8.5
/10
Best Classic Sneaker
8.5
/10
Best Classic Sneaker
Last Updated:
Jun 30, 2025
Best Classic Sneaker – New Balance 574
Timeless Style, Reliable Comfort: The Go-To Classic Sneaker
Looking for a reliable, comfortable, and stylish sneaker that won't break the bank? The New Balance 574 is a perennial favorite. We examine why this classic design remains a smart choice for many travelers.
☁️
Comfort
8
ENCAP midsole provides reliable cushioning that molds slightly to the foot over time. Availability in multiple widths ensures a good fit.
⚖️
Stability
8
Structured design with ENCAP offers more stability than minimalist shoes. Feels secure for casual walking and city exploration.
🎨
Style
9
Iconic, timeless design pairs easily with almost any casual travel wardrobe. Recognizable and widely appealing look.
💰
Value
9.5
Delivers solid comfort, stability, and classic style at a very accessible price point. Outstanding bang for your buck.
Perfect For
🚶♂️
Casual Walks
👟
Stable Support
🎨
Versatile Style
💰
Good Value
↔️
Wide Fit Option
Quality & Comfort
The New Balance 574 offers solid, dependable comfort that improves with wear. While not featuring the instant plushness of some modern runners, its ENCAP midsole technology – a core of soft EVA cushioning within a sturdy polyurethane rim – provides a good balance of softness and stability. Users report, and our testing confirms, that the cushioning tends to mold to the foot over the first week or so, enhancing comfort for longer walks. A major comfort advantage is the availability of multiple widths (standard and wide). This allows a much broader range of travelers to find an optimal fit, avoiding the cramped toes or sloppy feel common with one-width-fits-all shoes. Our testers, with both average and wider feet, found excellent fits in their respective sizes.
Durability
Built with a combination of suede and mesh, the 574 offers decent durability for its price point. The ENCAP midsole is known for holding its structure well over time, and the rubber outsole provides reasonable longevity for typical travel use (city walking, moderate sightseeing). They feel more robust and structured than lightweight knit sneakers. However, they aren't designed for heavy-duty abuse or technical trails. The suede requires some care to maintain its appearance, and some users report occasional inconsistencies in quality between different manufacturing runs or colorways, though overall durability is generally considered good for a lifestyle sneaker.
Packability
The 574 packs like a typical casual sneaker. It's moderately flexible but doesn't compress significantly like minimalist shoes. Weight is average for its class. Its packing value comes from its versatility. The classic retro style pairs easily with a wide range of travel outfits, from shorts and jeans to chinos. If the 574 can serve as your primary casual walking and sightseeing shoe, potentially replacing multiple other pairs, it contributes to efficient packing despite not being exceptionally compressible itself.
Functionality
Functionally, the 574 provides reliable stability and moderate cushioning suitable for everyday travel activities like city exploration, museum visits, and casual walks. The ENCAP system offers more support than unstructured minimalist shoes. The availability of widths ensures a proper fit, crucial for comfortable walking. Its main functional limitations are the outsole tread, which is relatively minimal and not ideal for slick surfaces or significant off-road use, and the cushioning, which is less plush than dedicated high-cushion models. The suede/mesh upper offers decent breathability but isn't designed for wet weather.
Value
The New Balance 574 consistently represents outstanding value. It delivers a blend of timeless style, reliable comfort (especially with width options), good stability, and decent durability at a very accessible price point compared to premium lifestyle or performance sneakers. It hits a sweet spot for travelers seeking a dependable, versatile shoe without needing cutting-edge tech or extreme specialization. While occasional quality variations exist, the overall package of features, comfort, and brand reputation for the price makes it one of the best value propositions in travel footwear, particularly for budget-conscious travelers or those needing a solid 'does-it-all' casual option.
The 574 have Encap cushion which kinda mold to your feet and will certainly get more comfortable over time.
- Reddit User r/Newbalance
Did You Know?
