There’s no doubt there has been a revolution in the sneaker community. Its success in recent years has lead to two streams of sneaker sales in the industry – classic and new. This new wave is a direct result of more enthusiasts and collectors entering the scene and, as a result, increased sales. Furthermore, it means that brands can explore new ideas and creativity in their releases. New Balance is one of the brands that is playing in both those spaces, creating a fresh lineup of future-forward sneakers, while embracing its heritage with classic releases.
The brand has seen a huge revival through 2022, with many celebrities also driving the brand image further. New Balance has a 116-year history, and 80+ years of creating footwear. As a result, there’s an immense archive of products from which it draws its inspiration. Many of the current releases have been inspired by sneakers releases in the 80s, the golden era for almost every sneaker brand.
With the rise of its recent popularity, Sneaker Fortress takes a look back at the top five New Balance sneakers of 2022. The list below is in no particular order.
Related: New Balance 574 Review – A Classic Never Goes Out of Fashion
New Balance 2002R
While the brand has a long lineup of sneakers in its archive, the 2002R is one of the most versatile. Thanks to its beautiful aesthetic and comfy style, it has quickly become a popular sneaker for fans of the brand.. As such, it was also one of the most popular sneakers of 2022, resulting in numerous new colourways.
New Balance XC-72
The New Balance XC-72 is one of the more exciting releases in recent history for the brand. Launched in 2021, the sneaker draws inspiration from three sneakers from the NB archives. This includes the 320, XC15/20, and 620 sneakers.
In 2022, there were a few new colourways released for the XC-72, one of which included Bright Mint. With its subtle pops of colour, it creates an elegant visual style for the silhouette. It also formed part of one of Archive’s release schedules in August and was a top seller for the month, showcasing the brand’s popularity in the country.
Related: Archive Weekly: What’s New in August? (15 August 2022)
New Balance M990TB2
There are quite a number of NB 990 varieties released since it’s comeback a few years ago. In addition to the version numbers, there are a few offshoots as well, including the M990TB2. This has been quite a popular release in recent years, tying in with the “dad-shoe” aesthetic. One of the more popular releases in 2022 was the blue-toned colourway as part of the Made in USA range.
New Balance BB480
The New Balance BB480 was inspired by the original 480 from its basketball heritage. Its clean style has made it a favourite while being easily paired with any outfit. It was updated to include modern cushioning for added comfort, while keeping its roots as an on-court classic.
New Balance URC30BB
As with the XC-72, the New Balance URC30BB provides a unique style. Its jagged gum outsole is coupled with a lightweight, no-frills upper to create its aesthetic. This combination has made it a popular sneaker among fans and received a few new colourways throughout the year. One of its best-sellers was the ‘Green’ colourway, which is also available at Archive stores.
2023 and Beyond
New Balance brand has a long and successful history and is set to continue to release a number of brilliant sneakers into 2023. Already it has a great release schedule for January, with new colourways such as NB990 v2 and 580 Beef and Broccoli.
In addition to its lifestyle range, the brand also offers a wide range of sporting shoes and gear, with some of the most modern technologies. Needless to say, the New Balance name is set to continue its comeback throughout the year, with many sneakerheads looking forward to new releases.
