New Balance 740 Complete Review

The New Balance 740 is a fascinating sneaker with a dual identity, originating as the "Worthy Express" basketball shoe in the 1980s before its design DNA was reborn into an early 2000s runner. This unique history gives the shoe an authentic retro-technical 'Y2K' aesthetic, blending angular overlays with a streamlined profile. Today, it stands out as a top-tier lifestyle choice by combining this on-trend style with the exceptional, all-day comfort of its signature ABZORB midsole cushioning.

Quick Take

Overall Rating: 4.0/5

Best For: All-day wear and daily urban commute, Casual outings and everyday style, Active lifestyles requiring sustained comfort

Key Strengths: Exceptional comfort from ABZORB cushioning, Impressive durability and quality construction, Appealing and versatile 'Y2K' retro-technical aesthetic, Generally fits true to size, Surprisingly lightweight and flexible for its appearance

Notable Limitations: Not suitable for serious, contemporary performance running, Less breathable than its mesh construction might suggest, Not waterproof

What Makes New Balance 740 Stand Out?

You know what? The New Balance 740 is a fascinating piece of footwear history, a real chameleon of a sneaker. It's not just another retro runner; it has this cool dual identity. On one hand, it started life in the '80s as the "Worthy Express," the first-ever signature shoe New Balance created for a non-running athlete, the legendary basketball player James Worthy. Fast forward a couple of decades, and its design DNA was reborn into an early 2000s running shoe. It’s this blend of histories that gives it a unique edge. Here’s the thing: its standout feature is that streamlined, retro-technical look that screams 'Y2K.'

With those sharp, angular overlays and metallic hints, it just hits different. It perfectly captures that turn-of-the-millennium vibe that's so popular right now, but it’s backed by genuine performance technology of its era, namely the signature ABZORB midsole. One customer perfectly summed up its appeal, saying, "I love the Y2K aesthetic. They have a great retro-tech look that's super versatile and works with everything from joggers to trousers." It’s this authentic blend of sport and style that makes it more than just a throwback.

Real Customer Experiences

When you dive into what people are saying about the 740, a few clear themes emerge. It's a shoe that seems to genuinely surprise people with its blend of comfort and style.

• Overwhelmingly Positive Comfort: The most common point of praise is the immediate and lasting comfort. Users frequently mention the ABZORB cushioning as a game-changer for all-day wear, especially on hard, unforgiving surfaces like city pavement.
• Versatile Retro Style: The 'Y2K' aesthetic is a massive draw. People love its retro-technical appearance, finding it easy to pair with a wide range of modern outfits, from casual athletic wear to more considered, smart-casual looks. It has a nostalgic pull that still feels incredibly current.
• Surprising Lack of Breathability: A recurring, though milder, point of criticism is the breathability. Despite the prominent mesh panels on the upper, some users report that their feet can get warm, particularly during more strenuous activity or on hotter days. It's a bit of an unexpected quirk given its design.

Here are a couple of verbatim thoughts from wearers:

"These are surprisingly comfortable right out of the box; the cushioning holds up all day long, even when walking on concrete."

"The quality and durability are impressive for the price. You can tell it's a well-made a shoe that's built to last."

Of course, no shoe is perfect. On the flip side, some feedback points to its limitations:

"While they look breathable, my feet get a bit warm in them during more intense activity or on hot days."

Design and Build Quality

Alright, let's get into the nuts and bolts of the New Balance 740. Honestly, when you hold it, you can feel that New Balance commitment to quality, even on a more accessibly priced model. It’s a shoe with a story, and you can see it in the construction.

Let me explain the upper first. The foundation is a classic open-knit mesh. This is pretty standard for running shoes of its era, designed to provide a baseline of breathability and a lightweight feel. But the real visual action comes from the overlays. New Balance used these really dynamic, angular synthetic or leather panels that crisscross the upper. They're not just for show; they provide crucial structure and support to the mesh, locking your foot in place. It's this design choice that gives the 740 its signature 'Y2K' techy look. Capping it all off is that molded TPU 'N' logo on the side—it's a simple, effective piece of branding that feels very of-its-time.

Now, the midsole is where the magic happens, and it's all about one word: ABZORB. This isn't just some marketing fluff; ABZORB has been one of New Balance's premier cushioning technologies for decades. It's a proprietary foam blend engineered to provide an exceptional combination of cushioning and compression resistance. What that means in plain English is that it’s great at absorbing impact when your foot strikes the ground, but it doesn't just flatten out and die. It bounces back, maintaining its supportive properties over time. The 740’s midsole is segmented, which adds a bit of visual complexity and likely aids in flexibility.

