Many top brands offer performance shoes for a wide range of activities, all you need to do is identify what works best for you.
Having said that, Fila and New Balance are, without a doubt, cult favorite sportswear brands in the market, and the reason for this is both brands have made their names by manufacturing shoes that are fully featured. Also, they have a lot in common, like long histories, amazing designs, and well-known logos.
So, we’re going to dive into the Fila Vs New Balance, to find if one is better than the other.
Comparison Table Between Fila And New Balance:
| Fila | New Balance |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1911 | Founded in 1906 |
| Ranked #944 on the list of Global Top 1000 Brands | Ranked #993 on the list of Global Top 1000 Brands |
| Run small | Runs true to size |
| Athletic shoes, workout apparel, tennis, and running shoes | Variety of Casual, Performance, sportswear, and athletic shoes |
| Not for high-impact use | Best for all kinds of activities on any trail |
| Narrow fit | Great for wide feet or foot issues |
| Aesthetically more attractive | Fashionably Unfashionable trend |
| Logo represents passion | Dynamic looking logo |
| Padded tongue | The tongue feels uncomfortable initially |
Overview of Fila:
Fila makes shoes and clothes for sports. Ettore and Giansevero Fila started the company in 1911 in Coggiola. In 1923, it became an official company.
In 2003, it was sold to Sports Brand International, which is based in the United States. After that, Fila Korea bought the brand in 2007.
Fila moved its focus from apparel in Europe to footwear in the United States and got its US license.
In 2009, Anta Sports bought the brand’s rights in China, Hong Kong, and Macao from Belle International, which was Fila’s Chinese joint venture partner at the time.
The Italian company Fila produces both men’s and women’s versions of its iconic sneaker style. In addition to other shoes, such as women’s flats, it also manufactures non-slip footwear that is appropriate for the workplace.
Fila shoes are high quality because they are handcrafted by some of the most skilled shoemakers in the world, also they are great for running and walking and go well with any casual attire.
Men’s Fila Ray Racer Shoes is one of their best sellers with great customer reviews and 4.4/5 stars from 5,045 users.
Likewise, the designer clothing by the Fila brand is of high quality, can be purchased for a reasonable price, and fits comfortably.
It is a great place to shop if you’re looking for high-quality clothing that gives you a taste of luxury without exceeding your budget.
Although the brand is best known for sneakers and sportswear now, it started as a local business that made clothes.
Overview of New Balance:
New Balance is an American brand of sports shoes and clothes that has been around since 1906.
The New Balance Arch Support Company was the first company to incorporate the brand. Today, the brand is linked to New Balance Athletics, an American multinational company, and its parent, New Balance, Inc.
The headquarters for both companies is in Boston, Massachusetts and it is one of the biggest companies in the world that makes sports shoes and apparel.
It makes some of its most popular and best-seller models like the 990 in both the United States and the United Kingdom for the European market.
Many of its competitors, on the other hand, only make their products outside of the United States and Europe.
The company claims that its shoes are different because they have technical features like blended gel inserts, heel counters, and a wider range of sizes, especially for people with very narrow or very wide feet.
Since 1992, the company has made about $69 billion in profits as a whole. And From 2021 to 2022, New Balance’s sales grew by 200 percent, making it the sixth-fastest-growing sneaker brand on the platform.
Major Differences between the Brands:
Let’s take a closer look at the features of each brand and see how they compare.
1) Comfort:
New Balance sneakers have cushioned insoles and exteriors to absorb shock and rapid movements making them a popular option for fitness walkers. Also, the best feature of their shoes is a “spacious toe box” and “adequately padded heel”.
Depending on the kind of shoe, New Balance provides a Fresh Foam or FuelCell foam midsole with sufficient comfort and a mesh top to keep the feet cool. Moreover, their rubber outsoles feel lightweight and plush so you can wear them anywhere. Overall, their footwear is best to provide comfortable runs and athletic kicks throughout the day and for every season.
Likewise, the most appealing feature of Fila footwear is probably its comfort. Fila has ensured that “Coolmax” is incorporated into the designs of nearly all of its walking shoes. This technology provides long-lasting cushioning and moisture control even after wearing them for many hours.
Moreover, for people who spend plenty of time on their feet, memory foam insoles are the perfect solution, because they provide specialized comfort where it’s needed most, reducing fatigue and soreness in the toes, arch, and heels. Fila installs this type of insole in all of their shoes, whenever you put on a pair of Fila, you can rest assured that they will be comfortable and will conform to the contour of your foot as you walk or run. In addition to protecting and supporting the movement of your feet with each step, their sneakers enhance your running experience.
2) Popularity:
Fila and New Balance are well-known all over the world and have won many awards over the years. Customers of Fila ranked the brand at #944 on the list of Global Top 1000 Brands, while New Balance is ranked at #993 by their clients.
In addition to its early success in the streetwear and athletic wear markets, Fila has now become a major name in the high fashion industry. They have collaborated with Fendi and many well-known designers and artists. Also, the brand appears on the runways of major fashion events and attracted attention at the 2019 Milan Fashion Week.
Alternately, New Balance has earned a great reputation for manufacturing high-quality footwear that promotes both comfort and performance and has become the most popular brand among athletes, sneakerheads, and older people worldwide. In addition, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) will honor New Balance Athletics Inc. as “Company of the Year” at the American Image Award Ceremony in April 2023.
3) Target Market:
The target market of New Balance consists of beginner and professional athletes. They offer its collections to men, women, and children from the upper middle class aged between 16 to almost 30.
On the other hand, Fila has a wide range of products with a good mix of classic and modern styles that can complement people of different types, from teenagers to middle-aged men and women.
40 Price:
You may expect to spend $49 to more than $200 on a pair of New Balance, while FILA sneakers can range up to $250, you’ll find most of the brand’s footwear at under $100. Keeping an eye on sales is a good idea because you can save a lot of money.
5) Design:
Fila is known for its timeless, simplistic designs, which are the most fashionable in the industry. Its sportswear, which includes athletic shoes, workout gear, and tennis apparel is popular globally, and is available in many colors and styles, allowing everyone to choose a pair that suits their personal preference.
Furthermore, their running, tennis, and basketball shoes are very durable and supportive, so they can be used for a wide range of sports without being damaged easily. The brand also offers toning shoes with plenty of padding to reduce stress on the knees and other joints when doing low-impact exercises. In general, shoes from this brand are made to be versatile and trendy, which has helped it build a strong customer base.
Alternatively, the thick, chunky, and colorful New Balance sneakers are well-known for their sporty appeal and are a perfect example of how style and performance can come together in a pair of shoes.
In addition to skateboarding sneakers and walking shoes, the brand offers neutral trainers, trail running shoes, and minimalist running shoes. Also, you will get racing flats for speed and stability, as well as motion-control running shoes for runners who need more pronation control.
New Balance always represents the “fashionably unfashionable” trend by being practical rather than only aesthetically pleasing. The high-quality design means that shoes can handle tough movements and will last longer than others in the market.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
New Balance and Fila have a lot to offer when it comes to a variety of styles. Each brand has an area where it shines, while in others they do equally well.
New Balance shoes have a wider toe box so they are best for a wide fit or specific foot types, also podiatrists frequently recommend their shoes. Conversely, Fila sneakers feature a narrower fit for people who enjoy a snug sock-like comfort while walking or exercising.
Moreover, Fila sneakers are also a decent choice for what they are intended for, especially considering their relatively low costs.
While both brands utilize high-quality materials, the footwear of New Balance is great to wear on any trail but if you need a more breezy option then go for Fila.