New Balance Women’s 574

Between juggling work deadlines, running errands, and trying to maintain some sort of social life, I needed shoes that could actually keep up with my chaotic schedule. When the New Balance Women’s 574 Core landed on my doorstep promising to handle basically everything, I was skeptical. After years of disappointed “versatile shoe” purchases, I’ve learned to take these claims with a grain of salt. But I gave these a proper shot – wore them constantly for 8 weeks through every situation I could think of. Here’s what actually happened.

First Impressions & Build Quality

Unboxing these, I immediately loved how they looked. That retro silhouette hits differently – it’s not trying to be some Instagram-trendy sneaker, but it’s definitely not grandma shoes either. I went with the gray and white colorway, and honestly, it goes with literally everything I own.

The suede feels really nice quality. Not cheap, not overly precious either. The mesh panels provide some airflow without making the shoe look flimsy. After 8 weeks of regular wear, they still look great – barely any visible wear on the materials.

What I really appreciate is the construction quality. These feel solid. The laces stay tied all day (huge pet peeve of mine when they don’t), and the tongue sits perfectly without sliding around. One small thing – they sit a bit higher on my foot than my other sneakers, so I had to adjust which socks I wore with them at first.

How They Actually Feel To Wear

Let me be completely honest – I was blown away by how comfortable these are. My first full day in them was brutal: grocery shopping in the morning, a work meeting in the afternoon, then an evening walk with my dog. By the end of that 10-hour day, my feet felt surprisingly good. This ENCAP midsole thing they talk about? It actually works.

The cushioning hits this sweet spot. It’s not that ultra-squishy feeling you get from modern running shoes, but more like this steady, supportive platform that just feels right. I had one day where I walked 8 miles around downtown Chicago, and these never fought against me.

For arch support, I’d say they work well if you have normal to slightly higher arches. If you’re dealing with very flat feet or need serious orthotic support, you might want to add your own insoles. But for most of us, the built-in support does the job for everyday stuff.

Real Life Testing – Every Situation

This is where these sneakers really won me over. Over those 8 weeks, I threw everything at them: coffee meetings, grocery runs, airport days, casual dinners, weekend farmer’s market browsing, even some light trail walking. They handled it all without complaint.

The styling is perfect for that “I look put together but didn’t try too hard” vibe. I wore these with yoga pants and hoodies, jeans and blazers, casual dresses – they never looked wrong. There’s something about the shape and color that just works with different styles.

One thing I really loved – zero fussy break-in period. They were comfortable from the first wear and just got better. That’s rare with sneakers.

The Versatility Test

New Balance makes some pretty big claims about these shoes, so I wanted to see if they actually delivered.

The “all-day support” thing? Completely accurate in my experience. That ENCAP midsole technology really does provide consistent support from my morning coffee to evening couch time. They’re not overselling this at all.

The “stylistic versatility” claim is spot on too. I wore these with so many different outfits – casual, business casual, even semi-dressy occasions. They genuinely transition between different contexts seamlessly.

As for “reliable comfort,” full credit here. After 8 weeks and over 150 miles, these maintained their comfort level perfectly. No midsole compression, no new hot spots, nothing.

The sustainability stuff about bio-based content and recycled rubber is harder for me to verify directly, but it’s nice that they’re making the effort without sacrificing actual performance.

What Works & What Doesn’t

The things I loved:

• Exceptional comfort right from day one
• Classic styling that works with everything
• Fit true to size for my normal-width feet
• Minimal break-in needed
• Solid construction that’s holding up really well
• Perfect for travel and long walking days
• Great for wider feet (if you order the wide version)

The things that could be better:

• Heel area runs a bit roomy for narrower feet
• Back cuff rubbed my ankle a tiny bit at first
• Suede shows dirt pretty easily
• Limited arch support if you have flat feet
• Not great for wet weather
• Higher ankle means you need taller socks
• Not designed for actual athletic activities

Who Should Buy These

These are perfect if you:

• Need comfortable everyday sneakers for daily life
• Want versatile shoes that work with multiple outfits
• Travel frequently and need reliable walking shoes
• Have wide feet (get the wide version)
• Prefer classic, timeless styling over trendy designs
• Spend long days on your feet doing non-athletic stuff

Think twice if:

• You have very narrow feet (heel might feel loose)
• You need maximum arch support for flat feet
• You frequently walk in wet conditions
• You prefer lower-profile sneakers

Look elsewhere if:

• You need shoes for running or serious athletic activities
• You require specialized orthotic support
• You want cutting-edge tech over classic comfort
• You need waterproof or weather-resistant footwear

Better Alternatives For Specific Needs

If you need better arch support at this price point, check out the Asics Gel-Venture series. For more athletic versatility, look at Nike Air Max 90 or Adidas Ultraboost 22. Want similar style but a wider toe box? The New Balance 990v5 might be your answer.

My Final Verdict

After spending 8 weeks in the New Balance 574 Core, here’s my honest take: these are exceptional everyday sneakers that deliver exactly what they promise. If you’re looking for comfortable, versatile, well-made shoes for your daily life and have around $85 to spend, these are absolutely worth considering.

Pro tip: If you’re between sizes, stick with your normal size unless you know you have particularly wide feet. The suede stretches slightly with wear, and the best comfort comes from proper fit right from the start.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments – happy to help! 🏃‍♀️

Questions You’re Probably Wondering

How does the fit compare to other brands?

Compared to Nike, these run slightly more generous. Against Adidas, pretty similar. If you wear size 8 in most Nike sneakers, you’ll likely need size 8 in these too. Main difference is the heel area feels roomier than some brands. If you typically need wide shoes, definitely get the wide version.

What’s the break-in like?

Honestly? Super easy. They’re comfortable out of the box for basic wear. After 3-4 full days, they’re fully broken in and molded to your feet. The suede softens nicely and the heel settles properly by the end of the first week. Way easier than most sneakers.

How long will they actually last?

Based on what I’m seeing after 8 weeks of regular wear, I’d expect 12-18 months for average use. The suede and outsole show wear first. If you’re lighter (under 130 lbs), you might get 18-24 months. Heavy activity could mean 8-12 months.

Are they worth the price?

At $85, I think they offer excellent value compared to premium brands like Allbirds ($95+) or designer sneakers ($120+). The comfort rivals shoes costing $50 more, and the classic styling means they won’t look dated next year. Solid investment for everyday wear.

What are the deal-breakers?

These absolutely won’t work if you need serious athletic performance or have significant foot issues requiring orthotics. The heel can be too roomy for narrow feet, and the back cuff might rub initially. Biggest limitation? Wet weather – they’re not designed for rain or snow.

Can I wear them for long walking days or travel?

Yes, with some caveats. They’re excellent for 6-8 hours of regular walking and perfect for normal travel days. But for intensive walking tours (10+ miles daily for multiple days), you might want dedicated walking shoes with more advanced cushioning.

How do they handle different weather?

Perfect for dry, mild conditions. The mesh breathes decently in warm weather, comfortable in cool temps. But avoid rain – the suede stains and the traction isn’t made for wet surfaces. Definitely not for snow or ice.

Do they provide enough support for foot problems?

They offer good support for normal feet and mild issues. The ENCAP midsole provides decent arch support for average to slightly high arches. But if you have flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or other significant problems, you’ll likely need custom insoles or specialized comfort shoes.

How do I make them last longer?

Rotate them with other shoes instead of wearing daily. Use suede protector spray before first wear. Clean regularly with suede brushes. Keep them away from wet conditions. Replace when the heel compression becomes noticeable or tread wear affects grip.