Flipping the shoe over, you'll find a solid rubber outsole. There’s nothing too fancy here, just a durable, hard-wearing material designed for reliable grip on pavement and other hard surfaces. It’s a workhorse outsole, meant to last. It’s interesting to note that some of the modern re-releases have borrowed outsole designs from other popular models like the 530, which speaks to New Balance's modular approach to retro design.

In terms of weight, it comes in at around 319 grams. For a shoe that looks this substantial and has its roots in basketball, that's surprisingly light. It won’t weigh you down during a long day on your feet. The special tech is clearly centered on that ABZORB midsole, but the supportive TPU overlays and, on the original basketball version, a speed lacing system, were also key features.

As for common durability issues, the shoe is generally praised for its solid build. The primary "issues" aren't really about things breaking down, but rather about performance limitations. The most frequently cited problems are that the shoe isn't waterproof in the slightest—that mesh upper will let water right in—and that its breathability doesn't quite live up to the visual promise of all that mesh.

Comfort and Fit

When it comes to a lifestyle sneaker you're going to wear all day, comfort is king. And let's be real, the New Balance 740 absolutely delivers on this front. Here’s the thing, it’s one of those shoes that feels good the second you put it on.

The general consensus on sizing is that the 740 fits true to size for the majority of people. If you’re a standard size 10 in most sneakers, a size 10 in these should fit you just right. The standard 'D' width provides a nice, medium fit that isn't overly restrictive. There's a decent amount of room in the toe box, so your toes won't feel cramped or squished. However, a small caveat for my wide-footed friends out there: if you typically need a bit more space, you might want to consider going up a half size. Or, if you can find a wide-width '2E' version, that would be the ideal choice to get that perfect fit without any uncomfortable squeezing.

One of the best parts about the 740 is the lack of a break-in period. You know how some shoes, especially those with leather, can feel stiff and unforgiving at first? You won't find that here. Thanks to the plush ABZORB cushioning and the flexible mesh upper, they are comfortable right out of the box. There’s no need to suffer through a week of blisters just to get them to feel right. They’re ready for a full day of walking from the very first wear.

This immediate comfort is something that gets mentioned a lot. As one wearer put it:

"It fits true to size and is really lightweight and flexible, which I wasn''t expecting from a shoe that looks this substantial."

This quote really gets to the heart of the 740’s appeal. It has the look of a sturdy, almost chunky shoe, but it wears like a much lighter, more nimble sneaker. That combination of visual substance and actual lightweight comfort is a massive win.

Style and Versatility

The New Balance 740 is a masterclass in retro-futurist style, nailing the 'Y2K' aesthetic that has come roaring back into fashion. It’s not just a shoe; it’s a statement piece that channels the technological optimism of the early 2000s. The design language is all about movement and lines—you see it in the two-tone mesh, the sharp, angular overlays, and the subtle metallic accents that catch the light. The segmented midsole adds to this complex, technical look. Honestly, it’s this unique blend of a past era’s vision of the future that makes it so versatile today. You can effortlessly pair it with modern streetwear staples like joggers and hoodies, but it also has the sleekness to complement more tailored pieces like tapered trousers. It even works with the looser silhouette of baggy denim, making it a true chameleon in your wardrobe.

Quality and Durability

Let’s talk about whether the New Balance 740 is built to last. For a sneaker at this price point—retailing for about $110—the quality is genuinely impressive. You get the sense that New Balance didn't cut corners. The stitching is clean, the materials feel solid, and the overall construction is robust. It feels like a shoe that can handle the daily grind of city life, from concrete sidewalks to crowded subway stairs, without falling apart. The solid rubber outsole, in particular, is designed for long-wearing durability, so you won't be grinding it down to the midsole after a few months of heavy use.

However, it's important to set expectations correctly. The durability praise is for its role as a lifestyle sneaker. The common issues people bring up aren't about the shoe breaking down, but about its limitations. As one reviewer noted, these are not all-weather warriors:

"They're not waterproof at all, so you definitely have to be mindful of the weather when you decide to wear them."

This is a key point. The open-mesh upper that contributes to its lightweight feel is also its Achilles' heel in wet conditions. A surprise rain shower will leave you with soggy socks. Similarly, while the shoe is well-built, the breathability can be an issue for some, leading to discomfort on very hot days rather than a failure of the material itself. It's a durable shoe for its intended purpose, but not an indestructible, all-conditions tank.

Decision Matrix

Legend: ✓ = Good ○ = Average ✕ = Poor