How "Dad Shoes" Turned New Balance Into A $5 Billion Brand

[@nerdstudent8852]

High fashion is temporary, dad's shoe is eternal

[@atticustay1]

Eternally ugly

[@jameskim1505]

Form is temporary, Class is permanent 😂😂

[@ravimani3834]

3AM Eternal

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Vigrx Plus Medical Certificates

[@matthewcombs5387]

They're are great shoe. Have been for years

[@ANonymous-vu5zn]

Everything that the dads own is actually comfortable

[@tf-ok]

Except for the belt.

[@walterwhite1]

Nothing more comfortable than Nike air Jordans dude the number one for a reason. New balance are ugly and crap.

[@carpo719]

That's what it's all about. Nobody to impress, just ourselves

[@carpo719]

​​@@walterwhite1 you are incorrect, basing that on your own feet. Nikes are not comfortable to me, New Balances. Nobody buys Jordans because they are comfortable, they buy them because they have the name Jordan on them and people are suckers for celebrities

[@walterwhite1]

@@carpo719 if they weren’t comfy Jordan wouldn’t of worn them through his 20 year career. Don’t judge something that u have never even had before 😆

[@londressinvisalsv]

I remember receiving a pair of NB for my birthday back in 1989. I was very upset cause at the time I rather have Nike air. No one in school was wearing NB, just when my mom lost her job a year a later, I started wearing that birthday present, we couldn't afford any shoes at all!!😅 Today I own 3 different pairs!!!❤

[@626resell]

If someone told me a few years ago that New Balances would resell for hundreds over retail, I would have laughed at them. The hype has certainly died down a bit, but GR models at its peak were fetching upwards $700-900 on the resell market. The fact that a "dad shoe" that was belittled in 2016-2017 became glorified in 2019-2022 is so bizarre to me. As a reseller, I've seen trends come and go, but this was by far the biggest turnover. Maybe sketchers is next haha.

[@tiger_lord305]

@@626resell New Balance was always dope and had their place in the culture, but its true they weren’t necessarily “hyped” until recently.

[@AnhH88]

Also, does anyone remember heelies? It's a bit of a short lived trend but I thought those were fun.

[@dchappy6985]

Nobody in the 80s wore NB, unless you were actually running track.

[@walterwhite1]

Nike air Jordan are still 👑

[@jonryan7555]

Mom jeans and dad shoes are high fashion now. Unbelievable!!

[@teenytinytoons]

crazy to see fashion styles really do repeat themselves with a slightly modern twist

[@JayForsure]

I was looking at old photos of my parents when they were young and they looks SO stylish! When i was younger and looked at those photos i thought they dressed like old people and now that im older and that trend is back i find them to be so stylish lol

[@ibelieve1040]

And it is all good 😉

[@psychedoutmike5957]

Mom jeans are last decade bro get with the times

[@violoncelo1000]

Fashion was invented before any actual living person.. It's always changing, but the good ideas always come back, some decades later.. Bell Pants for example.. I found 1 photo of my dad in the 70's, he was still very young, 20 years later Bell Pants came back for a while, and i used them also.. Now i'm seeing kids using them again, and i like that.. It's funny!

[@2KGrind09]

my dad was an avid runner and always had new balance, I didn't get my 1st pair until my early 30's and understood why he ran in those shoes as soon as I tried them on. Absolute comfort

[@larryfishburne5622]

New Balance has always been "a thing" on the east coast. Philly,DC,VA have always worn New balance. 574,990,1500 are popular models.

[@newbalance365]

thanks for watching ! shoutout to all the NB heads in DC, Bmore, and Philly for putting NB on the map

[@blackgoblin1004]

BOSTON has always been NB heavy as well.

[@bryaneddy2647]

rep the DMV 🙏

[@TheWorkzBeatZ]

Ummm. No. New Balance flexing in Brooklyn New York streets since the 80s.

