Guides

New Balance models at a glance: 574, 550, 2002R and 9060

Hardly any sneaker brand is as hard to keep track of as New Balance, and the numbers are to blame. 574, 550, 2002R, 9060, plus 530, 327, 1906R and 990v6: the names do not reveal at first glance which shoe is flat and understated and which comes with a thick sole. Yet the sorting is not complicated at all once you know the three families that almost all well-known models come from: retro runners, court sneakers and chunky silhouettes. This overview sorts the New Balance models in our catalogue by exactly these families, sets the four most searched-for side by side, and says for each which style, which material and which guide price is behind it. The good news up front: when it comes to sizing, New Balance makes it easier than most competitors.

What the numbers at New Balance mean

There is no strict system, but there is a useful rule of thumb: historically, higher numbers stood for more elaborate, more expensive models from running shoe development, lower ones for simpler everyday shoes. That is why a 990v6 costs many times as much as a 373, even though both belong to the same retro runner corner on the outside. A letter suffix also says something about the origin of the design.

More important than the number is, in the end, the silhouette. You can find all the models mentioned here filtered in the lifestyle catalogue, and if you prefer to sort by questions about style and use, the Shoe Finder gets you to your goal faster.

The four most searched-for models in brief

The 574, 550, 2002R and 9060 together cover almost the entire range of the brand. Anyone who can tell these four apart will understand the rest of the line-up too.

In short: the 574 is the all-rounder, the 550 the smart one, the 2002R the fashionable compromise and the 9060 the statement. In price, there are around €80 between the cheapest and the most expensive of these four.

The retro runners: 574, 530, 327 and 990v6

This is the largest family in the range and the origin of the brand. All the models here trace back to running shoes, have a sole that slopes slightly forward, and carry the big N on the side. They differ from one another mainly in volume.

Between the 574 and the 530, it mainly comes down to the look: classic matte versus modern glossy. The 327 is the choice for anyone who finds the others too ordinary. The 990v6 is only worth it if the budget is there, because the silhouette alone does not justify double the price.

The chunky camp: 2002R, 9060 and 1906R

These three belong to the same design family and are most often confused. They all come from the Y2K era or its modern continuation, sit high, and have visibly segmented soles.

In practice, that means: 2002R for anyone who wants a robust everyday shoe; 1906R if it can look more technical; 9060 if the shoe is meant to be the most eye-catching part of the outfit. How chunky silhouettes can be styled in general is covered in the guide to the best sneaker classics.

The court models: 550 and 480

Both come from 80s basketball, both are leather, both are flat. The difference is the presence on the foot.

In white, both are a safe choice for the office. Which other white models work and which run large is covered in the guide to the best white sneakers.

Getting in cheaply: 373 and 500

If you want the look but do not want to spend three figures, there are two usable entry points. Both are simpler in construction than the well-known models, which you can see up close but hardly from two metres away.

Put honestly: the price difference to the 574 lies mainly in the upper material and the craftsmanship, not in the basic shape. If you wear the shoe three to four times a week, you will notice the difference after a year. If you wear it occasionally, you probably will not.

Fit: the easiest part with New Balance

Here the brand makes things easier for buyers than many competitors. All New Balance models in our catalogue fit true to size, so you order your usual size. That is a noticeable difference to classics such as the adidas Samba OG or the Air Force 1, which run large and for which half a size smaller is the better choice.

And the running shoes? FuelCell, Fresh Foam and Minimus

New Balance is not a pure lifestyle brand, and the running range follows a completely different logic: here names count instead of numbers. If you want to switch from a 574 to a real running shoe, you should put the lifestyle silhouettes aside mentally, because they are not built for running.

An overview of the entire running range is given in the running shoe catalogue, trail models are in the trail section and gym shoes under Training.

Which New Balance suits whom?

The short decision guide, no detours:

If you are torn between New Balance and other retro runners, the Nike Air Max 90 and the ASICS Gel-Lyte III are the obvious alternatives with a similar heritage. You can lay two models side by side and compare material, fit and guide price in the comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Do New Balance sneakers run large or small?

They fit true to size. All New Balance models in our catalogue, from the 373 through the 574 and 550 to the 2002R, 9060 and 990v6, match your usual size, so you order your standard number. That sets the brand apart from classics like the Nike Air Force 1 or the adidas Samba, where going half a size down is the better choice. The only differences are in volume: the chunky models 2002R, 1906R and 9060 are roomier inside than the flat 550, which can feel looser on narrow feet even though the length is not wrong.

What is the difference between the 574 and the 550?

Origin and silhouette. The 574 is a retro runner, meaning a running shoe silhouette from the 80s with a suede and mesh mix and a slightly sloping sole. The 550 comes from basketball of the same era, is made entirely of leather and has a flat court sole with clearly defined panels. In practice this means: the 574 is the more casual everyday shoe, while the 550 looks smarter and works better with chinos and a shirt. In price there are about €20 between the two, a guide price of €110 versus €130 as an RRP guide.

2002R or 9060: which is the right one?

It is a question of the presence you want, not of quality. The 2002R is the more understated of the two: mesh and suede mix, muted colours, clean lines, guide price around €150 (RRP guide). The 9060 is built much bulkier, has a curved sole and a deconstructed side N, guide price around €190 (RRP guide). If the shoe should suit the outfit, take the 2002R. If it should carry the outfit, take the 9060.

Does a higher number mean a better shoe?

Only as a rough guide, not as a rule. Historically, higher numbers stood for more elaborate models from running shoe development, and that is still reflected in the price today: the three-digit 373 is around €70, the four-digit 990v6 around €220 guide price based on the RRP. For everyday use, though, that does not automatically mean more benefit. A 574 fulfils its purpose as an everyday shoe completely, and the number says nothing about whether the silhouette suits your style.

Can I go running in a New Balance 574?

For the walk to the train, yes, for real running training, no. The 574 looks like a running shoe from the 80s, but it is built as a lifestyle model and has neither the cushioning nor the stability of today's training shoes. If you run regularly, go for the relevant models from the running range, such as the Fresh Foam Arishi v4 for beginners, the FuelCell Propel v5 for regular training or the Fresh Foam X More v5 for long runs. The difference is clearly noticeable after the first ten kilometres.

Which New Balance is the cheapest way in?

The 373 and the 500, both with a guide price of around €70 (RRP guide). The 373 comes closest to the classic 574 look and uses a suede and mesh mix, while the 500 is cut a little more modern with synthetic mesh. Both are more simply made than the better-known models, which becomes visible up close. With occasional wear this hardly matters, but with daily use the difference in the upper material shows after about a year.

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