Over the past few years, New Balance has pulled off one of the most impressive glow-ups in sneaker culture. Once considered the go-to shoe for suburban dads and weekend joggers, the brand has flipped the script—hard. Today, New Balance is sitting comfortably in the same conversation as Nike, adidas, and Jordan Brand, not because they chased trends, but because they redefined their lane with style, storytelling, and strategic collaborations.
At the center of this resurgence? Collabs that hit different. The 9060 with Bricks & Wood wasn’t just a sneaker—it was a cultural moment. Draped in earthy tones and textured materials, it felt like art for your feet, speaking to the growing audience that wants sneakers with a soul and a story. Bricks & Wood brought their South Central Los Angeles roots to the table, and New Balance gave them the perfect silhouette to tell that story. The drop was limited, the hype was organic, and the resale market lit up like wildfire.
Then came the New Balance 1000 with Aimé Leon Dore, a partnership that has practically become the blueprint for luxury-leaning streetwear. Teddy Santis, ALD’s founder and now the creative director for New Balance’s Made in USA line, knows how to blend nostalgia with modern aesthetics. His take on the 1000 wasn’t just a revival—it was a statement. Sleek lines, premium materials, and a muted yet elevated color palette turned a forgotten silhouette into a must-have grail overnight.
What makes New Balance’s resurgence so powerful is that it doesn’t feel forced. They’re not trying to be something they’re not. Instead, they’ve leaned into their heritage of craftsmanship, comfort, and timeless design, then injected it with fresh energy through carefully chosen partners. This approach has made their drops feel authentic, not manufactured for hype’s sake.
The strategy is working. Suddenly, the same brand that was once an underdog is now a regular on sneaker blogs, in rotation for top-tier influencers, and on the feet of everyone from NBA players to fashion insiders. The resale value on their collabs rivals long-standing heavyweights, and their general releases—once ignored—are now selling out.
New Balance isn’t just back—they’re redefining what it means to be a sneaker giant in 2025. Through authenticity, storytelling, and game-changing collaborations, they’ve proven that sometimes the best way to win the game is to stay true to your roots… while lacing up something that turns heads.