[@advanced8998]

DC started the trend!

[@john.d.gonzalez]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Juliaa__T]

One thing NB has over brands is comfort. Not a single NB shoe of mine caused discomfort and I have wide feet. My favorite has been 9060s

[@LoyaFrostwind]

❤

[@BLUELEADER78]

I have tried other brands and most of that is in the store. Recently it was a pair of, I believe Brooks, and the right sole felt lumpy or wavy. The left shoe was fine. There happened to be a second pair in my size. Again, the right sole was uneven. I was discombobulated and remain on the hunt for my next pair of New Balance.

[@joylox]

@@BLUELEADER78 I found Hoka running shoes to feel the same way you described Brooks. I went to a locally owned running gear store and picked up New Balance 880s after walking around the store in pretty much all the wide running shoes they carried. I definitely recommend NB Fresh Foam, it's so comfy, and doesn't feel lumpy or unstable.

[@camillac.s.279]

Sneaker customers are so strongly brand oriented that even for a big company took literally decades to reach a slice of customers and profits . Cheers to NB !!

[@JustineCarissa]

It was hard for me to find running shoes with a wider size when I did track and cross country in high school. New Balance was the only one available with my size even until today. Thank you New Balance!

[@ACCA2016]

My left toe was tightly squeezed by other shoes and got in 3 surgeries to repair my toe nail and I thought I was a weirdo due to my wide feet. (My parents tried their best to buy me large shoes since I was 10). Only until I was 18 and found out “wide” size from NB and realized I wasn’t the only one having issue. 😢

[@jeretso]

@@ACCA2016 Nike style shoes ruined my toes too and the air bubbles would leak eventually. I used to get Sauconies with Wide toe boxes but its easier to find NB stores.

[@Korrale]

Same! I have short feet but they are wide. So a 6XW worksite could go a bit wider. But certainly not longer. I don’t know any other brand that makes a size that works. I don’t own sandals or boots (other than ugg types) because I can’t find anything that fits. I tried a variety of running shoes and struggled through the nerve pain for years. I am so happy New Balance exists. And I hope to see other brands with options for short wide feet.

[@ShrandaM]

Yes!! They are the best to workout in besides Brooks.

[@Y3llow_Submarin3]

Me too, I have wide feet

[@WaveManMike]

These shoes have always been super popular in Maryland and Washington DC. I remember when I was in middle school and they had a release sell out just before I got mine 😅

[@dparke70]

Was going to comment the same thing. They’ve been popular here for decades now.

[@marcusburnett2412]

NBs since 86 DMV representa as well

[@kunarav9053]

I don't need an influencer, celebrity, or athlete to tell me that a shoe actually fits me and is comfortable. And, oh, yeah, it also delivers performance while being used during an athletic/sports activity. That New Balance acknowledges that not all feet are the same and then applies that to their product(s) is what makes me (and apparently many others!) keep on coming back for more. The product simply works.

[@12012channel]

Plus the quality is better than most. I have been pretty much wearing New balance exclusively for the last 15 years. The quality isn't just in the Made in Us or UK, I wear the budget New Balances as well for work and they have outlasted all other brands and are more comfortable than most as well. They are highly reliable. Some other brands like Nike are absolutely awful when it comes to the budget stuff. I appreciate New Balance for putting in quality and comfort across the board.

[@Y3llow_Submarin3]

Many adidas and Nike shoes are just not worth it if compared to NB@@12012channel

[@chrislim7976]

Original reason for old person status was NB was one of the first to provide different shoe widths on a mass scale which extended it to a good orthopedic ready shoe choice. Now kids are wearing them with mom jeans cause being different is cool, especially when everyone is doing it. 😂

[@LudiCrust.]

Yea it’s bizarre how the new “in style” is mom jeans with “off brand” shoes 😂 the jeans are usually super hiked up like they had to walk through standing water.

