New Balance 550: discover our selection of men's & women's models
With a strong presence in sneaker culture, the New Balance 550 was not the shoe model we would have bet on a few years ago. Steven Smith, the designer of the pair, admitted in 2021 that he himself had "forgotten" about this pair of sneakers before it resurfaced with Aimé Leon Dore. Since then, the New Balance 550 has become one of the most sought-after shoes in the sneaker world, available for men and women. Let's look back at its little-known history, from its timid beginnings to its triumphant return.
Explore our exclusive selection of stylish and trendy New Balance 550s, available in multiple sizes and especially with a wide range of colors. Whether you are looking for sneakers for men, women, or a unisex model, you will find the perfect style to complete your outfits. Enjoy competitive prices, sale promotions, and fast delivery directly from our product pages.
The history of the New Balance 550
With roots dating back to 1906, New Balance has always focused on making shoe products that offer more comfort, support, and balance. During the early decades of its existence, the Boston-based company made a name for itself in the running field with notable models: the Trackster, the 320, and the 574. Then, despite a modest start, the New Balance 550, launched in 1989, was redesigned to meet the modern demands of basketball and urban style. Often compared to models from Nike and Adidas, the 550 found its place thanks to a sleek design and practical cuts for all feet.
A success that starts with a false start
The New Balance 550 was born in 1989, designed by Steven Smith. If its name sounds familiar, that's normal: he is also behind the Yeezy 700 and the design of the Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2. Drawing from his experiences, he places the New Balance 550 in the trend of low basketball shoes of the time. In fact, many compare it to the famous Nike Dunk Low. The NB 550 was initially marketed under the name "P550 Basketball Oxford," but success was not on the horizon: its style made no waves, especially against the competition from Converse, Reebok, or Nike, brands that were very popular in the 90s. Moreover, the innovative and visible technologies of Reebok and Nike (the Pump and Nike Air) highlighted the technological shortcomings of New Balance. However, the sneaker was rediscovered thanks to a vintage collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore, making it immediately iconic among white leather sneakers and other colors.
A triumphant return thanks to Teddy Santis
Yet, to everyone's surprise, the pair resurfaced in 2020. The New Balance 550 was barely referenced on the brand's website, and it was in an old Japanese catalog that Joe Grondin, Brand Senior Manager at New Balance, found its trace with Teddy Santis, the current creative director of the Boston brand. By doing some research via Instagram hashtags, the duo got their hands on a vintage pair purchased from a collector. They then worked on a complete renovation of the sneaker. Thanks to Santis's meticulous approach and several tests, the design was 100% rethought. The white, burgundy, and dark green colorways quickly became victims of their success, with stocks running out, thus affirming the status of the New Balance 550 as an essential sneaker.
New Balance 550: a more modern and colorful style
The creative director of New Balance changed the fate of the 550: by releasing four initial colorways in collaboration with his label Aimé Leon Dore in September 2020, he launched the pair and gave it visibility with his campaign "International Friendship Through Basketball" coupled with numerous restocks. The result? The designer not only revived the success of the New Balance 550, but he also gave a boost to the brand in general. Since this first drop at the end of 2020, many new colorways have been released: the White Grey and White Burgundy are the most representative. Additionally, new collaborations are set to emerge, including two monochrome pairs with Comme des Garçons.
How to choose your New Balance 550?
Even though New Balance sneakers are increasingly designed to be unisex, some are still thought out to better suit women or men, particularly regarding size limits. To choose your new pair of New Balance 550 well, consider the width of your foot, the size, and the style of cut that suits you, whether you are looking for a junior, women's, or men's model. Also, make sure you can enjoy an easy return if your choice does not fit perfectly.
New Balance 550 for men
For men, the New Balance 550 comes in several models, each offering a color palette from classic white to green, including salt and sea salt. The range includes different sizes to best fit each foot and ensure optimal comfort. Each sneaker is designed to fit into trends, with top-quality materials like leather and cuts designed for comfort. Whether for everyday use or special occasions, the New Balance 550 for men is a good choice, available for online purchase with fast delivery options.
New Balance 550 for women
Women will find in the New Balance 550 collection sneakers specially designed for them with small sizes and flashy, bold colors. Available in a variety of sizes, including fitted models for narrower feet, these shoes combine functionality and aesthetics. Whether you buy your pair of shoes in-store or online, you can find these models everywhere, often on sale or in our outlet product selections.
New Balance 550 retro version
To vary the pleasures and offer original unisex sneakers, New Balance combines vintage style with current colors by offering retro New Balance 550s that tend to please sneaker fans. As Nike tends to do with its vintage ranges, the Boston equipment manufacturer draws inspiration from old models to bring them up to date. Of course, robustness and quality are present, making it a must-have in the wardrobe.
What future for the New Balance 550?
We do not know what the future holds for the New Balance 550, but it is certain that it will continue to appear on the feet of those who follow trends! Partnerships have been crucial in reviving the model, but New Balance has managed to rekindle interest in the 550 itself. With its vintage style, the pair recalls the beginnings of basketball. The collections "Sea Salt" and "Shifted Sport" from July 2021 and September 2021, respectively, breathed new life into the NB 550. Moreover, the brand continues to strengthen its position in the basketball landscape with the help of Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray, and others, designing models that combine basketball heritage and modernity. New Balance is also trying to use more environmentally friendly and animal-friendly materials to engage in an eco-responsible approach.
