New Balance

Have you ever wondered why so many people love New Balance shoes? These awesome sneakers are popular with kids, teens, and adults because they’re comfortable, look cool, and last a long time. Let’s learn all about New Balance shoes and why they might be perfect for you too!

What Makes New Balance Special?

New Balance started making shoes over 100 years ago! The company began in Boston in 1906. Back then, they made special arch supports to help people’s feet feel better. Now they make all kinds of shoes that people around the world love to wear.

New Balance is different from other shoe companies because they focus on making shoes that fit well and feel great. They also make many of their shoes in the USA, which is pretty unusual for shoe companies.

The History of New Balance

New Balance was created by a man named William J. Riley. He wanted to make shoes that helped people’s feet feel better. The company name “New Balance” came from how Riley observed chickens in his yard. He noticed how chickens stayed balanced on their three-clawed feet, and this inspired him to create shoes with better support.

For many years, New Balance was a small company. But in the 1970s, they became popular with runners. Today, people wear New Balance shoes for sports, school, hanging out with friends, and just about everything else!

Comfort Features of New Balance Shoes

Cushioning That Feels Like Walking on Clouds

New Balance shoes have special cushioning that makes walking and running feel super comfortable. Many of their shoes use a technology called “Fresh Foam” or “ABZORB.” These special materials absorb shock when your foot hits the ground, making each step feel soft and bouncy.

Think about jumping on a trampoline versus jumping on hard concrete. New Balance shoes try to make walking feel more like the trampoline!

Breathing Room for Your Feet

Have you ever had sweaty, hot feet in your shoes? That’s no fun! New Balance designs their shoes with breathable materials that let air flow through. This keeps your feet cool and dry, even when you’re playing sports or running around all day.

Many New Balance shoes have mesh (a material with tiny holes) on the top part. This mesh works like little windows for your feet, letting heat escape and fresh air come in.

Perfect Fit for Every Foot

Feet come in all shapes and sizes. Some are wide, some are narrow. New Balance is famous for making shoes in different widths, which is something many other shoe companies don’t do.

Their shoes usually come in these width options:

• Narrow (B for women, D for men)
• Standard (D for women, D for men)
• Wide (2E)
• Extra Wide (4E)

This means you can find shoes that fit your feet just right, not too tight and not too loose.

Durability: Shoes That Last

Strong Materials That Don’t Wear Out Fast

New Balance uses tough materials that can handle lots of activity. The rubber soles are made to grip the ground well and not wear down quickly. The upper parts (where your foot goes in) are usually made of strong materials like leather or special synthetic fabrics that don’t tear easily.

This means your New Balance shoes will likely last longer than many other brands, even if you play hard in them every day.

Solid Construction That Stays Together

Have you ever had shoes start to fall apart after just a few months? That’s really disappointing! New Balance shoes are put together with strong stitching and glue. The different parts of the shoe are connected securely, so they don’t start separating when you wear them a lot.

This solid construction is one reason why many parents like buying New Balance for growing kids – the shoes often last until your feet grow bigger, not because they wear out!

Stability and Support: Keeping You Balanced

Helping You Stand Strong

New Balance shoes are designed to keep your feet stable. This means they help prevent your ankles from rolling inward or outward too much when you walk or run. The shoes have special features in the middle part (called the midfoot) that support your arch.

This stability is super important when you’re playing sports or just running around with friends. It helps prevent injuries and keeps your feet from getting tired too quickly.

Technology That Helps Your Feet

New Balance uses special technology in different parts of their shoes. For example, many models have something called a “rollbar” that helps guide your foot to move correctly with each step. Other models have extra support in the heel area to keep your foot from sliding around inside the shoe.

These technologies might sound complicated, but they all work together to make your feet feel great all day long!

Style: Looking Cool While Feeling Great

Classic Designs That Never Go Out of Style

New Balance has some shoe designs that have been popular for decades! Models like the 574 and 990 have a classic look that many people love. These shoes don’t go out of style because they have a simple, clean design that looks good with almost any outfit.

Trendy Colors and Special Editions

Even though New Balance has classic designs, they also come out with new colors and special editions all the time. You can find New Balance shoes in bright colors, cool patterns, and even shoes designed by famous people or brands.

Some kids love collecting different colors of the same New Balance model because they work with different outfits and moods!

Materials: What New Balance Shoes Are Made Of

Quality Materials for Every Part

New Balance uses different materials for different parts of their shoes:

• Uppers: Often made of suede, leather, mesh, or synthetic materials
• Midsoles: Usually made of foam materials like Fresh Foam or ENCAP
• Outsoles: Made of durable rubber that grips the ground well

These materials are chosen carefully to make shoes that feel good, last a long time, and look great.

Eco-Friendly Options

New Balance also makes some shoes with recycled materials, which is good for our planet. These shoes use things like recycled plastic bottles to make the fabric. Pretty cool, right?

