New Balance Shoes has been around for a century, but it’s a bit disheartening to witness their prices soaring. You might be wondering, just like many others, why prices are on the rise. Is the brand simply cashing in on its name, or is there something else at play behind the scenes influencing the prices?
From my research, there are additional specific factors that shed light on why the average price of New Balance shoes is on the rise.
Read on to find those factors:
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Why Are New Balance Shoes So Expensive? Answered With Facts!!!
New Balance’s pricing is influenced by several key factors. Their commitment to premium materials, staying ahead of fashion trends, maintaining a solid brand reputation, engaging in collaborations, and being an American brand all contribute to the pricing strategy.
To understand each of these facomore clearly, let us discuss each reason in a more detailed manner.
Right on trends
New Balance sure knows the art of staying on trend and staying in sync with what buyers want. They understand the importance of staying cool and appealing to diverse preferences. Their modern designs have captured the attention of the younger generation, while the classics continue to attract a good number of mid-aged folks.
Thanks to these smart moves, New Balance proudly stands as the only big company making over 4 million pairs of athletic footwear per year right here in the USA.
New Balance stays ahead of the trends, making their shoes highly sought after. The high demand creates scarcity, and to maintain that exclusivity, they adjust the prices accordingly.
That’s one reason why their shoes get expensive.
Top-grade Material
Selecting top-notch materials to ensure quality is no easy task. It involves careful consideration and a commitment to excellence.
Taking a peek at the official website, it’s clear that New Balance has put their focus on three major materials: organic cotton, top-notch leather, and polyester.
To create uppers, New Balance uses recyclable polyester and selects leathers from LWG gold-rated tanneries. They also incorporate Tencel, an eco-friendly alternative to cotton. Tencel is a better material compared to cotton because it uses way less energy and water.
For soles, the materials used are EVA foam and rubber. The use of EVA foam provides exceptional foot cushioning, while the rubber outsoles ensure durability that’s hard to beat. Together, they create a winning formula for both comfort and long-lasting wear.
So, New Balance pulls out all the stops with their shoe materials, going out for the best available options. Quality comes at a price, and that’s why their shoes might lean towards the expensive side.
Also Read: New Balance 574 vs 550 (Ultimate Comparison)
Sustainability
New Balance likes to stay green when making shoes. They genuinely care about the environment; that’s why they use eco-friendly materials and methods in creating their footwear.
To stay sustainable, they use materials like recyclable polyester derived from recycled plastic. This not only makes their shoes eco-friendly but also contributes to preventing land pollution.
Moving on to the leather part, New Balance Shoes takes it up a notch with chromium-free leather. Unlike most companies using Chromium III-tanned leather, which can be harmful to the environment and people, New Balance opts for an eco-friendly approach. Their chromium-free leather ensures both a green footprint and safety for all.
Likewise, New Balance takes a conscious approach to cotton. They source it according to standards that steer clear of extra toxins, promoting healthy soil for biodiversity.
So, all of these sustainability steps are taken, which eventually increase the cost of production.
Brand Reputation
In its 118-year history, New Balance has become an icon known for providing some of the comfiest shoes out there.
And there’s no doubt about it—I’ve scoured Reddit, Facebook, and other platforms, and people everywhere are praising New Balance shoes. They love the stylish looks and comfort, especially for daily walking, jogging, and running.
Adding to the love, podiatrists give New Balance a thumbs up for their superb foot support and knack for keeping feet in a neutral position. It’s a win with both users and health experts in their corner.
New Balance truly values its customers. In the past, their shoes were labeled as ugly and outdated. But guess what? They took that feedback to heart, revamped every design with a modern touch, and now anyone can step into a pair of their shoes with style.
Sure, they might have been stuck with the “Dad sneakers” title for a solid century, but things have changed. New Balance has successfully boosted their reputation, winning over not just the old-timers but the newer generations too.
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Famous Collaborations
New Balance understands the power of endorsing and collaborating with other brands, celebrities and fashion designers. This kind of strategy brings mutual popularity.
