Of the approximately four million pairs of athletic shoes manufactured or assembled in a given year, New Balance is the only major company of all the companies in the United States that does such activity. Find out, Where are New Balance shoes made? Shoes that have more than 70% domestic value claim Made in USA.
Their stance on domestic manufacturing allows New Balance to have employment opportunities for American workers at five facility sites in Maine and Massachusetts—sources raw materials, if possible, from U.S. suppliers employing more than 7,000 people.
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Where Are New Balance Shoes Made?
The manufacturing places of New Balance shoes are:
- USA
- United Kingdom
- China
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
New Balance is one of the few brands of footwear manufacturing shoes actually in two specific countries: the USA and the UK. The majority of New Balance shoes are made in Asian countries such as China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Are New Balance Shoes Made in the USA?
Yes, it has some manufacture of shoes in the USA. Its five factories are in the USA:
- Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Skowhegan, Maine
- Norridgewock, Maine
- Norway, Maine
However, only about 25% of the total shoes offered by New Balance are produced in the USA. These shoes are labeled Made in the USA. All the other shoes comprise about 75% and are made overseas.
Why Are New Balance Shoes Made Mostly In Asia?
The main reason is the cost. Manufacturing shoes in Asia (China, Vietnam, or Indonesia) is very cheap compared with the production costs in the USA or UK.
The Asian factories can produce high-quality shoes at economical prices. This is helpful for New Balance to sell its shoes at a reasonable price, which in turn sustains the company’s profit margins.
Controversy Behind New Balance Manufacturing
Most customers believe New Balance shoes are manufactured in the USA, which is not good information. The company got bashed for promoting its shoes as Made in the USA when it shifted a majority of production overseas.
A small percentage of New Balance shoes are made in the USA. This confuses customers who want to support American products.
How to Identify Where Are New Balance Shoes Manufactured?
There is one way you can see how New Balance shoes are made, and that is by looking inside the shoe: every New Balance has a label on the inside of the shoe tongue that shows the country of origin.
More tips on how to determine where New Balance shoes originate from:
- Made in the USA: will be inscribed on the label.
- Made in the UK: is written similarly on the label.
- Made in China, Made in Vietnam, or Made in Indonesia, which means it was produced in those countries.
Before you buy those New Balance shoes, it is important to check that label if you are particular about the origin of its manufacture.
5 Popular New Balance Shoes Made in the USA
Here are the most popular New Balance shoes made in the USA:
These shoes are world-class and, most importantly, costly compared to the regular New Balance shoes.
Are New Balance Shoes Better When Made in the USA?
It is a general assumption that the New Balance shoes made in the USA would be much superior in quality to those manufactured in Asia. There is a degree of truth to it.
New Balance shoes made in the USA utilize superior raw materials and have a more intricate manufacturing process. This doesn’t mean, however, that shoes manufactured outside the USA, such as in Asian countries, are inferior in quality to the strict standards of New Balance.
The most considerable difference is the price. New Balance USA-made shoes are usually more expensive than those made in Asia.
Is New Balance Ethical in Manufacturing?
New Balance claims to be ethical in manufacturing. The company ensures that every factory complies with labor and environmental standards. They work with third-party inspection auditors to check overseas factories.
For many other brands, the company was criticized for outsourcing production to cheap labor countries.
Final Answer: Where Are New Balance Shoes Made?
In summary, Where Are New Balance Shoes Manufactured?
- About 25% of shoes are manufactured in America and UK.
- About 75% of its New Balance shoes are manufactured in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
- USA-made New Balance shoes are expensive and are made of quality materials.
- The company practices ethical manufacturing but sources most of its production from overseas factories.
