Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, and Kaia Gerber have all worn the brand.
Living in New York City, it’s no surprise my sneakers get worn out pretty fast. They’re my preferred type of shoe on days when I run errands, go shopping, brunch with friends, and, of course, go to the gym. But, I got a little tired of buying $150 sneakers for them to not only look dingy and gross after a mere six months, but also extremely worn out. So, I went on a mission: Find good but affordable sneakers.
Through the quickest Google search of my life, I was, in fact, convinced I found the perfect pair of sneakers that rivaled another pair of my favorite (albeit pricier) kicks. The best part? They were under $80—and from celeb-loved shoe brand, New Balance.
I’ve been a longtime fan of New Balance sneakers, but had never purchased a pair that looked and felt like an athletic shoe. I’ve always been more interested in their lifestyle collections, wearing 550s after seeing how chic celebrities like Blake Lively, Sofia Richie Grainge, Kaia Geber, and Taylor Swift style the brand. But I can’t exactly pull off those sneakers when working out, not to mention I needed a more versatile shoe to take from the gym to running around the city.
Buy on Amazon $80
Thus, I found the New Balance Fresh Foam 680v8 pair to be ideal for just that. They’re from a celeb-worn brand, received rave reviews from so many shoppers, and they fit and look just like my pricier, go-to sneakers—but for less than half the price. They also come in the cutest colors —I purchased the sea salt color but currently have the quarry blue in my cart.
When I find a pair of sneakers I love, I hold on tight. I have completely changed my mindset about comfort when it comes to walking around the city. I no longer reach for hard soled, trendy sneakers to fall into the ranks of everyone else on the street. Comfort and support are my main priorities; finding these sneakers at an affordable price and not having to compromise on quality was just an added bonus. Plus, the sneakers are incredibly lightweight and have excellent arch support, which means a lot coming from someone with such flat feet.
Buy on Amazon $80
The brand describes these sneakers as, “durable, comfortable, and built to keep up with you whether you’re running miles or running errands,” and honestly, is that not the energy we want every sneaker to exude? I also love that these shoes give a little bit of a lift, which helps lessen the impact from running or, well, standing. In fact, one shopper wrote, “This is my second pair of these shoes just in a different color! So comfy for 12-hour shifts at the hospital or for going on a hike!”
So, if you’re in the market for new gym sneakers or simply need a versatile pair that can take you from the gym to long walks around the city, these are absolutely it. These New Balance 680v8s are the best sneakers I’ve tried this year, and I’m ready to buy another color for spring and summer.
Trust me—you’ll love them. Shop them below.
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