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VANS vs New Balance: similarities and differences

Compare brand traits, similarities and differences.

Reference brand: VANS Swap brands

VANS

United States Founded 1966

Streetwear · Sporty & sportswear · Trends & youth culture

New Balance

United States Founded 1906

Sporty & sportswear · Trends & youth culture · Streetwear

Similarities and differences

Shared traits

  • Both brands show traits of Sporty & sportswear.
  • Both brands show traits of Trends & youth culture.

Different traits

  • Streetwear

    VANS shows a stronger emphasis

  • Decoration & playfulness

    VANS shows a stronger emphasis

This pair is not included in the similar brands recommendations.

Trait comparison

  • VANS (solid line, circles)
  • New Balance (dashed line, squares)
Traits of VANS and New Balance, shown relative to each brand.
How to read the chart

Traits farther from the centre are more prominent within each brand. The chart uses the same relative display as the brand profile. Area does not indicate brand quality or absolute differences between brands.

Traits by category

Bar lengths show how prominent each trait is within each brand.

  • VANS
  • New Balance
Minimal & basics
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Polished & dressy
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Luxury & heritage
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Avant-garde & designer
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Decoration & playfulness
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Streetwear
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Trends & youth culture
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Sporty & sportswear
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand
Outdoor & functional
VANS：Relative prominence within the brand
New Balance：Relative prominence within the brand

Basic information

Field
VANS
New Balance
Country United States United States
Founded 1966 1906
Category Footwear Footwear
Other categories Clothing Bags Accessories Clothing Bags Accessories

— indicates information that is not available.

Brand profiles

Brand lines

VANS

  • OTW by Vans

    OTW by Vans is the highest-tier line intended to redefine the parent brand Vans’ “Off The Wall” spir...

    View more
  • Vans Vault

    Vans Vault (Vault by Vans) was launched in 2003 as a premium sub-line specializing in reissues from ...

    View more

New Balance

Collaborations

VANS

  • 2026-06-24

    UNDERCOVER

    OTW by Vans × UNDERCOVER. The Classic Slip-On 98 and Sk8-Hi are reimagined with uppers featuring paintings by Emma Bennett and Jun Takahashi’s design language.

  • 2026-02-27

    Palace Skateboards

    A Vans Low 2 created jointly by PALACE SKATEBOARDS and Vans. It was presented in the context of “Skate Shoes of the Year,” with performance capabilities front and center.

  • 2026-02-20

    OAMC

    OTW by Vans × OAMC. A utility-oriented design featuring the Authentic Oxford and Half Cab SP Boot, with heavy canvas and Vibram soles.

  • 2026-01-15

    VALENTINO

    The second chapter of VALENTINO GARAVANI × Vans. Based on the Classic Slip-On, the collection features six styles with patterns such as VLogo Checkerboard, big dots, and Tropical Leaves.

  • 2025-12-11

    GALLERY DEPT.

    The fourth collaboration between OTW by Vans and Gallery Dept. A series based on the Authentic, featuring paint splatters and expressions in the style of “Art That Kills.”

  • 2025-11-21

    WTAPS

    A collaboration between OTW by Vans, OAMC, and WTAPS. The Sk8-Hi GL Lug and Seylynn Lug were released in three colorways, balancing functionality and craftsmanship.

VANS collaborations

New Balance

  • 2026-02-20

    WTAPS

    WTAPS × New Balance “U1300WT / Made in USA 1300.” It is safest to treat the 2/20 date notation and the 3/6 announcement in Japan as region-specific information.

  • 2026-01-09

    BEAMS

    Their first apparel collaboration in the “Made in U.S.A.” series. Four styles, including crewneck sweatshirts, all made in the United States.

  • 2025-10-17

    JUNYA WATANABE MAN

    Across multiple seasons, they continued to announce JUNYA-exclusive sneakers, including 650 for 2023FW and 471 for 2025FW.

  • 2024-09-05

    Loro Piana

    A limited collaboration with New Balance. A special-edition sneaker based on the 990v6 and combining Loro Piana materials. Released on September 5, 2024, in select regions including North America and Europe.

  • 2024-05-15

    ISSEY MIYAKE

    ISSEY MIYAKE and New Balance announced their first collaborative sneaker project. It launched first in Japan on May 15, 2024, followed by a global release on June 14, 2024.

  • 2023-04-17

    COMME des GARÇONS

    Collaborations through HOMME and eYe JUNYA WATANABE MAN have covered both tech and retro styles, including Rainier, 1906R, and 990v6. The materials contrast leather and mesh.

New Balance collaborations

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