New Balance is a household brand that continues to grow in popularity. How did New Balance achieve its worldwide success? Why is the chicken printed on some of the Balance shoebox lids? As we explore the history of New Balance, we’ll answer these questions and many more.
The History Of New Balance
William J. Riley founded New Balance in 1906 as New Balance Arch Support Company. Riley, an Irish immigrant, lived in Boston, Massachusetts. After watching his chickens run around his yard, Riley is believed to have been inspired to create his first product. Riley was fascinated by the way that chickens balance on their three-pronged feet and designed an arch support with three support points.
Riley hired Arthur Hall in 1927 to be his salesman. Hall became a partner at New Balance Arch Support Company in 34. New Balance had not yet produced a sneaker at this time, so Hall concentrated his business selling arch supports to workers who needed them to stand for extended periods of work. In 1956, Hall sold New Balance Arch Support Company, along with his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd.
New Balance’s arch supports were very popular with budding athletes by 1960. Some even asked for tailored sneakers. The Trackster, Eleanor Kidd’s first New Balance sneaker was born from this inspiration. The Trackster, which was first manufactured at home by the Kidds in 1961, was the first running shoe to feature a rippled sole. This revolutionary sneaker was also available in many widths by New Balance to suit all athletes. Schools and colleges throughout Massachusetts quickly adopted the Trackster as a cross-country and track shoe.
Although the Trackster was a huge success, New Balance had yet to enter the mainstream sneaker market. Six people managed the company, which was a small operation that manufactured, packed and shipped New Balance sneakers to customers via mail. Although sales were slow, Jim Davis, the brand’s chairman, purchased New Balance on the day that the 1972 Boston Marathon. He led the brand to become one the most popular sneaker brands in the entire world.
Jim acquired New Balance at the perfect time. The Boston area had become the center of the running boom that struck the U.S. in the 1970s and New Balance was in right in the thick of it. Many Americans wrote this off as a phase, but running as a hobby continued growing in popularity right through to the late 80s, providing a platform for New Balance to release more and more runners each year. Jim Davis upheld the company’s traditional commitment to individual preferences by continuing to offer New Balance sneakers in a variety of widths. New Balance started to use unique model numbers rather than names for their sneakers. The number defined the type of shoe, the activity it was designed for and whether the sneaker was built for stability, or speed. Arch support
The 320 was the first New Balance sneaker with the famed logo. The 320 was a classic runner, made in suede and nylon. Runner’s World magazine voted it the best running shoe. New Balance’s international breakthrough was marked by the success of their 320.
By the 80s, New Balance had a globally successful range of products that now included walking shoes and clothing such as Gore-Tex running jackets. In 1988, New Balance released perhaps their most famous sneaker, the 574. Initially designed as a technical running shoe to offer a high level of comfort and stability, the 574 became a popular sneaker off of the running track. In A Tribe Called Quest’s ‘Buggin’ out’, the late Phife Dawg can be quoted rapping “ You wanna diss the Phifer but you still don’t know the half, I sport New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path” .
New Balance continued to cement itself into sportswear and popular culture through numerous successful sneaker releases. In 2001, New Balance released the now-popular 991 sneaker, which was famously sported by the late Steve Jobs at public events for a number of years.
New Balance Today
Today, New Balance is a multinational corporation headquartered in Boston, MA. The company is still headed by Jim Davis, New Balance now makes a plethora of sneakers and apparel, including specialized products for sports such as football, cricket, basketball, and cycling. New Balance launched a skateboarding shoe brand dubbed “ New Balance Numeric ” that is distributed by Black Box Distribution, a company founded by professional skateboarder Jamie Thomas. The numeric line has allowed New Balance to tap into the lifestyle market and resonate with younger customers.
New Balance has collaborated with a host of significant fashion labels, including Norse Projects, Stussy, United Arrows, Junya Watanabe eYe, and Beams Plus. New Balance sneakers have a strong presence in both menswear and womenswear markets, including high fashion sects. A recent adverting campaign saw New Balance embrace the term ‘dad shoe’ often used to describe their more functional models. the advertisement read “Worn by supermodels in London and Dads in Ohio”.
However, despite its massive popularity, New Balance is not without its controversies. Just days after the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, New Balance found itself in hot water following a statement made by the company’s Vice President of Public Affairs, Matt Lebretton in which he stated “The Obama administration turned a deaf ear to us, and frankly, with President-elect Trump, we feel things are going to move in the right direction.” The perceived pro-Trump statement was met with a wave of backlash with customers throwing away and destroying their NB sneakers. In a time rife with political tension, New Balance’s position was seen as ill-timed and against the grain of most fashion brands who openly supported Hillary Clinton during the election.
New Balance quickly clarified that their statement was made within the context of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This Obama-era policy was openly opposed by the sneaker company, citing that it would harm US-manufacturing. New Balance continued to argue that they were openly supportive of the trade policies left-wing candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and both of them voted against the TPP. They joined other fashion brands to oppose Trump’s tariffs. This is a departure from the statement that was made following the 2016 election.
New Balance sneakers are well-known for using high-quality materials, and strong building techniques. New Balance also outsources manufacturing to China and Vietnam. They also produce a range of sneakers in England and America. New Balance sneakers still come in many widths, particularly the more sporty models. New Balance footwear is known for its arch support. As a tribute to William J. Riley (the brand’s founder), some New Balance shoeboxes feature a chicken print inside.
