Where Is New Balance Made?

As someone who has worked with OEM footwear and apparel factories across Asia, the U.S., and Europe, one question I hear a lot is:

“Where is New Balance actually made?”

The answer is more complex than many people expect. Unlike most global sneaker brands, New Balance still manufactures a meaningful portion of its products in the United States and the UK, while also operating large-scale production in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.

This guide breaks everything down in a beginner-friendly way so you instantly understand New Balance’s global supply chain.

Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• 1. New Balance Manufacturing Countries
• 2. Why New Balance Produces in Multiple Regions
• 3. Country-by-Country Breakdown
• 4. How New Balance Maintains Quality
• 5. Who Benefits From New Balance’s Manufacturing Model
• FAQs
• Related Links

Quick Answer

New Balance sneakers are mainly made in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

What makes New Balance unique is that select premium lines (like the 990, 993, 998, 996, 1500) are made in USA & UK factories with higher craftsmanship standards.

External references:

• New Balance Official: https://www.newbalance.com
• New Balance Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Balance

1. New Balance Manufacturing Countries

New Balance uses a hybrid production strategy:

✔ Major Manufacturing Countries

• Vietnam
• China
• Indonesia

✔ Premium Production

• United States (MA & ME)
• United Kingdom (Flimby)

OEM Insight:
Brands rarely invest in Western factories because costs are high. New Balance keeps them to preserve brand identity and craftsmanship heritage.

2. Why New Balance Produces in Multiple Regions

From an OEM perspective, this strategy allows New Balance to:

• balance premium craftsmanship with mass-market efficiency
• maintain “Made in USA/UK” credibility
• scale production for global demand
• diversify risk across multiple countries
• keep costs competitive for non-premium models

This dual-structure is one of the reasons New Balance has grown so strongly in recent years.

3. Country-by-Country Breakdown

OEM Insight:
Vietnam now leads because the footwear ecosystem (tooling, foam suppliers, lasting machines) is extremely stable.

4. How New Balance Maintains Quality

Even though products come from multiple regions, New Balance ensures consistency using:

• unified fit standards
• strict material testing (mesh tensile, EVA compression, outsole abrasion)
• factory scoring & approval systems
• pattern grading done in the U.S.
• in-house last development
• multi-stage QC: cutting → stitching → lasting → final inspection

This engineering-first approach is why New Balance shoes often feel more stable and supportive.

Who Benefits From New Balance’s Manufacturing Model

Best for:

• buyers who value comfort over hype
• runners needing stable midsoles
• customers who appreciate USA/UK craftsmanship
• wide-foot users (NB excels in multiple width options)

Not ideal for:

• people seeking extremely lightweight “race” shoes
• fashion-focused customers who want trendier silhouettes

Internal Link

If you're building your own footwear or activewear line and want a stable OEM partner:
👉 https://fukigymwear.com

FAQs

Q1: Are all New Balance shoes made in the USA?
No. Only select “Made in USA” models—typically premium lifestyle and running lines—are produced there.

Q2: Are Vietnam-made New Balance shoes good quality?
Yes. Vietnam is now one of the best global footwear manufacturing regions.

Q3: Is UK-made New Balance better?
UK-made models offer higher craftsmanship, but comfort is similar across regions.

Q4: Why are Made in USA New Balance more expensive?
Labor, material sourcing, and factory overhead are significantly higher.

Related Links

• New Balance Official Website: https://www.newbalance.com
• “Made in USA” Collection: https://www.newbalance.com/made-in-usa
• OEM Activewear & Footwear: https://fukigymwear.com