New Balance 550 Review
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- Опубліковано 13 жов 2024
- Hey Guys! Today we take a detailed look at the popular New Balance 550.
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An odd 80's basketball model that many don't remember, yet, they still sell like hotcakes. The New Balance 550 might be the most interesting Retro we've seen in a long time.
James Worthy bro!
James Worthy in the 80's and Matt Bonner in the last 2000's.
I think Isaiah Thomas wore New Balance and has his signature shoes. I don't know if he wore this specific model.
@@highofflifekickstv Bonner used to wear the same pair for multiple seasons lol
To answer your curiosity of why people like them- it’s because Aimé Leon Dore debuted them and their collabs created the hype.
I’d say ~90% of the leather that NB uses is pigskin leather. That why NB leather doesn’t feel like the cowhide leather used in Nike shoes. Pigskin and cowhide are pretty much on par as far as quality. True, you can get subpar pieces of both, but pigskin (for the most part) it’s not as soft but tougher, more pliable and is not as easily prone to drying out and cracking like cowhide leather (which needs be cleaned and oiled more frequent than pigskin). The more you know.
This is definitely helpful, though something to note is that most of what Nike does is they use really loose grain cowhide that they then put tons of layers of plastic on top of, instead of using really dense full and top grain layers of the hide. The times when nike has used top grain like the new 85 silloutte jordan 1's people complain because it's "stiff", when that's the leather you do want because it is way more durable, it takes break in, but it eventually becomes super soft just like a nice pair of red wings. I notice that pigskin or not, new balance uses thicker cuts of leather with much tighter grain. So in this case, nike is actually using cheaper materials
🧐 📝
I dont buy nike shoes anymore, cheap materials
Are they ethically sourced ?
Almost all gr Nikes are synthetic leather and I wouldn’t be surprised if new balance used it too
James Worthy actually had his own signature new balance shoe line, some of which were pretty cool
I was gonna say that too!
Worthy express
ML Carr and Robert parish wore new balance too when they played for the Celtics
I had the James Worthy shoe, nice shoe. I’m looking for this shoe now but it’s tough to find.
NB is just so damn underrated. Everything they make is QUALITY.
True indeed. NB's are hot in the streets now.
Most of NB's have bulky look maybe that's the one of the reason.
Jesus saves ❤
James Worthy famously wore New Balances. There were a lot of other shoe brands in the 80s and 90s. I remember Drexler wore Avia, Spud Webb wore Pony.
Bill Cartwright wore NB and at one point had to have his shoes dyed black for the playoffs because NB didn't make a black leather pair.(Check out his 1991 Fleer Card)
Love the channel! Been watching and following for 2 years now. The real passion for sneakers and the history behind them is amazing. Keep up the solid work, cheers!
Love the channel! Been watching and following for 2 years now. The real passion for sneakers and the history behind them is amazing. Keep up the solid work, cheers!
More of the NB heat reviews please, thanks!
I remember these because my cousin loved playing in them but I thought they were ok at best. Love the content for real. Mr. and Mrs. section is always my favorite.
Your choice of sizing contrasted mine. I had to go half-size down with these. I'm 9.5us with adidas and nike sneakers, but had to get 9us for new balance 550 which fitted my feet so well. The 9.5us was considerably tight in the middle, yet I was having heel slippage. I figured out that going half-size down will get your foot in the best position in the shoe which solved the overly tight middle and heel slippage issues.
I stil have my dads NB from 1986 and still wear them. The leather is tough ,with a few creases , and still holding on fantastically. These shoes are flawless. They dont make them like they use to period!
I interviewed the creator of this shoe on my podcast and hearing how he actually created this shoe as part of a two man organisation was absolutely incredible. Steve Smith is a genius 🙌🏻
Shoot the link
@@andyc8777 not sure if I’m allowed to share the link😅 but if you just type in ‘SWO Steven Smith’ it will come up there
Spot on about the colourways, such a super clean silhouette that looks great in most if not all colours.
