New Balance 574
574 Core, men's ML574EVG reference model. Colors and sizes vary.
Overall score not assigned
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New Balance 574 vs ASICS Tiger Runner II
These two retro-inspired everyday sneakers differ in fit options, midsole construction, and upper materials. This comparison focuses on the documented New Balance 574 Core and ASICS Tiger Runner II family, with differences between sizes and colorways noted where relevant.
ASICS Tiger Runner II
Tiger Runner II Sportstyle family. Upper materials vary by style code.
Overall score not assigned
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Decision summary
Decision depends on fit and preference
No defensible overall specification winner
The 574 has the stronger documented choice of widths: the referenced men's Core model is listed in standard, wide, and extra-wide fittings. The Tiger Runner II has its own distinct documented package, including EVA foam and an EZFOAM sockliner. Manufacturer descriptions alone do not establish which feels better underfoot, lasts longer, or is lighter in a comparable size.
574 SpecFit ScoreNot calculated
Tiger Runner II SpecFit ScoreNot calculated
Verified comparison coverageInsufficient for scoring
Recommendation confidenceInsufficient for an overall winner
Score difference: not applicable. Ranking Stability: not tested because a credible common scoring model could not be completed.
Most useful deciding factor: Choose by verified width availability and actual fit first. Midsole labels describe construction, not measured comfort or performance.
Quick decision table
| Decision area | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Evidence-based result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width choices | Standard D, wide 2E, extra-wide 4E shown for men's Core | Standard listed on reviewed US model pages | 574: more verified choices; unlisted ASICS widths remain unconfirmed |
| Midsole and sockliner | ENCAP: foam with polyurethane rim | EVA foam midsole and EZFOAM sockliner | Different construction; no proven comfort winner |
| Upper | Suede and mesh; contains leather | Mesh underlays; overlays vary by style, including synthetic leather or suede | Depends on desired materials |
| Outsole | Rubber; manufacturer lists 5% recycled rubber | Reconfigured rippled tread pattern | No comparable grip or wear test |
| Shoe weight | 380 g declared for men's ML574EVG; reference size not given | Comparable official figure not established | Cannot rank |
Why the specifications do not settle it
Width availability is a concrete advantage when standard shoes do not fit. By contrast, both brands describe cushioning designs without publishing directly comparable measurements of pressure, softness, energy return, or walking comfort for these two shoes. Giving either construction an automatic higher score would reward a technology name rather than proven usefulness.
The same issue applies to outsole grip, weight, and long-term wear. The available official details do not provide a common test that would justify turning those areas into score points. A broad numerical verdict would therefore be more precise than the evidence allows.
1. Fit options and sizing
Available widths can be a requirement rather than a bonus, especially when a standard fitting is unsuitable.
| Specification | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verified width selections | Men's Core: standard D, wide 2E and extra-wide 4E | Standard shown on selected official US model pages | 574 has more documented width options |
| Closure | Laces | Conventional lace-up construction shown in official product imagery | Both can be adjusted with laces |
| Fit guidance | US product page says the Core model runs small | Manufacturer describes an updated last design | Not directly comparable fit measurements |
| Availability across versions | Width offerings depend on size, market and exact style | Offerings depend on size, market and exact style | Check the listed variant |
Edge: New Balance 574 for documented width selection. This is not proof that every 574 fits wide feet or that no wide Tiger Runner II exists. Width labels and a proper try-on matter more than a generic fit claim.
2. Cushioning construction
Midsole materials explain how each shoe is built, but do not measure how it will feel on your feet.
| Specification | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midsole system | ENCAP: soft foam surrounded by a polyurethane rim | EVA foam; ASICS describes it as thicker than on the previous design | Different designs, no shared test scale |
| Named sockliner | Not specified on the cited Core page | EZFOAM | A named ASICS component, not evidence of superiority |
| Measured cushioning response | Not established for this comparison | Not established for this comparison | Unknown for both |
Result: no defensible cushioning winner. A polyurethane rim can provide a distinct form of structure; an EVA midsole and sockliner provide a different construction. Neither product description measures long-wear comfort or personal support needs.
