
The best New Balance sneakers offer comfort and support without sacrificing style. The brand, which debuted in 1906 as an arch support business, became an American staple, boasting signature styles that merge fashion and function. From the coveted 530s to the best walking shoes, like the Fresh Foam X 860v14, the brand knows how to craft a sneaker.
Meet the expert: Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas.
The most important aspect to consider when looking for new shoes is comfort, according to Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas. “A shoe should not have to be ‘broken in.’ Find a shoe style that makes you happy to get out and be active,” she says. New Balance has shoes that fit this bill. She says the brand offers “good cushioning and stability.” Meanwhile, I personally love New Balance for its athleisure style and extra-comfortable design. I wear the Fresh Foam x 1080v13 on long walks around NYC, but a slew of editors I work with recommend other styles, ranging from lifestyle to running shoes.
Ahead, find the best New Balance sneakers to wear while hitting your step goals. Whether walking, running, or checking errands off your to-do list, there are styles here for you.

1
BEST CUSHIONED NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
$165 AT NEW BALANCE$165 AT AMAZON
PROS
- Available in three colors
- Extra-soft cushioning
- Lightweight
CONS
- Rocker design not for everyone
I recently got these sneakers and love their sleek style and major cushion. Though a running shoe, I find them great for walking long distances. They feature neutral-level support, per the brand, and extra-soft cushioning. The outsole is rubber and offers a stiff feel making each step feel stable. Its rocker design makes for a natural transition during my stride.
User review: “I wouldn’t say I’m the best runner (maybe around 10-15 miles a week), but these shoes are the most comfortable I’ve worn for running…It feels like I’m running on clouds. Hoping that the foam will also take some impact off my joints. I could wear these all day, they are so comfy!”
Sizes | 5-13 |
---|---|
Widths | Narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide |
Heel drop | 6 mm |

2
MOST STYLISH NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS
Unisex 530
$100 AT NEW BALANCE$100 AT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
PROS
- Unisex sizing
- Available in two colors
- Absorbs impact
CONS
- Not available in wide widths
These sneakers come highly recommended by Commerce Editor Samantha Jones. “I get so many compliments whenever I wear these shoes!” she says. “The retro-inspired silhouette is super easy to style with wide-leg trousers, jeans, and athletic clothing alike, so I find myself reaching for them almost daily. And on days when I’m on my feet a lot, the lightweight yet supportive feel keeps my heels and arches comfy.”
User review: “These are the most comfortable sneakers EVER! Feels like I’m walking on clouds ☁️ I really underestimated New Balance!”
Sizes | 5.5-15.5 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard |
Heel drop | Not listed |

3
BEST RETRO NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS
New Balance 550
Now 23% Off
$85 AT NEW BALANCE$110 AT NORDSTROM
PROS
- Unisex
- Available in 11 colors
- Best-selling style
CONS
- Heavier than other shoes on this list
As someone on their feet all day cooking and testing recipes, Joy Cho, assistant food editor, test kitchen, knows the importance of comfortable shoes. “It took me forever to find my size in these, but so glad I did!” says Cho. “I was initially drawn to the stylish, retro vibes but didn’t realize they would be so comfortable as well. The colorways are fun and unique, and I wear them with jeans or dresses—they’re super versatile and add that *oomph* to any of my outfits.” These shoes became popular in 1989 as basketball shoes, ultimately filed away and re-introduced in 2020.
User review: “Like the retro look, on my feet for over five hours a day at work and these are very very comfortable.”
Sizes | 5.5-15.5 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard |
Heel drop | Not listed |
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4
BEST NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS FOR RUNNING
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
$140 AT NEW BALANCE$140 AT AMAZON$140 AT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
PROS
- Lightweight
- Available in three colors
- Soft cushioning
CONS
- Some reviewers say the toe box causes discomfort
Sharkey recommends this pick for those looking for a running shoe. She says it “assists propulsion, helping to move you forward.” She also notes that it features shock absorption. Plus, these shoes are lightweight and offer neutral support. Jones also recommends these shoes. “After years of trial and error trying to find the right running shoes, the Fuelcell Rebel has become my go-to pair—I’ve re-purchased them five times! As someone who hates the feel of running in a chunky shoe, I love that the Rebel is super lightweight while still being exceptionally springy. They’re great for anyone who wants a low-drop shoe,” she says.
User review: “Love these shoes! I’ve been hard on the Nike and Hoka brand but wanted something different for a half marathon I was training for. These shoes are amazing and feel so light on my feet. Would highly recommend as a training/running shoe.”
Sizes | 5-12 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard, wide |
Heel drop | 6 mm |

