21 best New Balance training shoes

For those who need a shoe for daily workouts, gym sessions, aerobics classes, or high-intensity training, New Balance offers its range of workout trainers. The shoes in this segment are crafted to accommodate various activities. They feature a supportive upper made of leather, suede, synthetic, mesh, or knit materials. Their sole units are created to be low-profile in order to accommodate agile and multi-directional movements while delivering ample cushioning for high-impact activities. Some of the models are made with extra reinforcements for climbing ropes and a Vibram outsole for better traction on different types of surfaces.

Frequently asked questions

What do the numbers and letters on New Balance training shoes mean?

For years, New Balance used a combination of numbers and letters to name their shoes. But recently, the brand started adding words that describe some of their new offerings. The reason behind the use of numbers and letters is to make it easier to identify what purpose the footgear serves. “M” or “W” appearing at the beginning signifies that it’s either a men’s or a women’s model, while “U” stands for unisex. New Balance training shoes for cross-training have “XT” on the name. “W” refers to walking shoes and so on. As for the numbers, the first two digits mean the number of technologies incorporated into the footwear. The general rule is, the higher the number, the more special features it has. As for the last digit, it signifies the series number or how current the model is.

Can New Balance training shoes be customized?

Though New Balance offers customization of its shoes, it is only applicable for lifestyle and baseball footgear. The company has yet to offer customization of its training shoes. On the upside, there are a lot of New Balance training shoes to choose from that will satisfy the needs of most individuals.

When should I replace my New Balance training shoes?

According to New Balance, no exact formula would determine when a person should change training shoes because there are several factors to consider. They include the frequency of footwear use, the level of activity, the weight of the user, as well as the conditions in which a shoe is being used. As a general rule, cross-training shoes are replaced every six months. They should also be replaced when there are signs of deterioration such as the outsole losing traction, the upper becoming too loose, and the midsole no longer being effective in cushioning the foot.

How do I clean my New Balance training shoes?

New Balance training shoes come in different styles and use various materials such as suede, leather, synthetic leather, mesh, and knit fabric. There is no universal way to clean all New Balance training shoes because one method may work for one model but would not be effective for another. You need special cleaning solutions for leather and suede, and users should follow the instructions on the container to effectively remove dirt from the said trainers. New Balance does not recommend cleaning their footwear—including the ones made of synthetic leather, mesh and knit—using a washing machine. The tumbling action could damage the product. Instead, use a damp cloth to wipe down the shoe. If dirt is caked in, using a soft bristled brush and mild detergent could help remove the dirt. Rinse it by using a clean damp cloth. After which, air drying for 24 hours is needed to ensure that all parts are completely dry. Do not dry it in direct sunlight as that could also damage the shoe.

Did you know...

… that New Balance started off as a company that sold arch supports to make shoes fit better? The company’s founder, William J. Riley, built the arch supports based on the mechanics of a chicken’s foot movement. He concluded that the three-pronged foot created the perfect balance and that was what influenced him to name the company The New Balance Arch Company. Over the years, New Balance arch supports gained a following. Because of how effective their arch supports were, athletes began requesting the company to create full-on sports shoes. So, in the 1930s the company started producing orthopedic shoes for baseball players as well as track and field athletes.

… when the N logo was first designed, people pointed out that it could be confused with the Nike brand? Terry Heckler, the designer, was aware that Nike was a more popular brand and was making more money, so getting confused with them could also increase their sales.

… that for decades, New Balance has not sponsored any athletic teams or used celebrities and athletes to endorse their products? Instead, they featured stylishly-geared senior citizens, referred to as Ma and Pa Balance, to show consumers that their footwear is for everyone - not just athletes or fitness enthusiasts.

Author

Nicholas Rizzo

Nick is a powerlifter who believes cardio comes in the form of more heavy ass squats. Based on over 1.5 million lifts done at competitions, his PRs place him as an elite level powerlifter. His PRs have him sitting in the top 2% of bench presses (395 lbs), top 3% of squats (485 lbs) and top 6% of deadlifts (515 lbs) for his weight and age. His work has been featured on Forbes, Bodybuilding.com, Elite Daily and the like. Collaborating along the way with industry leaders like Michael Yessis, Mark Rippetoe, Carlo Buzzichelli, Dave Tate, Ray Williams, and Joel Seedman.

nick@runrepeat.com