New Balance has long been one of the most vegan-friendly sneaker brands, but finding vegan New Balance shoes isn’t always easy! They make it really hard to filter for vegan shoes on their site, even though they have a good range of non-leather shoes.
I’ve been vegan since 2008, so I know how frustrating it can be trying to find a vegan version of shoes you love. Even though part of me still associates New Balance with my dad’s favoured shoes of the noughties, these dad shoes have become style icons in recent years. So whether you’re looking for retro 550s or to get in on the all-black sneaker trend, I put together this list of vegan New Balance silhouettes (plus a few NB-style trainers from vegan brands), plus how I’d style them, to make your life a little easier!
Here are a few of my favourite vegan New Balance trainers, and similar styles from vegan brands. Note: these styles are vegan at the time of writing – unfortunately many brands change their materials frequently, so always double check the materials / fabric under composition (also, when you order your shoes online or find them in-store, they’ll have a sticker inside or on the bottom showing the fabric composition).
Go for the all-black sneaker trend with this pair of trainers.
Going strong since 2009, get the dad shoe look with these classic New Balance 1906s.
Get the beigecore look and enjoy the comfort with these podiatrist-approved sneakers.
For runners: these vegan sneakers have built-in technology to help you run faster and more efficiently.
Love a classic white sneaker? These running shoes hit the mark.
I love a bit of dopamine dressing, and these polka dot sneakers with a green overlay will brighten any day.
I’ve also chosen a few New Balance-style sneakers from 100% vegan brands:
Save a bit of money and the planet with these sneakers from a vegan brand, made from a recycled cereal material.
These vegan sneakers are made from recycled plastic bottles!
These sand vegan sneakers are designed for running and have a water-resistant finish.
Vegan New Balance sneakers
Here are vegan options I found from New Balance (after a lot of digging – as I said, they don’t make it easy to identify their vegan range!), plus how I’d style each:
Go for the all-black sneaker trend with this pair of trainers.
Black sneakers are always in style, but recently they’ve been trending. If you want to get in on the all-black look, these New Balance vegan sneakers combine comfort with a classic all-black look, with black mesh uppers, black laces, and black soles.
The Fresh Foam midsole promises all-day comfort and they use 3% bio-based materials (a start, but I’d like to see New Balance do a whole lot more in this area).
How I’d style: Black sneakers work with everything, so I’d pair these with jeans, a that classic look for when you can’t make up your mind: an all-black outfit.
Get the beigecore look and enjoy the comfort with these podiatrist-approved sneakers.
Maybe black is too stark for you, and you’re a beigecore girlie (I wish I could join you, but I look like a sickly Victorian orphan if I try to wear beige). Or maybe you just need podiatrist-approved shoes for your feet. If either is the case, this pair of New Balance vegan trainers is for you.
These New Balance 1080s are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and they have a rocker profile, which podiatrists say can help with knee pain as well as foot and ankle issues (but avoid if you have any balance problems).
FYI, this sole is pretty hefty. While it’s not as chunky and has a little bit more give than the Fuel Cell, I was a little bit surprised when I saw it in person at just how thick and rigid the sole was. So it depends on your personal preferences and your foot type (for my feet, this sole would be too rigid).
How I’d style: if I could pull off an all-beige look (and had the budget), I’d create a tonal look and pair these with wide-legged cream trousers (these are nice but pricey!) and a cable-knit beige cotton jumper, plus this best-selling vegan cactus leather handbag and a gold necklace. Or for the eco-friendly end, stretchy sand trousers and a matching sweater, like this knitted organic cotton number.
Going strong since 2009, get the dad shoe look with these classic New Balance 1906s.
These aren’t the style that people use when they style “dad shoes” from New Balance, but these are 100% the New Balance my own dad used to wear. Originally released in 2009 and re-released in 2022, they scream dad shoe to me. And they’re bestsellers to this day!
How I’d style: These scream lazy Saturday to me; I’d pair them with wide-legged jeans and a knit sweater (or a t-shirt in the spring/summer months). Or pair them with mom jeans, if you want to do dad shoes with mom jeans…
For runners: these vegan sneakers have built-in technology to help you run faster and more efficiently.
If you’re a runner, these New Balance vegan running shoes are geared towards you, with extra cushioning where you need it. (And as a bonus, they look a little bit like they belong in a futuristic movie to me.)
They have a rocker shape and a carbon plate, which means nothing to me as a non-racer, but apparently helps you run faster (and they were named one of the top running shoes in this article on Runner’s World).
As you imagine, the sole is chunky and very rigid, although knowing about the carbon plate didn’t prepare me for just how thick and rigid the sole was when I saw it in the (vegan) flesh.
