Are New Balance 574 Good for Running?

The New Balance 574 is one of the most iconic sneakers ever made. Loved for its retro style and comfort, it’s remained popular since its debut in 1988. But it was originally designed as more of a lifestyle shoe. So are New Balance 574s actually good for running? Let’s take a closer look.
Outsole And Midsole
The outsole of the New Balance 574 features a durable rubber compound in a unique zigzag pattern that provides decent traction and flexibility. The EVA foam midsole cushions your feet while running, though it’s not quite as responsive or well-cushioned as most performance running shoes today. Overall, the 574 offers a moderate level of shock absorption and energy return suitable for casual runs.
Weight
The New Balance 574 is reasonably lightweight, with men’s size 9 weighing around 11.2 oz and women’s size 7 weighing around 8.8 oz. This puts the 574 on the lighter end of the lifestyle shoe spectrum.
However, most dedicated running shoes today are engineered with advanced lightweight materials to weigh between 6-9 oz. So while not overly heavy, the 574 is noticeably heavier than top running sneakers.
Breathability
With a combination leather/mesh upper, breathability is decent but not stellar in the 574. The mesh paneling allows some airflow to your feet, preventing overheating on short runs.
But the leather overlays and ankle collar reduce overall breathability compared to highly-ventilated performance running shoes. During long or intense runs, your feet may get overly warm in 574s, especially in hot weather.
Cushioning
Cushioning is another area where the 574 falls a bit short for running. The EVA foam midsole and padded ankle collar provide good cushioning for casual wear. But there’s not enough soft, responsive cushioning in the midsole to provide sufficient impact protection mile after mile.
So while your feet may feel fine running a couple of miles in 574s, most runners would want more cushioning for longer distances to prevent fatigue and injury risk.
Support
With its leather overlays and padded ankle collar, the 574 offers decent foot support and stability for casual, everyday wear. But there are no structured stability features tailored specifically for running.
So those needing pronation control or motion control would lack sufficient arch and heel support logging lots of miles in 574s. The risk of injury due to overpronation can increase without adequate running shoe technologies designed to guide and align your footstrike.
Traction
The zigzag rubber outsole pattern of the 574 provides relatively good surface grip and traction for lifestyle use on various surfaces. During runs, they should handle pavement, light trails, tracks, and treadmills fine.
But there’s not quite enough depth and intricacy to the sole lugs to provide top-notch traction on technical terrain compared to trail running shoes. And the rubber compound isn’t as durable or high-traction as carbon rubber found in some performance trainers.
Fit And Sizing
The New Balance 574 fits true to size for most foot shapes. Available in standard D and 2E widths for men and D and 2E widths for women, it can accommodate narrow to slightly wide feet.
One perk of 574s for running is that they come in wider sizes that suit more foot volumes, unlike some slim racing flats. The 574 upper material also allows for a nice flexible fit that contours well to your feet. Just ensure you securely lace up and tighten the laces to prevent heel slippage when running.
Style
Let’s face it – the vintage style of the New Balance 574 contributes to its enduring appeal and why people love wearing them for casual activities. The suede/nylon upper with ABZORB heel looks fashionable with everything from jeans to joggers. And the 574 comes in a rainbow of color combinations to match any outfit. So they’ll at least have you looking cool when you run!
The Verdict
While the New Balance 574 can work for casual, short distance runs close to the 3-mile mark, its lack of performance features make it less than ideal for serious running.
The dated midsole cushioning just can’t provide the responsive experience and injury protection necessary for regular roadwork, long distances, or high intensities. And the upper and platform aren’t quite breathable, fitted or stable enough to truly maximize natural running biomechanics.
There are better quality, affordable options like the New Balance FuelCell Echo or Fresh Foam Roav from the New Balance running lineup if you want a dedicated trainer.
Ultimately, the retro-styled 574 remains a lifestyle fashion sneaker first and functional running shoe second. For those wanting to tap into the vintage runner aesthetic for occasional jogs or errand running, they deliver decent versatility. But most runners would choose more performance-engineered footwear for logging major miles.
Similar Running Shoe FAQs
Still have some questions about using the New Balance 574 or other shoes for running? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions: