When you think of New Balance, the term “dad sneakers” might come to mind. But if you’ve been keeping up with the Boston sneaker brand, you’d know by now that New Balance has traded in their dad sneaker rep for an enviable “king of collab” identity. New Balance really knows how to do collaborations right and have now made it an integral part of their brand ethos. It’s because they always have a finger on the pulse of what’s big now and what’s trending next, teaming up with relevant brands, designers, and artists to produce creations that tell unique and individual stories that reflect the people behind the collaborations.
From the vintage elegance of Aimé Leon Dore to the vibrant storytelling of Joe Freshgoods, New Balance collabs are a case to be studied and have captured sneaker and fashion enthusiasts all over the world. After much research, we came up with the top eight New Balance collabs that captured our attention the most.
#8: New Balance 990v4 MiUSA Joe Freshgoods 1998 Intro
Joe Freshgoods and New Balance seem to be past the honeymoon phase and into the commitment era, producing a lineup of genius shoes that never miss. While the Chicago-based creative usually goes for big, bold colorways with his past New Balance creations, it was the 990v4 “1998 Pack” that really grabbed our attention for its surprisingly muted aesthetic. The “1998 Pack” took visual inspiration from the Hype Williams’ 1998 film Belly, melding an old cinema feel with a fashion-forward look. As opposed to his usual pastel palette, this time Joe Freshgoods focused on a timeless monochromatic aesthetic of black, white, and sand. The collab shoe features an upper with a black mesh base and off-white suede overlays. The Joe Freshgoods branding appears on one red insole while the New Balance is featured on the other. This dual branding also is included on each tongue tab. It’s a sneaker that feels like you found it in a vintage collection and we’re all about a retro style that exists in the present times.
#7: Salehe Bembury x New Balance 990v2 “Sand Be The Time”
The Salehe Bembury x New Balance 990v2 “Be The Time” is a testament to the power of storytelling through design. Drawing inspiration from the concept of time and its cyclical nature, this collaboration features a warm colorway reminiscent of desert landscapes. The sneaker has terra cotta spacer mesh underlays, misty rose colored hairy suede overlays, and a purple passion chenille “N” on the side panel. The insole is cork with New Balance and Salehe Bembury dual branding. The intricate details and premium materials make this sneaker a true work of art, inviting wearers to contemplate the passage of time with every step.
#6: New Balance 990v6 MiUSA Ronnie Fieg Madison Square Garden Sandrift
The coolest part about this New Balance creation is that it’s a collab between three different entities: a person, a place, and a brand. Kith mastermind Ronnie Fieg and the iconic New York venue, Madison Square Garden, team up to partner with New Balance on a one-of-a-kind collaboration. The reimagined Made in USA 990v6 takes inspiration from the lively and electrifying atmosphere of “The World’s Most Famous Arena”. The sneaker design takes the original New Balance silhouette and utilizes mesh, premium suede overlays, and reflective paneling for a fresh take on the style. The New Balance branding is featured on the tongue and heel alongside Kith and MSG logos on the sockliner. One of our favorite parts about this collab is the packaging, as each sneaker is shipped in a custom box designed with original MSG artwork.
#5: Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 in Blue
Although New Balance has always had a loyal fanbase, specifically with runners, it wasn’t until 2019 when New Balance had a resurgence with streetwear culture thanks to its smart collaborations with relevant creatives, in large part because of Aimé Leon Dore. The New York-based brand teamed up with New Balance to release many vintage-inspired designs, with each pair creating more and more hype among the sneaker and fashion community. The collaboration between two brands was so successful that New Balance appointed ALD Founder Teddy Santis as the Creative Director of the Made in USA line in 2022. So it’s no surprise that a couple ALD x New Balance collabs top this list. The Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 is no exception to the brilliance between this iconic partnership. The shoe nods to both brands, blending a vintage cream mesh upper with silver and tan overlays and the classic ‘N’ logo. The Aimé Leon Dore floral motif is featured on the heel. It’s a sneaker that feels intentionally vintage yet still fashion-forward and fresh.
#4: Salehe Bembury x New Balance 574 “Universal Communication”
When it comes to Footwear Designer and mastermind Salehe Bembury, creativity knows no bounds. Drawing inspiration from nature and technology, this collaboration showcases a unique blend of colors and textures. The pink mesh upper, cream suede overlays, and bright blue pops of leather pay homage to the natural world, while the chunky midsole rollbar adds a futuristic touch. As comfortable as it is visually striking, this sneaker is a testament to Salehe Bembury’s innovative design approach. The New Balance collab stands out for its use of color and materials in a hiking shoe-like sneaker, showcasing that a unique silhouette can make a major impact.
#3: JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 in Olive
JJJJound has come a long way since it was simply a digital mood board founded by Justin R. Saunders in 2006. Now it’s a leading collaborator in the sneaker world, creating styles that are as elevated, modern, and intentional as the brand’s initial mood boards. The JJJJound x New Balance 990v3 in Olive exemplifies the Canadian brand’s understated elegance and attention to detail. Crafted in a fashion-forward olive hue, this New Balance collab embodies the minimalist aesthetic of JJJJound while still keeping the original elements of the popular 990v3 sneaker. The black New Balance logos bring a sophisticated contrast to the tonal green backdrop. The silver reflective heel wrap with JJJJound branding adds a finishing touch to the cool collab. It’s a sneaker that can’t be missed in any collector’s rotation.
#2: Action Bronson x New Balance 990v6 in Baklava
Complex named the Action Bronson debut sneaker collab as one of the “best sneakers of 2023”. Action Bronson has been wearing New Balance sneakers for over 30 years, so you know this collab had to be that good. He knows the brand through and through, but he also put his unique story and POV in the design that made it feel like a work of art or chapter ripped out of a diary. Inspired by the culinary delights of baklava, the Action Bronson x New Balance 990v6 “Baklava” is a delectable treat for sneaker enthusiasts. With a color palette reminiscent of the dessert’s rich layers, this collaboration exudes human emotion and craftsmanship. While at a quick glance, the color combination may not make much sense, the longer you obsess over the sneaker, you’ll realize the color design was intentional, with Bronson describing it as a painting to provoke human emotions. This sneaker design is rich with layers – both in colors and stories – that paint a beautiful picture of what it means to create a collaboration that feels meaningful, passionate, and an extension of the person behind the design.
#1: New Balance 550 Aimé Leon Dore in Natural Green
The number one slot goes to none other than the New Balance 550 collab with Aimé Leon Dore. It’s only right, as this specific collab ignited a New Balance rebirth for the current generation while also giving a younger audience access into the brand’s heritage and vintage catalog. When the 550 initially released in 1989 as a basketball silhouette, it was not a massive success. The simplicity of the design couldn’t compete with the flashier basketball styles at the time, and slowly faded into the brand’s archives. Then came ALD Founder Teddy Santis and his love for 90s basketball culture. Santis came across a picture of the 550 and instantly fell in love. His affinity for the lesser known model is a major part in why it became such a success: you can tell there was passion and a human element behind the collaboration. It made consumers want to be part of the story and fall in love with the model just as much as Santis did. The Natural Green iteration is the colorway that started the ALD x New Balance effect, featuring smooth white leather uppers, natural green leather overlays, and a pilled, yellow ‘N’ logo on each side of the sneaker.
