Sneaker Freaker’s Epic New Balance 574 Book is Here!

Sneaker Freaker and New Balance have teamed up to celebrate the classic 574 model in a luxuriously designed 160-page hardcover book! The cover star is the 574 Core, which has added a sustainability focus to the burgeoning franchise.

Originally released in 1988, the 574 launched as part of the 5-Series stable of runners. Curiously, the shoe is not listed in late-80s catalogues, nor does it feature in the brand’s impressive archive of vintage print advertising. Going back to day one, we analyse the 574’s origins and examine how the heritage staple slots into the overarching New Balance narrative. From Boston we travel to Harajuku, where the 574’s cult status was minted in the early 2000s via the pages of FRUiTS magazine. Sourcing vintage 574s was almost mission impossible, but we managed to track down what could very well be the last remaining OG pairs in existence.

We also explore the rich history of co-branded 574 releases. The last three years alone have netted culture-shifting collaborations with Tokyo Design Studio, Miu Miu, Junya Watanabe and Salehe Bembury among others. As Kevin Downie – the world’s keenest 574 collector – says in our interview, ‘No wonder it’s the bestselling New Balance of all time!’

The 574 book is a reprint of the Sneaker Freaker publication originally released in 2018. Over 80 pages of all-new content and hundreds of updated images have been added to the new edition, which is printed on deluxe 170gsm satin art paper and wrapped in Wibalin cloth.

The Sneaker Freaker x New Balance 574 book will be released in very limited quantities. A newspaper version will also be available in select countries via New Balance.