New Balance Men's 311 Core Sneaker

Product Information

To compile our list of the best New Balance shoes for walking and other activities, we researched more than 25 pairs of shoes and considered key features including fit, comfort, support and stability, materials, traction, and durability. We also consulted with experts for recommendations and advice on what to look for when selecting shoes for various activities. One of the benefits of New Balance shoes is that they offer different widths to accommodate all sizes of feet. If you have narrow or wide feet, you’ll want to choose a model that offers those widths to get a more accurate fit. The spacious toe box offers plenty of room for wearers who need room for their toes to spread or who deal with swelling in warmer weather. They’re also deep, which adds to their superior stability and leaves plenty of room for foot inserts or custom orthoticsif needed. However, they only come in a few basic color options. During our test, the shoe felt sturdy and stable, while the rubber outsole provided excellent traction, even on a moderate hiking trail. The suede and mesh upper definitely adds to the 574’s sleek look, but it’s not as breathable as some other New Balance options that are intended for running. However, this classic shoe works well for walking on all types of surfaces and is comfortable all-day streetwear.

New and improved, we recommend New Balance’s Fresh Foam X 1080v12 sneakers for runners. We felt the cloud-like comfort right away and liked that the shoes didn’t need any break-in period. We also noticed that the full-length foam midsole provided ample cushioning without feeling bulky or heavy—even at the end of a long run, they still felt comfy and responsive. And the shoe’s wide base added to its overall stability.Other New Balance shoes are specifically designed for activities like trail running or walking and are best used for those particular purposes.

Whether you’re after a running shoe with arch support, a casual sneaker, or a game changing trainer, you’ll find classic fits that help define your style. Our speed running shoes are just as innovative, and are powered by REVlite cushioning and lightweight solid rubber outsoles. New Balance Running Shoes: The History If you’re looking for a sneaker designed for all-day comfort you should look no further than New Balance. The Boston brand has consistently been at the top of the lifestyle/casual footwear canon while simultaneously holding a top spot within the world of top-level performance. They have a strong reputation for supreme durability and ever since the “Dad” wave from 2017 that hasn’t seemed to crash, they’ve been enjoying an unusually high place in the sneaker world. As with any brand, a lot of sneakerheads wonder: what are the best New Balance sneakers around?

Outsole

With a variety of men's, women's and kids' styles to choose from, you can kit out the whole family in casual, smart, or sporty New Balance shoes with arch supports. A popular brand for people with wide feet, New Balance delivers with their 608v5, which features a roomy toe box and comes in several different width options. During test walks, the shoe's plush cushioning provided a comfortable fit, and padded collar and tongue added to the overall plush feel.

We love that this pair is versatile enough for working out, causal walking, and daily use. And during testing, we appreciated the lightweight and flexible feel of the shoe that makes it a great option for indoor and outdoor wear, especially in the warmer weather. Most New Balance shoes offer solid support for the heel, arch, and forefoot, Tyler Miranda, DPM, a New York-based podiatrist, says. And they also have a wide toe box, which is especially important for people with bunions and hammer toes who need extra space to avoid friction and pressure. A foam midsole offers good cushioning, while a well-ventilated mesh upper keeps your feet cool all day long. During testing, we found the shoe's seamless upper to be super breathable. That being said, we don't think it's protective enough in harsher conditions. After further research, we tested 12 pairs of New Balance shoes—totaling more than 55 hours of walking and running. Our two testers did short walks or runs on the treadmill, pavement, sidewalks, and/or trails in each pair of shoes, depending on the shoe’s intended purpose. They also did one long-distance walk or run to evaluate comfort, support, and blister protection after miles of wear. Additionally, our testers wore the shoes casually to assess overall comfort and support for everyday wear. Certain New Balance shoes, such as their running shoes, can be used for a range of activities. “New Balance shoes are great for running, boot camp activities, and HIIT workouts with lunges, jumping, and squats,” Pamela Mehta, MD, orthopedic surgeon and medical advisor to The Good Feet Store, says. “They provide effective support laterally, medially, and to the heel cup.”With sneakers coming straight from the United States and the United Kingdom, they’ve got a strong series of recent releases including some absolutely must-have collabs. New Balance doesn’t necessarily grab all of the headlines but real sneakerheads understand the importance of the brand and can recognize that they’ve certainly proven themselves as one of the best brands out right now. Breathable and lightweight, we recommend the Nergize Sport V1 sneakers for wearers who want a sporty and supportive shoe. They’re also budget-friendly, but still felt as comfortable and durable as other, more expensive New Balance shoes we tested. At just 5.1 ounces, these are the lightest shoes that we tested, so they didn’t offer as much support as some of the heavier shoes did. But despite this, we did find that the shoe’s cushioning kept our feet stabilized and comfortable during both short and long walks. We found that the shoe did feel heavier than some others we tested due to the amount of cushioning and support. However, the breathable mesh upper allowed good airflow, so the shoe didn’t feel too constricting or hot. And all that comfortable support is a worthwhile trade-off for a little extra weight.