Weight and Flexibility: Light on Your Feet

Lightweight Design for Active Kids

Heavy shoes can make your feet tired quickly. New Balance designs many of their shoes to be lightweight, so you can run, jump, and play without feeling weighed down.

Their running shoes are especially light, sometimes weighing less than 10 ounces (about as heavy as a large apple). This makes them perfect for sports and activities where you need to move fast.

Bending and Moving with Your Feet

Your feet bend when you walk and run, so your shoes need to bend too! New Balance shoes have flexible soles that move with your feet. You can usually twist and bend the shoes in your hands, which shows how they’ll move with your feet when you’re active.

This flexibility is important because stiff shoes can make your feet hurt and get tired faster.

Water Resistance: Keeping Your Feet Dry

Shoes for Rainy Days

Some New Balance shoes have special materials that help keep water out. These are great for rainy days or walking through wet grass. The water-resistant shoes usually have a special coating that makes water bead up and roll off instead of soaking through.

Not all New Balance shoes are water-resistant though, so it’s important to check before buying if you need shoes for wet conditions.

Quick-Drying Materials

Even the New Balance shoes that aren’t fully water-resistant often use materials that dry quickly if they do get wet. The mesh parts of the shoes let air flow through, which helps them dry faster than shoes made of solid materials.

New Balance Shoe Types and Models

Popular New Balance Models

Here’s a table showing some of the most popular New Balance shoe models and what they’re best for:

Model	Best For	Special Features	Style
574	Everyday wear	Comfortable, classic design	Retro, casual
990	All-day comfort	Extra cushioning, made in USA	Classic, premium
327	Fashion	Bold retro design	Trendy, eye-catching
Fresh Foam 1080	Running	Extra soft cushioning	Modern, athletic
515	School and play	Durable, comfortable	Sporty, practical

Shoes for Different Activities

New Balance makes shoes for lots of different sports and activities:

Activity	Recommended Models	Key Features
Running	Fresh Foam 880, 1080	Lightweight, extra cushioning
Walking	847, 928	Stability, comfort for long walks
School	574, 515, 990	Durable, comfortable all day
Basketball	OMN1S, TWO WXY	Ankle support, court grip
Tennis	996v4, 806	Lateral support, durable outsole

Sizing Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit

How to Measure Your Feet

Getting the right size is super important for comfort! Here’s how to measure your feet:

1. Put a piece of paper on the floor against a wall.
2. Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall.
3. Mark where your longest toe ends on the paper.
4. Measure from the wall to your mark in centimeters.
5. Use the size chart below to find your size.

New Balance Size Chart

Foot Length (cm)	US Kid’s Size	US Women’s Size	US Men’s Size
22	4	–	–
23	5	–	–
24	6	6	–
25	7	7	–
26	8	8	6
27	9	9	7
28	10	10	8
29	–	11	9
30	–	12	10

New Balance shoes often come in different widths too! If your feet are wider or narrower than average, look for width options like narrow (B), standard (D), wide (2E), or extra wide (4E).

User Reviews and Pricing

Here’s what some kids your age think about their New Balance shoes:

Model	User	Age	Rating	Comment
574	Jake	12	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“I wear these every day for school. They’re super comfortable and go with everything I wear.”
Fresh Foam 880	Sophia	13	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	“Great running shoes for track team. My feet don’t hurt even after practice.”
327	Miguel	11	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“These look so cool! All my friends want to know where I got them.”
515	Emma	12	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	“They’re comfortable but the white gets dirty really fast.”
990	Tyler	13	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“Best shoes I’ve ever had! They last forever and feel amazing.”

Price Guide

New Balance shoes come at different price points. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

Category	Price Range	Examples
Budget-friendly	$40-$70	515, 574 (some colors)
Mid-range	$70-$100	574 (most colors), 997H
Premium	$100-$180	990, Fresh Foam 1080
Special editions	$150+	Collaborations, limited releases

Sometimes you can find New Balance shoes on sale for much less than these prices. Also, kids’ sizes are usually cheaper than adult sizes of the same model.

Taking Care of Your New Balance Shoes

Making Them Last Even Longer

To keep your New Balance shoes looking and feeling great:

• Clean them regularly with a soft brush or cloth. For mesh parts, you can use a little mild soap and water.
• Let them dry naturally if they get wet. Don’t put them in the dryer or near a heater as this can damage the glue.
• Take them off using your hands, not by stepping on the heel with your other foot, which can break down the heel support.
• Switch between two pairs of shoes if you can. This gives each pair time to fully dry out and recover their cushioning between wears.

Conclusion

New Balance shoes are popular with kids your age because they offer the perfect mix of comfort, style, and durability. Whether you need shoes for school, sports, or just hanging out with friends, there’s probably a New Balance model that’s perfect for you.

The best thing about New Balance is that they make shoes that feel good and support your feet while you’re growing. Their shoes come in different widths and have special cushioning to keep your feet happy all day long.

If you’re looking for your next pair of shoes, consider New Balance! With their combination of comfort, quality, and cool styles, it’s no wonder so many kids choose them again and again.

Frequently Asked Questions