5
BEST NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS FOR WALKING LONG DISTANCES
New Balance FuelCell Walker Elite
PROS
- Supportive outsole
- Cushioning
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
CONS
- Some reviewers found the heel drop too low
Looking for a comfortable walking shoe? New Balance’s FuelCell Walker Elite fits the bill with its stability plane and supportive cushioned outsole. Elizabeth Daughtry, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., board-certified foot surgeon and podiatrist at WakeMed Hospital, named these the best overall New Balance sneakers in our walking-dedicated roundup. “This shoe provides performance and stability without compromising cushioning and comfort during the gait cycle—the cyclic pattern of movement that occurs while walking,” she previously said.
User review: “I have wide feet and a bunion. Hard to find something to wear that keeps my feet happy. These New Balance extra-wide walkers are awesome! They are so comfortable, I don’t even want to take them off at the end of the day! Walking in these is a breeze and I love the look. Very cute. I love that New Balance comes in extra-wide sizes. They need to make more of these in more styles and more colors. I took the insert out and added my own orthotic. Very comfortable.”
Sizes | 5-12 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard, wide, extra-wide |
Heel drop | Not listed |

6
BEST NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS FOR WALKING
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14
PROS
- Great for walking
- Available in three colors
- Comes in four widths
CONS
- Heavier than other shoes on this list
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14 makes for a great walking shoe, according to Sharkey. Available in four widths and colors, these shoes are great for all-day wear, according to the brand, and offer soft cushioning with major stability.
User review: “My favorite new shoe! I was experiencing terrible knee pain with another popular shoe brand. Once I switched to the 860s, my knee pain has improved. I highly recommend these!”
Sizes | 5-12 |
---|---|
Widths | Narrow, standard, wide, extra-wide |
Heel drop | 8 mm |
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7
BEST NEW BALANCE LIFESTYLE SNEAKERS
New Balance 574 Core
$90 AT NEW BALANCE$89 AT AMAZON$90 AT NORDSTROM
PROS
- Great for all-day wear
- Available in standard and wide widths
- Comes in five colors
CONS
- The brand says these run small, and suggests going up a size
One of the most popular New Balance styles, Chief Food Director, Kate Merker, wears these sneakers “pretty exclusively.” She says she loves the lifestyle design from New Balance. “I can go from standing all day in the kitchen to running around with the kids. They are supportive, have fun colors, and are all-around versatile,” she says. These come in four colorways and in standard and wide widths, so there’s plenty of options to choose from. It features an EVA midsole and soft-foam cushioning for support. A suede/mesh upper and rubber outsole combine for a shoe you can wear all day.
User review: “I’m a big fan of NB running shows and this time I tried the lifestyle classic shoes, and if I could give a sixth star, I would! I purchased the red wine color.”
Sizes | 5-12 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard, wide |
Heel drop | Not listed |

8
BEST CHUNKY NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS
New Balance 9060
PROS
- Trendy
- Cushioned
- Great for walking
CONS
- No alternative widths
“Seamlessly combining form and function, the New Balance 9060’s are an absolute dream to wear,” says Cho. “They’re roomy and extremely comfortable (I feel like I could walk and walk…and walk in them!) with just the right amount of chunkiness in the silhouette. I can’t wear super narrow shoes because of my pinky toe, so I appreciate how these are slightly wider than some of my other sneakers.” The midsole absorbs impact through cushioning and compression, per the brand. The heel cushioning offers extra stability and comfort too.
User review: “I am a hairdresser and they are very comfortable for all the standing and running around I have to do all day at work. They are really fun if you love a chunky sneaker!”
Sizes | 5.5-15.5 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard |
Heel drop | Not listed |

9
BEST NEW STYLE NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS
New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3
PROS
- Soft cushioning
- High heel drop
- Lightweight
CONS
- Some reviewers say they wished they were more supportive
Though we have yet to try these sneakers (they are new, after all!), we love that they feature soft cushioning and neutral support, per the brand, and are some of the lightest weight shoes on this list, weighing just 5.5 ounces.
User review: “I really like these gym shoes. they are super lightweight and very comfortable. I’m not a fan of crazy colors so these are perfect in their simple clean aesthetic,” one Zappos customer wrote.
Sizes | 5-12 |
---|---|
Widths | Standard, wide |
Heel drop | 8 mm |
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How to choose the best new balance sneakers

According to Sharkey, it’s important to take the following into account when looking for a lifestyle sneaker:
- Flexibility and support. “The easiest way to test this is to do what I call the twist test. If you can twist or wring (like you would a washcloth) your shoe, it is lacking support,” Sharkey says. “A shoe should not be able to be twisted and it should bend where our toes bend. A shoe that does this typically has a supportive midsole.”
- Cushioning. Look for a shoe that offers some cushioning to absorb impact and decrease shock to the joints.
- Room in the toe box. Sharkey says to make sure the toe box allows room for your toes to spread out when you take a step.
If you’re looking for an athletic shoe, Sharkey suggests paying extra attention to the above, and the below:
- Fit. Ensure adequate fit and shop for shoes later in the day as feet are more swollen later on.
- Type of activity. Shoes that work for trail running/walking and/or hiking should have deeper tread and a more rugged outsole material to stand up against uneven and potentially less stable surfaces.
- Midsole cushioning. She says this is important “for shock absorption and protection of joints from excessive impact-supportive and comfortable heel counter to give the back of your foot the feeling of being hugged.”
- Comfort. She says this is “the biggest factor. A shoe should be comfortable through the gait/running cycle.”
How we chose the best new balance sneakers

We spoke with Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute in Texas, to get her recommendations for the best New Balance sneakers, and tested seven pairs ourselves to find the best ones available.
Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.