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The New Balance 550 is a basketball shoe that was first released in 1989 as a budget shoe. Designed by Steven Smith, the shoe was created as a low-top version of the company's New Balance Pride 650. The shoe was originally known as the New Balance P550 Oxford. The New Balance 550 is known for its versatility and durability, with a waterproof microfiber leather upper and a flat, multi-layer sole made of durable rubber. The shoe was re-released in 2020 in collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore, and has since become a popular and iconic sneaker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | New Balance |
| Model | 550 |
| Type | Basketball shoe |
| Designer | Steven Smith |
| Original release date | 1989 |
| Original price | $45 |
| Materials | Leather, mesh, EVA foam, rubber |
| Properties | Waterproof, breathable, durable |
| Sole | Thick, flat, multi-layer, made of durable rubber |
| Heel drop | 15.7 mm |
| Midsole | Firm |
| Insole | Ortholite, two-layered, 8.8 mm thick |
| Torsional rigidity score | 4/5 |
| Width | Standard (91.4 mm at the widest part) |
| Toebox height | 25.8 mm |
| Variants | Suede |
| Golf variant release date | April 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
The New Balance 550 is a retro shoe
Despite its initial obscurity, the New Balance 550 was reintroduced in 2020 through a collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore. This collaboration, known as the "International Friendship Through Basketball" collection, marked the first reissue of the 1989 shoe and the first partnership between the two entities. The shoe gained immense popularity, leading New Balance to increase its availability and include it in their current collection.
The New Balance 550 stands out for its versatility and style. While it excels as a basketball shoe, it can also be worn on city streets, offering a chic and adaptable look. The shoe features a firm midsole, providing ample cushioning for daily use. Its stack height at the heel is slightly above average at 33.7 mm, ensuring comfortable and supportive strides. Additionally, the two-layered Ortholite insole, with a thickness of 8.8 mm, enhances comfort and provides excellent arch support, making it ideal for individuals with flat feet.
The New Balance 550's upper is constructed with genuine leather, contributing to its durability. The absence of synthetic materials at its price point is notable. The shoe's perforations promote ventilation, maintaining a comfortable temperature for the wearer. The 550 also exhibits torsional rigidity, scoring a 4 out of 5 on a subjective scale, indicating its stability and suitability for various activities, from strutting about town to pickup games on the court.
Overall, the New Balance 550 is a retro shoe that has stood the test of time. With its combination of style, comfort, and versatility, it has gained a dedicated following and remains a sought-after choice for sneaker enthusiasts.
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It was first released in 1989 as a budget shoe
The New Balance 550 is a basketball shoe produced by New Balance that was first released in 1989 as a budget shoe. Priced at $45, the shoe was designed by Steven Smith and created as a low-top version of the company's New Balance Pride 650. The shoe, originally known as the New Balance P550 Oxford, was designed to improve on the New Balance 480, which was released in 1983. The 550 featured smooth premium leather that made up most of the low top, which was a novelty at the time, along with perforated profile panels and lightweight mesh for the base to improve breathability, which was a major complaint with the 480.
The heel of the shoe had a molded structure, which provided improved stability and lockdown, while an updated traction pattern and layout provided the responsiveness required for the sport’s increased demands. The shoe also featured a very thick sole with EVA foam and rubber. Despite being designed as a basketball shoe, the 550 fell into obscurity shortly after its release.
In 2020, the New Balance 550 was brought back thanks to a collaboration between Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance. The reissue was the first collaboration between the two entities and has since grown to enormous proportions. The reissue also led to New Balance increasing the availability of the 550 and including it in its current collection.
The 550 has since been remastered and released in several limited colorways with the Aimé Leon Dore label. The shoe has also been reinterpreted by various partners, including Japan’s AURALEE, which previewed a minimalist version of the sneaker during its Autumn/Winter 2021 showcase, and U.K.-based retailer size?, which equipped the shoe with a “Neo-vintage” aesthetic.
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The shoe is versatile and comfortable
The New Balance 550 is a shoe that is versatile and comfortable. Originally released in 1989, the shoe has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years. The 550 is a basketball shoe, but its clean and straightforward style means it can be worn in a variety of settings, from the playground to the city streets.
