Just because a sneaker is all white doesn't mean it's basic. At least not by default. New Balance has proven it true once again with its crisp and clean 471 sneaker.

Inspired by 70s-era runners, the 471 is a slim mesh sneaker that defies NB's established dad shoe convention. But what really separates this New Balance sneaker from its white sneaker counterparts is its textural depth.

Kitted with two overlays, the NB 417 has a web-like base that's contrasted with luxe-leaning leather accents.

This looks like smooth leather paneling throughout the base with a pebbled-style leather "N" logo at the center. Sure, it's a simple all-white sneaker, but three different textures layered all on top like that? Well, that's definitely different.

Like the other 471 New Balance sneakers out there, this NB 471 has a jagged 'Fang' toebox overlay, which gives the sneaker some stylistic edge.

Available on the New Balance website for $110, the NB 417 first came out in 2023. It was designed as a skate shoe for Franky Villani, and now exists in the same skate-focused universe as other NB standouts like the 993 and the Jamie Foy Numeric 306, which almost seem too fly for the board. To be fair, though, skating in all white sneakers isn't that crazy of a concept. At least not anymore.

All that to say, while gray chunky runners do make up the bulk of New Balance's dad shoe lineage, its slim offerings are nothing to scoff at either.

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