Here at Esquire, we love New Balances. Perhaps too much. You might say we are die-hards. But that’s because they are good. NB cares that its shoes are made well and stay comfortable, durable, and functional for the long haul.
From low-key everyday sneakers to running shoes to chunky, futuristic styles, we’ve done the work. (And I mean that literally. We went to work in New Balance’s Made in USA factories and sewed a damn pair of sneakers ourselves, so we know firsthand how much effort goes into every pair.) Now we’re bringing our coveted research to you. The nine coolest New Balance sneakers ever made are right here.
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Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Pros
- Low-profile
- A great minimal look
Cons
- Not a ton of support
The T500 is a certifiable classic. The court sneaker originally dropped in 1982, and it has literally been serving up looks (and real tennis serves) for decades. In the latest iteration, the T500 now has all the upgrades we’d expect from a heritage brand like New Balance: pigskin-suede and nubuck-leather panels that offer an elevated look on the upper, with a perforated toe box designed for performance and breathability too. It’s cool and casual, so even if you aren’t headed to the courts, this sneaker will make your jeans and tee look that much better.
| Colors | 7 |
| Sizes | 4-15 |
| Widths | Standard |
Best Retro New Balance Sneakers
Abzorb 2000
Pros
- Futuristic shape
- Excellent shock-absorbing pods
Cons
- A divisive look
Okay, this shoe hasn’t necessarily gotten the long-haul testing some of the others have (given that it only just dropped this June), but we love what it’s promising. It’s inspired by heritage Y2K designs and merged with newer tech—namely Abzorb sole pods along the length of the foot. This is huge for anyone who likes that cushion feeling many sneakers have on the heel but would rather the whole shoe feel like that. They’re only available in this bold blue right now, but there will more colors soon enough, we are sure.
| Colors | 1 |
| Sizes | TBA |
| Widths | Standard |
Best Neutral New Balance Sneaker
1906 Utility
Pros
- Breathable mesh
- Excellent for walking
Cons
- Disappointing these don’t come in alternate widths
The 1906 Utility is one of the coolest sneakers out there right now, from NB and beyond. It’s funky with a mesh upper but a ton of neutral overlays, giving it texture and depth but still keeping it low-key with its color palette. They are designed as more of a performance-inspired sneaker—there’s not necessarily the same performance-specific designs you might look for in a workout sneaker—but off the record, these do damn well in the gym too.
| Colors | 3 |
| Sizes | 4-14 |
| Widths | Standard |
Coolest Techy New Balance Sneaker
1000
Pros
- Super cool looking on foot
- Interesting colorways
Cons
- Too techy for some
Let’s talk about the New Balance 1000—a minty-fresh design that feels like the perfect update to anyone tired of a too-chunky design. The first 1000 was released in 1999, and the latest model still carries the drippy, detailed design. With suede overlays on a breathable synthetic upper, embroidered details, reflective accents, and a segmented sole with cushioning and stability throughout, this is a sneaker that really has it all.
| Colors | 10 |
| Sizes | 4-15 |
| Widths | Standard |
The New Balance Sneaker That Deserves Its Hype
9060
Pros
- Molds to your foot
- Excellent color options
Cons
- A bit wide underfoot for some people
The 9060 is so good. It has a pretty minimal upper but a wild-looking sole, making for an edgy design that’s not too hard to pull off. Its futuristic yet minimalist design makes even jeans and a classic white tee look that much better, with oversize sway bars taking from the 990 sneakers and bigger, wavier lines throughout. The sculpted pod midsole adds some modern flair too, while emphasizing the shock-absorbent midsole. And it should be highlighted that these sneakers are extraordinarily comfortable, molding to your foot and getting even better with time.
| Colors | 17 |
| Sizes | 4-16 |
| Widths | Standard |
Most Comfortable New Balance Sneakers
Made in USA 990v6
Pros
- A ton of size and width options
- Molds to your foot
Cons
- Extremely dad
The Made in USA 990v6 is an icon, as beloved as it is scoffed at by those who, um, have obviously never worn a pair before. These are crafted, with precision and effort put into every single pair of these shoes, from the pigskin-and-mesh upper to the midfoot saddle to the FuelCell cushioning in the midsole. This one is as performance driven as it is timelessly stylish, and it’s made right here in the US of A, baby. It also has a wide range of sizes and six (!) widths.
| Colors | 3 |
| Sizes | 7-16 |
| Widths | X-Narrow, Narrow, Standard, Wide, X-Wide, XX-Wide |
Best Lightweight New Balance Sneakers
530
Pros
- Super breathable mesh
- Good price
Cons
- A bit cheaper feeling than other NBs
If you like techy, silvery sneakers that bring it back to the early aughts, you’ll love the 530. This running shoe is designed to feel good and look even better. Considering it’s crafted with performance tech throughout, that really means something. This style has a shock-absorbent midsole, a breathable mesh-and-synthetic upper, and, of course, metallic accents that are too good to pass up. There are always fresh colorways that make it a really fun shape to play with.
| Colors | 3 |
| Sizes | 4-11 |
| Widths | Standard |
Coolest Y2K-inspired New Balance Sneakers
740
Pros
- A ton of fun color options
- Breathable mesh
Cons
- Run a bit big
With over a century of production under its belt, it comes as no surprise that New Balance has a handful of iconic shoes in the archives—like the original 740, designed for long-distance, heavy-duty running. Back from the past (but still with its 2000s look), the 740 has a breathable, open knit mesh upper with two-tone overlays, a shock-absorbing midsole, and reflective accents for your nighttime jogs.
| Colors | 16 |
| Sizes | 4-15 |
| Widths | Standard |
Most Nostalgic New Balance Sneakers
550
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Fun color options
Cons
- Run a bit wide
The 550 is such a good everyday sneaker. It has a wider fit, with a roomy toe box and room for your feet to actually breathe. We like this especially for longer (and hotter) days, when your feet might swell up a bit. They have a great, solid midsole and come in fun colorways. Wear them with high white socks and light-wash jeans to lean into the ’80s feel.
| Colors | 2 |
| Sizes | 4-14 |
| Widths | Standard |
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