Honestly, the sneaker world is exhausting. Every week there’s a new drop, a "must-have" collaboration, or some $200 shoe that looks like a literal space boot. It’s a lot. If you’re just looking for something that looks good with jeans and won't kill your feet after four hours at a music festival, the noise is mostly just that—noise. That’s why the New Balance 373 is such a weirdly perfect outlier.
It’s quiet. It doesn't scream.
While everyone is fighting over limited-edition 990s or chunky 550s, the 373 just sort of sits there in the heritage section, being incredibly reliable and surprisingly cheap. It’s the "dad shoe" that actually looks like a sneaker, not a medical orthopedic device. If you've ever looked at the classic 574 and thought it looked a little too much like a marshmallow on your foot, the New Balance 373 is the slimmer, more athletic cousin you’ve been looking for.
The Heritage You’re Actually Getting
Let's be clear: this isn't a performance running shoe anymore. Don't go training for a marathon in these unless you want your physical therapist to buy a second vacation home. The New Balance 373 is a lifestyle shoe through and through, but it’s built on the DNA of 70s and 80s runners.
Specifically, it takes massive inspiration from the New Balance 363. It’s got that low-profile silhouette that doesn't make your feet look like giant blocks. The upper is usually a mix of suede and mesh—the gold standard for New Balance—which gives it that layered, textured look that ages way better than all-leather sneakers. When suede gets a little scuffed and dusty, it looks "lived in." When plastic-heavy Nikes get scuffed, they just look broken.
New Balance has been doing this since 1906, starting with arch supports. That history matters. Even on a budget-friendly model like the 373, you aren't getting some fast-fashion piece of junk that’ll fall apart in three months. You’re getting a die-cut EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) midsole. That’s basically just fancy industry talk for a solid foam wedge that provides consistent cushioning. It’s simple. It works. It doesn't need air bubbles or gel inserts to feel good.
Why the New Balance 373 Wins Over the 574
This is the big debate in the New Balance community. Well, "debate" might be a strong word—it’s more like a subtle preference among people who spend too much time looking at their own feet.
The 574 is the icon. It’s the best-selling shoe in the company’s history. But the 574 is chunky. It has a wide toe box and a very thick sole. For some people, that’s great. For others, it feels a bit clunky.
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The New Balance 373 is streamlined.
It’s narrower. It sits lower to the ground. If you’re wearing slimmer trousers or even chinos for a business-casual vibe, the 373 blends in much better. It doesn't dominate the outfit. It’s the sneaker for people who want to wear sneakers without making "wearing sneakers" their entire personality. Plus, the 373 often uses a different tread pattern. Instead of the heavy, lugged outsole of the 574 meant for "road/trail" versatility, the 373 usually has a flatter, more urban-friendly rubber outsole. It’s grippy enough for a wet sidewalk but sleek enough for a bar.
What It’s Actually Like to Wear
Walk a mile in them. No, really.
The first thing you’ll notice is the weight. They are incredibly light. Because they don't have the heavy "Encap" polyurethane rim found in the 900 series, they don't feel like anchors. The mesh panels actually do something, too. Your feet won't feel like they’re in a sauna by 3:00 PM.
Comfort is subjective, obviously. If you have extremely wide feet (4E or something), you might find the 373 a bit restrictive compared to the famously wide 624 or 574. But for the average person, the fit is "true to size" in that classic New Balance way. The heel counter is sturdy. It holds your foot in place without digging into your Achilles.
Is it the softest shoe in the world? No. If you want to feel like you’re walking on a literal cloud, go buy a pair of Fresh Foam 1080s. But those look like neon marshmallows. The New Balance 373 offers "firm" comfort. It supports you. It stays comfortable because the foam doesn't bottom out immediately.
Materials and Colorways: The Real Secret
New Balance is the undisputed king of grey. They have more shades of grey than a hardware store paint aisle. But the 373 thrives in navy and burgundy, too.
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The suede they use on these isn't the "hairy" premium pigskin suede you find on the $220 "Made in USA" models, but it’s light-years ahead of the synthetic stuff you find on cheaper brands. It has a nap to it. It catches the light.
One thing people get wrong is thinking they need to baby these. You don't.
Actually, the 373 looks better when it’s a little beat up. The contrast between the mesh and the suede becomes more pronounced. You can find them in "triple black" if you’re working a service job and need to be on your feet all day, but the classic navy with the silver "N" logo is the one that really captures the 80s terrace culture vibe.
The Price-to-Style Ratio is Ridiculous
Price matters.
We live in an era where people are paying $1,000 on resale markets for sneakers that cost $15 to make in a factory. It’s insane. The New Balance 373 usually retails for somewhere between $70 and $90. Often, you can find them on sale for even less.
Think about that.
For the price of a fancy dinner and drinks, you get a shoe that’ll last two or three years of regular wear. It’s one of the few things in the fashion world that isn't a total rip-off. You’re paying for the materials and the heritage, not a marketing campaign involving a superstar rapper.
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Common Misconceptions and Nuance
People often confuse the 373 with the 311 or the 393. It’s understandable. New Balance uses numbers instead of names, which is cool but confusing.
- The 373 vs. The 393: The 393 is a bit more modern, often with more synthetic overlays. It feels a bit more "sporty" and less "heritage."
- The 373 vs. The 990: There is no comparison in terms of tech. The 990 is a masterpiece of engineering. The 373 is a simple shoe for a simple purpose.
- Durability: Some people claim the sole peels. Honestly? This usually happens if you’re kicking things or using them for high-impact sports they weren't designed for. If you treat them like casual walkers, the vulcanized-style bond holds up just fine.
How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Tourist
The 373 is a "low-profile" runner. This means it looks best with pants that have a slight taper.
If you wear them with giant, baggy boot-cut jeans, the shoe will disappear, and you’ll look like you’re wearing tiny blue slippers. Not a great look. Try them with:
- Slim-straight denim: Roll the cuff once. Let the sneaker breathe.
- Chinos: Navy 373s with tan chinos is a classic "I tried but not too hard" outfit.
- Shorts: Because they aren't chunky, they don't make your legs look like toothpicks stuck in giant weights.
Actionable Tips for New Owners
If you're going to pull the trigger on a pair of New Balance 373 sneakers, do these three things to make sure you don't regret it.
First, check the sizing carefully. While most people find them true to size, the slim silhouette means if you’re between sizes, you should almost always go up half a size. There is nothing worse than your big toe hitting the front of a mesh shoe; it'll eventually poke a hole right through it.
Second, buy a basic suede protector spray. You don't need the expensive brand-name stuff. Just a simple water-repellent spray will prevent that "dark spot" look that happens the first time you get caught in a light drizzle. Suede is a sponge for oil and water. Protect it on day one.
Third, swap the laces if you want a custom look. The flat laces that come with the 373 are fine, but throwing in some high-quality cotton laces can actually make the whole shoe look much more expensive than it actually was.
Ultimately, the New Balance 373 is the sneaker for the pragmatist. It’s for the person who wants the history of a great brand without the hype-cycle headache. It’s comfortable, it’s affordable, and it looks just as good today as it would have in 1985. You really can't ask for much more from a piece of foam and suede.