New Balance's ENCAP technology is a core of soft cushioning EVA foam encapsulated within a tough polyurethane rim for increased support and durability.
Quick Verdict
✕
Performance Scores
Value
9.5
Style
9
Stability
8
Comfort
8
Stability
8
Comfort
7.5
Style
9
Value
9.5
The VOYAGER ULTRALIGHT transitions seamlessly from trail to terminal
The VOYAGER ULTRALIGHT transitions seamlessly from trail to terminal
Performance Analysis
Pros and Cons
Pros
✓
Reliable stability & support
✓
Versatile retro style
✓
Available standard wide widths
✓
100% waterproof knit (no coating)
Cons
x
Less plush cushioning modern runners
x
Limited outsole tread (not slick surfaces)
x
Not ideal rigorous activity/heavy mileage
x
Quality inconsistent across production batches
Final Verdict
8.5
Classic
Iconic style meets reliable comfort.
The New Balance 574 is an enduring classic for a reason. It provides a dependable combination of comfort, stability, and versatile retro style that works exceptionally well for everyday travel needs like city walking and casual sightseeing. Key advantages include the ENCAP midsole that offers moderate support and molds slightly to the foot over time, and the availability of multiple widths for a better fit.
While it lacks the plush cushioning of modern runners or the specific features of technical shoes, the 574 delivers solid performance and good durability at an excellent price point. For travelers seeking a reliable, stylish, and comfortable casual sneaker that represents great value, the 574 remains a consistently smart choice.
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Compare Alternatives
New Balance 574
$
ENCAP midsole cushioning
Suede/mesh upper
Available in multiple widths
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Classic Comfort
New Balance 574
Timeless Style, Reliable Comfort: The Go-To Classic Sneaker
8.5
SCORE
Iconic style meets reliable comfort.
Last Updated:
Jun 30, 2025
Looking for a reliable, comfortable, and stylish sneaker that won't break the bank? The New Balance 574 is a perennial favorite. We examine why this classic design remains a smart choice for many travelers.
✓
Strengths
Reliable stability & support
Versatile retro style
Available standard wide widths
Excellent value for money
X
Consider
Less plush cushioning modern runners
Limited outsole tread (not slick surfaces)
Not ideal rigorous activity/heavy mileage
Quality inconsistent across production batches
View Current Price
Compare
⚖️
Stability
8
☁️
Comfort
7.5
🎨
Style
9
💰
Value
9.5
🌧️
Weather
9.2
Performance
🚶♂️
Casual Walks
👟
Stable Support
🎨
Versatile Style
💰
Good Value
↔️
Wide Fit Option
Perfect For
Quality & Comfort
The New Balance 574 offers solid, dependable comfort that improves with wear. While not featuring the instant plushness of some modern runners, its ENCAP midsole technology – a core of soft EVA cushioning within a sturdy polyurethane rim – provides a good balance of softness and stability. Users report, and our testing confirms, that the cushioning tends to mold to the foot over the first week or so, enhancing comfort for longer walks. A major comfort advantage is the availability of multiple widths (standard and wide). This allows a much broader range of travelers to find an optimal fit, avoiding the cramped toes or sloppy feel common with one-width-fits-all shoes. Our testers, with both average and wider feet, found excellent fits in their respective sizes.
Durability
Built with a combination of suede and mesh, the 574 offers decent durability for its price point. The ENCAP midsole is known for holding its structure well over time, and the rubber outsole provides reasonable longevity for typical travel use (city walking, moderate sightseeing). They feel more robust and structured than lightweight knit sneakers. However, they aren't designed for heavy-duty abuse or technical trails. The suede requires some care to maintain its appearance, and some users report occasional inconsistencies in quality between different manufacturing runs or colorways, though overall durability is generally considered good for a lifestyle sneaker.