[@chrislim7976]

@@LudiCrust. Obviously you don't "get it" You sound like an old person. 😉

[@Exarian]

I got 4E wide feet, they're the only decent quality brand I can actually consistently find my size in. Until other brands start taking wide sizes seriously, I basically have no comparable options but NB.

[@LoyaFrostwind]

For me, Comfort >> Fashion

[@Y3llow_Submarin3]

The quality is superb, can last for 10 years.

[@UrbanCommentBot]

As a Baltimorean, we've always worn NB. 990s and 993s are most popular. Definitely an east coast thing.

[@michaelpalm2210]

same in Boston. Love the suede 990 series, Made in the USA at the Lawrence,Massachusetts factory😁

[@sioul8485]

boston was an adidas city for years…..

[@budgetsneakerh3ad]

Got my Core 993s last month to honor my new home: Baltimore!

[@bryanmorgan3568]

What bout the 547

[@N_tha_neww]

990 jjjound v3!!!

[@Argiriosk]

Greetings from Greece! New Balance has really never lost its momentum in Europe - maybe just a few ups and downs - but nothing significant. New Balance continues to be an important choice in athletic shoes for many consumers in Europe 😊

[@jungi001]

I am from Austria and just 26 so maybe that's the reason but I have not even known NB until like 6 years ago and just recently they actually seem to be "desireable"

[@eloiselovesdevi]

I’m currently living in Japan and NB is VERY popular here. I’d say I see 996 the most. The Japanese are on their feet walking most of the day for their train commute to work. NB makes great looking and highly comfortable shoes! 990v6 is my personal favorite shoe, of any shoe I’ve ever worn.

[@aquicktake]

As a Gen X'er, I've never really understood the sneaker craze culture. Seeing kids wearing the stuff I wore as a kid and getting so hyped and paying thousands of dollars for them just makes me shake my head in wonderment.

[@newbalance365]

I'm also a Gen X'er

[@lib1674]

@@newbalance365 want a cookie

[@NoOne-wt3sv]

Consumerism is a drug. Social media makes the demand that much higher. Millennials and Gen Z are victims of this culture, it’s all we know.

[@chrislim7976]

What's there to understand. People collect and trade all sorts of things. Sneakerheads are more urban and fun in my opinion.

[@TranceCore3]

It's called Hype Beast culture. There's nothing to understand. You're either are one, or you're not.

[@travel9two557]

I’m 30 now and I bought my first pair of New Balance a couple years ago and was obsessed with it. It was so comfortable and stylish and I loved the colorway. It was the Numeric Tiago 1010 brown/black. 🔥. I’m not really a sneaker head like I once was in my teenage years. But it’s refreshing to see new balance doing so well now-a-days. They definitely came a long way to reach a broader consumer base.

[@atticustay1]

Most of them are either boring or ugly

[@NHJDT]

I jad no idea new balance became trendy. Ive been buying them for decades for my husband and then my son because they have big wide feet and new balance were comfortable

[@alexflores-tk3bt]

I remember getting my first pair of 574’s in my senior year of high school. They were so light and comfy. It felt cool standing out in the midst of other students wearing mostly Nikes and Jordans.

[@Hana93266]

Wardrobe essential for a Suburban Dad or any DMV native!

[@fifthdaniel6413]

The comfort New Balance pairs give is unmatched. Cheers to NB

[@Fals3Agent]

it's true, the thing that really sets New Balance apart is the quality and comfort.

[@ReidVV]

New Balance is a tennis shoe that is built to take care of the feet, ankles, and knees. Any exercise physiologist and knee surgeon will tell you the support you get from tennis shoes, especially the lateral (side to side) support, is important to both on court performance and knee and ankle protection. Increased mobility combined with health safety support is what every shoe built for tennis should be based on. This is why shoes specifically for tennis are made.

