are all New Balance shoes made in the United States?
No. According to the sources we read, New Balance does make some of its models in the United States and the United Kingdom, such as the 990 series. Other models may be made elsewhere, so check the country of manufacture on the shoe's label.
What does the width code on the shoe label mean?
New Balance is known for offering several width options, from very narrow to very wide. The width code is printed on the label along with the size. If your feet are wide or narrow, look at this code, not just the size number.
Why does New Balance tend to cost more than other brands?
Some of its models are made in the United States and the United Kingdom, while many competitors manufacture outside those two regions. That difference in production cost affects the new price.
Does New Balance itself sell secondhand shoes?
Yes. Since February 2024, New Balance has had the Reconsidered program, which sells secondhand shoes in a dedicated section of its online store.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).