Nike vs New Balance
N
Nike
Global sportswear giant with premium footwear, athlete endorsements, and advanced cushioning technology.
Serious distance runners, athletes seeking premium endorsement alignment, and consumers prioritizing long-term cushioning performance over initial softness.
VS
New Balance
Rising athletic brand achieving 19% sales growth in 2025 with accessible pricing and immediately comfortable footwear.
Budget-conscious runners seeking comfort at entry, casual athletes prioritizing initial softness, and consumers supporting brands gaining genuine market share and disrupting category leaders.
Short Answer
New Balance surged 19% in 2025 sales to $9.2 billion, gaining market share from Nike, while Nike maintains stronger long-distance cushioning durability and premium athlete endorsements. New Balance excels in initial comfort and accessibility pricing, whereas Nike dominates in brand prestige and advanced midsole technology (42mm stack heights).
Our Verdict
Choose Nike if you prioritize proven long-distance durability, premium athlete collaborations, and cutting-edge midsole engineering (42mm+ stack heights for maximum support). Choose New Balance if you value initial comfort, aggressive pricing ($145 flagship models), and support a brand gaining genuine market momentum—up 19% in 2025 while taking share directly from Nike.
Nike6.7
8.3New Balance
Choose Nike if
Serious distance runners, athletes seeking premium endorsement alignment, and consumers prioritizing long-term cushioning performance over initial softness.
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
2025 Annual Sales Growth: New Balance wins ($9.2 billion (+19%) vs Estimated 3-5%)
🔹
Cushioning Durability (Long Distance): Nike wins (Superior retention over 10+ miles vs Softer initial feel but less longevity)
🔹
Market Share Momentum (2025-2026): New Balance wins (Gaining share from Nike and others vs Losing share to competitors)
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Nike | New Balance | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue(USD) | $51 Billion | — | — |
| Projected 2026 Revenue Growth(%) | Nike | — | — |
| Projected 2026 EPS Growth(%) | Nike | — | — |
| Global Market Position(rank) | Nike | — | — |
| Company Founding Year |
Key Differences
Nike
Attribute
New Balance
Estimated 3-5%
2025 Annual Sales Growth
$9.2 billion (+19%)🏆
Superior retention over 10+ miles🏆
Cushioning Durability (Long Distance)
Softer initial feel but less longevity
Losing share to competitors
Market Share Momentum (2025-2026)
Gaining share from Nike and others
Related Comparisons
N
A
Nike vs Adidas
brands
N
A
Nike vs Adidas
products
U
N
Under Armour vs Nike
products
A
N
Allbirds vs Nike
products
N
A
New Balance vs Asics
products
i
S
iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
technology
P
X
PS5 vs Xbox Series X
technology
M
W
Mac vs Windows
technology
A
S
Apple vs Samsung
brands
A
i
Android vs iOS
technology
N
A
NVIDIA vs AMD
technology
C
P
Coca-Cola vs Pepsi
brands
Related Articles
technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Last updated: May 10, 2026AI generated
