New Balance History: From chicken coop to billion dollar business
Nice styles, high quality and a company with tradition - New Balance is one of the hottest sportswear brands of our time and can look back on a company history of over 100 years. Their slogan "a more intelligent approach to building shoes" aptly describes the vibe of the brand. In 1906, New Balance was founded by shoemaker William Riley in Boston - as a company for orthopedic shoe insoles.
How did he get the idea for the insoles? While watching his chickens. No joke, thanks to their three claws, chickens have a very stable stance - which Riley also wanted for his customers. For this reason, he developed a three-pronged insole that was firmly integrated into the shoe and would help the wearer achieve a new balance during sports - the New Balance was born.
In the following decades, the Boston-based company specialized in the production of functional sports articles for running, boxing and other sports, which were completely geared to the needs and movements of the wearer. In addition to shoes with optimal fit, the brand also released sportswear in various designs for men and women.
Since the beginning, New Balance's products have been geared towards high-performance - including a cool look. In 1961, for example, the brand achieved a real milestone: with the Trackster, the cult brand launched the world's first running shoe with a wave-shaped sole produced in different widths. A benefit, by the way, that cannot be found with many other sports shoe manufacturers. Thus, New Balance still sells its kicks in different widths today.
With these individual products, New Balance subsequently celebrated success with worldwide distribution. This was due in no small part to Jim Davis, who bought the company in 1972 and remains at the helm of the brand to this day. Thanks to him, New Balance established itself on the market and is now the fourth-largest sporting goods manufacturer in the world - with sales of more than $4.2 billion and more than 8,000 employees worldwide.
Retro meets new trends: sneaker models from NB
For a long time, New Balance was considered a niche brand - loved by true sneaker disciples, but mainly worn by the over-50 generation in everyday life. Thanks to the dad sneaker trend, this image has changed today and the demand for models from the "9 series" has increased extremely. The retros from the 80s and 90s inspire the younger generation with their classic design and really triggered a hype about the sporty rough kick for everyday life.
New Balance is therefore not only appreciated by athletes for the comfort of its running shoes, but also shapes the lifestyle segment with its iconic silhouettes and lightweight technologies - and that in various color combinations, collections and designs. All products carry the same basic idea, as they aim to deliver the perfect blend of performance and fashion - and that's exactly what excites New Balance lovers with every single drop: an ideal fit, high wearing comfort and stylish models.
In the early days, with a maximum of 30 pairs of shoes produced per day, New Balance now manages to provide a diverse product portfolio with production sites in the USA and Flimby, UK. As a result, the workmanship of the shoes is still held to high standards - something that can't be said for every fashion brand. All kicks that are produced in the USA or UK carry a "Made in" label. So you can be sure: With a Sneakers from New Balance you won't go wrong in terms of quality.
New Balance Apparel - popular styles for leisure and sport
In addition to the iconic shoes, the cult brand from Boston also offers casual and sports Streetwear and sports clothing in different color combinations. In 1976, New Balance launched a textile collection for the first time. Although this initially consisted only of nylon shorts and singlets as well as suits made of Gore-Tex, the New Balance Apparel became more and more diverse over time - and suitable for the street.
Not only professional athletes appreciate the pants, Shirts and Jackets by New Balance, but also more and more trendsetters rely on the casual designs of the American brand. Whether casual or athletic - New Balance offers breathable running apparel as well as casual tees and sweaters for everyday wear. For whatever purpose you want to wear the pieces: an optimal fit, innovative technologies and of course cool styles are guaranteed.
As a small highlight you can find a small NB on almost every New Balance apparel, either embroidered or printed and matching the colorway. And to complete the casual outfit, cool hats and caps or tie-dyes are the way to go. Socks the way to go for the everyday look.
