2026 rank
New Balance, rank 35
- Rival 50 Score
- 3.56
- Differentiation
- 4.0
- Relevance
- 4.0
- Talkability
- 4.14
2025: #12
About New Balance
New Balance is an American footwear and apparel brand founded in 1906, known for sneakers such as its 990 series. It pairs made-in-USA heritage with comfort-focused designs and wide fits.
Why it’s a challenger
Sneaker brands typically chase hype cycles, celebrity drops and constant logo reinvention. New Balance leaned into its deliberately unglamorous ‘dad shoe’ designs, turning comfort, fit and understated quality into a badge of quiet-luxury cool embraced by suburban dads and high fashion alike. In 2025 its global sales reached $9.2 billion, up 19% and its fifth straight year of double-digit growth.
This brand is in the Rival 50 2026 list. The report’s deep dives cover 14 of the top 20.
Reviewers’ view
The reviewers scored New Balance highest on activations and advertising.