New Balance just won't quit. Seriously. You’ve seen the "dad shoe" trend explode over the last few years, but while everyone was chasing the bulky 9060s or the sleek 550s, a certain classic quietly reclaimed its throne. I'm talking about the Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple. It’s a mouthful, yeah. But honestly? It’s probably the most practical, vibrant sneaker sitting on shelves right now.
Most people see the 574 and think "reliable." It’s the shoe your geography teacher wore on field trips. It’s the shoe your mom uses for power walking. But when you douse that iconic, slightly chunky silhouette in a color like Prism Purple, something changes. It stops being a "safe" choice and starts being a statement. It’s weirdly bold.
The 574 was never meant to be a high-performance marathon shoe. Let’s get that out of the way. It was born in 1988 as a hybrid—a mix of a road and trail runner. New Balance basically took the best parts of their existing tech and mashed them together to create something that could handle a bit of dirt but looked clean on the pavement. Decades later, it’s still here.
What Actually Makes the Women's New Balance 574 Athletic Shoe Prism Purple Different?
Color is everything. If you buy a grey 574, you’re blending in. If you’re rocking the Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple, you’re leaning into a specific aesthetic that mixes retro athleticism with modern "dopamine dressing."
Prism Purple isn't a shy lavender. It’s deep. It’s saturated. It has this specific saturation that New Balance fans usually associate with their higher-end "Made in USA" lines, but you’re getting it in the more accessible 574 model. The suede overlays—which, by the way, are surprisingly high quality for a sub-$100 shoe—take the dye exceptionally well. You get those fuzzy textures that catch the light differently than a flat leather sneaker would.
Underneath all that purple is the ENCAP midsole. This isn't just marketing fluff. ENCAP is a core of soft EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) cushioning in the midsole with a tough polyurethane rim.
Think of it like a marshmallow wrapped in a plastic shell. You get the squish, but the shell keeps it from collapsing over time.
It’s stable.
If you’ve ever worn a shoe that’s too soft—like some of the pure foam models—you know how your feet can feel tired after four hours because your muscles are constantly working to balance you. The 574 avoids that. It’s firm but forgiving. It’s the kind of shoe you can actually wear for an eight-hour shift at a hospital or a retail store without wanting to chop your feet off by 5:00 PM.
The Fit Factor
One thing nobody tells you about the 574 is that it’s built on a wider "last" than most Nikes or Adidas. Specifically, it uses the SL-2 last. This provides a bit more room in the toe box.
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If you have narrow feet, you might find them a bit roomy. But for the rest of us? It’s a relief. Your toes aren't being pinched into a point. It’s a natural shape.
The heel tab and collar are lined with a soft textile that, frankly, doesn't need much "breaking in." You can usually take these out of the box, lace them up, and hit the street immediately. No Band-Aids required.
Styling the Prism Purple Without Looking Like a Cartoon
This is where people get nervous. How do you wear a bright purple shoe?
Honestly, it’s easier than it looks. The Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple acts as a "neutralizer" for boring outfits.
If you’re wearing all black—leggings, oversized hoodie, maybe a trench coat—the purple adds a layer of intentionality. It says, "I didn't just grab the first thing I saw," even if you did.
- Denim is your best friend. Light wash jeans and purple are a match made in heaven. The contrast between the faded blue and the sharp purple creates a very 80s/90s heritage vibe.
- Monochrome isn't just for greys. Try pairing these with a lilac workout set. It creates a gradient effect that looks very "curated influencer" without the effort.
- Go "Gorpcore." Mix them with olive green cargo pants and a beige windbreaker. Purple and green are complementary colors on the wheel, and they look incredibly earthy and cool when paired together in these specific shades.
The 574 has a bit of a "stubby" silhouette. It’s not sleek like a soccer shoe. Because of that, it looks best with slightly wider trousers or socks that hit mid-calf. If you wear them with super-skinny jeans, they can look a bit like "clown shoes" because of the rounded toe. Give them some fabric to breathe around.
The Tech Specs (The Nerd Stuff)
Let's look at what's actually happening inside the shoe. New Balance is pretty transparent about their builds.
The upper is usually a mix of suede and mesh. In the Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple, the mesh is crucial. It’s located on the toe box and around the collar. This is what keeps your feet from overheating. Suede is a great insulator, which is awesome for fall, but without that mesh, your feet would be sweating buckets by noon.
