Our verdict
For all the praises it has from reviewers, whether about its plushness level or dapper design, the Rugged part in its name might as well be replaced with Loved. This kick from New Balance dabbles in nature explorations a bit more than its OG counterpart, giving sneakerheads an excuse to be rougher on their outings, hence the name. And since it's such an affordable piece, it begs to be owned in more pairs than one.
Pros
- Delightfully comfy
- No break-in
- Incredible support
- Eye-popping aesthetics
- New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi Trail Running Shoes
- Durable
- Breathable
- True to size
Cons
- Subpar finish
- Tricky on and off
- Turns yellow-ish too soon
New Balance 491
The Rugged wears the silhouette of its 574 siblings New Balance Taps Nice Kicks and Amoeba Music for a Limited-Edition 992:
- You've always wanted the vanilla version to be tougher underfoot.
- Summer kicks that give a relaxed fit on day one are what you're after.
- bezecka obuv new balance fuelcell propel rmx mprmxlw.
- Athletic outfits, like track pants and joggers, are what you have in droves.
- You believe that sporty sneakers like the 574 Rugged should cost no more than $90.
Who should NOT buy it
if you prefer a pair with cleaner craftsmanship, check out the Adidas Ozweego. Also, instead of getting the 574, check out the New Balance 827 Digital sneaker in grey—it boasts easier access and has no bad reports about discoloration.
10/10 suppleness on the inside
Numerous sneakerheads are super impressed with the NB 574 Rugged's immense comfort level. These comments affirm this observation:
- "x New Balance 1300."
- "The most comfortable sneaker to walk in."
- "Super comfortable."
- "Trainers NEW BALANCE YV373KN2 Navy Blue."
And the sugar on top of its buttery comfiness is its non-existent break-in period. Yes, there's no prep time for this awesome kick!
Walk like a boss in the New Balance 574 Rugged
Reviewers are impressed by the supportiveness of the 574 Rugged. "They make me feel more sure-footed," says someone who has bad hips. Another one is just quite positive in his review, recommending the shoe to folks who do a lot of walking and standing.
new balance wmns new balance x levis ws327 lva | A knockout aesthetically
The New Balance 574 Rugged is a sight to behold, and many sneaker owners highly agree. It has garnered style-related remarks from reviewers, such as "lovely shoes" and "the colorway on this shoe is absolutely amazing." But perhaps the best one is this: "one of the coolest shoes I own."
sneakersnstuff reveals a new balance model inspired by nature
Among the misfires of the New Balance 574 Rugged is its lackluster craftsmanship. One sneakerhead said that New Balance got its stitching messed up, lamenting the shoe's not-so-intact threads in some parts. Another one was displeased with the used look of the midsole, stating that it looked beaten straight from the box.
574 new balance mens nm306 blackorange blackorange
An expert adores the remarkable breathability of the New Balance 574 Rugged. He hails the featured sneaker as "a great summer shoe."
Ready to take all the ruggedness it can get
In terms of longevity, the New Balance 574 Rugged is nothing short of excellent. It's a "nice beefy shoe," says one non-professional reviewer. They don't "sag or flatten like the regular 574," says another.
new balance wmns new balance x levis ws327 lva | new balance m1500pgl gray made in england mens shoes
The New Balance 574 Rugged can be quite a challenge to get on. According to a reviewer, this is especially true for individuals who have a high instep. The same tester wishes it had a pull tab or loop at the heel to make getting it on and off that much easier.
The inexpensive New Balance 574 Rugged
By default, the 574 Rugged is among the most affordable NB sneakers out there. Compared with hiking-ready sneakers, the featured kick is cheaper by $65. That said, the 574 Rugged is but one of many budget-friendly kicks we feature here, so if you feel like browsing them, click here.
new balance wmns new balance x levis ws327 lva
It's been reported that its white parts—particularly the shoe's cushy midsole—discolor way too soon. "The white on the bottom won't stay white," says one sneaker fan.
The 574 family
New Balance's 574 lineup has just been made even more robust with the addition of the Rugged model. It's a growing family of iconic kicks, arguably the most distinct of which are the following:
574 Core. A model that eerily resembles the OG version in almost every way. Some of its colorways have speckled outsoles. Its list price is $80.
574 Sport. This is the slip-on variant of the bunch (even though it has laces). Priced at $120, it's considered one of the most expensive 574 models. It comes engineered with reflective components.
574 v2. The second-generation 574 offers more of the things that made its predecessor fantastic. It comes in more colorways than most (a whopping 30+!), some of which are metallic.
