New Balance was the dad-sneaker brand for a pretty long time in the sneaker industry. And we get it, we really do, you won’t turn heads in a pair of chunky grey kicks. But that statement is history, especially when bulky kicks became the “it” shoe. Now, it’s cool to wear weird and chunky kicks again, especially when we have solid names behind them. So, today we’re gonna check out the best New Balance collabs that every sneakerhead should know! Now, let’s jump into our list, shall we?
Best New Balance Collabs – Serving Kicks Like No Other!
Okay, let’s talk collaborations and popularity! The sneaker industry values quality collabs that have stories behind them, and exclusivity. And we gotta be real here, New Balance certainly knew how to do its collaborations and releases. Slowly but surely, the brand climbed back again into relevancy and became a solid name in the game. The last few years are obvious proof of that! Now, without further ado, let’s dig deeper and see which collabs are the most popular.
Honorable Mention: Casablanca
One of the first brands that helped New Balance climb the “social” ladder of the sneaker world was Casablanca! The French-Moroccan luxury brand took New Balance to the runway in 2020, and the rest was history. Everyone was talking about the sneakers during a time when luxury kicks were becoming cooler. So if we have a point in time on which to pinpoint the rise of New Balance. But did the brand stop there? Heck no. So here are the best New Balance collabs that are still going on today!
Aimé Leon Dore New Balance – How to Look Elegant Every Day
From the heart of Queens, New York, comes a brand that worked its way into the streetwear game. The founder, Teddy Santis, takes inspiration from the hip-hop and basketball scenes! However, the brand successfully makes streetwear look high-end. And while many pioneers like Virgil Abloh and Kanye West came before ALD, it still found a spot in the spotlight. But when we talk about the best New Balance collabs, we have to mention the brand. You see, nobody does a simple NB 550 collab the way ALD does! However, the collabs aren’t limited to the 550s, so you have a solid variety.
Salehe Bembury New Balance – Our Favorite Sneaker Designer
So… We might be a bit biased here, but Salehe Bembury is one of our favorite sneaker designers on the scene. While he started his career with Yeezy and Versace, the 2020 New Balance collab put him front and center in the sneaker industry. But we gotta give it to the man, his colorful designs certainly took New Balance out of the box! You see, what was just a dad-sneaker brand became a fashion statement when he touched the silhouettes. And while his Crocs partnership is fire, we’ll still look forward to seeing fiery New Balance collabs.
JJJJound x New Balance – From a Mood Board to a Mood
What started as a digital mood board in 2006 quickly evolved into a creative powerhouse! Many brands acknowledged JJJJound’s influence through collabs, and New Balance isn’t any different. In 2018, we got the first collaborative pair, the 990v3 in simple sandy brown and co-branding. This collaboration is still one of the best New Balance collabs… and the most expensive on the resale market. While it took two years for JJJJound to hit again, the industry welcomed it with open arms when it did! The 2020 kicks were definitely a helpful factor in the rise of New Balance.
Joe Freshgoods Puts the New in New Balance
What earned Joe Freshgoods a spot on this list is definitely his flair. You see, the coolest thing about these collaborative kicks is the storytelling behind them. Every colorway takes inspiration from something specific and tells a story about it. And while some of the color palettes might be too popping for some, they’re always a great addition to your sneaker collection. If you missed previous releases, no worries. It seems like the two sides are very happy to carry on with their dope collabs! So keep an eye on our blog for all the latest release info.
Kith and New Balance – A Never-ending Love Story!
Last, but definitely not least, we have one of the longest-running and best New Balance collabs. Whether it’s under the Kith banner or Ronnie Fieg personally, all the kicks we have are awesome. From the cool variation of silhouettes to simple color-blockings, you wouldn’t wanna miss this collab. From 2012 to 2024, the brands don’t seem to be stopping anytime! After all, KITH is one of the best streetwear brands out there. So whether you want apparel or kicks, you know you got it!
