On a recent weekend in Paris I noticed something I hadn’t seen so consistently on prior trips: nearly everyone whose outfit caught my eye was wearing New Balance. From cafés and museums to the pavements outside Fashion Week venues, the brand’s cushioned sneakers have become the de facto street-style staple for fashion insiders and travelers alike.
Why are they everywhere? Part of it is aesthetic. Certain New Balance silhouettes—think the retro suede 990s, the low-profile 574 Core, and the mesh-tech 1906R and 530 shapes—translate surprisingly well across looks. They punctuate tailored, oversized suiting and floor-length coats with an easy, modern nonchalance; they ground long slip skirts, chunky knits, and structured jackets; and they make sporty, 2000s-inspired ensembles feel current again. High-profile collaborations with labels such as Auralee, Junya Watanabe and more accessible capsule ranges (for example with Arket) have given the brand extra fashion credibility, too.
But the Paris obsession isn’t only about style. New Balance’s roots go back to 1906 as a maker of arch supports, and that focus on fit and comfort still defines the line. Many models include supportive heel counters and cushioned midsoles designed for long days on your feet, and the brand’s extended size ranges—narrow through wide—mean fewer compromises from a fit standpoint. For travelers who dread blistered feet or shoes that go numb after hours of walking, that practicality is persuasive.
The travel-friendly appeal is simple: put on a pair at the airport and you’re ready for a full day of sightseeing without an outfit change. They look polished enough for an impromptu gallery visit or an al fresco dinner, while remaining engineered for all-day comfort on cobblestones and city pavements. That “low-effort, high-reward” vibe — sneakers that are both technically comfortable and unmistakably stylish — is exactly why they’ve become a new wardrobe essential alongside a good tote, a reliable carry-on, or a little black dress.
If you’re packing for a city trip and want one pair that can do walking tours, museums and dinner, these New Balance styles deserve serious consideration. They blend support and versatility in a way few other sneakers do—so it’s no surprise Parisians and visiting fashion crowds have adopted them as the go-to travel shoe.
A version of this story first appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
