Facts
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Top
Low Top
Extremely popular sneakers because of their price range, versatility when it comes to style, and freedom of movement. Almost everyone is guaranteed to have low-top sneakers in their shoe rotation.
Mid Top
Mid-top sneakers extend toward the ankle for a little more support and hold. These lie somewhere in the middle between low-top and high-top sneakers in terms of usage and popularity.
High Top
Sneakers with collars that go above the ankles for optimal hold and support are some of the most sought-after models in lifestyle shoes. Most of these shoes take their roots from basketball and have easily or fashionably crossed to mainstream wear.
Good to know
Regardless of cut, it's always good to start with sneakers that can be worn for the daily grind, also called as "beaters" by some, as these are usually cheaper, easy to clean, and still gives that lifestyle "edge" before going for those wallet-thinning models.
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Inspired from
Sports
Sneakers dominantly take their heritage from running, basketball, skate, tennis, training, hiking, and football. Still retaining a few of their performance-based technologies, these sneakers have transcended their respective niches and have successfully and popularly transformed themselves as staples of fashion footwear.
Casual
Sneakers designed for a laidback, "cool" vibe that is built for lifestyle wear right from the get-go.
Good to know
Brands are now blending elements of performance and casual appeal in basically every sneaker. One can hardly go wrong with a sports-inspired sneaker or a simple casual shoe.
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Collection
Good to know
Shoes sharing the same inspiration, history, materials, or technologies are routinely assembled under one compilation for the convenience of those who may wish to categorize or label their own collection as such. The classic collections like the Adidas Originals, Air Max 1, Air Force 1, new balance classic sneakers, and the Classic Leather head the pack of frequently asked about collections.
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Price$75
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Special editions
Rankings
Expert Reviews
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New Balance 574 Core Plus History
One brand that has catapulted to popularity back in the 1980s as a dependable name in the running circuit is New Balance. Runners around the globe have developed fondness over NB’s performance-ready running shoes, specifically its advanced trainer the 574 that was built with an eye-catching design.
The New Balance 574 men’s shoe, which was unveiled in 1988, is built with premium materials and high standards of craftsmanship, factors that have lured strings of supporters to this shoe. The upper is layered with either suede or leather combined with a breathable nylon mesh.
The real standout feature of this shoe is the New Balance engineering integrated into the midsole, called the ENCAP. This technology helps protect the foot from impact as it can absorb shock and diffuse it to a broader area.
The 574 is one of the familiar silhouettes of New Balance that NB fanatics have been drawn to over the years, much as they loved its predecessor which is also a heritage running shoe, the 996. The popularity of the 574 continues to have a recall among consumers even after the brand has come up with other products, namely the athletic walking shoe New Balance 576 and the army-inspired New Balance 577.
Gradually, the running and jogging population was taken over by the emergence of the popular culture towards the new century. While a considerable number of runners continued to beat their personal best with reliable NB trainers, a more significant foot market clamored for casual sneakers which need not have any performance abilities to it. Footwear companies including New Balance adhered to this trend.
After 15 years from the inception of the New Balance 574, in 2003, this shoe finally migrated into the sneaker world. A re-imagined version of this much-favored vintage runner was reintroduced carrying the same old DNA but in a much-updated form. The upper of this retro-style shoe was redressed in various color patterns much to the delight of sneaker enthusiasts and New Balance aficionados.
Soon enough, this well-loved NB silhouette and formerly a men’s trainer became a favorite reference for design makeovers with offerings addressed to the women consumers as well. Its upper received a multitude of innovative color schemes and a combination of updated materials, which evolved from subdued to vibrant tones, from simple to extravagant themes.
In 2013 alone, the New Balance 574 was unveiled in a series of collection releases. During the pre-Summer season, New Balance dropped a six-pair Rainbow Pack with three designs made for the women and the rest of it for the men.
The title of this sneaker speaks for itself as the collection is a splash of flamboyant colors. The upper of each shoe is made with a metallic finish and a refraction that produces different hues. The semi-opaque soles of these summer-inspired shoes deliver an attractive gradient effect.
New Balance continued to entice its women consumers with the drop of the Rugby Pack done in four attention-grabbing feminine Pantone combinations. This time the New Balance 574 received an all-canvas upper showcasing the different collegiate-inspired colorways. One of the artistic elements in this sneaker is the labeling on the tongue which was inspired by the Rugby logo concept.
At the peak of summer the same year, New Balance unleashed another colorful pack which retained the DNA of its original 574 runner. Branded as the New Balance 574 Core Plus, this pack was initially offered to the women. The upper is made of breathable mesh combined with leather and suede overlays and designed with contrasting tones.
It did not take long before the brand released a version of the 574 Core Plus for the men. The men’s edition is also constructed with the same material as the women’s. However, the sneaker offerings for the men are covered with a solid colored upper highlighted by white branding on the side panels, heel tab, and midsole. The same single-tone rendering on its cover is reflected on the outsole which makes this shoe very masculine.
New Balance 574 Core Plus Style
The New Balance 574 Core Plus, a low-top lifestyle sneaker, is dressed in a multitude of colorways for the women and a handful of tones for the men. The 574 Core Plus for women is made with a splash of contrasting colors, which instantly add a glow to one’s casual or dressy outfit, and offers that desirable summer or spring look. The monotone options available for the men speak of simplicity, which makes the designs so versatile to dress up or dress down. The silhouettes offered to both genders look even more charming when paired with a slim-fit denim or tapered pants, khakis, shorts, and leggings.
Fit & Sizing
The low-top New Balance 574 Core Plus is offered in an array of colors for the women and men, which generally runs narrow. According to wear-testers, those with broad feet are advised to get a full size higher than their usual size as this sneaker may feel too snug when laced up. Those with narrow feet are recommended to get a half size higher than typical shoe length. Regarding width measurement, it is standard for the women, medium for men. The sizing options are from 5 to 12 US and 7.5 to 16 US for the women’s and men’s respectively. The traditional lacing design of this shoe offers a personalized, secure fit.
Notable Features
The 574s, in general, comes in a multitude number of colors. The low-top New Balance 574 Core Plus pack for men and women add to the growing selection of tones available for this vintage-inspired silhouette. The core of the old trainer which is the ENCAP technology is built into this sneaker. Although this edition does not have the exact elements that will propel runners to achieve their personal best, this re-imagined version still offers cushioning and support that sneaker enthusiasts can benefit from.
Additional Info
- The low-top New Balance 574 Core Plus is made of a long-lasting rubber outsole.
- Aside from the New Balance 574 Core Plus, Rainbow Pack, and the Rugby Pack initially released for the women consumers in 2013, the brand dropped another collection of the 574 named the Alpine Pack in Summer/Autumn. This sneaker is made of canvas and subtle leather detailing.
- Among the prominent figures who got hit by the New Balance 574 fever are American producer-rapper-entrepreneur Pharell Williams and American Actor David Boreanaz.