Why Is New Balance So Popular Right Now? | The Complex Sneakers Podcast

The Complex Sneakers Podcast is co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty. This week, they talk about New Balance's collaborations and the sustained energy around the brand's lifestyle sneakers. Beyond from the recent heat by partners like Joe Freshgoods and Salehe Bembury, the co-hosts reflect on the last 15 years of special edition NB collaborations from Solebox, Concepts, Hanon, Burn Rubber, and more. Also, Brendan relives a tense situation in Times Square and Joe plans for a very special dinner.
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EPISODE CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Start of episode
5:00 - Guys talk Lorenzo G's new jacket
10:00 - Brendan talks NYC confrontations
15:00 - Welty & Brendan talk false Nike story
20:00 - Premium Pete talk, JLP has some news
25:00 - Ebay Question of the Week
30:00 - Welty and Brendan talk New Balance
35:00 - Dunne talks New Balance 997 x Nonnative collab
40:00 - Welty talks New Balance reaching across cultural lines
45:00 - Guys talk J Crew x New Balance collab
50:00 - Guys talk New Balance 550 popularity
55:00 - Welty on Macklemore wanting a pair of New Balances
1:00:00 - Welty on difference between New Balance & other brands
1:05:00 - Welty talks his ALMOST New Balance collab
1:10:00 - End of episode
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COMPLEX is a community of creators and curators, armed with the Internet, committed to surfacing and sharing the voices and conversations that define our new America. Our videos exemplify convergence culture, exploring topics that include music, sneakers, style, sports, and pop culture through original shows and Complex News segments. Featuring your favorite celebrities, authoritative commentary, and a unique voice, our videos make culture pop. #TheComplexSneakerPodcast #NewBalance

[@Complex]

What's your favorite New Balance of all time?

[@theozhao4463]

992 for sure

[@ChrisCataluna]

993 greys that you'd find at Academy Sports.

[@demarcusdonquavuispartharl8167]

𝗡𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦

[@lannlanntuningnolimit2743]

I like the 480’s but not many colors

[@CHAZP]

827 and 990v4

[@kuzmanator]

Loved getting more of the background and history of NB on this episode. I can always count on NB for solid color ways, collaborations and comfort across the board - it also feels like they're making real unisex sneakers. No pinkification or adding jewelry like Nike has been doing lately to their women's models. I can be on my feet all day running around for work comfortable but still feel cool in an understated way while wearing a 99x or 550, and even new silhouettes like the 327. Gonna keep wearing them in to the ground even when the hype dies down.

[@user-dn1zt9nh2h]

Really precise and heavily spot on!!!

[@vanman757]

Yeah, 327's and 237's are nice especially with the Cordura nylon on the uppers...

[@skyesthelimit2010]

The DC/ DMV Area kept New Balance relevant for years. Cant deny or leave that out of the conversation.

[@ejdub410]

Facts. DC and Baltimore are mentioned in NB's timeline they put out themselves.

[@creepnasty5370]

Negative

[@allensmith9879]

Man that hour felt like 20 minutes, that's when you know it's a good podcast 👌

[@eliusgraff4131]

Really feels like the reason NB has had such a wave is because the brand is making NB collecting feel like old school sneaker collecting, not just hype, limited, high-resell shoes.

[@Phamousillday]

This take is fire

[@Phamousillday]

Like I know I can't get any dunks or yeezys or yeezy slides so im like ...what is going over here at NB. Quality...sign me up.

[@SkateboardDad]

Let's not forget about New Balance Numeric. They're killing the skateboard game right now with the 1010.

[@AvalancheBT]

shoutout Tiago Lemos

[@gfeast4518]

Just got some 1010 and 306, gotta support big boy foy

[@kevincollins8620]

@@AvalancheBT big ups Tiago

[@josegurrola9021]

Got a wheat pair from my local skate shop for 80 bucks. So clean

[@rareair3973]

I have been coppin a pair of Foys once a month for the past year and some change. They are perfect skate shoes imo, i tried some es excell which used to be my shoe and the Foys still skate better imo.

[@2LITCR3W]

been rocking New Balances for 5+ years can’t go wrong with them they’re comfortable & have style 🔥🔥🔥

[@Lilcali99]

I loved New Balances in high school and at boot camp, that’s the shoe issued to us for physical activity. 20 years later…still loving them.

[@josegurrola9021]

This episode turned into a history lesson, a love letter to NB, to the vindication of Matt Welty. Can't wait till we get the Official Matt Welty NB collaboration

[@downtownmb26]

Brendan makes a great point. NB could flood us with all the different silhouettes, but they haven't. Smart marketing. Makes me want more. I have become a huge 992 fan recently. I wanted the 992 Todd Snyder's so bad. Of course, it's hard to beat the JFG 990s last year too.

