Customer Reviews

New Balance Men's 574 Leather ( sz. 13.0, White )

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was my first New Balance shoe ever. I've seen people wear New Balance brands so I decided to try it. This shoe is VERY comfortable, cushioned, and make great for street walking. I am not very active and normally wear sandals or dress shoes so perhaps this is why they are comfortable. I have not worn athletic shoes in years. I am definitely going to buy New Balance in the future. I like the look of this shoe and the look of their other shoes.

I must say that a large part of the glowing review I'm about to give is due to the color of my shoes, which, incidentally, is not shown among the dozen or so variants available here. My pair of 574's are mostly black, with light grey "N" logos stitched on, a white strip above the sole, white portions by the top lace eyelets, and a PALE YELLOW rear "kick guard" or whatever you'd like the call the plastic strip on the back. This particular combo looks killer, and I don't see it here.

But I digress... Typically, when one goes to buy a casual sneaker, they have two things in mind: Looks and comfort. Sometimes, comfort even comes AFTER looks if you are really bent on your appearance. Versatility and longevity are OFTEN not primary factors. It's a street sneaker; you aren't looking for high-end sprinting performance to rival Usain Bolt, or the ability to wade through crocodile-infested swamps while silently pursuing a band of ruthless mercenaries.

The New Balance 574 delivers soundly in both leading categories of looks and comfort. For the first 20 minutes of wearing them and strolling around, I was alarmed by the awkward feeling they provided, as with every pair of new shoes (particularly New Balance) that I have bought. This quickly subsided as my feet readily accustomed to the shoes, and now they feel like part of my body. So...comfort, check.

And the LOOKS... When I first stumbled across the 574, I had frankly gotten sick of the typical shoe design--lots of cheap "synthetic uppers" made of whatever synthetic material it is they use, and "bling" in the form of gaudy, glued-on plastic trash that usually peeled off after a few weeks and contributed a frenetic, busy appearance reminiscent of a Jackson Pollock painting. The 574 does away with this nonsense. First off, forget what cliches may exist for suede shoes (especially blue ones), the suede used for the uppers on these is MUCH nicer than the typical "synthetic" [material]. In addition, the shoe is simple (at least mine are, with only neutral tones) and lacks glued-on tidbits, meaning that you won't be leaving a trail of spare parts behind you once the shoes age a bit. The big "N" logos scream "retro" and I think they look pretty cool. I see a lot of folks wearing New Balance shoes, and although all of them are pretty good quality, mine seem unique and a step above the typical "generic" style.

But wait, there's more! So they are comfortable, and look the part. What about those "bonus" features? Well, I haven't gone on a mercenary pursuit lately, but I can say that I jog, cycle, exercise, walk around the kitchen, go to class, go to work, drive, and push cars with these things...no problem. What's more, and this is entirely true, I rode a camel up Mt. Sinai (yes, THE Mt. Sinai in Egypt, and yes, a CAMEL) and then walked all the way back down...in these shoes. And they LITERALLY look "none the worse for the wear." Seriously, they aren't high-traction hiking shoes, so I slipped a bit on the gravel (though proud to say I never FELL) and these shoes didn't have a mark on them afterward.

Moral of the story? If you like suede, retro-ish, comfortable, durable, and generally great shoes that don't require a trip to the loan officer at your local bank, then don't hesitate to buy the New Balance M574 sneakers. They really are that good.

Great color to add to the collection. Own roughly 15 different pairs of New Balance 574s, currently. Have received many comments on the color from people. Make sure to spray with water proof/stain resistance before wearing to ensure long dirt free life. Would recommend to anyone looking for a colorful sneaker. Order a half size larger than you would normally wear as the shoe seems to run small.

These are the shoes of the everyman. The starving college student, the father on a jog, the sleeping invalid: any one wearing these exemplifies proletariat chic. To thwart identification by footwear, cloak your feet in these sneakers. Grey suede fades into the sidewalk, and stains wear upon them like a canvas for urban art.

They lack arch support though and I highly recommend insoles. The tread is very shallow and loses traction easily on any wet or smooth surface. Feet breathe easily thanks to ample vents. Classic styling, lightweight, durable and good shock absorption though, and a bold statement on urban pedestria.

These shoes are the awesomest shoes ever ... had mine for three years and plan to replace them with the exact same shoes. For a guy with big feet these were comfortable from the baginning and now feel like a second pair of really comfortable socks.

I love my 574's. Got the black and silver with the dark gray foam about a year ago (my 3rd pair), and walked all over Mexico in them. They've stood up really well, and have aged really well too. Prices seem to fluctuate a lot on them, but whatever you end up paying, they're pretty much worth it. I like darker colors because of their versatility, and their durability, and if you can avoid the white foam I highly advise it because the dirtier your shoes get, the worse they look. An who wants to pay good money to look a shambles?

This is by far the most versatile pair of shoes I've ever owned, and I recently bought a second pair. The initial break in is about as rough as for any pair of shoes, but once loose they'll love you like nobodies' business. I work in a retail/warehouse environment, where I'm constantly walking across concrete floors and occasionally climbing ladders, which can be hell on my feet at the end of my shift or even at break. These shoes are my #1 choice because I can wear them all day and all night, and not experience nearly as much soreness in my ankles as any other running shoe I've ever worn. I tend to walk with my toes straight forward, and lazily, if not typically, in a heel-toe fashion...and my 574s are size 9 but usually I wear 9.5, so like I said they're quite versatile. The only thing is, the traction is kinda mild so if you don't have ninja or catlike reflexes, don't expect to recover easily on slippery surfaces. On the plus side dog poop is fairly easy to wash off should you find you've stepped in some. That being said, I wish these shoes were available with a 'slip/oil-resistant' tread to accommodate those in the waiting/foodservice workplace ;) When I bought my second pair a few months ago, the sales dude couldn't say if or when the store would get any more in, so I'm beginning to consider hording some of these...I sort of consider them a sleeper Chuck Taylor for a new generation.

Pros=
+Ultra-light
+Subtly sporty
+Reasonably durable
+Easy to clean soles
Cons=
-Light/moderate grip
-Almost steep for broke college kids
-No oil-resistant option?
-Harder to find?

I got these sneakers for my husband after months of searching in stores. New Balance must not make them too much anymore. Anyway, our entire family owned a pair at one point and we must say it is by far the most comfortable, lightweight sneakers we have ever worn. Considering the price and comfort it is an excellent deal.

The color's a little strange, but I bought them for working out in the Wellness Center at work, and they're excellent shoes for that purpose at an amazing price.

This shoe is the next big thing. Coming in so many different colors and varieties, they're also very comfortable. I got mine at Champs, and at most stores you can get two pairs for $89. These shoes will match with anything! Good for walking all day, good for anything really. New balance is made in the United States, which also means you're getting quality too. I would recommend this shoe to anyone, especially one particular about matching and their colors. Very fashionable, I got at least three compliments within two hours of buying them.