New Balance 574

New Balance 574

Type	Sneakers
Inventor	New Balance
Inception	1988 (1988)
Manufacturer	New Balance
Available	Yes

New Balance 574 is a running shoe produced by New Balance. The shoe is synonymous with New Balance and is seen as the symbol for the company. It has been described as the "most New Balance shoe" due to the modest design and grey colorway along with its emphasis on comfortability and quality.

Overview

The 500 series was created to target consumers who wanted to run offroad, on rougher terrain similar to trail running. The 500s series used durable suede, breathable mesh, and aggressive outsoles to be able to handle the terrain. New Balance would release first model in the series with the 575 in 1986 and updated versions of line would follow with the 576 in 1988 and 577 in 1989. The popularity of the series led to New Balance deciding to release a cheaper alternative in the line for budget consumers.

The cheaper version would eventually be called the 574 and would be designed by long time New Balance designer, Steven Smith. The design of the shoe was a combination of different models. The upper was a stripped down version of the 576 while the bottom was taken from the then unreleased 577. The shoe featured the company's “ENCAP” technology which stood for “encapsulated” which provided better stability for the wearer. ENCAP is a soft piece of EVA surrounded by a hard plastic ring that is located under the heel in the midsole. The shoe was released in 1988 to massive success.

Despite being created as a budget product, the shoe would go on to become an iconic symbol of fashion and sneakers but also represent New Balance language in the way they created products.