New Balance GRs are criminally slept on. Their Made in US/UK lines are always coming with some low key incredible quality.
1500s are a GOAT kick
New Balance has an interesting archive. Them using A+ materials makes them very enticing. Especially because then I won't be wearing the same Yeezys and Jordans as everyone else.
The ALD versions are excellent…Every single colorway…
New Balance Basketball at that point was on its way out but the designs by and large didn’t change all that much since the mid 80’s…550 and 650 and NB in general was the type of basketball sneakers you’d get on sale for two for $25 at BIG 5 sporting goods stores…Heavy nostalgia for those of us who couldn’t the Agassi, Bo Jackson, and Jordan’s…Can’t say you’d see any big name athlete's wearing them but damn if they didn’t get heavy play in the streets…
I grabbed two pairs. The red ones and the grey ones. They’re dope af
Where at
I do remember Adrian Dantley and James Worthy wearing New Balance at one time. I have always liked these,but it's been a pain in the ass trying to find them at retail prices. Thanks for the heads up. Another cool video from you guys!
Came here just to say that 'Big Game' James Worthy wore NB in that era. I'm happy to see so many others have mentioned it too. Enjoy the content btw. Keep up the good work.
I am so happy that you reviewed those shoes! Thank you soooooo much 🎉🎉🎉 Made my day! ❤️❤️❤️
I just bought these at my local mall when you get them in hand they look even better in person
I was 20 in 1989, when those came out, but they didn't hit my radar because I always tried to be original back then. I would wear Avia, le coq sportif and Britishers or British walkers. I may have to go to the New Balance flag ship store in Manhattan to check them out.
Those thangs are difficult to find i found the new balance 480's i love them very comfortable i want the black and grey 550's so bad cant find them oh yeah Adrian Dantley wore new balance too 24 ppg career scorer very underrated player
Got the red/navy ALD version, great go to and easy to wear. Another nba player who wore nb is James Worthy who wore p740
I love the look of the 550 (Own both the red and green from the Shifted Sports Pack), but they have a strange fit; they are way too long with tonnes of heel slippage when I go true-to-size, but uncomfortably snug across the midfoot when I go a half size down. I had to remove the midsoles and replace them with a pair from the Puma Spectra for them to fit comfortably. Which is a shame as the provided midsoles are fantastic. Great arch support and very plush.
I wanted the green but had to cop the red because the price fluctuations. I’m planning on putting in Nike SB sail laces and using a paint marker to “age” the midsole
love the look of the 550 (Own both the red and green from the Shifted Sports Pack), but they have a strange fit; they are way too long with tonnes of heel slippage when I go true-to-size, but uncomfortably snug across the midfoot when I go a half size down. I had to remove the midsoles and replace them with a pair from the Puma Spectra for them to fit comfortably. Which is a shame as the provided midsoles are fantastic. Great arch support and very plush.
im stoked to get the high top version of these, the 650r, when they ship next spring
I just bought this exact model they will be my first pair of New Balance shoes ever 🙂
Got mine today off white chile red and its fire🔥
been looking forward to copping these, glad the GOAT made a review🙌
These are awesome. Got ‘‘em on green. They are really simple but love the look.
got the green ones, they just go well with almost any outfit, very comfy too
Glad you were finally able to get a pair, I was wondering if you’d review them since they fit the topic of this channel so well. I bought the “oak leaf” pair and love the look and colors but the quality was def not a highlight I hope that the ALD 650Rs I was able to preorder are much better quality wise. Still a good looking unique shoe tho. Keep up the great work y’all!
New Balance = best sneaker brand out there🔥 327 and 550 are the best silhouettes i know
I love those and would add 574’s and 650 highs as well but honestly there are so many new balance shoes that are straight feet🔥
I'ma have to disagree even as a massive fan of the 550 (Aime Leon dore 550 green pair is literally my favorite sneaker I've ever owned). New balance has a much less options when it comes to bangers 550, 990s, 650s, 970s and imo that's about it. Nike in comparison has a shit load of hot styles.
