New Balance 574 Review 2026: Worth the Hype?

Introduction

The New Balance 574 has been in continuous production since 1988. That kind of longevity doesn't happen by accident, it happens when a silhouette is functional enough to keep repeat buyers and versatile enough to keep attracting new ones. In Spring 2026, the 574 is benefiting from a second wind: Google Trends data shows sustained search volume through late 2025 and into early 2026, with a notable spike in queries pairing "574" with terms like "spring outfit" and "pastel sneaker" beginning in February, the same month New Balance dropped its Spring 2026 palette of pastels and earth tones.

This is not a performance sneaker. It is not trying to compete with running shoes on cushioning metrics or trail shoes on outsole grip. What it offers is a well-priced, well-built everyday sneaker with genuine all-day comfort, a silhouette that photographs well and styles easily, and enough width options to fit feet that most brands ignore. If that's what you're shopping for, the 574 makes a strong case. If you need aggressive arch support or a featherweight feel underfoot, it does not.

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Price

At $89.99, the 574 Core sits in the mid-tier of the casual sneaker market, above fast-fashion alternatives but well below the $120–$160 range where premium lifestyle sneakers (think HOKA Clifton or New Balance's own 990 series) begin. For a sneaker built with suede paneling, ENCAP midsole technology, and a rubber outsole, the price reflects genuine material cost rather than brand markup alone. You are not being asked to invest. You are being asked to solve a problem cheaply, and at under $90, the 574 delivers more construction quality per dollar than most competitors at the same price point.

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Materials and Construction

The 574 Core uses a suede and mesh upper — two materials that serve different functions and create a real tradeoff. The mesh panels deliver genuine breathability, which matters in spring temperatures where your feet transition between cool mornings and warm afternoons. The suede panels add structure, shape retention, and a premium visual finish that holds up aesthetically through months of wear.

The tradeoff: suede is maintenance-intensive. Without a protective spray applied before first wear, the panels will attract dirt and absorb moisture. Buyers who skip this step consistently report premature staining. Plan to budget an additional $10–$15 for a suede protector and treat the shoe before it hits pavement.

The ENCAP midsole is the most technically significant component. It combines an EVA foam core with a polyurethane perimeter rim, the foam handles cushioning, the PU rim handles lateral stability and prevents the midsole from compressing unevenly over time. This dual-layer approach is why long-term buyers report the 574 holding its shape after six to twelve months of daily wear, where single-material midsoles in competing shoes often flatten by month three.

The rubber outsole provides multi-surface traction adequate for sidewalks, light trails, and wet pavement. It is not designed for technical surfaces. The outsole thickness also contributes to the shoe's weight, a consistent complaint from buyers who have worn lighter mesh-only sneakers and notice the difference immediately.

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Comfort

The ENCAP midsole is the reason most buyers come back to the 574. The cushioning profile is moderate, firmer than a maximalist running shoe, softer than a flat canvas sneaker, which makes it viable for 6–8 hours of walking and standing without the fatigue accumulation that cheaper midsoles produce. The padded collar and tongue distribute lace tension evenly and eliminate the pressure points that cause ankle irritation on longer outings.

The significant limitation is arch support. The 574's footbed is flat and low-profile. Buyers with neutral or low arches will find the standard cushioning sufficient. Buyers with high arches will not, and should plan to replace the insole with an aftermarket option (Superfeet Green or similar) before wearing the shoe for extended periods. This is not a defect; flat insoles are standard across the casual sneaker category. But it is information worth having before purchase.

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Fit and Sizing

Women's sizing runs true to US standard, order your normal size. The fit is consistent across most colorways, with one documented exception: some Spring 2026 colorways are produced in different factories than the core lineup, and a small number of buyers report a half-size discrepancy. If you are ordering a new seasonal colorway for the first time, check retailer return policies before purchase.

The standard width fits a medium foot correctly. Buyers with wide feet frequently note that standard width feels snug across the forefoot and recommend either sizing up half a size or selecting the 2E (wide) fit option, which New Balance offers across most colorways. The 4E (extra-wide) option is available in select colorways and is worth confirming at your chosen retailer before ordering. Buyers with narrow feet report no fit issues in standard width.

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How to Style It

1. Sage sneaker + straight-leg white jeans + a linen button-down, untucked.
The 574's chunkier profile balances the clean line of straight-leg denim without competing with it. A linen shirt in ecru or pale blue keeps the palette cohesive for spring. Add a rattan tote and you have a Saturday market outfit that requires zero effort to assemble.

2. Pastel 574 + wide-leg trousers + a fitted ribbed tank.
Wide-leg trousers in a neutral, oatmeal, stone, sage, with a close-fitting tank on top lets the sneaker read as the focal point of the outfit. This proportion works because the volume at the leg echoes the visual weight of the 574's midsole. Ankles are still visible, which keeps the silhouette from reading as sloppy.

3. Earth-tone 574 + a midi floral dress + a denim jacket.
The sneaker-with-dress combination has been in rotation for three spring cycles now and the 574 executes it well because its profile is substantial enough to ground a floaty skirt without looking incongruous. A cropped denim jacket bridges the casual and feminine registers without over-styling the look.

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Alternatives

1. Adidas Gazelle ($100)
The Gazelle is the 574's closest cultural competitor, a heritage silhouette with a suede upper and a similarly flat aesthetic. It runs slimmer through the forefoot and sits lower to the ground, which reads as sleeker on narrow feet but fits less comfortably on wide ones. Its midsole is thinner than the ENCAP stack and offers less all-day cushioning. Available at Adidas, Foot Locker, and Nordstrom.

2. Nike Air Max 90 ($110)
The Air Max 90 beats the 574 on cushioning volume due to its visible Air unit and delivers a more recognizable silhouette in streetwear contexts. It runs $20 more, skews bulkier through the heel, and the colorway options trend bolder than the 574's Spring 2026 pastels. A better choice if maximum cushioning is the priority; a worse choice if you want a cleaner, quieter aesthetic. Available widely across US retailers.

3. Saucony Jazz Original ($85)
The Jazz Original is a direct price-point competitor — $5 cheaper, similarly heritage-coded, and offering a suede and nylon upper combination that wears lighter on foot than the 574. Its cushioning is less structured without a ENCAP-equivalent system, which makes it comfortable for light wear but not for long days on your feet. Available at Saucony.com, Zappos, and select independent retailers.

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