[@nw6454]

My Todd snyders just came in today they’re sooooo good

[@OliverJanShD]

Yeah that's a great point. All of my money has been going towards NB thanks to their great marketing and energy collabs.

[@jeffreyvazquez1297]

Been a big big NB guy and I think people are finally seeing the different colorway and designs New balances have. The future is going to be big for NB. NB GANG GANG 🙏🏾

[@raymondmetzger1899]

Shout out to Welty for making sure they spoke about the DMV! Always been popular and a huge part of the culture here.

[@afawsta91]

Love how Joe took a backseat on this one and let Welty and Brenden nerd out 😂

[@AvalancheBT]

Welty's NB knowledge goes deep. Also shoutout to VIRGINIA as well for New Balance culture

[@GraV21]

Yeah I been trying to tell people VA/DC been rocking with NB for years.

[@winkonce]

Oh my gosh! Thank you!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Cant’t believe I won! Can’t wait to receive them! Love listening and watching to this podcast! Always waiting the next episode! Keep up the great work you guys do!

[@denniszuckerman8846]

Congratulations!!!, as u came up with both pairs!!😎

[@DMac12flyers]

One of my favorite things about new balance is that they have great quality in every model. From their sale and takedown models $50 and under to their everyday retro and modern around $80 all the way up to their made in USA collabs at over $200. At every level they will outlast the other brands so much that you end up buying more before they get worn out. My beaters that I got on-sale out lasted my friends panda dunks he bought for resale and still look good.

[@andrelong1410]

Because we love the vintage new looks. The underdog creators are finally coming for Nike and jump man.

[@OliverJanShD]

New balance has been the vibe for a while now I feel. The 990 series is my all time favorite, with the 990v3 being the best of the best.

[@TEZEM0N]

my favorite episode ever I like it when yall just flow in conversation and deeply discuss one topic as supposed to switching different topics - maybe this is just me lol

[@BaseMaryland]

Man what a great episode, this is real sneaker nerd talk and I love it !! The 574 and 576 I never liked but the 577 is my ish out of the 5 series.

[@Mr09Clean]

Grew up on 574s and 997s. Dope episode! JFG 992s and Classic Navy 993’s are my 2 faves

[@notitleproductions]

ton of respect to you guys for this. Ive been into the brand since I got a pair of 993's for Christmas when I was around 9 or 10 and initially being so upset they weren't Nikes lol. Fast forward a couple decades and it's remained the first brand for me in every way and in my collection. Appreciate all you three do for the culture in general, but especially for this kind of sneaker head, who appreciates NB, Saucony, Asics, etc. amazing brand, amazing pod, cheers guys!

[@FFBL2020]

I thank Matt for putting me back on New Balance. Been wearing jordans for years that I forgot how great NW are on feet. Comfy af

[@daylonmonette1847]

Joe is absolutely right about the model numbers and price. I worked at Just For Feet late 90’s and early 2000

[@Yellewze]

What a great episode! Love that you touched on a lot of the history! Thx guys

[@zenalien8620]

Definitely one of the best videos. You guys need to interview a person from NB with regards to quality, comfort and impact in the environment.

[@KarloBacolod]

My top 3 NB shoes: 1. "Great Whites" Shoe Palace Collab 2. 997s Bodegas 3. 2002R Rain cloud Protection Pack

[@barwill98]

Lol

[@philliptrevino1153]

I really loved this episode, love y’all keep up the great work!

[@187LooneyTune]

🔥🔥🔥 episode.. loved the NB talk, this conversation was long overdue

[@SneaKUR]

Really liked this Episode. I love learning about sneaker history and different models of sneakers I know little to nothing about

[@lukasflorencio97]

One of the better episodes! Well done guys, I wish I could meet you guys in the future. With love from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@prcoqui29]

This was my favorite episode this season. I love New Balance and it comes from back home in Boston!!

[@youngkyekim]

South Korea also loves New Balances. Some of their biggest fashionista celebrities swear by New Balance. 530s and 327s were in for a while, and I think they're getting into the 550s as well.

[@BIG-7777]

The official sneaker of Washington DC

[@igorgrechukha6281]

Awesome podcast guys. Love every episode you put out.

[@88bsides]

Learned a lot this episode. Got my first 990 v5 this year and really noticed the quality. I’m hooked now.

