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New Balance Made in UK isn’t changing its signature clunky 1500 sneaker. However, it is elevating the shoe. 

“Elevated Essentials” is a new range of sneakers from the Made in UK diffusion line, taking New Balance’s most storied silhouettes and dressing them up with high-end fabric executions.

We’ve already seen this done once to the New Balance 1500. Available now from the brand’s website is a clean beige Made in UK 1500 crafted from pigskin suede. Next up in the Elevated Essentials pipeline is an all-black leather makeover.

Stripping away the usual sporty mesh and hairy suede, this 1500 is covered entirely in luxe black leather. It’s less breathable, but decisively more dressy.

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White hits of decoration offer some restbite from the shoe’s glossy black leather, found on embroidered branding and the midsole. 

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As with all New Balance 1500 sneakers (and all New Balance Made in UK sneakers), the leather shoe is made in the brand’s Flimby-based factory. It is expected to be released in Fall 2025.

A constant in New Balance’s offerings since its launch in 1989, the New Balance 1500 is certainly one of the brand’s essential shoes. And in this case, with its all-leather makeover, it’s also undoubtedly elevated. In short, the New Balance 1500 “Elevated Essential” is exactly what it says on the tin. 

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