Running shoe selections may seem endless due to the increase in the number of brands, but narrowing your search by comparing different brands might help.
In this article of our comparing shoe brands series, we analyze Mizuno and New Balance, two of the most well-known for their quality construction and level of comfort.
Even though there may not be a clear winner between Mizuno and New Balance, we will get to know how the shoes from these two brands are different and which is better for you.
Comparison Table Between Mizuno And New Balance:
| Mizuno | New Balance |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1906 | Founded in 1906 |
| Made in Japan | Made in the USA, UK, and Europe |
| Sometimes runs small | Mostly true to size |
| More Breathable | Less breathable on hot days |
| Classic and Minimalist | Bulky and Chunky Looking |
| Options for almost every type of sport and running | Lifestyle, walking, Hiking and Trail running, athletic options, |
| No walking shoe options | Best for fitness walkers |
Overview of Mizuno:
Mizuno was established on the idea that an interest in sports, at any level, inspires one to grow and improve.
The company’s origins can be traced back to 1906, when brothers Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno, chose to devote themselves to the development of cutting-edge sports equipment by focusing on advanced scientific research.
Originally only known for its golf and baseball gear, Mizuno is today a household name in the world of sports and other activities. The brand offers a large selection of athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories endorsed by the world’s best professional athletes and sports players.
In 1938, Mizuno launched the “Select Scientific Laboratory” and shifted from manufacturing leather cleats for track and field athletes to the M-Line range, which included shoes for all sports.
Furthermore, Mizuno’s commitment to employing recyclable and sustainable materials as well as its devotion to developing the most advanced running shoe technology enhanced the brand’s reputation.
Every year, Mizuno makes some of the most highly regarded running shoes on the market, and one of their best-selling shoes, the Wave Rider 25, is liked by both beginners and experts.
The brand believes that everyone should be able to live equally in a safe and healthy world and their goal is to create a better future where sports can be played anywhere, anytime, and without limitations.
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:
Now I’ll break down the different features in detail below, if you are also interested to know, let’s dig in further!
1) Comfort:
Mizuno uses a variety of technologies to maximize comfort and ease in their shoes. The level of cushioning and support in each shoe will vary to meet the needs of various runners.
The brand incorporates slightly firmer “Mizuno Enerzy foam” in the midsole to provide responsive cushioning that endures regular use and workouts. This midsole foam is 15% more responsive and 17% softer than the midsoles used in their previous models.
Moreover, “The Mizuno Wave” helps absorb impact when you hit the ground, and also gives you stability and support in both forward and backward movements.
Their ENERZY CORE foam is one of the softest and very bouncy materials available, making it ideal for long-distance runners or those who just desire added comfort. In short, comfort is guaranteed in every model of Mizuno according to your preferences.
Alternatively, New Balance is renowned for its Fresh Foam and Fuel Cell Foam technologies, which provide cushioning underside of the foot and a very comfortable, bouncy ride. It’s their patented midsole technology that’s intended to provide a better amount of padding without increasing the weight of shoes.
Also, the high impact of footsteps is absorbed by these materials, which is the best for use on highways, tracks, courts, and fields.
Also, the brand produces many other sneaker styles that provide additional support and comfort for different foot types, such as those with high arches, or flat feet.
2) Popularity:
Mizuno is a well-regarded company of sporting products in Japan. Their footwear is equally popular among new and experienced runners because it makes some of the best running shoes on the market.
In addition, Runner’s World magazine honored the Mizuno Wave Elixir with the “Best Debut” award in March 2006, and the Mizuno Wave Creation 7 with the “Best Update” award.
On the other hand, New Balance has built up an excellent reputation for producing high-quality footwear that prioritizes both comfort and performance and become most popular among athletes, sneakerheads, and dads around the world. Also, nearly every style of new Balance shoes have won awards throughout the years.
Moreover, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) will be going to award New Balance Athletics Inc. as “Company of the Year” at the April 2023 American Image Awards Gala.
3) Target Market:
New Balance’s target demographics consist of beginners and professional athletes. Also, the brand aims its products to people living in urban areas aged 16-30.
Mizuno’s target market consists of sports enthusiasts of any age who aim to be experienced athletes. However, more than 60 % of the brand’s clients are male.
4) Price:
Prices for both brands vary based on which shoe style you buy and it goes up for some models due to the difference in technology. New Balance roughly ranges from $49 to $200, and the average price for Mizuno shoes is around $100 –$250.
5) Design:
Mizuno has maintained a dedication to being at the forefront of the sporting goods industry in terms of technology, quality, and innovative styles, throughout the course of more than a century.
The brand goes a few steps further in its design process by using the skills of the most proficient shoe designers around the globe. Their mission is to combine the science of modern craftsmanship with the art of shoe design to create technologically advanced running and sporty shoes. Every element of their shoes is intended to help you reach your goals, no matter if you are a beginner or a professional.
As no two runners are identical, neither are their shoes so each model is designed specifically to the needs of the road, the track, or the trail.
Conversely, New Balance has been established for nearly a century and is recognized for selling “dad sneakers” and continues to attract older people who appreciate comfort, but today they are getting a lot of attention from fashionistas due to their bright, sporty appeal.
New Balance sells a wide variety of footwear, in addition to skateboarding sneakers and walking shoes, they offer 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.
Furthermore, most of their shoe models feature wider widths, making them perfect for runners with specific foot types.
Conclusion:
In my opinion, Mizuno and New Balance are the two best brands of running and sports shoes for every type of runner and player.
Both brands are not only the best as a producer of athletic shoes but also as go-to labels for people with foot issues. You really can’t go wrong with either and it boils down to personal choice and budget.
Each brand has its own technologies, and the one that best fits your needs will primarily depend on your intended use, including where and how you run and what feels most comfortable on your feet.
So, at the end of the day, considering all the features you’ll have to figure out which is better for you.