[@denniszuckerman8846]

Man I really enjoy this show.. they be sharing a lot of history and knowledge on the shoe game… but they right the DMV will always rock NB especially the 99X’s…..

[@canonogic]

We need an episode like this for other brands like Diadora/Asics etc.

[@DMac12flyers]

I just picked up some diadora that match my local hockey teams colors I'm so excited to bust them out

[@georgewilliams3954]

NB IS DEF A BMORE SHOE JUNE BEEN DOIN HIS THANG FOR THE BRAND BRINGN OUT THT HEAT GREW UP WEARING 574s 498s 99xs 2000s n all

[@zacharymutter8432]

Man, so happy they mentioned the suede 1400s amazing shoes 👞

[@gfeast4518]

I got into new balance right before the pandemic, but I never have the patience to figure out how to get a nice premium collab, plus they’re expensive. I stay getting the sales and outlet stuff, also Joe’s new balance is good

[@rozcokicks]

I found the car situation hilarious. I love it. Amazing episode as always.

[@cowboys1975may]

Iconic shoes man I just bought about 5 pairs in the past month. 990V6. 990V4 , SOME 920'S ...etc. love that everywhere they have a following, young, old meddle age , everyone is on board

[@jakegetscake4672]

New balance is by far my favorite brand right now

[@bitw434]

We need a new balance app rn

[@lt18beach]

NBs were my go to shoe back in the late 90s, early 2000s. Now I rock HOKA.

[@lawhoog4304]

NB 57/40 is my favorite silohuette right now

[@StephenMangiulli]

The DMV and us old heads appreciate you Welty!

[@RyanCoomer]

I work at Dollar Tree and around the store above the aisles I place a jar of gherkin pickles so I have gherkin pickles all around the store that I'm able to snack on while I work I haven't been caught yet and it's a great

[@671oneblood]

You work at Dollar Tree? 😂🤣😂

[@Cam_LDN]

Concepts C-Note 998 deserves a mention. That banged when that was released.

[@joe5boost]

All this talk about about new balance just made me cop a pair of Diadora , great show keep up the good work

[@kevincollins8620]

I'm team diadora as well. I even found a vintage diadora coat in goodwill the week I received my Mibasket. Love em

[@vanman757]

Diadora !! F'in ell, that takes me back... I remember having a blue suede pair of them, around '87, when I was 10....

[@edoardoedo_roma4362]

In italy it’s been three years that new balance made a huge comeback. Very nice trainers!

[@mikemartinez2057]

Big fan of NB!! in my opinion best quality materials for the money.

[@GTfromAG]

New Balance....Its a DMV thang.💯💯💯

[@XavierPatterson15]

As somebody from the Philly area I can attest to 990 v4's and v5's being huge. Not so much the ALD's. that's definitely a more NY thing

[@michaelturnbull7168]

This was a very dope episode some great new balance history learned some things 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@BookerT69]

Great episode dorks! Love the show

[@CDL237]

I feel like Kawhi’s increase in popularity after his 2019 Playoff and Finals run definitely helped NB a little bit

[@errolcsy]

New Balance going on up! 📈 Welty amazing tee

[@izzyshootsiphone]

Would you say that the 550’s are new balance’s version of the the Air Force 1 for nike or the Stan smiths for adidas?

[@Christiano007]

Just watched this, nice quick fun facts on New Balance that I never really would’ve known!

[@wmwrose]

Loved the podcast! Touched on so many beloved sneakers. Only one I expected but didn’t hear mentioned was the 2002r’s and the GR of the year - “protection pack” or refined future trio. Incredible shoes and my fav design of the year.

[@6ix835]

referenced that model when discussing salehe collabs, as well as how solid NB GRs are across its diff lines...

[@pinkyy1989]

one of my grails i’d love to own are those 998 bodegas and 998 todd snyder 🔥🔥

[@loganjbaez]

ha i remember in the early 90s NJ hustlers wearing new balance too . when they went out to spend the money they bought jordans and anything sporty and or popular. but new balance was always the go to while putting in work. and i remember before that it was reebok for the late 80s

[@kevincollins8620]

Facts

[@sneakerdad8324]

Two shoots in one day, respect to Welty and Dunne 🙏🏼

[@mtown-jf7tl]

It's a D.C thing yall folks wouldn't understand💪🏾

[@671oneblood]

Yes, I guess we're all incapable of understanding a shoe being dope because we don't live in in a certain place... Makes sense 😂🤣😂

[@kevincollins8620]

Nah. Up north

[@mtown-jf7tl]

Naw D.C my brother those and Foamposites

[@kevincollins8620]

@@mtown-jf7tl I will never rock foams.

