by If you’re a bona fide sneakerhead, you might already know that New Balance dad shoes have their foothold in the game. (And if not, consider this your cue.) Whichever you pair gravitate to, they have staying power for a reason: First, there’s the practicality component that warrants their premier status for the best dad shoes. The brand is rooted in sportswear, not streetwear—so most styles tend to be comfortable and supportive enough for walking or working out.
No shade to Nike, Fila, and Asics, but New Balance dad shoes are chic, too—aligning them with celeb and influencer faves like Adidas and Reebok (which, if you recall, On Cloud Shoes has an ongoing collab with none other than Victoria Beckham). The brand has leaned hard into its history, releasing throwback-inspired kicks that look like they came straight from pop’s marathon training days. And we want them. In fact, it seems like everyone wants them (and wears them) despite them—or maybe because of them—not being Yeezys or more high-fashion Balenciagas. These are accessible and cool.
Whether you’re interested in tracking down the hard-to-come-by styles that require you to sit in online queues waiting for a chance to grab cross-trainers in your size (been there!) or want to pick up an everyday pair of New Balance sneakers that’ll work well with your existing wardrobe essentials, we’ve found the best New Balance dad shoes out there.
Best Chunky New Balance Styes
We all wondered when 2017’s ugly shoe trend might take its final bow, but the proverbial curtain remains up, and New Balance has a ton of chunky sneakers to offer. The unfussy heritage brand’s trainers have quickly become some of the hottest dad sneakers out there because they’re easy-to-wear and comfortable. (Sorry, Air Max.)
The 57/40 is bold with a distinct vintage appeal (that’s because they’re a riff of the 574), while the 624 is your workhorse shoe—take it out for errands, on dates, or even to pop by and say hi to Dad himself. Styling them is all about channeling easier times: Go full-on ‘90s father figure and wear them with slouchy socks and shorts. Looking for something more modern? The Black Snow Peak Edition features leather uppers and a moody all-black design. Taos Sneakers Moral of the story: New Balance has no shortage of sneakers that pack a chunky sole.
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Best New Balance Walking Shoes
Options are vast when it comes to shopping New Balance walking shoes. Similar to the chunky style, styling the walking shoe is all about creating balance. Celebrities like Hailey Bieber have shown us that pairing the 550s with crinkle-cut cargo pants is a sartorial win for 2022.
The retro Aimé Leon Dore low-top basketball sneaker, aka the 550, usually gets a standing ovation—they often sell out in seconds—but New Balance men’s walking shoes don’t end there. Some might say the 574s dominate in walking-shoe popularity; it’s a ubiquitous shoe for kids and adults alike. The brand’s full stack of collaborations keeps the model at the top of its game. Shop the OGs, or consider its collabs with Staud and J.Crew, both of which feature suede uppers and rainbow colorways. If you’re into high-tops, don’t sleep on the 440H, either.
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Best New Balance Workout Shoes
Though we probably wouldn’t send you off to run a marathon in one of these, many of the workout sneakers below have light athletic promise. Take the 237, for example. While it’s oozing with delicate spring palettes—this one a petal pink punctuated by navy—it intentionally resembles dad’s marathon training shoes from the ‘70s, and one you could easily take out for a long walk or to the gym.
Opting for neutral tones is another way to blend the runway with the actual running path. The 997s, for example, offer the clean look of a white sneaker with major cushioning in the footbed, making them ideal for a variety of activities. Meanwhile, the New Balance 990 blends a cool grey colorway with midsole support, proving you really can have it all.
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