[@teresamansbach1419]

My grandma was a teacher and had foot problems from standing all day. Her doctor told her to switch to sneakers and she always bought new balance and swore by them for foot health and comfort

[@johndong7524]

It's not about the shoe brand at all. There are plenty of brands offering comfortable shoes that might or might not work for you. First and foremost you need to figure out exact problems with your feet and choose the very specific shoe that fixes those particular problems. Just because I buy NB sneakers it's not guaranteed they will miraculously work for me. You have to pick exact model for your own unique set of circumstances like foot width, type of pronation, the height of your arch, etc... Stop being a brand fanatic. Brand means virtually nothing if they don't make shoes suited for your personal foot shortcomings. It's all about the specific shoe characteristics that will serve you individually. I have bought Asics sneakers for years thinking this is a reputable brand that makes good quality comfortable shoes, so it's automatically a slam dunk, but guess what? Those Asics were not comfortable for me at all. Does that mean Asics a bad brand? No. I just picked the wrong model that did not address my personal feet problems.

[@jakerio8]

It's the same with Onitsuka, the very uncool japanese flat sole sneakers worn by old people back then which suddenly turned around after cool kids got into them. These will go into cycles as influencers go against the grain of the most sought after brands after a while

[@dt8101]

Agree with you. Influencers will ditch the brand once more and more people wear it. Onitsuka is very uncomfortable to wear as the sole is too thin and doesn't provide much support.

[@0daadaadaa0]

They should go full minimalist if they're going for a flat sole, honestly speaking.

[@esoekidjo]

@@dt8101uncomfortable if you have flat feet or fallen arches. For someone with strong feet they are fine.

[@sitoudien9816]

Funny I'm selling a used pair. You're right. Ugly flat old person.

[@brianlam9429]

My Asics are my most comfortable by far. Little known fact.. "Nike, Inc. (originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports) was founded to sell Onitsuka Tiger shoes in the US. When Phil Knight visited Japan in 1963, shortly after he graduated from Stanford University, he was impressed by Onitsuka Tiger shoes and immediately visited the Onitsuka Tiger office and asked to be their sales agent in the US.[12]"

[@kaypierre6647]

When I lived in New York, New Balance was very popular I the late 90s. They came in every color. I felt like people were really late to realizing how stylish, fashionable, and comfortable they were. Same with Saucony. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@joefuckingflacco11tds-0int4]

These were a Baltimore and DC thing before NY fyi

[@jaybruno3571]

@@joefuckingflacco11tds-0int4naaa Boston kiddo

[@swicheroo1]

I'm wearing a pair of Saucony Vintage Reissues, right now.

[@eyeswideopen7126]

Stylish?? Sto being silly, there bulky and terribly ugly. No stye tp them. They all look the same.

[@italiansoutherner]

I love my New Balance shoes. They look really nice and are quite comfortable.

[@nedofranc8979]

New balances are just plain comfortable to wear, a really good daily wear. Back in university I wore my new balance everyday! And it was reliable and made me move with lightness. Great brand.

[@shigor]

New Balance didn't just get hot. It has always been popular and had a huge fan based, especially in Japan.

[@Unc_Talks]

Right.. Whoever made this just found out about NB and its pretty obvious. LOL

[@atticustay1]

Nah, they’re way more popular now. They’re extremely trendy in a way they never used to be

[@12012channel]

@@atticustay1 You are both kind of right. Depends on your Geographic location. They have always been popular in places like Japan and even certain places in the U.S like D.C. However, in places like L.A., they were considered the same as Sketchers but more people are wearing them now.

[@jamiefox9245]

Got my first pair of New Balance 995’s in the 80’s.Baltimore City stand up!

[@cburroughs1304]

Being born and raised in DC, that’s our signature shoe. When I went to college in NC people would say you must be from dc based on my new balance.

