New Balance: running and basketball ranges
The New Balance ranges in the collection differ mainly in their soles and uppers. Most are inspired by running shoes from the 1990s and 2000s, while the 550 draws on basketball. Selected ranges also have their own collections, including New Balance 2002R, New Balance 9060, New Balance 530 and New Balance 1906.
Which New Balance range is the best?
Rather than a ranking, here’s a brief overview of the ranges in the collection. 2002R According to New Balance, it’s a modern version of running shoes from the 2000s, with ACTEVA LITE cushioning, ABZORB SBS inserts in the heel, an N-ergy sole and Stability Web technology. The same combination of ACTEVA LITE, N-ergy and ABZORB SBS is also featured in 1906R.
9060 According to the brand, it’s a new take on the 99X range in a Y2K aesthetic, with a dual-density midsole featuring ABZORB and SBS. 530 According to the Polish New Balance website, it’s a running classic from the late 1990s, while 740 is an archival running model from the 2000s. Both have an ABZORB midsole.
550 debuted in 1989 as a basketball shoe and has an upper combining leather and suede. 204L is a low-top model with a premium suede upper and EVA sole, while 574 was created in 1988 as a road-to-trail hybrid, with ENCAP cushioning.
New Balance models in the collection
New Balance 2002R: including Protection Pack (Rain Cloud, Phantom and Sea Salt), Concrete Grey, Brown Beige, Gore-Tex and Suede Pack versions, and collaborations with JJJJound, Salehe Bembury, Joe Freshgoods and GANNI.
New Balance 550: including White Green and White Grey, UNC, Sea Salt and collaborations with Aime Leon Dore. New Balance 530, which the Polish New Balance website describes as unisex sneakers: including Triple White, pink White Pink, beige Beige Angora, Silver Cream and SL versions with Miu Miu.
New Balance 9060Including Sea Salt, Mushroom, chocolate Chocolate, and black Black Castlerock. New Balance 19061906R (including Silver Metallic Cream and collaborations with Kith and Aimé Leon Dore), 1906D Protection Pack, 1906L, a loafer version of the 1906, and 1906U.
W The collection also includes the 990 in V2, V3, V4, and V6 versions, including Made in USA and collaborations with JJJJound, Kith, and Levi's, as well as the 991 Made in UK, 992, 993, 204L, 740, 860, 574, 2000, 2010, and 1000.
New Balance sizing
New Balance provides guidance for each series separately. For 530 the fit widget on the brand's website shows that most people choose a half size down, while for 2002R, most people find the sizing true to size. 574 is smaller than standard according to New Balance, so consider going up a size. 204L is also smaller, and for half sizes, New Balance recommends considering a larger size.
1906R has a standard width, and for very wide feet, New Balance recommends considering a larger size. On the pages reviewed, 740, 9060 and 550 New Balance doesn't provide sizing guidance. The 530, 740, 9060, 1906R, and 2002R pages offer only standard width (D), and fit widgets may change. If you're unsure which size to choose, contact us before ordering.
Why choose New Balance from Saturaise
Every pair at Saturaise is authentic and comes with an authenticity guarantee. W The collection includes New Balance running and basketball series, Made in USA and Made in UK models, and collaborations, and selected series also have their own collections.