Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

New Balance’s 550 sneaker has had a whirlwind last couple of years.

From becoming the streetwear’s it shoe following New Balance’s first-of-many Aimé Leon Dore collaborations in 2021, the plethora of mainline colorways, and the more recent glossy patent glow-ups, the 550 shoe has seldom been out of the limelight — and for good reason, too.

Now, though, for 2024, New Balance’s chunky basketball-inspired shoe is back.

And this time it's added a little sleekness to the everyday fold in its finest garbs yet with a smooth, buttery leather upper, a contrasting midsole, and minimal brand compared to its predecessor.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Simply put, New Balance’s latest 550s, arriving in black or white colorways, are objectively better than 2021’s revamp.

But there’s a catch. Of course there’s a catch. If you wanna get your hands (or feet?) on a pair of New Balance’s freshest looking 550s to date, be aware that these are a Japan-only sale and will be available exclusively at Mita.

That said, any other time New Balance has dropped a pair of Japan-only bangers, they get the worldwide treatment sooner or later anyway. Don’t fret.

We Recommend
  • A New Balance Dad Sandal Hybrid That Literally Does It All
  • Are Miu Miu's New Balances Going Snakeskin?
  • AURALEE's Next Great New Balance Shoe Is a Court Classic Gone Luxe
  • From New Balance to Nike, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker Releases
  • The Big New Balance Sneaker of 2025 Is a Certified Steve Jobs Classic
What To Read Next
  • Finally, a Luxe, Puffy, And Dressy Vans Skate Loafer
  • Nike Luxe'd Up Its Most Classic Sneaker Again
  • New Balance's Blacked-Out Dad Shoes Come With a Side of Luxury
  • Apple Has Tech Covered. Next up? Streetwear
  • The Timeless Penny Loafer Redesigned as a Classy Converse Stomper
  • Yohji Yamamoto's Y-3 Finally Found the Perfect Collaborator: Yohji Yamamoto