[@slickwitdakicks5758]

True NB Cult OG, Stay Fresh 🔥💪🔥

[@miyamotomasashi5838]

As someone living in Japan, New Balance has always been everywhere as far as I can remember and it is the main shoes option for day to day even during the craze of hypebeast and resellers sneakerhead culture in the late 2010s. The brand has always been loved for its simple color tone and minimalistic functional design which are highly valued in Japanese market. Children, teenagers, young adult, adult, even the freakin elder people are all wearing new balance in this part of the world. 😂

[@brianlam9429]

Same around a lot of places in Asia I think... not new

[@miyamotomasashi5838]

@@brianlam9429 yes indeed. That’s why this “dad shoes” kind of stereotype brand image of New Balance doesn’t really stick with me as someone living in this part of the world. It has always been a very good shoes option with a cool simplicity brand image that suits everyday occasions in every age brackets, never exclusive to the “dad’s shoes” image. 😂 that’s why the current craze in the west for New Balance is kind of odd to me, in a sense it’s always been trending over here. 😊

[@Y3llow_Submarin3]

Japan is always living in the future, has good taste.

[@ismailahmad9597]

@@miyamotomasashi5838 lol, I mean this respectfully but you are literally describing American's idea of a dad shoe. not a bad shoe, not an ugly shoe, but a dad shoe

[@miyamotomasashi5838]

@@ismailahmad9597 I don’t know how old are you but that’s definitely not what “dad shoes” mean at least currently. It has become “pejorative” term that is quite literal in definition a shoe that only people in middle aged man bracket (aka: dad’s) wear, which is in US equal to New Balance. It’s different case here in Japan, as I mentioned almost every ones wear New Balance. If you’re a student in high school for example, you wouldn’t get called out (in jokingly manner) for wearing New Balance, unlike in the US where majority of people wears nike.

[@CrossForum]

Back in high school and college days Nike was an upstart that was moving in on Puma and Adidas running/track shoes. A few years later New Balance became popular due to the availability of different widths of all their shoe models along with Asics' predecessor the Onitsuka/Tiger brand (Nike shoes were always tight on my feet). For a while NB became the preferred shoe for road racing/marathons and Onitsuka was preferred track spikes if you had wide feet. I haven't worn a pair of Nikes since high school in the 1970s as they are still too narrow for my feet.

[@jc3drums916]

Nike are tight, but Puma are the worst. They either hurt the sides of my feet, or they're so far past my actual size that there's way too much room at the toe and/or heel. Getting my first pair of NB shoes was a revelation.

[@charaznable8072]

I'm 35 now and all I'm wearing are Asics or NB's they are so comfortable.

[@dayinthelifeofjames]

new balance been popular in certain regions but with the help of brand collaborations and social media it gain national recognition

[@akinetic177]

I’m from Baltimore we been wearing new balances since the 90. DC too

[@Shaulino1]

Life long Nike/jordan fan but NB has been taking over my collection the last two years. The quality of materials and comfort is unmatched

[@rafdes]

A little surprised they didn't dedicate a minute on the quality and comfort of the NB's Made In USA and Made in UK lines as the best the company offers, though there are some great silhouettes that are made in more "traditional" factories like the 2002R.

[@jc3drums916]

The price difference between US/UK and Asian made shoes is shocking though.

[@biggestnate3]

I like them because my initials are NB. 😌😂

[@gaoda1581]

Wow. "nb" in Chinese refers to "niú bī" 牛逼 (slang for "awesome" [literally: cow's νagina])

[@chriskim7123]

Ooh a shirtless daddy

[@for_nothing_important]

nicholas bayworth

[@royalmonocle1322]

He's wearing a KLF t-shirt! Not often seen in the wild

[@curtbell6839]

Been wearing NB since college. And that was in the late '90s/'00s.