The shoe's versatility is further enhanced by its durable and easy-to-clean leather upper. The leather is perforated, which provides a good level of ventilation and breathability. While the suede editions of the shoe require a little more care, they are just as comfortable and stylish.
The New Balance 550 also provides excellent arch support, making it a great choice for those with flat feet. The shoe has a thick, multi-layer sole made of durable rubber, which provides maximum traction. The heel has a moulded structure for improved stability, and the sole uses an updated traction pattern to provide better responsiveness.
The 550 has a firm midsole, which provides good cushioning and support. The shoe's two-layered Ortholite insole is thicker than average, providing added comfort. The shoe also has a moderate taper angle and a standard width, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
Overall, the New Balance 550 is a versatile and comfortable shoe that is well-suited for a variety of activities and styles. Its durable construction and supportive design make it a popular choice for those seeking a stylish and functional sneaker.
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It has a thick sole made of EVA foam
The New Balance 550 is a basketball shoe with a retro 90s style. It has a thick sole, made of EVA foam, that provides excellent cushioning and support. EVA foam, or ethylene-vinyl acetate, is a high-density, closed-cell foam with a soft, rubbery feel. It is known for its shape retention properties, durability, and resistance to water and UV radiation. This makes it ideal for outdoor applications and sports equipment, including basketball shoes.
The NB 550's sole has a heel drop of 15.7 mm, which is steeper than average. This gives the shoe an elevated heel feel. The midsole is firm, measuring 33.7 mm thick at the heel and 18.7 mm thick at the forefoot. This thickness provides good cushioning and support for the wearer. Additionally, the 550's two-layered Ortholite insole is 8.8 mm thick, providing extra comfort and excellent arch support, making it a great choice for those with flat feet.
The EVA foam used in the NB 550's sole offers superior cushioning properties compared to natural rubber. Its closed-cell structure provides resistance to water and moisture penetration, making it ideal for sports equipment and footwear. The foam's high-density nature also gives it excellent shock absorption capabilities, making it suitable for impact absorption in sports and other activities.
EVA foam is a versatile material that can be easily cut, shaped, and molded into different forms. It is often used in cosplay and crafting due to its flexibility and durability. In the context of the NB 550 basketball shoes, the EVA foam sole provides the necessary cushioning, support, and durability for wearers during sports and daily use.
Overall, the NB 550 basketball shoes' thick sole made of EVA foam offers a combination of comfort, support, and durability. The properties of EVA foam, including its high density, soft feel, and shape retention, contribute to a shoe sole that can withstand the demands of basketball and everyday wear.
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The shoe has a waterproof microfiber leather upper
The New Balance 550 is a retro basketball shoe that offers versatility and utility. It has a clean and straightforward style that is adaptable from the playground to the streets. The shoe has a firm midsole and a thick two-layered Ortholite insole, providing ample comfort and arch support. Its stable build and standard width make it a nice, stable shoe for everyday use.
The New Balance 550's upper is made of genuine leather, with a narrow strip of mesh that improves breathability. The leather upper is durable, and its absence of synthetic materials is notable for its price point.
Microfiber leather is naturally water-resistant due to its tightly woven fibers and small pores, which repel water effectively. It can also be treated with spray-on solutions to enhance its waterproofing capabilities. This makes it ideal for footwear, as it can resist moisture penetration and keep the wearer's feet dry.
The waterproofing abilities of microfiber leather are further enhanced by its ability to absorb liquids. Microfiber can absorb up to seven times its weight in liquid, making it highly absorbent. This quality ensures that any moisture that does penetrate the surface is quickly absorbed, keeping the interior dry.
In addition to its waterproofing capabilities, microfiber leather is also known for its stain resistance, pliability, and ease of maintenance. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to natural leather, as it has a lower environmental impact in terms of water consumption, eutrophication, and global warming.
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Frequently asked questions
NB 550, also known as New Balance 550, is a basketball shoe produced by New Balance. It was first released in 1989 as a budget shoe.
The NB 550 was designed by legendary sneaker designer Steven Smith.
The NB 550 features a waterproof microfiber leather upper, a flat multi-layer rubber outsole, and a thick sole with EVA foam for improved stability. It is known for its comfort, versatility, and durability.
The NB 550 sold for $45 when it was first released in 1989.
The NB 550 was initially unsuccessful when it first launched. However, it gained popularity after being reintroduced in 2020 through a collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore.
