In Dec. of 2023, I was walking the streets of downtown Paris. As I walked around, I began to notice a pattern. In the world’s fashion capital, everybody had a pair of New Balance shoes on. I noticed this pattern beyond the streets of Paris as well; in the hallways of school. It appeared that everyone was sporting a pair of New Balance 550, 2002R, or 9060s. I was very confused, because just a few years ago New Balance had a completely different reputation. Instead of a fashion statement, New Balance was the epitome of “Dad shoes”. It makes sense that New Balance shoes have been making a comeback. They have so much to offer with their high quality, making them great everyday shoes, but what if I told you that the resurgence of New Balance shoes are a part of a much bigger cycle?
The 30-year cycle is the idea that trends and fads have a pattern to resurface after 30 years. Have you realized lately how popular digital cameras are? This is a great example of the 30-year cycle because digital cameras were originally popular around 30 years ago. From clothes to hairstyles, every 30 years, trends tend to reemerge. New Balance is a great example of the 30-year cycle. In the 1990s, running shoes were extremely in style, like the Nike Air Max and Asics; New Balance was one of the most popular brands as well. Now, 30 years later, New Balance is making a serious comeback. According to Footwear News, New Balance made 6.5 billion dollars in sales in 2023 and seven billion in 2024. Good enough to win the FNAA (Footwear News Achievement Awards) company of the year!
The 30-year cycle is not the only reason why New Balance sneakers have become extremely popular. The influence of celebrities has played a huge factor as well. Superstars like Kendell Jenner and Timothée Chalamet have been spotted in public wearing pairs of New Balance 530s and 574s. Social media platforms, primarily TikTok, have played a huge role in New Balance’s recent popularity. Over the past few years, influencers on TikTok have been sharing their New Balance collections and have encouraged their audience to buy a pair for themselves. According to FlexDog, #NewBalance has over 350 thousand videos under it on TikTok!
Throughout the past couple of years, there have been certain New Balance shoes that have stood out. For one, the New Balance 550, a shoe originally created for basketball in 1989, has taken a step off the basketball court and onto the street, becoming one of New Balance’s most popular shoes. If you’re looking for more of a modern look, the New Balance 2002 is absolutely perfect. With great comfort for everyday wear and a dashing look, this shoe has everything you need. For a chunkier look, the New Balance 9060 is the way to look. The 9060’s unique look and creative colorways make it a great option.
In just a few short years, New Balance was able to fully turn their reputation from the dad shoe to one of the most popular and trendy shoes on the globe. No matter if New Balance is here to stay or just another fad, New Balance’s striking comeback is admirable and extremely impressive.