[@Samsaraindo]

Same for me 😂

[@RoscoPColtrane17]

Ditto

[@luisquintero2992]

I've been using NBs since the 90s, right now (Tuesday May 24th, 1:16 PM I'm standing in a pair of Blacks M520😅

[@futurehofer1564]

Crazy how in 2016 everybody mocked Stephen Curry and Under Armour for the Curry 2 lows looking like dad shoes, now everybody wants dad shoes

[@navinadv]

I’ve used NB when I was looking for sneakers for wide feet. Never looked back. I do use Hoka and Brooks (both produce for wide feet) but I also have a few pairs of 1080s.

[@Siberian_Nyt]

Used to laugh when my dad would wear NB shoes when I was a kid. Fast forward many years later and love NB shoes more than anything 😂

[@daharos]

so you were both unhip dudes. got it.

[@Siberian_Nyt]

@@daharos wow dude

[@mlow9884]

Got my first pair this year. My daughter chose it for me. Love it even since. Wear it to work everyday.

[@The1stClassVillain]

New Balance is the official shoe of Baltimore city right now

[@KeepingUpWithAdine]

I’m looking to purchase my first pair of NB. I have wide flat feet and I heard NB are super comfortable.

[@tyhatfield6241]

I have had some good pairs of New Balances that were comfy and lasted a long time. I have noticed they are starting to look a little trendier recently. As long as they keep making them well. I think they are made in USA too, which is cool.

[@12012channel]

Only certain models are made in the U.S. or UK. That being said the quality is outstanding across the board.Ever since a doctor recommend because I had foot discomfort, I have been wearing them almost exclusively for the last 15 years. THe U.S. Stuff is super comfortable but even the low budget stuff is more comfortable and last longer than their counterparts from brands like Nike. I use the low budget stuff for work and they last longer and are more comfortable than other brands. I have tried other brands but always go back to New Balance. They don't seem marginally better but solidly better than other brands.

[@donjohm]

Nothing beats the classic NBs

[@ivanwest3227]

I'm from BMORE so I clicked on this QUICK!! IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW! I am also a Physical Therapist Assistant who has worked with 3 Pediatrists(Foot Doctors) They ALL recommend New Balance as the best walking/running shoe for the average person! GIT U SOME!😂

[@Lovesports317]

The 608 cross trainers 2018 and before were wonderful. I was a gym owner for 14 years. and wore them all the time. Also played racquetball and did wind sprints in them. SINCE 2018 the new Versions ( I bought some in 2023 after the last 8 pair wore out) are TERRIBLE with hard soles and thin inserts. My Plantar Faciitis that had been gone for 20 years came back in 3 days. I am now searching for new shoes. I would like to see New Balance go back to making them the way they did 2018 and before when made in Indonesia.

[@subledger]

Surprised there was no mention on nb numeric. Them doing a good job entering the skate market gave them skate street cred. And skate fashion tends to bubble up to hype fashion which bubbles into 'higher' fashion. Same way nike sb dunks caused a huge nike hype revival outside of jordans.

[@powellbarber3317]

Love that they make a shoe wide enough for me. Also love that I've never had to watch an advertisement for them. Win-Win!

[@AlexBaldwinFTW]

It's cute how fashion loops around, I got my dad a pair of NB and it's funny watching them become more in style over time.

[@benjamingerard830]

I never got sneaker culture and I've always enjoyed my New Balances! I just got 210s to go with my orthotics and I love how they look like Vans but are even comfier!

[@lisagriffin8221]

I was wondering why I was suddenly obsessed with this brand when their shoes look very basic (ordered a shoe a couple days ago) and it's because of celebrities and influencers wearing them which is pushing their agenda. Their marketing is working!

[@jeretso]

Nike shoes are tighter in the toe area. Let your toes push your decision.

[@annoyingisheep574]

say baah without saying baaaaaah moment 🙄🙄

[@dragonegg1722]

Actually New Balance have a policy that doesn’t pay these celebrities, athletes, and influencers to wear their products. It speaks for itself how comfort and timelessness help on promoting their product.