The outsole is solid rubber. It’s got these lugged patterns that look like they belong on a hiking trail. While I wouldn't recommend climbing a mountain in these, that extra grip is fantastic for rainy days or slippery city sidewalks. You’re not going to slide on a wet subway grate.
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Sustainability has also become a bigger deal for the brand. Many newer iterations of the 574 meet New Balance's "green leaf standard." This means at least 50% of the materials in the upper are sourced as environmentally preferred, and at least one material in the midsole/outsole contains a minimum of 3% bio-based or 5% recycled content. It’s not a 100% "green" shoe, but it’s a step in a direction that actually matters.
Why the 574 Still Wins in 2026
Fashion is cyclical, sure. But some things are just permanent.
The 574 has survived the minimalist era, the chunky sneaker era, and the tech-wear era. It’s the "Honda Civic" of sneakers. It’s not the flashiest thing in the world, but it works, it lasts, and everyone recognizes it.
The Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple takes that reliability and adds a bit of soul. In a world where sneakers are increasingly made of weird 3D-printed resins and transparent plastics that turn yellow in two weeks, there is something deeply comforting about suede and foam.
It feels like a real shoe.
Weight-wise, they aren't the lightest things on the market. If you’re used to those paper-thin flyknit shoes, these will feel "substantial." But that weight translates to durability. The foam doesn't bottom out after a month. The suede doesn't tear if you accidentally scuff a curb.
Common Misconceptions
People often think New Balance runs small.
Actually, they usually run true to size (TTS). The issue is that people often compare them to brands like Nike, which notoriously runs narrow. If you're coming from a brand that runs narrow, your "normal" size in a New Balance might feel big.
Don't size down.
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Stick to your measurement. If you’re an 8, buy an 8. The extra room is a feature, not a bug. Your feet naturally swell throughout the day, and the 574 is designed to accommodate that.
Another myth? That they’re "just for old people."
Look at any college campus. Look at any creative agency in Brooklyn or London. The 574 is the uniform. It’s the "anti-hype" shoe that became hype because it refused to change. The Prism Purple colorway is specifically popular with a younger demographic that wants to move away from the "sad beige" aesthetic that dominated the early 2020s.
How to Keep Your Prism Purple Looking Fresh
Since this shoe is heavy on suede, you can't just throw it in the washing machine. Please, don't do that. You’ll ruin the nap of the suede and the purple will bleed into the white laces and midsole.
- Invest in a suede brush. It’s like $5. Every few wears, just brush the suede to get the dust out.
- Waterproofing spray is mandatory. Before you wear them the first time, hit them with a protector. It creates a barrier so that if you spill coffee or step in a puddle, the liquid beads off instead of soaking into the purple dye.
- Clean the midsole with a magic eraser. The white ENCAP rim will get scuffed. A quick wipe with a damp melamine sponge makes them look brand new in thirty seconds.
- Lace swap for a new vibe. The Prism Purple usually comes with white or matching purple laces. Throw in some cream or sail-colored laces to give them a "vintage" look that’s very popular right now.
Making the Choice
Buying a pair of sneakers shouldn't be stressful, but with prices skyrocketing, you want to make sure you're getting your money's worth. The Women's New Balance 574 athletic shoe prism purple is a solid investment because it’s a "multi-hyphenate" shoe.
You can wear it to the gym for a light lifting session (the flat-ish sole is actually decent for squats). You can wear it to brunch. You can wear it on a flight where your feet are going to swell.
It covers all the bases.
If you’re tired of the same three shoes everyone else is wearing, this is your pivot. It’s classic enough to not be "weird," but the color is bold enough to be "you."
Actionable Next Steps for Your Feet
- Check your width. If you’ve always struggled with shoes being too tight, look specifically for the "Wide" (D) version of the 574, though the standard (B) is already wider than most brands.
- Verify the colorway. Prism Purple can vary slightly in photos depending on lighting. Look for "on-foot" videos on social media to see how the color shifts from indoor light to natural sunlight.
- Pairing. Grab a pair of crew-length white socks. The contrast between a crisp white sock and the deep purple suede is the classic New Balance look that never fails.
- Protection. Order a suede protector spray at the same time you order the shoes. Don't wait until after the first stain to think about it.
The 574 isn't trying to be the shoe of the future. It’s perfectly happy being the shoe of right now. Whether you're walking five miles a day or just want something that looks good with your favorite jeans, the Prism Purple 574 is a workhorse in a party dress. It’s reliable, it’s vibrant, and it’s probably exactly what your closet is missing.