New Balance 574 - The Original Mashup!

574 - these three small digits stand for an absolute sneaker classic among New Balance runners. It is now considered New Balance's "signature shoe" and is the Boston brand's best-known and most popular shape. It all began rather modestly:
In 1988, the first NB 574 was created from leftovers from the production of its predecessor, the 576. In the process, New Balance combined two existing silhouettes to create an entirely new sneaker - which is why the 574 is nicknamed "The Original Mashup." Originally designed as a running shoe, the NB 574 was popular with marathon runners in the 80s (e.g. Dick Beardsley) before making a career as a lifestyle sneaker.

New Balance 574

Numbers speak louder than words, is the motto at New Balance. Unlike other leading sneaker brands, each model is labeled with number and letter codes instead of names. For example, our classic sneaker is available as ML574 and WL574, whereby the letter combination stands for the respective area of application of the shoe (Men's or Women's Lifestyle). And in other ways, too, New Balance pretty much dances out of line in the global sneaker game: while the competition has production almost exclusively in the Far East, the label sticks to its factories in Massachusetts, Maine and the UK, which produce the popular "Made in the USA" and "Made in the UK" sneakers. In addition, New Balance is the only major manufacturer to offer its shoes in a variety of widths. So much orthopedic sensibility is no accident, as the company was founded back in 1906 by shoemaker William J. Riley, who at the time was still making insoles for people with foot problems. Among his first customers were Boston policemen, firemen and workers - and so New Balance cemented its reputation very early on as the flagship brand of the American working class hero.

With the worldwide running boom of the '70s and '80s, New Balance became a true cult brand, and the NB 574 was no small part of that. The legendary retro running design, the applied "N" on the side and the raised outsole give it its unmistakable style. The timeless mix of suede and mesh and the proven ENCAP cushioning technology of the midsole also ensure a comfortable running feel and optimal support. It is now also available in a modern Fresh Foam version.

Did you know? The very first colorway was the M574GS in gray, and over 80 more have been released to date. If that's not enough, you can design your very own 574 with the NB1 Custom program. Thus, the NB 574 stands like no other sneaker for the originality and ingenuity of the New Balance brand, and that for almost 30 years now.

New Balance in the shoe dealer store