A cultural archetype since 1906, New Balance has served a not-so-subtle 117 years of consistent sneaker must-haves to eager athletes, style icons and admirers alike. Originally founded by William J. Riley (and thanks to a chicken’s foot) as a means of specialist arch support and comfort for the working citizen, New Balance separated themselves from the average retailer through personalized customer care and premium craftsmanship. After having successfully released their first sneaker in 1938 – a spiked running shoe made from kangaroo leather that featured a crepe sole – New Balance went on to release other models, focusing on specific sports such as tennis, boxing and baseball. It wasn’t until 1960 that the brand showcased the Trackster, a sneaker that brought New Balance into the foreground of accessible and mainstream footwear. And with that, the rest was history: New Balance had submitted themselves into the footwear hall of fame.
A pair of fresh New Balance sneakers really are the gift that keeps on giving: the versatility in both pairing and formality makes each pair truly timeless – like Steve Jobs’ all-grey 992 or Obama’s custom grey 990. To honor the history and value of New Balance and the impact on culture and community, the brand has introduced “Grey Day”. Not only is it a day to celebrate the continuity of classic silhouettes like the 550, 9060 and 2002 – but Grey Day is a time to embrace balance in all shapes and sizes. The harmonious color grey is the perfect symbol for finding your perfect balance – and who better to lead the effort than New Balance themselves?
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