New Balance 550

The New Balance 550 has arrived at JD Sports Australia, and we have loads of options for you to browse, including different colours and sizes. Those who enjoy retro sneakers won’t want to miss out on this nostalgia-driving collection, which offers everything a footwear fan could desire: comfort and style. Despite originating as basketball footwear, the 550s have grown into something with a much broader appeal. Their unique style lends itself to the wants of the modern sneakerhead, bringing back that retro feel.

The Beginnings of the New Balance 550

Released in 1989, the New Balance 550 debuted as a successor to the 480, the brand’s first attempt at entering the world of basketball footwear. The new collection’s designer was Steven Smith, whose portfolio also includes the 997. Drawing from experience, he gave the new sneaker an improved outsole for better grip on the court and a visually appealing silhouette that presented the company’s signature ‘N’ logo on its leather upper. He also addressed one of the key problems of the 480, breathability, using mesh so players could exert themselves without overheating.

Like most basketball shoes of the time, the low-top NB 550 adhered to NBA colour regulations with a mostly white colour scheme (minor deviations in colour blocking reflected specific teams). Unlike its competitors, however, New Balance struggled to find a loyal audience for its basketball sneaker, and it fell off the radar for decades.

Thankfully, the NB 550 made its triumphant return in 2020, revived by Teddy Santis of Aimé Leon Dore, who’d discovered the old series in an aged Japanese catalogue. The retro trainer was given a new lease of life, with the classic design going mostly unaltered, save for some fresh colourways. To the relief of all involved, this second chance was enough to generate the hype the 550 had been denied on its first release, and the shoe is now recognised as one of the brand’s shining stars.