At These Prices, New Balance Might as Well Give Away Its Best Shoe of 2025

When it comes to old-school footwear, the 471 stands out by blending in.

Published June 12, 2025

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The New Balance 471 has a lot going for it. And that’s saying something.

With 119 years of history carrying behind it, the brand can call dozens of its designs true icons — meaning, it could comfortably survive by simply resting on its laurels, so to speak.

But you don’t get to the top by standing still, and neither does New Balance, which released the brand-new 471 a few months ago to much fanfare.

a pair of white New Balance running shoes on someones feet — The 471 may look retro, but it’s one of the brand’s newest designs.

Though new, the shoe’s most endearing attribute is that it looks anything but modern, borrowing motifs from 1970s New Balance models like the 320 and discontinued 501.

These include era-correct materials like woven mesh and hairy suede, while the unfinished tongue gives the 471 an air of retro authenticity.

heel of new balance sneaker — Details like an unfinished tongue give it retro authenticity.

Priced in

But perhaps the shoe’s best quality is, in fact, its budget-friendly price tag. At launch, the 471 retailed for $100, making it one of the most affordable entry points into the New Balance catalog, where shoes routinely sell for as much as $300.

a man wearing a pair of white New Balance running shoes, red shorts, and a trench coat — Even at full price, the 471 is cheaper than most other high-profile New Balance sneakers.

Here’s the thing: thanks to End.’s annual Summer Sale, the 471 drops as low as $63 in a trio of classic colors, making not just the best sneaker of 2025 but a bona fide bargain, no matter how you slice it.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.