[@marcusburnett2412]

People in DC have been wearing NBs for 35+ years long before celebrities and entertainers were wearing them. Everyone is just late to the party!

[@tegsar88]

Got my first pair of 574 NB last year and it's the best purchase ever.

[@ThecrazyJH96]

DMV setting trends yet again

[@FatRecluseTV]

🫡 we truly the flyest

[@Multipotentialite-1121]

I rocked lots of the classic 574’s in high school because you had so many color choices to coordinate and then in my 20’s I discovered their Minimus running shoes with the Vibram bottoms I put hundreds of miles on many pairs until they changed up the design and fit to where they just weren’t the same anymore.

[@DoctorsSong]

I just bought a new pair of NB's today. They're the only shoes that work for me, I work in a school setting.

[@Sk3cruzj]

The first New balance I got was when I joined U.S Navy 2003. I wish I kept them for memories

[@josiecornett9074]

My high top new balance cleats I got in like 2017 lasted me the next three years of lacrosse and I still have them and they are the best cleats I have ever had they were so comfortable. I never rolled my ankle on the field again.

[@milkystrawbae]

New Balance needs to sponsor this man already

[@coinmba]

Fatherless society craving a dad, that’s why

[@jayep.5328]

How can you do a story and omit the fact that NB has also produces exceptional models out their factory in Flimby England? NB opened their first production factory in Workington, West Cumbria in 1982, from there to Flimby in 1991. The factory employs 273 people and produces 580,00 pairs of kicks annually. My personal favorites, 1500 and 991 are " Made in England " models. NB, in my opinion offers a superior quality product that is understated, yet stylish, quite comfortable and very practical. Those that know just know. FACTS!!

[@ChiCityTown]

I have worn these shoes religiously for over 20 years and I can say that since the pandemic, you're lucky to get a pair of NB to last 8 months.

[@MINORTHINGS99]

I love the brand. I currently have a pair for running and one for hiking. It's a great 👟.

[@ironman2326]

I wore New Balance from 2001-2005. The shock absorbency was terrible and I got shin splints. Switched to Asics in 2005 and never looked back. As a PT, I recommend Asics to A LOT of patients and they are always pleased.

[@xoMrsWentzxo]

NB has stepped up their style. They have some nice and comfy shoes

[@seanelliott1638]

Y'all late....in the DMV, New Balance been valid and a staple of our life forever

[@chronoxiong]

My dad has a pair of these shoes. I guess he made the right choice!

[@colemancalgary5260]

What model of shoes at 1:32? Those red look amazing!

[@newbalance365]

NB 420 III

[@jemimakezia3316]

I love my NB ❤ Comfort over fashion 😊

[@jimgd4]

Perhaps this collector feels confident that New Balance has not betrayed their nerd roots, but we CAN be confident that they have betrayed the wide footed amongst us. This was a company that used to produce the bulk of their styles in 4E widths, so that folks with wide feet knew that they were not left out of the style trends at NB. This is no longer the case. They have even changed their sizing designations. IT is a different company, and they have left their orthopedic roots behind.

[@orangeradishneo]

I remember even in the 2000s and early 2010s, the only people wearing “dad sneakers” were generally not the most popular or well liked kids. First people who come to mind are classmates who were on the spectrum, or with some form of developmental disability/delay. You weren’t uncool for wearing the sneakers, it’s just that those shoes were associated with being uncool, if that makes sense. I vividly remember always wearing skate shoes as a teen. Toms, vans and other similar popular shoe styles at the time didn’t have enough support for me😅

[@heavyrelic8506]

Got a pair of NB 2022R, one of the most comfortable sneakers I have ever owned. Well done

[@paulatavares5220]

2002R?

[@EugeneKee]

I wear new balance shoes not because of the brand but because of comfort. Nike is a trash. You're just paying the name, not the comfort or quality 😅

[@riomichellecorrales7096]

I remembered that my shoes for the whole grade school years were New Balance. In the Philippines, only a few wear NB when Nike, Adidas, Puma and others are more popular. I didn’t have them in High School and College though. At 45, I realized I never had wore NB since 13. Hahaha.

