Japan’s UNITED ARROWS & SONS and mita sneakers have rebuilt New Balance’s Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 runner for military service, swapping softness for structure. This sneaker is a typically stylish, typically functional design that makes the most of all the brands involved.

mita, a Tokyo footwear retailer, is famous for its techy sneaker collaborations, while UNITED ARROWS & SONS is known for refining streetwear tastes through a tailored, minimalist lens. Brought together, they help balance the chunk of New Balance's technical runner with utilitarian army-flavored flair.

The olive upper and webbed quick-lace cords hint at field gear, while the layered sole and rugged textures give it a tactical edge.

Quick-lace cords and a stopper system bring easy adjustability, but it’s the sculpted Fresh Foam X midsole that steals the show. 

Available November 21 for $160 on New Balance’s website, the Fresh Foam now sits comfortably among HOKA’s chunksters and Nike’s Vomeros as sneakers loaded with the brand’s best tech but intended for daily rotation.

The Fresh Foam’s HOKA-like proportions stay intact, but UNITED ARROWS & SONS and mita sneakers turn the volume down just enough, transforming a maximalist runner into something quietly precise.

Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit the HS Style Guide for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.