Learning some sneaker history is part of being a sneakerhead. And since we’re now aware of where are Jordans made, as well as where Kanye used to make Yeezys, it’s only right we learn where are New Balance shoes made, don’t you think? At the end of the day, it seems that New Balance is going up the hierarchy faster than anyone had ever thought.
You see, in 2023, NB’s revenues shot up significantly following the Yeezy x Adidas fallout. And this is mainly due to the effort the brand has been putting into its epic collaborations and releases. Also, it’s worth noting that, 3/10 of the most expensive sneakers in 2024 are New Balance and NOT Nike!
What is New Balance?
New Balance started out in 1906 as a small business making arch supports. Today, NB is one of the most popular sneaker brands worldwide. But while it’s popular for its sneakers, the brand also offers gear for various sports, as well as casual outfits.
As you’d expect from one of the most popular sneaker brands, New Balance offers everything from performance to trendy lifestyle sneakers. Man, even if you’re into height-increasing shoes, NB is also the brand for you. And when it comes to its archives, NB has an endless lineup of iconic silhouettes to pick from.
Where are New Balance Shoes Made?
So, where are New Balance shoes made?
Well, New Balance has deep roots in the United States, where it all began. The brand commits to domestic manufacturing in its factories in Massachusetts and Maine. About 70% to 75% of each shoe’s parts, including important parts of shoes like the upper, come from these U.S.-based factories. The brand takes pride in this, stating:
“We are proud to be the only major company to make or assemble more than 4 million pairs of athletic footwear per year in the USA.”
In other words, the U.S. factories are all about careful handcrafting, making sure every pair of kicks meets the highest quality standards. It’s also worth noting that the U.S. factories are responsible for producing certain silhouettes, including 990v2, 990v3, 990v5 Core, 990v6, and 993 Core.
You can check out New Balance’s Made in U.S. collection here!
However!
However, New Balance manufactures its shoes in more countries than just the U.S.! You see, other countries, such as the UK and Japan, also produce New Balance sneakers. The UK factories mainly produce limited-edition sneakers. So, their focus is mainly on luxury and exclusivity. Also, these factories often produce silhouettes like the 577 and 1500.
As for Japan, New Balance’s factories there are responsible for approximately 100 percent of the production process. The factories there mainly focus on producing high-performance models.
In addition, the brand partners with factories in other countries, like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Which totally makes sense. Because you no brand can be this popular that it sells in over 120 countries and only has one has only one place to produce its products. This diverse manufacturing approach allows the brand to cater to a wide range of consumer preferences and needs.
On a final note, keep it locked on our blog for more sneaker guides!