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It's hard to leave your home and not see someone wearing a New Balance sneaker on your commute to work. Known for being dependable thanks to its stable shoes, New Balance is also one of the few sneaker brands that offers multiple shoe widths including Extra Narrow and Extra Extra Wide. The "dad shoe" style is having a moment in 2023 as New Balance becomes the place to channel '90s aesthetics.
While New Balance's style may not be for everyone, if you, like us, are seeing them everywhere, we've found the best New Balance shoes that experts, editors and shoppers are rushing to order.
Our top picks:
Continue on to learn the best New Balance shoes and why we think the dad sneaker look is here to stay. If you want to read more shopping guides on shoe-related content, consult our roundup of the best shoes for flat feet.
New Balance FuelCore Nergize V1
We included the FuelCore Nergize V1 in our guide to the best walking shoes thanks to its lightweight design and popularity among podiatrists and testers alike. Mesh in the front of the toe as well as a thinner midsole allow for easy and quick movement. Testers also found that the mesh front was comfortable over bunions. We appreciate the slip-on style ideal for rushed mornings and seamless evenings when you want to go from sneaker to slipper real fast. "Right when I put them on, they started molding to my feet," raves one consumer tester. The shoes are great value thanks to their top performance results, and they are one of the cheapest New Balance shoes available.
The 550s have become one of the most popular New Balance shoes, leading to celebrity recognition as seen via the Aimé Leon Dore collab. Originally designed as basketball shoes, the brand relaunched the 550 as a lifestyle sneaker. The shoes have a durable outsole and ample cushioning for all-day comfort. They also offer enough stability for everyday wear whether they are your go-to work shoe or favorite sneaker to put on for a walk. GH's Assistant Food Editor Joy Cho loves "the ever-so-slightly chunky, very wearable silhouette that's unique." She feels "sporty without trying too hard" when wearing her 550s and finds the colorways to be fun without being too loud. In conclusion: you'll be giving approachable cool kid vibes with these sneaks.
New Balance Women's 574+
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu has worn New Balance's 574 shoe for years and thinks the 574+ is going to become the next big thing. New Balance "has elevated an old classic, keeping it relevant as our sneakers get taller and more chunky with the emergence of thick, cushioned midsoles," says Wu. The 574+ maintains the iconic silhouette of its inspiration but appeals to shoppers that are looking for a chunkier look. Similar to other New Balance styles, it's lightweight yet structured and has a generous toe box so your toes won't feel squished while walking.
Chunky shoes are not everyone's preferred look, though. Consider the OG 574 if you want that classic look with a slimmer profile. GH's Chief Food Director Kate Merker says, "They are supportive enough to cook on my feet all day or hop on the soccer field or basketball court with my kids for a few rounds."
New Balance Women's 990v6
Dad jokes aren't always cool, but dad shoes are definitely cool. The 990 style is designed with running in mind but gained popularity within streetwear and hip-hop culture, explains Wu. It's also the main character in a Reddit discussion on the most comfortable New Balance shoes. A quintessential dad shoe, the 990 has met the trend thanks to its practical and unassuming design. It is, however, one of the more expensive New Balance shoes at just under $200. Queue some kind of dad joke about paying too much for a potential style fad like, say, ripped jeans. Sorry, dad. But the 990s are here to stay.
RELATED: The Best Walking Shoes for Men, According to Experts
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X 1080 V12
The Fresh Foam X 1080 V12 are Wu's all-time favorite running shoe, and we even named it the best overall running shoe for women. We like the flexible knit upper and soft foam underfoot that let you tackle all kinds of runs whether you prefer to jog, sprint or rack up those miles. One tester says they "provide just enough cushioning during your runs" while another describes them as lightweight and breathable. This style isn't the most expensive shoe from the brand, making it a slightly more budget-friendly choice. If you want more midfoot support, Wu recommends the 1080 V13, New Balance's latest version of the model, which also has a taller midsole for extra cushioning.
Ever since Coco Gauff won the 2023 US Open, the Coco CG1 has been rolling off virtual and literal shelves. We've covered them in our shopping guide to the best tennis shoes for men, although the style is unisex. The shoe is a blend of Gauff's personal style and pulls inspiration from basketball silhouettes and '90s aesthetics. What really makes these shoes stand out in the tennis shoe category is their mid height, great for ankle support. The shoe also features foam cushioning and a midsole that'll help you respond fast to a volley.
The New Balance 327 is another hot commodity and can be hard to find online. GH Editors have already added the shoe to their wish list and our very own Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director Jane Francisco owns a pair and loves how stable and comfortable they are for walking. "They’re undeniably stylish and have a chic look," says Wu. We recommend shopping the style sooner rather than later as some colorways are rather limited. But if you can't find your size in your desired color, we're hoping inventory will be back up after the holiday shopping frenzy lessens.
New Balance Women's 608 V5
The simple shoe is popular on Amazon with a 4.5-star rating and over 32,000 online reviews. The extra-thick heel provides ample cushioning to all-day comfort — critical for nurses on long shifts. One five-star review writes, "I work in a nursing home and am on my feet for 8 to 12 hours a day; these are very supportive and comfortable." They add that the shoes are easy to clean and suggest purchasing insoles if you have higher arch or want more arch support. If you're looking for a shoe with more ankle support, we recommend looking into New Balance's collab with FIGS, which we also featured in our guide to the best shoes for nurses.
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X More Trail v3
If you like an uber cushioned hiking shoe, this New Balance style is super comfortable and also great for trail running. Wu finds herself opting for the Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 on and off the trail, making them a versatile pick for other activities. "They offer plush, cloud-like cushioning with a rugged tread," she adds. Wu does note that the style may not be the best choice if you're heading out on a more technical trail as the shoe doesn't offer as much ankle support that a mid-height style may provide.
Looking for a more eye-catching dad shoe? Consider the 9060. The shoe takes inspiration from the classic 990 but adds wavy lines and a funky pod midsole that are giving Y2K. We're hoping to try out these shoes soon, but for now we feel confident including the style in this guide as they have a 4.8-star rating on New Balance's site, across 330 online reviews. One five-star review calls them the "best shoes I own!" while another satisfied shopper adds, "These shoes are by far the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn!" Some sizes are out of stock online so add them to your shopping cart while you still can!
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Elizabeth Berry is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she collaborates across Labs to ensure all shopping guides reflect accurate information. She has written on a variety of style topics including the best Hoka shoes and the best tennis shoes for women. Elizabeth believes in comfort first and has been known to pair sneakers with slacks and dresses.
To write this article, she worked with Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product Analyst Grace Wu who has evaluated tons of footwear, from waterproof boots to recovery shoes, using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. She has been wearing New Balance shoes for years and is a long-time fan of the 574 and Fresh Foam X 1080. To round up this list, we pulled from previous testing data on certain styles, crowdsourced editor favorites and consulted online customer reviews and Reddit discussions to find the most comfortable shoes.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
