alance trainers are a timeless piece of footwear that, in recent years, has finally received the love they deserve. Within their ranks, they hold the best beater shoes for men and women alike, practically an icon in the footwear industry. They are the kings of the laid-back casual look, and nothing says lowkey streetwear vibes better than New Balance. On top of that, the Fresh Foam technology they have implemented in some of their shoes has proved effective and comfortable.
Today, we’re going to step a little outside of the lowkey and explore what options the brand has in regard to platform sneakers and shoes that offer height increases.
Spoilers: New Balance has two platform shoes, the 574+ and the CT302 New Balance platforms. Both of these shoes have a small platform, offering a slight height boost.
Let’s start with the…
- The New Balance 574+ (Stacked) Sneakers For Women
- The CT302 Unisex Shoes For Men And Women
- New Balance Shoes That Make You Taller
- Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Shoes
- Fresh Foam X More v4 Shoes
- WRPD RUNNER Shoes
The New Balance 574+ (Stacked) Platform Sneaker For Women
The 574 model was designed to be a dependable sneaker that could do a wide range of tasks admirably. The 574’s distinct yet wearable combination of features swiftly established it as a wardrobe mainstay everywhere.
The modern take on the traditional 574 shoe design is the 574+. To refine the touch of exaggeration, a two-piece, stacked EVA midsole with a reduced ENCAP component is included. Inspired by the original Trackster, the ripple outsole accentuates the proportions of the midsole.
The 574 is a notoriously comfortable New Balance silhouette, but the question is whether they remain comfortable after adding platforms to the mix. The sneakers have received mixed reviews on account of their comfort. The most common complaint is that they begin to hurt after a couple of hours of wearing them. This is common for platform shoes; however, for only 1.5” of additional height, is it worth it?
On the outside, the shoes look classic NB, with a combination of purple suede, grey and white. Like the classic running shoes, the 574+ also comes in a full grey colourway. New Balance is selling these shoes on their website’s online shop, but due to their discomfort, we don’t really view these as an ‘add to cart’ item.
The CT302 Unisex | New Balance Platforms For Men And Women
The traditional tennis shoe is an everlasting fashion staple because of its unique combination of athletic attributes and subtle, casual elegance. The CT302 adds surprising embellishments and exaggerated proportions to the conventional court silhouette, making it more wearable on a daily basis. Women platforms are very common, but the New Balance unisex platform sneaker is one of a kind.
The CT302 builds upon the CT300 model, an on-court model from the 1980s, by adding a stacked height midsole, an oversized interpretation of the traditional cup outsole design and ‘N’ emblem, a rubber toe wrap that extends from the outsole, and a variety of wavy and curved lines throughout the design.
The midsole platform adds 1.6” to the height of the shoe. These two platforms may seem small compared to some other platform shoes out there, but remember, Vans platform shoes only gave 1.3” of additional height. Of course, these shoes come in a wide variety of men’s and women’s sizes.
New Balance Shoes That Make You Taller
Unfortunately, what you see above is all there is, at least in regards to actual platform shoes New Balance sells. This isn’t too much of a surprise, though. After all, platform shoes are a relatively small niche in the footwear industry. Brands like New Balance and Reebok don’t really put too much energy into them.
Not to worry, we still have a list of New Balance shoes that may make their wearers a little taller. Sadly, both kids and women miss out on the shoes below, as they are men’s shoes. Still, with our platform series not yet complete, we’re sure to return to you ladies with another brand.
Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Shoes
Although many adore the thought of going on adventures in the great outdoors, the natural world offers more than just beautiful scenery and clean air. Shoes have specific obstacles because of uneven terrain, dirt, and dampness that are needed for specialised construction. The New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid is marketed to people who take deviating from the norm very seriously. These trail running shoes have a characteristic Fresh Foam X cushioning encased in a protective shell of durability and traction thanks to the combination of a Vibram® Megagrip outsole, mid-cut synthetic upper, and toe protection.
The heavy-duty nature of the shoes not only provides the durability needed for outdoor activity, though this is what it was made for. A fortunate byproduct of the thick Fresh Foam cushioning is a slight increase in height. These shoes will make their wearers at least 1” taller while they brave the great outdoors.
Stylistically, these shoes are rather narrow. We say these only go with outdoor clothing. If that’s the vibe, then go for it!
Fresh Foam X More v4 Shoes
The newest model of running shoes uses the most Fresh Foam utilised in any shoe to date. It uses more Fresh Foam X, stacks it higher than before, and distributes it down the length of the shoe to provide a luxurious but secure underfoot sensation.
In order to encourage a natural stride, a data-driven outsole strategically places dramatic cushion zones and radical flex zones while the silhouette’s rocker shape facilitates a seamless transition and ride. Underneath it all is an engineered mesh top that provides you with support and breathability while keeping you locked in.
The thick Fresh Foam midsoles provide comfort, support and, that’s right, height! The shoe gives the wearer roughly 1.2” of additional height, which is great for running shoes.
WRPD RUNNER Shoes
Correction, these shoes are unisex! The WRPD Runner’s distinctively innovative design is realised through a blend of exaggerated proportions and austere restraint. With an assortment of wavy embellishments around an unobtrusive knit upper and the sculpted lines of a full-length FuelCell midsole, this new style evokes a sensation of fluid mobility.
Certain components taken from legacy models are twisted so much that they become indiscernible and organically blend into the new style. The WRPD Runner is intended to push the boundaries of traditional running inspiration while remaining a recognisable and comfortable style staple.
The heel height stands at 1.5” off the ground, making them just a fraction shorter than New Balance’s platform shoes. We suggest clothing that fits under athleisure for these shoes; the comfier, the better!
And that’s it for the New Balance sneakers! While the brand sells many incredible shoes and clothing on both their online shop and physical stores, their platform game is somewhat weak. Still, if you liked the look of any of these and want to try them, click here to see their online store, a perfect place to find gifts for all the upcoming holidays.
