THE NEW BALANCE OF 550 RETURNS of TWO '80S

On February 1st, the new balance of 550 Returns In the two ’80s

While New Balance has gained a reputation as the manufacturer of many “dad shoes,” the re-entry of the brand on the basketball market has been very honorable in recent years. Milestones like scoring a Multi-Year Deal with Kawhi Leonard and restoring the New Balance 550 with the vision of Aime Leon Dore illustrate the need for the Boston-based ball division. After last year’s ALD 550s, New Balance adds two new color schemes in black and white to its key lines from basketball’s 1989 design.

With the same effect in keeping with the original concept, both pairs display a raised “550” logo close to the lower eyes. In the 1980s (when the 550 first went to the roof), the arrangements were influenced by models similar to other basketball icons. The black pair looks like the Air Jordan 1 Shadow, a model that has been relaunched and referenced several times since release. On the other hand, in a white leather make-up that only looks grey on the outside, the white pair takes a less color-blocked approach. This subtle use of gray is equivalent to the next month’s Neutral Green Air Jordan 1.

At select boutiques worldwide and online the Latest Balance, 550s will drop to $110 on February 1.