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An Introduction To New Balance Running Shoes
- Sapphire Running Team
- Jul 20, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
Everything you need to know about New Balance Running Shoes
There are a lot of new 'disruptor' brands in the running shoe markets at the moment and some that have been around for a very long time. One of the oldest is New Balance, which began operations in 1906. Founded in the Boston area it was initially focused on arch supports, but by 1934, under the name the New Balance Athletic Shoe Company, it was firmly established as a specialist sports shoe company.
The history of New Balance
New Balance began life as the New Balance Arch Support Company, a business created by William J. Riley in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906. There early growth relied on a travelling salesman as there products, focused on specialist arch supports and orthopaedic footwear were not available in retail stores.
In 1936 their first ever running shoe, made with a crepe sole and kangaroo leather upper, was created for Boston Brown Bag Harriers, a local running club. The shoe was designed by Riley and produced in house by a small team. The ownership of the company changed in 1953 and again in 1972 when it was bought by its current owner. On the day of the 1972 Boston Marathon, Jim Davis assumed control of a company with six full-time workers making 20-30 pairs of shoes a day. Davis then set about growing the company, focusing on quality and customer service. The now famous N logo appeared for the first time on a pair of 320s in 1976 and it was this shoe that really launched the brand, achieving almost cult like status in the running community. two years later the first apparel range was created.
New Balance were now using unique numbers to name all of their shoes. The idea was that customers would see each model as being equal, but designed for different purposes. The number defines the type of shoe, the activity it was designed for and whether the shoe was built for stability, speed and the like. They remained focused on innovation and quality and were not concerned about charging for it. The 620 launched in 1980 and was the first shoe to break the $50 retail price barrier and it pushed that barrier to $100 with the launch of the hi-tech 990 only two years later. Two years later the brand's UK factory opened. And then it was the 1300 in 1985, at $130, the most expensive running shoe ever released.
The move into the fashion world began 1998 with the relaunch of the 576 and its inclusion on the cover of Elle magazine and enhanced thanks to the collaboration with Offspring stores in 2006. Their popularity in the running world declined during the late 2000s, possibly as a result of all the entrants into the space, like Hoka and On, but possibly because of their 'dad shoe' reputation, which was almost reinforced by the brand with their famous slogan; 'Worn by supermodels in London and dads in Ohio.' The 2014 launch of their Fresh Foam technology repositioned New Balance within the running sector. This shock-absorption system that gives runners a stable and high-performance shoe was key to the development of a new range of cutting edge shoes. It has now been upgraded to Fresh Foam X.
In 2022 turnover had risen to $5.3 billion, having been one million in 2000. Throughout this time state of the art research and development facilities have opened and the company has committed millions to communities where they had facilities.
Who owns them?
It is still owned by Jim Davies and he is the Chairman of the Company. His wife Anna is the Vice Chair. He and his family own an estimated 95% of the company, which is private.
What are they known for?
Every brand has its own cushioning material and New Balance is no different. Launched in 2013, after being initially used in some custom made running spikes, Fresh Foam has been used in most midsoles of New Balance running shoes.
In 2020, New Balance updated the original Fresh Foam and added an X to its name. Any shoes with Fresh Foam X are using this upgraded foam. There is also FuelCell, a nitrogen-infused TPU foam, that's used in their racing shoes.
New Balance are also known for their innovative approach to naming their shoes. It's all about numbers. It can be overwhelming seeing the amount of options, but in summary any shoes ending in 40-60 are in the stability range and 80 means it's a neutral shoe. So an 860 is stability, 880 is neutral and 1080 is neutral. The first number/s designates the premium nature of the model. In the case with the two neutral shoes here the 1080 is more expensive than the 880. There are some exceptions to this naming protocol, like the increasingly popular NB Fresh Foam X More 4. It's becoming more common for the shoes to now have names, but numbers are here to stay.
Pros and cons
There are pros and cons with every shoe. Here are those associated with New Balance.
Pros
It has a long history developing running shoes; from 1906!
They have multiple options across all shoe types.
Research and development is an important part of the business, with a big part of the firm's profit back into each year.
They are known for their craftsmanship.
Cons
Still not perceived by some runners as a leading 'running brand'.
Numbering system causes confusion for some.
Most popular models
NB Fresh Foam X More 4
The most Fresh Foam used in any shoe to date, the latest in the line has more Fresh Foam X, stacks it higher than ever before, and distributes it across the length of the shoe.
NB Fresh Foam 860 12
One of the core range, it has a supportive medial post to provide essential stability. Built for reliability over the long haul and sustained comfort over all distances.
NB Fresh Foam X 880 13
Featuring a plush and supportive Fresh Foam X midsole and NDurance rubber outsole, this shoe delivers enhanced performance and comfort with each step.
NB Fresh Foam X 1080 12
NB say if they only made one running shoe, that shoe would be the 1080. 'What makes the 1080 unique isn’t just that it’s the best running shoe we make, it’s also the most versatile'.
NB Fresh Foam X Hierro 7
Their best trail shoe, it has a Vibram® Megagrip outsole to create a protective shell of durability and traction, with Fresh Foam X cushioning and a breathable, lightweight upper.
NB FuelCell Supercomp Elite 3
This racing shoe is designed with a dual focus on energy return and lighter weight, complemented by a breathable, engineered knit upper.
On the up?
For a company that set out making arch supports, fashion collaborations might seem almost an unusual step, but this is the world that shoe brands now operate within, and New Balance are doing a surprisingly good job. If they let Nike and adidas have the fashion market to themselves it will impact on the brand going forwards so they have to claim a proactive position and build on it. Their strategy is clear. As well as developing highly technical running shoes they are aiming for wider market credibility and one way to do this is via the fashion market. By doing this they aim to make this a 'coolbrand' and this is very much what's happening. Combined with availability issues resulting from the pandemic, demand has soared.
Celebrity endorsements from the likes of Gigi Hadid and Chris Pine, along with a vast portfolio of high profile influencers have significantly changed the perception of the brand, further enhanced by changes made to the Made in USA range. This is now a trendy streetwear division that has fundamentally altered the way people think about New Balance. It's much more about lifestyle than it was ten years ago.
The company's financials prove that this approach is very much working, with improved revenues and profits. With continuing emphasis on research and development this bodes well for the future of the running shoe range.
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