The Esoteric Fashionistas: Next Wave 7: Summer kicks Pt. 3: NB574

Week 3:

New Balance 574

“Always classic, Always in style”

In 1906, William J. Riley, a 33 year old British emigrant, founded the New Balance Arch Support Company. A company based in Boston, Massachusetts specializing in manufacturing arch supports and other accessories designed to improve shoe fit in the Boston area.

His first product, a flexible arch support, was designed with three support points to provide greater balance and comfort in the shoe. It is believed that the "three support points" ideal came from Riley’s observation of chicken’s three talons which inspired the name of "New Balance".

The company went from a local small manufacturing company to a competitive powerhouse during the marathon craze of the 1970s (1972 Boston Marathon). New Balance 574 are the cornerstone of New Balance classic design technology.

I purchased my first pair of New Balance 574 summer of ’02 which I still own to this day and must say has been on of the most comfortable sneakers and therefore one of the best retail purchases I have ever made. The contour of the 574 is wide at the heel to give great support and balance when stepping down on the heel. Next, it narrows and raises slightly to support the foot's arch then widen again towards the front to accommodate the toes and ball of the foot. And lastly there is an upward curvature at front of the toes in order to adhere to the toe's "kick off" motion the foot performs when running or in simple natural walking. Find or create your own pair here.