New Balance Classics (574) Shoe Review:

New Balance Classics 574 (Gray+Navy)

The New Balance classics (574) are an outstanding all-purpose shoe. I have owned multiple pairs of these, and they have held up very well. I have worn them for walking, running, and dancing. Although they are not necessarily perfectly-suited to any of these activities, they are good for just about anything outside of winter weather or anything requiring greater protection for the foot. I prefer them to the similar-looking 373, which is subtly different in structure. They are available in a wide range of colors, and I find the different colors tend to fit similarly.

New Balance officially markets these shoes as a "lifestyle shoe". I strongly dislike this use of terminology and find it condescending and disrespectful. I wish New Balance and other companies would drop their current marketing and talk in straight terms about the structure and build of each model of shoe, emphasizing the activities that each shoe is best for or less good for.

Other New Balance Classics:

New Balance makes a number of other shoes. The very similar looking 373, I have found, actually feels a lot more different than it looks. New Balance also makes one style, 410, which is only sold in women's sizes.

Advantages / Strengths of the 574:

• Good all-purpose shoe; well-rounded - These shoes do not go to the extreme in any aspect of how they are structured. The sole has some padding, but much less than typical running shoes, and it is flexible, but only moderately so. I find them comfortable to run in as well.
• Extraordinarily durable - Compared to other shoes I've owned, these shoes hold up incredibly well. The durability of these shoes is especially impressive given how soft and lightweight they are. I've found these shoes wore out structurally before they got holes in them. The sole stays together, the uppers stay intact, but after a couple years of heavy use, these shoes loosen to where they're no longer comfortable to walk in, and insoles were not sufficient to fix the problem.
• Very comfortable - These shoes have a soft, comfortable, cozy feel. They feel cuddly on my feet. The only shoe I have found that is more comfortable is the Onitsuka Tiger Serrano (by Asics). However, that shoe is more expensive and much less durable.
• Mostly flat sole - The sole is mostly flat, much flatter than typical modern running shoes. Running shoes with a raised heel cause the heel to strike the ground early, which is hard on the feet and the joints as a whole. These shoes still provide some padding, but I think that walking or running in them is more natural than most running shoes.
• Breathes exceptionally well - I've never had my feet get sweaty while wearing these shoes, even in hot weather and while exercising. The same breathability also makes them dry out fairly quickly if you get caught wearing them in rain.

Downsides of the 574:

• Poor in winter weather - the same breathability that is such an asset will cause the cold wind to cut right through this shoe, leaving you with cold feet if you wear this shoe in cold winter weather.
• These shoes lack any sort of arch support - They have even less arch support than other similar-looking retro sneakers such as Reebok classics or Saucony Jazz. I am not convinced arch support is really necessary, but I have heard numerous comments from others that they see this as a problem with these shoes. In my opinion though, if you have problems with the arches in your feet, this is best fixed through the proper exercise regime (consult a physical therapist) rather than propping up the arch with physical support.

Similar shoes to New Balance Classics:

• The Saucony Jazz Low Pro is a sneaker with both a similar look and structure, but a harder sole, less cushioning, less durable uppers, and available in a broader range of colors and in more interesting colors. I prefer the feel of Saucony Jazz low pro shoes, but they are noticeably less durable. I do not like the normal Saucony Jazz as much, which has a raised heel, more so than the New Balance classics, and thus feels more blocky.
• The Reebok classic nylon is a sneaker that shares a similar look with the New Balance Classics, as well as having nylon uppers that are both breathable and durable. It also has a soft/cushioned feel. But the Reebok classic has a firmer shape to both its uppers and sole, and has a more raised heel that I like less. The amount of cushioning on that shoe is also much greater, and makes the shoe cumbersome for fast walking over long distances.
• Other companies, including Nike, Puma, and a few others make similar retro sneakers, but these models are not the main models emphasized by these other companies, and they are exceptionally hard to find in stores.

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