New Balance 574 vs ASICS 1130

Why the NB 574 edges ahead, and why it's so close

The two shoes trade wins almost evenly. The 574's lead rests on one big advantage plus a solid durability gap, while the GEL-1130 claws most of it back with comfort and stability.

• Width options (+6.3 points for the NB 574). This is the single biggest swing in the whole comparison. New Balance sells the 574 Core in three widths, while ASICS doesn't list a wide version of the GEL-1130. If your feet are wider than average, that's not a small perk; it decides whether the shoe fits at all.
• Cushioning (+6.1 points for the GEL-1130). Lab tests found the GEL-1130 softer underfoot and better at soaking up heel impact. That almost cancels out the 574's width advantage on its own.
• Durability (+3.3 points for the NB 574). The 574 packs 8.2 mm of outsole rubber and lost only 0.5 mm in an abrasion test. The GEL-1130 is still tough, just with less rubber in reserve.
• Stability and weight (+2.1 points for the GEL-1130). A noticeably wider heel platform and a slightly lighter build give the ASICS two smaller wins.

Fit and sizing: widths, size range and toe room

Fit comes first because no amount of cushioning helps a shoe that pinches.

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The two shoes are shaped differently inside. The 574 is snug across the ball of the foot but opens into an unusually wide, rounded toebox, while the GEL-1130 is roomier through the midfoot and more average at the toes. In a standard width, the GEL-1130 is the more forgiving fit. The 574's trump card is that you can simply buy it wider.

Edge: NB 574 (substantial, mainly for wider feet)

Cushioning and ride: shock absorption, softness and drop

Both started life as running shoes, but today you'll mostly wear them walking and standing, where impact protection and a forgiving midsole matter most.

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This is where the GEL-1130 pulls clearly ahead. Its shock absorption reading is among the higher ones for lifestyle sneakers, and its midsole measured much softer than the 574's firm main foam. The 574 does have a softer top layer of foam, which takes the edge off, but the overall feel is firmer and more planted.

The 574's tall stack is easy to mistake for plush cushioning. It mostly adds height, and with a 13 mm drop, you'll feel your heel sitting noticeably higher than your toes.

Edge: GEL-1130 (substantial)

Durability: outsole rubber and wear resistance

Everyday sneakers live or die by their outsoles, so this carries real weight.

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The uppers are evenly matched, so the outsole decides it. The 574 carries one of the thickest rubber outsoles you'll find on a casual sneaker and barely marked in the abrasion test. The GEL-1130 performed around average, which is perfectly fine, but if you walk a lot on rough pavement, the 574 has more life in reserve.

Edge: NB 574 (meaningful)

Stability: platform width and structure

A wider, stiffer base helps keep your foot steady, especially on uneven ground or late in a long day.

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The GEL-1130 began life as a stability running shoe, and it shows in its heel, which is almost 10 mm wider than the 574's. Everything else is close to even. Both shoes are solidly built, so this is a meaningful but not dramatic win.

Edge: GEL-1130 (meaningful)

Everyday wear: weight, grip and breathability

These details shape how the shoes feel over a full day, even if they rarely decide the purchase alone.

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The GEL-1130 is a little lighter, and grip is a dead heat. We left breathability out of the score because the lab tested a leather GEL-1130 against a suede and mesh 574, which isn't a fair match. One thing to know: New Balance's own listed weight for the 574 Core varies between pages, so we used the independent lab figures for both shoes.

Edge: GEL-1130 (small)

Which should you choose?

What could change the decision?

The NB 574 stayed ahead in all ten of our tested scenarios, where each scoring factor's weight moved up or down by 20 percent. That sounds rock solid, but the margin is thin.

• If cushioning matters about 30 percent more to you than our baseline assumes, the GEL-1130 moves ahead.
• If you don't need a wide width, the GEL-1130 wins comfortably, 77.7 to 70.3.
• The uncertain official weight for the 574 doesn't change the order; even the lightest listed figure leaves the result the same.

Adjust your priorities

Move the sliders to match what matters to you. This only changes how much each area counts; the measured specs stay the same.

Frequently asked questions

How we calculated the scores

For two everyday retro sneakers, fit and cushioning share the top weight because a shoe that doesn't fit or tires your feet fails at its main job. Width options carry a lot of the fit score since, for some people, they decide whether the NB 574 or the GEL-1130 can be worn at all. We judged practical usefulness rather than counting rows won, and gave smaller credit where extra numbers stop mattering much. The GEL-1130's size range couldn't be verified, so it was left out rather than scored as zero, which puts data coverage at 95 percent. The SpecFit Score is a decision aid, not a guarantee of comfort, durability or fit on your feet. Read more here.

What the specifications cannot tell you

Lab measurements and size charts can't promise how either shoe will feel on your particular feet, since arch shape, gait and sock choice all change the experience. Colorways also differ: some GEL-1130 versions use suede overlays and others synthetic or real leather, which affects airflow and how the upper wears. The lab tested one pair of each, so treat close numbers as roughly equal and try both on if you can.

Sources

1. New Balance 574 Core product page: width options, men's size range, ENCAP midsole, materials and sizing guidance.
2. ASICS GEL-1130 product page: GEL cushioning, TRUSSTIC support and upper construction.
3. RunRepeat New Balance 574 lab review: shock absorption, firmness, stack, interior width, outsole, stability and weight measurements.
4. RunRepeat ASICS GEL-1130 lab review: matching lab measurements for the GEL-1130.