The New Balance 550 is a lifestyle sneaker that has been around since the 1920s, and it’s still going strong. Designed by Steven Smith (and other legendary architects) for all different types of people who want to be ready on their feet anytime anywhere with these casual yet durable kicks! In 2020 under new leadership from Aimé Leon Dore—a French company founded by Teddy Santis- this updated version came back into production after being absent nearly 20 years due mainly because they needed more material choices before making them again available outside of Asia where there are many loyal fans waiting patiently. Furthermore, preceding running shoes the likes of the New Balance 990 (1982) and succeeding New Balance 1500 (1993) overshadowed the made-for-hoops 550, shifting the Boston-based brand’s focus away from the hardwood.
BRIEF HISTORY
NBA fans will be excited to know that this 1989 release is just as popular now, if not more so, than it was back then. The low-top silhouette features premium smooth leather uppers with perforated detail and a breathable mesh interior lining throughout your feet while also having rubber soles for maximum durability against debris on the floor of an arena or gym court.
For over 30 years, the low-top basketball shoe had been forgotten in New Balance’s archives. But by chance, Santis, who has displayed an affinity for vintage sportswear through both his Aimé Leon Dore brand and NB collaborations, stumbled upon a picture of these shoes while looking through photos from old catalogs in Japan; After extensive research, they found out that the model was originally made available only there before being discontinued decades ago. With this information, Santis and the team hunted down an original pair of the 550 from a collector by searching Instagram hashtags, as Grondin told Sneaker Freaker in December 2020.
WHY IS THE 550 SO POPULAR?
The first-ever retro sneaker from New Balance was released in honor of the ’80s. The inspiration for this classic style came after several revisions. Kenny Satterfield helped to lead Team SONNY and create an original form while keeping true colors like two-tone footwear that dominated basketball shoes during that era.
Aimé Leon Dore’s NB 550 has been one of the most successful elevated streetwear brands in New York City for years Its versatile design made this silhouette so attractive among sneaker enthusiasts. Influencers on Instagram helped propel these shoes into wider consciousness with their outfit pictures showcasing life as an influencer living in downtown NYC where ALD resides aesthetically. With the release of their internationally-renowned sneaker, AURALEE has brought attention to this 33-year-old design. Rich Paul from KLUTCH Sports demonstrated its inherent freshness as he took on one version, which instantly sold out despite not being associated with any highly recognizable streetwear or sneakers brands beforehand.
HOW MUCH IS THE 550?
The New Balance 550 will be available for $110, but some editions cost more. The Global Logistics delays and increases in inflation may cause price hikes by the end of 2022 if they haven’t been fixed yet! Many think these sneakers are “worth it” due to their high-quality materials, making them Made in America. At least that is partly why you buy something like this anyways, right?
With the release of this new sneaker, fans were quick to snatch up any pairs. As a result, most (if not) releases have been sold out via New Balance within seconds on their website alone; some shops even had customers waiting around in line for hours before they could get more shoes. The popularity led many people to buy directly from retailers like Stadium Goods or eBay, where sellers set untouched prices – meaning you’ll need deep pockets if you want your favorite kicks now rather than later.
HOW DOES THE 550 FIT?
The New Balance 550 sneakers are a great choice for those who want to get the most out of their footwear investments. The leather upper makes them exceptionally flexible and comfortable while also providing durability that will withstand daily wear without showing any signs of discomfort due to its custom-made design.
Where to Buy:
Nike.com Check Site
StockX
GOAT
eBay
Flight Club
