The New Balance 57/40 might be one of the more underrated sneakers this year. This hybrid sneaker draws from the heritage of the 574 and marries that with the preferences of modern sneakerheads. Its chunky design and bold colors make these far from the usual New Balance sneaker, which is usually minimal and understated. But we’ve got you covered with our guide which includes tips on sizing the New Balance 57/40 and notes for styling them.
The 57/40 offers a high-quality mix of short-haired suede, smooth leather and breathable mesh.
The 57/40’s construction harkens back to New Balance sneakers of old. Its upper features a signature New Balance mix of mesh, suede and leather – giving it a premium feel for its very reasonable S$169 price tag.
Everything is placed on a thick chunky midsole that draws inspiration from ‘90s runners. The foam has been moulded to have waves and divots that create the visual effect of having two layers. But it’s really just one solid block of foam underfoot.
To maintain the shape and durability of the midsole, the foam used in the midsole is a little stiff.
It’s not the most comfortable sneaker right out of the box. In order to have a midsole that can hold its shape well and last a long time, the foam used had to be a little stiff and you can definitely feel it. However, like sneakers from the ‘80s and ‘90s, they feel so much better once they are broken in. The foam midsole and organic materials on the upper need time to mould and stretch, which in our wear test took just about two days of running errands to achieve.
The rubber used on the outsole provides the necessary grip, especially with the large retro-inspired traction pattern.
Overall, if you can appreciate its hybrid appearance and value durability over immediate comfort, the 57/40 is a sneaker we can easily recommend.
Its wide midsole gives the illusion of a wide stance even though the upper is quite narrow.
Though the 57/40 appears wide at first glance, the upper is actually quite narrow specifically at the toe box. Its perceived width comes from its wider foam midsole. If you’re comfortable with a US9 990V5, you may need to go up to a US9.5, especially if you have wider feet.
Due to its wider stance and retro upper, the 57/40 goes best with baggier apparel like straight-cut cargos and an oversized t-shirt. Since the sneaker is so bold, you could stick to apparel in neutral colors and you have yourself a pretty solid fit. Check out these Instagram posts for some outfit inspirations.
Found our New Balance 57/40 sizing and styling guide useful? You can also check out our guide to the Nike Dunk, Adidas Forum and New Balance 327.