Now, if you ask me about the celebrities, the list is huge, but Gigi Hadid, Kourtney Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Emily Ratajkowski, J. Loare, and Jennifer Garner are just a few names.
New Balance has also teamed up with other big-name brands. These collaborations bring together the best of both worlds; it’s like a win-win for everyone. Some of their notable partnerships include:
- New Balance x Miu Miu denim
- New Balance x reformation
- New balance x carhartt
- New Balance x Stone Island
- New Balance x Dover Street Market
When people spot their favorite brands and celebrities endorsing New Balance shoes, the desire to try their shoes becomes a trend. As more people join in, the demand for their shoes goes up, and naturally, so do the prices. It’s the power of trends and popularity.
Innovative Technologies for Comfort
Bringing comfort to someone’s feet is no small feat. It takes a ton of research and skill to craft a shoe that genuinely brings ease to the feet, legs, and spine.
New Balance nails comfort effortlessly. With quality craftsmanship and innovative designs, they’re not just an athlete’s choice but a favorite for everyone.
I have to say, the comfort in their shoes isn’t just from good craftsmanship or clever designs. It’s because they’ve really looked into how our feet work.
Their research and incorporation of technology into their shoes have brought about a revolution in the footwear industry.
New Balance employs smart technologies like REVlite for stability and lightness and ABZORB for absorbing shocks, especially during activities like running, ensuring extra comfort for your feet. They frequently use Ortholite insoles, recognized for their breathability, moisture-wicking features, and long-lasting cushioning.
Additionally, New Balance integrates other comfort technologies such as CUSH+, N-ERGY, FuelCell, Ndurance, and FantomFit. Each of these technologies has a unique purpose, making the shoes comfortable, shock-absorbing, durable, and well-fitting.
So, when New Balance dedicates a significant amount of resources to research and development for their shoes, it’s only fair that they seek some compensation for the extra effort. Hence, you might notice a slightly higher price tag.
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American Brand
New Balance shoes come with a higher price tag, mainly because they’re made in US, where production costs are a bit steep.
You see, workers in the US earn around $7.25 per hour, which is way more than the roughly a dollar per hour in places like China. This big difference in wages bumps up the overall cost of making shoes for US brands.
So, to keep things running smoothly and treat their workers right, companies like New Balance have to increase prices a bit. It’s not about being greedy, it’s about covering those higher production costs. Without doing this, they might face some tough financial times.
FAQ
Is New Balance Shoes a Premium Brand?
Yes! New Balance is generally considered a premium brand, especially in the athletic footwear industry. The use of high-quality materials, emphasis on craftsmanship, and a reputation for comfort contribute to its premium status. Many athletes including Sydney McLaughlin, Kawhi Leonard, and Coco Gauff reportedly endorse New Balance.
So, yeah! It is definitely a premium brand.
Why Is New Balance Shoes So Popular Now?
Well, there are many factors due to which New Balance Shoes is so popular right now. Firstly, they have successfully adapted to current fashion trends, shedding their previous “Dad Shoe” image and becoming more stylish.
Then they did collaborations with influencers and fashion brands, which have also boosted their appeal.
And lastly, the brand’s commitment to sustainability and the use of premium materials resonate with the growing consumer interest in ethical and high-quality products. So all of these have made New Balance a popular brand.
Are New Balance Shoes Healthy for Feet?
Yes! They are good for our feet. New Balance is often recognized for designing shoes with an emphasis on comfort and support. Many of their models incorporate features like extra cushioning, stability, and ample arch support, making them suitable for individuals with different foot types.
Final Word: Is It Worth It to Buy New Balance Shoes?
Yeah, why not? New Balance shoes are fantastic and don’t compromise your foot health. Despite being a bit pricey, if you consider the value they bring—comfort, quality, and style—the cost seems fair. It’s all about getting good value for your money
So, if you value longevity and comfort, it could be worth the investment. Other than that, the choice is all yours. That’s all for today.
