The one gear that deserves careful consideration before running or any performance-based activity is a high-quality pair of shoes that will boost your confidence and inspire you to hit the ground.
There are so many great shoe companies in which two shoe brands that meet these criteria are New Balance and Ryka.
So when deciding to choose one to find the best fit for you sometimes takes a lot of research, hopefully, by the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll get to know which is better for you.
Comparison Table Between New Balance And Ryka:
| New Balance | Ryka |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1906 | Founded in 1987 |
| For men, women, and kids | Only for women |
| Narrow, wide, extra wide fits | Medium and wide |
| Hypo-knit, synthetic, mesh, leather upper | Breathable Mesh upper |
| Well cushioned heels | Narrow heels |
| Offers more shoe options | Comparatively less collection |
| Neutral and stable running shoe options | More stability shoe options |
| Retro-looking iconic styles | Sporty and Bright |
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.
Overview of Ryka:
Since its beginning, the mission of the brand Ryka has been to constantly believe in and celebrate each day as every woman deserves strength and happiness in the world.
Sheri Poe founded Ryka in the United States in 1987 intending to develop a better-fitting sporting shoe for women. It was the first company to design sports shoes specifically for the “foot shape, muscle movements, and build” of women. Moreover, the company manufactures athletic apparel, bags, activewear, and other accessories.
In addition, Ryka merged with Global Sports in 1997, and later this sports industry sold its branded division to American Sporting Goods Corporation in 1999.
Presently, Brown Shoe owns this brand after buying American Sporting Goods in 2011.
In their huge collection of shoes, Devotion Plus 2 Fitness Walking shoes are the latest version of their iconic style and one of their bestselling models with more than 800 positive customer reviews on the website to date.
It is a classic sneaker silhouette with leather overlays that reinforce the lacing holes, heel, and toe for increased durability.
Furthermore, the Ryka FIT Program and the company’s partnership with fitness organizations like Curves are aimed to develop and boost women’s confidence.
Major Differences between the Brands:
Now I’ll compare these brands and discuss the different features in detail, so if you are also interested to know, let’s dig in.
1) Comfort:
Ryka shoes for women are made to be comfortable and practical, regardless of the type of performance activity you participate in. These sneakers have innovative comfort and other features, making them extremely lightweight.
However, you can stroll about all day without hurting your feet thanks to the RE-ZORB responsive cushioning and the molded EVA footbed that provides extra comfort by targeting the points of your foot that need it most.
In addition, the anatomically modified soles give you additional support, while the Skeletal Guidance System enables you to move in a way that is favorable to your health as well.
On the other hand, New Balance sneakers feature cushioned insoles and exteriors to absorb shock and quick movements which makes them popular among fitness walkers. Also, the best quality about their shoes is that they have a “large toe box” and a “well-padded heel” so they can fit a wide range of foot types.
The brand incorporates a Fresh Foam, Fuel Cell Foam, Abzorb, or C-Cap midsole into its footwear depending on the type of shoe, to cushion the wearer’s feet.
Moreover, New Balance makes some specific sneaker styles that are more comfortable for people with different foot shapes, like those with high arches or flat feet.
2) Popularity:
Ryka is a popular choice among active women including gym goers, athletes, runners, fitness walkers, and health freaks. Also, the “Ryka Dynamic Pro” won the Dance Cardio category of the Women’s Health 2021 Sneaker Award, and the brand’s “Dedication XT” got the same award for Best Lace-Free Shoes in the Cross Trainer category in 2020.
In contrast, New Balance has earned a reputation as the brand of choice among athletes, sneakerheads, and fathers everywhere due to its dedication to producing high-end footwear with a greater emphasis on functionality and comfort. Additionally, almost every new Balance shoe style has received an award over the years.
3) Target Market:
New Balance aims its products at both young and pro athletes. Men, women, and kids in the upper middle class from the ages of 16 to nearly 30 are their targeted customers.
In contrast, Ryka is focused on active women who are in their 20s and 30s value both physical and mental health & wellness.
4) Price:
New Balance and Ryka are mid-range priced shoes, but if your budget is less, both brands have some slightly less expensive options as well.
Ryka goes for $49 to $169, whereas New Balance shoes charge you $49 to $200. If you need more style variants for both genders then New Balance will be worth investing money in.
5) Design:
The Ryka product line was designed with a focus on the unique needs of women’s feet and bodies. More specifically those who wanted a lightweight, high-performance shoe that is ideal for exercise and fitness training, free of the risk of injury (especially the foot).
The breathable upper of Ryka’s shoes prevents feet from perspiring, keeping them cooler and more comfortable while trekking, running, and participating in other outdoor activities.
Also, you may adjust the fit of the upper by tightening or releasing the lacing, which runs the length of your foot.
Moreover, there are different width options available including ‘medium’ to ‘wide,’ which work best for delivering a ‘women-specific’ fit.
Keep in mind that the heel of their shoes is on the narrow side, so it may take some time for your feet shape to get used to wearing them.
Conversely, the wide, sturdy, and vibrant New Balance sneakers are recognized for their sporty appeal and are a classic representation of how style and functionality can coexist in a pair of shoes. New Balance consistently embraces the “fashionably unfashionable” approach by prioritizing function over looks.
In addition, the brand offers shoe styles for skateboarding, walking, neutral training, trail running, and every day. You’ll also be able to acquire motion-control running shoes for those who require additional pronation control, as well as neutral and stability footwear.
The superior construction of these shoes ensures that they will withstand rigorous use and last for a longer period than any ordinary footwear available on the market.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
When it comes to walking, running, and athletics shoes, I would recommend both Ryka and New Balance, each brand provides distinct advantages, and the one that is best for you will depend on how and where you run or walk, as well as what fits most comfortably on your feet.
New Balance always emphasizes improving stability and cushioning in the soles to meet the requirements of a variety of foot sizes and shapes so you can rely on any of their models.
Unlike other athletic brands, Ryka has designed a variety of shoes only for women intending to give them a personalized fit.
You’ll need to evaluate each brand’s features mentioned above to choose which is suitable for you.