New Balance shoes are made both in the United States and in Asia, with select premium styles assembled at five New England factories in Maine and Massachusetts under the brand’s MADE in USA program, while the majority of New Balance’s global production takes place in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.
New Balance is known for being the only major athletic footwear brand that still manufactures shoes in the United States, with its American factories producing over 4 million pairs annually and applying at least 70 percent domestic value to qualify for the Made in USA designation.
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. is a privately held American company founded in 1906 in Boston, Massachusetts, still family-owned by Jim and Anne Davis who acquired the company in 1972, and headquartered in Brighton, Massachusetts with approximately $7 billion in annual global revenue as of 2024.
Knowing where New Balance shoes are made is essential for buyers who specifically want American-made athletic footwear, since only certain models in the lineup carry the USA manufacturing designation while the majority of New Balance products are imported from Asia.
This article covers which specific New Balance models are made in the USA, where the American factories are located, how the 70 percent domestic value rule works, and how New Balance compares to Nike and Brooks on American manufacturing.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes New Balance Shoes?
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. is the manufacturer of New Balance shoes, operating its own factories in New England alongside its network of Asian contract manufacturers.
New Balance was founded in 1906 by English immigrant William Riley in Boston as the New Balance Arch Support Company, initially making arch support insoles.
Jim Davis and his wife Anne Davis purchased the company in 1972, and the Davis family still owns it today.
Joe Preston serves as New Balance President and CEO. The company employs approximately 8,500 people worldwide and operates in over 120 countries.
New Balance has never gone public, maintaining the private family ownership structure that has preserved its American manufacturing investments even when they are not economically optimal.
Which New Balance Shoes Are Made in the USA?
New Balance’s MADE in USA program covers select running and walking shoe models assembled at its New England factories.
The 990 series, including the 990v6, is the flagship American-made model and is produced at the Lawrence, Massachusetts factory.
The 993, 998, 1300, 1540, and several other heritage running silhouettes are also part of the domestic lineup.
New Balance applies the Made in USA label when at least 70 percent of the shoe’s total manufacturing cost is attributable to domestic production.
This means American-assembled New Balance shoes can include some imported components such as outsole rubber or certain fabrics, as long as the majority of the manufacturing value is added in the United States.
American-made New Balance shoes carry a small U.S. flag on the tongue label for easy identification.
Where Are New Balance’s American Factories?
New Balance operates five manufacturing facilities in New England. The Lawrence, Massachusetts factory is the largest and most iconic, occupying a historic mill building and producing the highest volume of MADE in USA New Balance shoes, including the entire 990 series.
The Methuen, Massachusetts factory also contributes to domestic production.
In Maine, New Balance operates factories in Norridgewock and Skowhegan. The Skowhegan factory, known as New Balance Central Maine, expanded significantly and celebrated its grand reopening in September 2025 as part of a major investment in domestic manufacturing capacity.
A sixth factory in Londonderry, New Hampshire broke ground in 2025 as a $70 million investment adding 150 jobs, targeting a Fall 2025 production launch. Together these facilities employ over 1,500 American manufacturing workers.
Where Are Most New Balance Shoes Made?
The majority of New Balance shoes sold globally are made in Vietnam, China, and Indonesia by contract manufacturers.
These are the imported models that do not carry the American flag or MADE in USA label on the tongue.
Vietnam is New Balance’s largest overseas production country, consistent with the broader athletic footwear industry’s shift toward Vietnamese manufacturing.
New Balance also produces some models in the United Kingdom at its Flimby factory in Cumbria, England, primarily for the UK and European markets. UK-made New Balance shoes carry a Union Jack label similar to the U.S. flag on domestic models.
New Balance vs. Nike vs. Brooks: Which Brand Is Most American-Made?
New Balance is unambiguously the most American-made major athletic shoe brand. Nike manufactures all of its footwear overseas with no U.S. production.
Brooks, the premium running shoe brand owned by Berkshire Hathaway, also manufactures entirely in Asia with no domestic production.
New Balance has invested $155 million in expanding its U.S. factory presence since 2021, making it the only major athletic shoe company still actively building American manufacturing capacity.
For buyers who specifically want American-made athletic footwear, New Balance is the only major brand option. For other footwear brand origins, see Where Are Brooks Shoes Made and Where Are Jordans Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where New Balance Shoes Are Made
How do I know if my New Balance shoes are made in the USA?
Look for a small American flag on the tongue label of the shoe. MADE in USA New Balance shoes also state “Made in USA” on the label. Models without the flag are made overseas. You can also check the product page on newbalance.com, where American-made models are clearly labeled in the product description and are often grouped in a dedicated MADE section.
Is the New Balance 990 made in the USA?
Yes. The New Balance 990 series, including the current 990v6 and previous versions, is assembled at the Lawrence, Massachusetts factory. The 990 is the most recognized model in New Balance’s domestic lineup and has been continuously produced in the United States since its introduction in 1982, making it one of the longest-running American-made athletic shoes in history.
Is New Balance owned by Nike or Adidas?
No. New Balance is an independent, privately held American company owned by Jim and Anne Davis, who acquired it in 1972. New Balance has no ownership relationship with Nike, Adidas, or any other footwear conglomerate. Its independence from public market pressure is frequently cited as the reason it has maintained American manufacturing investments that a publicly traded company would likely have eliminated for cost reasons.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.