The 11 Coolest New Balance Shoes of All Time
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Since 1906, New Balance has been crushing it. While many brands have come and gone, New Balance is still kicking—and even that's an understatement. While the brand has been a mainstay in footwear for over a century, the types of styles of shoes have varied in popularity. In the '90s, a chunky dad sneaker was the norm. In the 2000s it became dorky. And in the 2010s to 2020s, the New Balance sneaker has managed to capture the norms, the dorks, and the style gods alike.
Throughout all the years and all the releases, Esquire editors have been staying in tune with everything the brand has to offer, from its lifestyle sneakers to its running shoes. We've bought, tried, and continue to wear our favorite New Balances—the ones we think bring the heat, both in terms of their cool looks and high-quality performance. We've done the work (and I mean, like, literally gone to work in New Balance's Made in the USA factories) and now, we're bringing our coveted research to you. The 11 coolest New Balance sneakers ever made are right here.
T500
The T500 is a certifiable classic. The court sneaker, which originally dropped in 1982, has literally been serving up looks (and real tennis serves) for decades. Being 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 toebox 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.
WRPD Runner
In my books, the WRPD Runner is one of the coolest sneakers out there—not only from NB, but just in general. It's funky and groovy in its sculptural, dynamic silhouette, but keeps things balanced with a minimalist, tri-color design in earthy neutrals. The knit upper is completed with fluid, wave-like accents and a thick sole that's designed for running, with New Balance's FuelCell technology imbued into the construction. Trust me—this shoe might look off-balance, but it's all about stability when you wear it.
8040
For the guys out there who never quite stopped buying into the gorpcore trend, the 8040 is perfection. Inspired from heritage Y2K designs and merged with newer tech (namely, NB's 9060 sole), this is the ultimate balance of old and new, a blend designed to get you through even the toughest of terrain. Instead of laces, there's an easy Velcro fastener on the suede upper, so you can get to your destination with speed and comfort on your side.
1000
Let's talk about the New Balance 1000—a minty, fresh design that adds some speed and style to your fit. 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, as well as a segmented sole with cushioning and stability throughout, this is a sneaker that really has it all.
475
If the 475 looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen it on any number of fashionable, street-savvy guys. This is a cult-favorite, and has been since its initial release in 1986. Though it was first introduced as a running shoe, this sneaker is now a streetwear icon; we wouldn't expect anything else, given the mesh, suede, and leather uppers, the reflective details, and the comfortable sole.
530
If you like techy, silver-y 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; being 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 on.
480
It doesn't get much more iconic than the 480. The timeless court sneaker look is crafted with comfort at the front of mind in this classic style, with a bold leather upper that elevates your fit that much more. The rubber outsole offers great traction, and on the inside, an Ortholite insert is there for extra lightweight cushioning, moisture-control, and stability.
740
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.
Made in USA 990v6
I'd consider myself an expert in this shoe—I did hand-stitch one at the Made in USA factory, after all. And through that experience, I know first-hand how much precision and effort is 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.
9060
If you're the kind of guy who likes an understated look, the 9060 is for you. Its futuristic-yet-minimalist design makes even jeans and a classic white tee look that much better, with oversized 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.
Ice Studios M10
These trail shoes are some of my favorites ever. New Balance joins forces with Ice Studios for a colorful, splashy, limited-edition sneaker that's tough enough to handle rough terrain, and cool enough to handle your Instagram grid. With a FuelCell sole and breathable mesh upper, this is a pair to get your hands on while you still can.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to tell you something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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