New Balance shoes have been around for over 100 years thanks to an Irishman named William J. Riley. Back in 1906, after immigrating to the Boston area, Riley set out to design a shoe that would successfully support the foot. Where did he get his groundbreaking idea? Chickens. Yes, chickens.
As he watched his flock, Riley noticed how their three-pronged foot formed an arch, establishing perfect balance as they strutted the yard. The rest is history.
Over a century later, we’re breaking down our favorite trending models of this classic shoe for men and women, as well as throwing in some tips on our favorite colorways that range from sleek black New Balance sneaks to colorful, patterned options.