Packability
The 574 packs like a typical casual sneaker. It's moderately flexible but doesn't compress significantly like minimalist shoes. Weight is average for its class. Its packing value comes from its versatility. The classic retro style pairs easily with a wide range of travel outfits, from shorts and jeans to chinos. If the 574 can serve as your primary casual walking and sightseeing shoe, potentially replacing multiple other pairs, it contributes to efficient packing despite not being exceptionally compressible itself.
Functionality
Functionally, the 574 provides reliable stability and moderate cushioning suitable for everyday travel activities like city exploration, museum visits, and casual walks. The ENCAP system offers more support than unstructured minimalist shoes. The availability of widths ensures a proper fit, crucial for comfortable walking. Its main functional limitations are the outsole tread, which is relatively minimal and not ideal for slick surfaces or significant off-road use, and the cushioning, which is less plush than dedicated high-cushion models. The suede/mesh upper offers decent breathability but isn't designed for wet weather.
Value
The New Balance 574 consistently represents outstanding value. It delivers a blend of timeless style, reliable comfort (especially with width options), good stability, and decent durability at a very accessible price point compared to premium lifestyle or performance sneakers. It hits a sweet spot for travelers seeking a dependable, versatile shoe without needing cutting-edge tech or extreme specialization. While occasional quality variations exist, the overall package of features, comfort, and brand reputation for the price makes it one of the best value propositions in travel footwear, particularly for budget-conscious travelers or those needing a solid 'does-it-all' casual option.
The 574 have Encap cushion which kinda mold to your feet and will certainly get more comfortable over time.
- Reddit User r/Newbalance
You Might Also Like
Classic
Iconic style meets reliable comfort.
8.8
The New Balance 574 is an enduring classic for a reason. It provides a dependable combination of comfort, stability, and versatile retro style that works exceptionally well for everyday travel needs like city walking and casual sightseeing. Key advantages include the ENCAP midsole that offers moderate support and molds slightly to the foot over time, and the availability of multiple widths for a better fit.
While it lacks the plush cushioning of modern runners or the specific features of technical shoes, the 574 delivers solid performance and good durability at an excellent price point. For travelers seeking a reliable, stylish, and comfortable casual sneaker that represents great value, the 574 remains a consistently smart choice.
SHOP NOW
We may earn a commission when you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.
About The Author
Shaun
Travel Gear Editor
Shaun's recommendations stem from direct experience traveling 24 countries and living across 4 continents (currently based in Canada after years in the UK and Australia). Witnessing the gap between marketing claims and actual performance, he created this platform dedicated to unbiased, experience-driven gear reviews you can trust, free from paid promotions.
"From UK cobblestones to Aussie beaches and Canadian winters – living across continents teaches you what travel gear really needs to endure. That's the standard here."
📍
🇨🇦
Currently Based
🏠
🇬🇧
Hometown Country
🕒
7+
Years Travelling
🌎
25+
Countries Visited
Shaun's recommendations stem from direct experience traveling 24 countries and living across 4 continents (currently based in Canada after years in the UK and Australia). Witnessing the gap between marketing claims and actual performance, he created this platform dedicated to unbiased, experience-driven gear reviews you can trust, free from paid promotions.
"From UK cobblestones to Aussie beaches and Canadian winters – living across continents teaches you what travel gear really needs to endure. That's the standard here."
📍
🇨🇦
Currently Based
🏠
🇬🇧
Hometown Country
🕒
7+
Years Travelling
🌎
25+
Countries Visited
About The Author
Shaun
Travel Gear Editor
About The Author
Shaun
Travel Gear Editor
Shaun's recommendations stem from direct experience traveling 24 countries and living across 4 continents (currently based in Canada after years in the UK and Australia). Witnessing the gap between marketing claims and actual performance, he created this platform dedicated to unbiased, experience-driven gear reviews you can trust, free from paid promotions.
"From UK cobblestones to Aussie beaches and Canadian winters – living across continents teaches you what travel gear really needs to endure. That's the standard here."
📍
🇨🇦
Currently Based
🏠
🇬🇧
Hometown Country
🕒
7+
Years Travelling
🌎
25+
Countries Visited