New Balance 1906R sneakers

New Balance is a historic American sportswear brand founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1906. Originally established as the New Balance Arch Support Company, it gained a reputation for manufacturing specialized orthopedic footwear before transitioning into a global powerhouse in the athletic sneaker market.

Today, New Balance is unique among major footwear brands for maintaining a significant manufacturing presence in the United States and the United Kingdom, though the majority of its global lifestyle and performance models are produced in Asia, particularly in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. The specific model shown features the 'N-Lock' lacing technology, a hallmark of their performance-driven designs from the 2000s that has recently seen a massive resurgence in street fashion.

Unlike many of its competitors, New Balance remains a privately held company. It is owned by the Davis family, who have held the company since Jim Davis purchased it in 1972 on the day of the Boston Marathon. This independence allows the brand to maintain its core focus on performance and craftsmanship without the pressure of public shareholders.