How I’d style: These are racing shoes, not fashion choices, so I’d wear them with whatever I was training in!
Love a classic white sneaker? These running shoes hit the mark.
Sometimes you just need white trainers. They’re perfect because they pair with anything. The only real downside is if you love a box-fresh look, white sneakers are pretty much guaranteed to ruin that from the moment you first set foot outside. Personally, I don’t mind a little bit of a lived-in look – they’re shoes, after all.
These New Balance vegan shoes are from the Fresh Foam range, which promises comfort along with everyday style. As well as the Fresh Foam midsole, they also have Stability Plane technology which Runner’s World says is perfect for overpronators (rolling your feet in as you run or walk).
What I’d pair with: White goes with everything, from summer shorts to jeans to leggings if you’re hitting the gym.
I love a bit of dopamine dressing, and these polka dot sneakers with a green overlay will brighten any day.
In my opinion, nothing beats a bit of dopamine dressing, at least not on a dull, overcast day. Looking down and seeing polka dots on my feet like these vegan New Balance sneakers would definitely brighten my day!
These are on the higher-end price-wise but I love the Y2K look, the cute polka dot mesh and the green overlay.
How I’d style: If I was feeling bold, I’d pair with the most on-trend colour of the season, red (which is a personal favourite – my winter coat is a Little Red Riding Hood-esque bright red number). This floaty red linen dress would be perfect for summer, or these red trousers. For something slightly more subdued but still mood-lifting, I’d go with barrel leg organic cotton jeans and a bright top, such as this organic cotton sweater and keep it simple with a neutral vegan crossbody bag and classic hoops.
New Balance-esque sneakers from 100% vegan brands
Love the look of New Balance but want to support a fully vegan brand? I picked a few sneakers from vegan brands that are reminiscent of New Balance shapes.
Save a bit of money and the planet with these sneakers from a vegan brand, made from a recycled cereal material.
Minuit sur Terre is a French vegan shoe brand, and one of my favourite vegan shoe brands. They make stylish shoes that are still really comfortable at mid-range prices. They’re actually a little cheaper than what you’d pay for full price New Balance, and I think they’re cute. The red strips on the side even look like a backwards “N.”
These vegan sneakers are made from recycled plastic bottles!
I love this pair of sneakers from Minuit sur Terre. They’re made using recycled plastic bottles (the upper is a vegan leather material made using recycled plastic bottles, and the laces are made of recycled plastic bottles too) so you’re doing your part from the planet while looking good, too! They have denim accents but are otherwise white, so you could wear these with pretty much anything you like!
These sand vegan sneakers are designed for running and have a water-resistant finish.
These sand vegan sneakers from Bahe have a minimalist-chic look and are designed with runners in mind. They also have a water-resistant finish, which is disappointingly rare in a running shoe (I say that as someone living in London). If you, too, live in a rainy climate, these are a great pick.
FAQ
Is New Balance vegan? Are New Balance shoes vegan?
The answer to “are New Balance vegan?” is no. New Balance is not a vegan company and the majority of their shoes use animal-based leather and are not vegan.
However, they have some vegan alternatives which are completely free from animal materials. See my New Balance vegan list above which links to their site (which also offers free standard delivery).
Is New Balance cruelty free?
No, as mentioned above New Balance is not a vegan or cruelty free brand.
There are some vegan New Balances. If you’re asking “which New Balance are vegan?”, I’ve listed in the post above, but as a whole the brand is not vegan.
The use of animal materials is completely unnecessary, and many high-tech running shoes these days use synthetic materials as they’re lighter weight, and lightweight designs are more comfortable and more suited to runners. Not to mention the reduced environmental impacts of vegan materials – but the sneaker industry hasn’t quite caught up.
However, there are now vegan options in most major brands (including New Balance) plus plenty of all vegan brands which make a vegan version of the classic style of pretty much every sneaker, from Converse high tops to vegan Nike styles.
I want to find a specific style – where can I get vegan New Balance 550 / vegan New Balance 327 or vegan New Balance 574s?
Sadly, while these are three of the most popular ranges on New Balance, they don’t (currently!) have vegan options for any of these styles! New Balance UK does have one style of vegan 550s, but they’re not available in other countries at present, while there’s no 327 vegan options at all.
A couple of years ago, New Balance released a full vegan 527 range, but sadly they didn’t continue them. However, if you scope out secondhand sites like Vinted, Depop, or Vestiare Collective you might be lucky enough to come across a pair in your size.
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If you’re looking for more styles of vegan sneakers, check out my full guide to vegan trainer brands, plus my guides to vegan Converse, vegan Nike, vegan Skechers, vegan Adidas and vegan Reeboks.
