7 Best New Balance Sneakers, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Jaydee
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7 Best New Balance Sneakers, 100+ Shoes Tested in 2023
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When style, comfort, and quality are your priorities in sneakers, the best brand you must consider is the New Balance. With so many models to choose from, we brewed this foolproof guide to help you find the right NB shoes for you. 

With that in mind, we reviewed and compared more than a hundred New Balance sneakers. We put together a list of the best NB kicks under various categories to make it easier to find the best model that suits your needs.

How we test sneakers

To help you save time and effort, we narrowed down our top picks under various categories. 

  • We buy all New Balance sneakers with our own money to avoid bias.
  • To gather accurate results, we subject these shoes to countless trials and comparisons. 
  • We also give high value to the reviewers' input and have collated thousands of them for our reviews.

Through these reviews and test results, we graded each New Balance sneaker from 1 to 100. This scoring system called CoreScore will give you an overview of how the model went for most reviewers.

Best New Balance sneakers overall

New Balance 992
New Balance 992

Corescore

97
Superb!
4.9 / 5 from 121 users

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Timeless aesthetics
  • Premium quality
  • Stable strides
  • Superior ventilation
  • Fashionable dad sneaker
  • Worth the price
  • All-rounder

Cons

  • So-so finish
  • Hard to cop

What makes it the best overall?

The New Balance 992 is well-worth the reissue simply for the impact it makes on sneakerheads from all walks of life. The NB992 from New Balance has comfort, quality, and stability that translate to a fashion statement that many people deeply appreciate. It also lives up to its dad-shoe categorization for its multi-faceted performance.
Read our full review of New Balance 992 here

Best classic New Balance sneakers

New Balance 610 v1
New Balance 610 v1

Corescore

90
Great!
5.0 / 5 from 5 users

Pros

  • Customizable fit
  • Fashionable hiking-inspired elements
  • Stylish retro vibes
  • Good quality build
  • All-day comfortable
  • Reasonably-priced
  • Roomy toebox
  • Grippy sole

Cons

  • Laces don’t stay tied
  • Not for harsher conditions

What makes it the best classic?

The 610 v1 from New Balance takes the essence of trail-inspired sneakers and puts a casual spin on them. Its retro vibe achieves both freshness and familiarity by integrating rugged and natural elements, completing a low-key looker. Its utilitarian aesthetic isn’t just for show, as its design choices enable all-day comfort in the urban jungle.
Read our full review of New Balance 610 v1 here

Best chunky New Balance sneakers

New Balance 990 v5
New Balance 990 v5

Corescore

93
Superb!
4.6 / 5 from 32,125 users

Pros

  • Supportive
  • Flexible
  • Comfy
  • All-around
  • Glove-like
  • Moderately springy midsole

Cons

  • Yielding footbed
  • Weighty
  • Bunching issues
  • Flimsy upper (big toe area)

What makes it the best chunky?

The New Balance 990 series has retained its cult following status with the overall positive reception of the 990 v5. The shoe is praised for the comfort it provides, as well as its fit and display of versatility. Despite some criticisms, the New Balance 990 v5 is still a successful release as users recognize its improvements from the previous version and express their desire to repurchase the shoe in the future.
Read our full review of New Balance 990 v5 here

Best New Balance retro sneakers

New Balance Numeric 440 High
New Balance Numeric 440 High

Corescore

93
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 181 users

Pros

  • Excellent board feel
  • Impressive traction
  • Sharp, retro design
  • Moderately priced
  • Snug and secure fit
  • Very minimal break-in
  • Supportive collar that bends
  • Can be dressed up or down

Cons

  • Long and frail laces
  • Lacks impact protection
  • Insoles slide and bunch up
  • Upper could be more durable

What makes it the best retro?

If you are a fan of skate shoes that don’t take forever to break in and have lots of board feel from the start, that’s the Numeric 440 High. It is easy on the feet and has enough support to keep you surefooted. For the moderate price tag, this sneaker has a lot to offer as long as you reserve it for low-impact days.
Read our full review of New Balance Numeric 440 High here

Best new release New Balance sneakers

New Balance 574H
New Balance 574H

Corescore

94
Superb!
4.7 / 5 from 58 users

Pros

  • Remarkably comfortable
  • Quite dashing
  • Incredible support
  • Excellent heel fit
  • Lasting construction
  • Cozy in the cold
  • Doubles as a work boot
  • Not at all heavy

Cons

  • With break-in
  • Very limited colorways
  • Not-so sticky on ice

What makes it the best new release?

Among the remarks that go in favor of the super-plush 574H, "a lightweight shoe that is fun to wear" is arguably the most captivating. From its grounded-yet-stylish aesthetics to its performance versatility and durability, this hiking-inspired sneak from New Balance evokes confidence with every step. It's not as diverse as its low-top counterpart in terms of hues, though, so take heed.
Read our full review of New Balance 574H here

Best value

New Balance 515 v3
New Balance 515 v3

Corescore

91
Great!
4.6 / 5 from 19,175 users

Pros

  • Fashionably cool
  • Won't drag your feet down
  • Suits a wide range of styles
  • Summer-friendly airflow
  • Day-one comfort
  • Cushy fitting for long walks
  • Above-average durability
  • Wide-feet friendly

Cons

  • A bit inflexible sole
  • Colors on screen might seem brighter than in person

What makes it the best value?

Being second to none in both fashion and comfort, the third version of the New Balance 515 is a sneaker to beat. Boasting a style that looks amazing with any attire, these kicks suit users who prioritize cushy rides and long-lasting make. This makes it a fitting addition to their daily footwear rotation.
Read our full review of New Balance 515 v3 here

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Author
Jaydee
Jaydee

Jaydee dispels the myth that women can't be experts when it comes to sneakers. With hundreds of sneaker articles under her belt, she gained a surefire edge over others claiming to be experts. Since joining RunRepeat in 2017, she’s published formidable arrays of sneaker write-ups - some covered in lifestyle magazines. Interested in scrutinizing a pair of sneakers? Jaydee is the best person to talk to as she can intuitively chew it over with you even while doing her laundry. When she’s not writing, you can catch Jaydee playing with her two kids, online shopping, and spending far too much time on Instagram.