[@kevincollins8620]

@@mtown-jf7tl you don't even upload kicks. Hush chile.

[@Wetzelpretzels]

Color blocking and materials is why new balance is so popular . Quality for a reasonable price

[@maxswp]

Welty has had an effect on me with new balances over the past year I now have 3 pairs of 990s and a pair of 993s.

[@coreys9598]

Those are nice trainers... Those New Balances.. Very cool design!

[@robertspies789]

I love New Balance because their one of the few shoe companies smart enough to make an Extra Wide shoe size

[@pandroidigital]

They're 👈🏾🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@thePuma09]

Joe with the sweet revenge not inviting Dunne or Welty to his dinner plans tonight! Haha love it!

[@thabanakabo4370]

I remember me and my cousin used to talk about how NB was ahead of time ,this is was like in 2016..put respect on NB

[@DomO22]

this is gonna be a good one 🤯

[@Jeffreynelius]

Those convos ARE compelling 😁

[@deadstockmrk4050]

MT 580 is legit. Also always try to find another pair of the 999 Wanted Pack I used to have that I beat up. Those were really nice.

[@iWillbike]

I’m from the DC area and I remember 990s being an aspirational shoe.

[@Lee-xs2jt]

those 2 for $89 days were the best and my intro into NB

[@ndigogh]

The DMV love Welty you are a OG for representing ❤️

[@BAP32]

Those Paperboy NB 991 as of rn our my favorite recent NBs even tho they were impossible to get lol

[@marcusdolo114]

The 574s and the 550s are in my collection 🔥

[@karlrichardson79]

What a great episode!

[@russreinger4130]

2002r has seen a huge jump in hype currently

[@gghosti4020]

What is the second shoe on the thumbnail before clicking this video? The red light purple and light pink in the middle

[@tumbus9117]

For those looking for some of the crazy 580 collabs these guys are referencing, yahoo Japan auctions is the spot, got a few used pairs of Mita x mad hectic collabs for like $60 a piece a few months ago lol

[@d0ntchange]

Quiet as kept the OG steel blue New Balance 2000 are possibly one of the most gorgeous New Balances ever made

[@moonboy5851]

NB 1500s are straight fire. GOAT kick in my eyes.

[@jaimieguzman76]

Brendan’s energy went from NY to Oregon real quick with the smoke 😂

[@rawsanity27]

I’m from Sacramento/Portland. And Portland, Oregon has plenty of criminals. I was one of them back in the day. If somebody wanted smoke with Me I’m with it 100% of the time. You obviously don’t know that much. There shootings in Portland everday. Already lost a friend to the Violence.

[@kyla738]

He’s clearly not a real New Yorker

[@671oneblood]

😂🤣😂 Welty is 100 percent right about the hitting the car stuff. I'm one of those crazies who has gotten out of my car and hit people for touching my car. Those people do exist in the world, Brendan. Gotta get out that little safe bubble of yours and realize there's plenty of people who will give you that smoke if you want it 😂🤣😂

[@Jeffreynelius]

“That’s aggressive, Dunn!” 🤣🤣

[@henfitted5254]

The District of Columbia in the house

[@jasong3283]

quality of new balance shoes blows nike/jordan/adidas out of the water

[@cd33832]

Big facts! Although I would say they're some yeezys out there that have pretty good quality too...but hands down New Balance takes the crown

[@soko5913]

NB has been a buffalo ny go-to for years because they were always cheaper and alot of people couldn't afford designer, Jordan/Nike colabs etc.

[@on10toes]

Stussy Mt580s will crumble the minute they hit pavement. My favorite new balance collabs are from DTLR. June Sanders stays bringing dope, wearable models that harmonize dark and bright colors. The recent varsity joints were so slept on. I’m still huntin the American muscle pairs!

[@PJGirondo]

I’m from the DMV. You gotta keep a fresh pair of 990s in the gray, it’s a rite of passage out here lol

[@emanfunny18]

This was a great one

[@sebastiandubach7370]

Guys, MT580 is coming back later this year😉

[@ronalddesjardins3547]

Cycles, everything comes in cycles..... I mean my dunks early 2000s dunks have trippled in value, my old NBs make me look trendy again, my Polo sweatsuits that Ive been rocking since the 90s..... Its all in a cycle.

[@ThecrazyJH96]

DMV never gets praise for things we started lol. Well Kanye at least highlighted dc for having an influence on him

[@DavidMoreira4]

why isn't this podcast on Spotify? :(

[@segunkogbodoku4324]

Great ep. Welty is the goat 🤣😅