3. Upper materials and design
Upper composition may affect material preference and care, but it does not prove how breathable or durable the finished shoe is.
| Specification | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper fabric | Suede and mesh | Breathable mesh underlays described on 1201A792 variant | Both include mesh |
| Overlays | Leather-containing suede | Synthetic leather on some styles; suede on other styles | Confirm the chosen style code |
| Visual inspiration | Heritage road and trail hybrid | 1980s racing-flat and jogging silhouettes | Style preference, not a scored quality |
Result: depends on material and style preference. The 574 has a documented suede-and-mesh build; Tiger Runner II materials differ across models, so a single upper composition cannot safely be assigned to every version.
4. Outsole and construction details
Tread description and composition are helpful, but grip and wear need suitable testing.
| Specification | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documented outsole | Rubber | Ripple-pattern tread; full composition not established by the cited model text | Different information, not a grip ranking |
| Recycled content | 5% recycled rubber in the outsole is listed | Matching figure not established | Unknown is not zero |
| Slip or wear test | No comparable rating found | No comparable rating found | Cannot determine better traction or longevity |
Result: no proven traction or durability winner. The 574 has a more specific outsole material disclosure, while ASICS documents the visible tread redesign. That does not measure actual surface grip.
5. Weight and intended use
Comparable shoe weight can matter during long periods on your feet, but different sizes and measuring methods make raw numbers misleading.
| Specification | New Balance 574 | ASICS Tiger Runner II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published shoe mass | 380 g (men's ML574EVG; reference size not specified) | Comparable official mass not confirmed | Cannot rank shoe weight |
| Intended category | Heritage casual sneaker with hybrid running origins | Sportstyle sneaker inspired by vintage running shoes | Both are presented primarily for everyday wear |
| Modern running metrics | Not established in cited information | Not established in cited information | No basis to recommend one for athletic training |
Result: no usable weight or performance comparison. Without the same shoe size, test method, and a verified Tiger Runner II mass, lighter-versus-heavier claims would be guesswork.
Which should you choose?
Choose New Balance 574 if...
- You want a men's Core style with confirmed standard, wide, and extra-wide choices.
- You prefer the documented combination of suede, mesh, and ENCAP construction.
- A leather-containing upper matches your material preference.
Choose ASICS Tiger Runner II if...
- You prefer its vintage jogging and racing-flat design cues.
- You specifically want its listed EVA midsole and EZFOAM sockliner construction.
- The exact Tiger Runner II version you try fits you well in its offered width.
What could change the decision?
For anyone who requires a verified wide or extra-wide option, the 574's documented fittings can become a decisive eligibility condition. For someone comfortable in either shoe, comparable wear tests, measured comfort data, and weight figures at the same size could change the preference. No score-based weight sensitivity analysis is reported because there is no defensible full score to test.
How we calculated the scores
No numerical SpecFit Score was calculated. Width options are documented for specific listings, but the differences in cushioning construction cannot be converted into proven comfort or support advantages. Comparable weight, traction, and wear evidence is incomplete. Treating unknowns as zero, or awarding points for the number of named technologies, would create an unreliable winner.
The decision therefore uses verified attributes and their practical relevance without invented utility scores. The full approach considers eligibility needs, diminishing returns where measurable, and uncertainty before naming a winner. Read more here.
What the specifications cannot tell you
The descriptions do not establish which shoe will feel more comfortable, cause less fatigue, provide better traction on a particular surface, fit a particular foot shape, or last longer. Materials and cushioning names are not substitutes for comparable tests or a try-on. The supplied product shortcodes can also resolve to size and color selections whose materials differ from the manufacturer examples cited here.
Sources
- New Balance, 574 Core ML574EVG. Manufacturer width selections, ENCAP construction, listed mass, suede/mesh and outsole specifications.
- New Balance Ireland, 574 Core ML574EVG. Additional official materials and recycled-content information.
- ASICS United States, Tiger Runner II 1203A293. Standard-width example, EVA midsole, EZFOAM sockliner and tread details.
- ASICS official regional product page, Tiger Runner II 1201A792. Breathable mesh underlays, EVA cushioning and EZFOAM details.
- ASICS United States, Tiger Runner II 1203A541. Evidence of suede overlays on some versions.