[@JohnHausser]

The NB 👟 is gangster ! Cheers from San Diego California

[@neilcastro7314]

Navy boot camp initial issue for sneakers was NB. Personally, it was very comfortable. Underrated brand.

[@user-eg7nj1is7l]

Y'all callin it "UGLY" but they've been on the feet of the wealthiest and smartest individuals in the past 30+ years.

[@buttonsama5751]

They probably got sponsored and paid to wear them.

[@ryanhuang8498]

New balance shoes are one of the best shoes I have everworn since childhood. I didn't care what kids at school had. Nike,Adidas,puma,etc. In Middle school I had New Balance,and ASICS. Fantastic brands for the price. Light, confortable and affordable. That's all it matters. With Nike shoes,one takes the brand off,it only costs like $10 to make the shoe.

[@UsernameAmos]

I'm from the DMV (Virginia) and we've been rocking the New Balance 990 for decades now

[@ShrandaM]

New Balance’s are the best!!One of my older brothers have been wearing New Balance since I was a little girl. However he made the sneakers look so cool.

[@saulgoodman2018]

New Balance is the only sneaker they will fit the same model to model. Which make buying online easy.

[@ShaeJ_Shae]

Ever wore the 550’s? They’re bricks. Highly uncomfortable compared to the 580, 990, 2002r or 9060

[@stuartdollar9912]

Been wearing New Balance shoes for decades. Less sweatshop labor, very comfortable.

[@Llama_vet]

New balance actually have good arch support!

[@SpecialAgent666]

Here's the thing, the "bulky" concept of what you're referring to as Dad Shoes, came from what it was originally meant for, Astronauts walking in Space.

[@alexwilding8451]

TLDR: they did marketing.

[@imdtap1448]

New Balance needs to make this cat an honorary representative of it's brand...

[@BasketballStud99]

Their basketball line has been struggling though. NB recently recalled NB Fresh Foam BB and the latest Kawhi line.

[@q9r8s7t6u5v4w3x2y1z0]

dad shoe : what a silly expression. As if dads and children went to different stores

[@terribryant9996]

They started out so clunky, but they are so comfortable.

[@frenchyroastify]

K.L.F. t-shirt! Love it.

[@NoOne-wt3sv]

I think I’ve been brainwashed as a child to believe New Balance were orthopedic, grandpa shoes. Now (in my late 20’s) I’m just like whatever fits 🤷🏾‍♀️.

[@nik-at-nite]

For me it was certain models that were orthopedic shoes lol I wore the 574s in middle school though (early 00s)

[@vincidicaprio298]

I always wore NB tennis shoes, the white/gray ones in the eighties and it was the only sole that could keep up with my intense use. Nike I wore down like they had cake as soles. Here in te Netherlands they were not seen as dad shoes over here, not that I know of at least.

[@navinadv]

Absolutely. I switched to NB from Nike and Reebok back in the late 80s because they were the first company I knew of that offered shoes for different feet width. Eventually I convinced many of the male members of my family to switch too. The comfort made us stay. Now that they have become a fashion statement, I am not liking that they aren’t as freely available on sale anymore. It used to be a sports person’s secret now it is a blooming fashion statement. Ugh!

[@nj2mddude205]

I have purchased NB for more than 30 years, because it's a US-made running shoe. That said, I preferred wearing Brooks when I ran many years ago because it offered more support and comfort. But NB was (and still is) my go-to everyday show.

[@jethrudemendina9084]

This vlog represents culture that's conforming based from what is hype and popular at the moment. NB is cool even the time when few is wearing it.

[@OEAgent01]

I'm sure New Balance shoes are excellent in terms of function and comfort, but in terms of style they still keep me away. I'd buy them for work.