New Balance 574 Review: Is It Still Worth It?

The 574 is the pair you see everywhere, then somehow forget about until you need a sneaker that goes with almost anything. This new balance 574 review gets to the point: it is not the softest, lightest, or most technical shoe on the shelf. It is a clean, dependable everyday sneaker that usually earns its place in the rotation.

That matters because plenty of shoes look good in product photos and feel bad by lunchtime. The 574 is not trying to win a race or turn heads from across the room. It is trying to be the pair you grab with jeans, cargos, shorts, or joggers without thinking twice. For most people, it does that job well.

What the New Balance 574 actually feels like

The 574 has a firm, planted feel. Its midsole uses EVA foam, and the shoe has New Balance’s ENCAP setup around the heel: softer foam with a tougher rim for structure. Put simply, it is more supportive than a flat canvas sneaker, but it does not feel pillowy like a modern walking shoe.

For casual wear, we like that balance. Your foot sits securely in the shoe, and the heel does not feel loose or wobbly. The sole has enough thickness for city walking, errands, commuting, and standing around, but you still feel connected to the ground.

If you are coming from a plush running shoe, the 574 may feel a little stiff at first. That is not a flaw. It is just an older-school construction. Give it a few wears and the upper usually relaxes, especially on suede and mesh versions. The cushioning will not suddenly become super soft, though. If soft is your number-one priority, look at a more walking-focused model instead.

Is it good for all-day standing?

For a normal day on your feet, yes. For an eight-to-ten-hour shift on hard floors, it depends on your feet and what you are used to wearing.

The 574 gives you decent heel stability and more support than a basic fashion sneaker. But its forefoot cushioning is modest. If your workday means nonstop walking on concrete, we would choose something with more foam and a roomier, more cushioned platform. The 574 can handle a busy day. It just is not the shoe we would pick purely for long shifts.

New Balance 574 review: fit and sizing

Most people can start with their usual sneaker size. The standard 574 generally fits true to size, with a secure heel and a medium-width forefoot. It is not narrow in the way some retro runners can be, which is one reason the model works for so many people.

That said, the toe box is not huge. If you have wide feet, do not assume the regular width will feel perfect. New Balance often offers wider options, and that is the smarter move if you regularly feel pressure around your little toes. Going up half a size can create extra length without really solving a width issue.

The upper makes a difference too. Suede and mesh pairs tend to give a little after a few wears. Full leather versions can feel more structured and take longer to loosen up. Try them with the socks you actually wear, not thin dress socks that tell you nothing useful.

The tongue and collar are lightly padded, which helps the shoe feel comfortable without becoming bulky. Lacing is simple and effective. You can cinch it down for a more locked-in fit, or leave it relaxed for casual wear. Nothing complicated here, and that is part of the appeal.

The look is the real reason it keeps winning

Let’s be honest: people do not buy the 574 because they want peak athletic performance. They buy it because it looks right with almost everything.

The shape is classic without being overly sleek. The chunky heel, suede overlays, mesh panels, and big N logo give it enough character, but it never looks like it is trying too hard. A gray 574 is especially easy to wear. It works with faded denim, black pants, olive cargos, and neutral sweats. Navy, black, cream, and earth-tone pairs are almost as flexible.

Brighter colorways can be fun, but the 574 looks best when it stays a little understated. This is not a shoe that needs loud colors to work. The materials and shape already do enough.

It also lands in a useful middle ground. Some retro shoes look great with jeans but awkward with athletic clothes. Others look too sporty for anything beyond joggers. The 574 handles both. Wear it with a hoodie and relaxed pants, then throw it on with a simple tee and straight-leg jeans. No costume, no sneakerhead uniform required.

Build quality: solid, with one catch

The mix of suede, mesh, and synthetic material is a big reason the 574 has held up for so long. Suede gives it texture. Mesh keeps it from feeling like a brick. The rubber outsole has a lugged pattern that grips well on normal sidewalks and pavement.

It is a tough everyday shoe when you treat it like one. We would happily wear it through regular city use, travel days, and bad sidewalks. But suede needs some basic care. Rain spots, dust, and salt marks can make a clean pair look tired fast, especially in lighter colors.

The mesh sections are also not made for rough treatment. If you drag your toes, ride BMX, or work around abrasive surfaces, you can wear through them. That is true of most lifestyle runners, but it is worth saying. The 574 is durable enough for daily life, not indestructible.

One more thing: quality can vary a bit between colorways and regional releases. Some pairs feel nicer because they use better suede or a denser mesh. That does not mean the standard version is bad. Just do not expect every 574 to feel exactly the same in hand.

Is the 574 a running shoe?

No. It has running-shoe roots, but that is not the same thing as being a current running shoe.

You can jog across the street in it. You can wear it to the gym for light lifting or a casual treadmill warm-up. But if you run regularly, buy a proper running model with modern cushioning, better flex, and support built around repetitive impact. The 574 is much better as an everyday sneaker than as a training tool.

That is not a knock on it. Trying to make one shoe handle every job usually ends with a shoe that is average at all of them. The 574 knows what it is.

Who should buy the New Balance 574?

Buy it if you want a classic sneaker that is easy to wear, reasonably supportive, and not tied to a trend that will look dated next year. It is especially good if your current rotation is full of ultra-flat sneakers and your feet want a little more structure.

Skip it if you need serious cushioning for long work shifts, want a lightweight running shoe, or prefer a very wide and open toe box. Also skip suede-heavy colorways if you know you will never clean them. A beat-up 574 can look good. A salt-stained light gray pair usually just looks neglected.

The price is usually where the 574 makes the most sense. It is not cheap enough to be a throwaway shoe, but it often costs less than trendier retro pairs that offer no more comfort and far less versatility. At SneakerNess, we like shoes that earn repeat wears. The 574 does.

Our verdict

The New Balance 574 is not exciting in the loud, hype-driven sense. Good. We do not need every sneaker to be a statement piece.

This is a solid daily shoe with a comfortable-enough ride, a stable feel, and one of the easiest silhouettes to style. It will not replace your running shoes or your max-cushion work pair. But if you want one clean sneaker that makes getting dressed easier, the 574 is still worth buying. Pick a color you will actually wear, give the suede a little care, and let it do what it has always done well.