Are 327’s comfortable? I like the colors and wanted to try a pair and also the 57/40’s
@@SDPTheGhost they're way more comfortable than i expected, the midsole has some decent cushioning and they're super lightweight
It’s the hype around the Louis Vuitton version on the show that skyrocketed this new balance because the quality it there just like the lv one..all in all just a good siluetee and style
lol remember when these were hard to find? Took my son to Foot Locker at the mall to grab a pair of Uptowns and saw a guy try on (and reject) one of the GR 650s they had. Crazy. Still love the 550s 💪🏾
I just bought a pair of new balance BB480 today here in taiwan they are pretty dope combination of blue leather, brown leather and Navy blue jeans upper
I actually really like these a lot!! Especially the white and purple pair but I could rock a couple of repairs as well. Maybe someday I might pick a pair up
It’s the Aime Leon dore collaborations that mean the GR sells so well, especially the ones that are in the same colours
Facts Dave, these would easily go for $50-$60 on clearance if Aime didn't initiate hype. So since online resellers buy them all up the general public sees this....and wants to buy them up out of fear of missing out. I've yet to see these in a physical store. You would have to know how challenging it is to buy these online to appreciate buying them in store - as shown here by Chris. A regular person wouldn't know any of that and would probably overlook the 550.
@@younggotti8195 that is why I like them .. im not paying over retail for a dunk or a 1 low ... so I rock forums and 550s and what ever I actually hit on.
@@younggotti8195 im not saying that’s not the case I’m just pointing out that hypebeasts have ruined it for real sneaker heads trying to get these awesome shoes, as the guy above said it’s impossible to buy these as they’re sold out from the resellers buying them all- and the only reason this shoe reached the “hype” community is the Aime Leon dore collaborations, that’s all I meant. Sucks cause I love these but I’m not paying stockx prices
Once Teddy Santis (Principal Owner of ALD) became NB's Creative Sneaker Designer/ Director then 550 NB became so popular that even resellers had to delved into them. If you look at Teddy's works, he mainly made NB Collaborations and unfortunately also pass the resellers vibe check. In fact, Spring Of 2022 NB ALD will release 650R (Highs) in 3 Colorways so far.
Very interesting. I have seen this model in some outlets but i ignored them. I might check them after your video.
I have the exact pair and love love these shoes. On top of the looks the 550's are mad comfortable.
I remember James Worthy wore NB, I think its his signature shoes because it was called the "Worthy Express" in the late 80's
Every time I watch a video & you're rocking the Since merch my wallet instantly knows what time it is lol. That hoodie is fire tho & will be copped. Shorts too most likely. I like these New Balance so I may go mall hunting for a pair.
Love that new balance is bringing back some of their retro hoop shoes. Wish they made their retro shoes with the same quality materials that are made in usa and uk stuff they put out.
Love the hoodie. Curious to see what other designs you come up with. 😍
The whole Italian team I believe wore them the year Dream Team played in the Olympics. I love my pair!
The colours were and are awesome - they now also have all-white ones for those into the all-white look now, in stock here in the UK
Finally copped a pair of these in burgundy/cyan. This shoe is so damn hard to cop for retail I was just happy to get a pair in ANY colorway. Can't wait to see them in hand.
The ALD collabs have the same leather. I plan on buying the Red and black GR pair and coffee dying them to get the same look as the ALD.
These are too sweet. There’s hella colorways, and they all are clean. I need the Michigan CW, the Syracuse, the purps, and those Grey Aime joints atleast
998s and their suede, sole, and feeling are my favorite retro new Balance. Never buy them full price though
I think a massive part of this shoe and similar under the radar shoe’s success is the fact that Nike makes their popular shoes nearly impossible to buy for retail.
Picked up a triple white version for 75$ at footlocker. Gonna use these for work!
I have 2 of the 550 colorways, and they're great.Also agree. 4's are my favorite too
How are they holding up? Im planning to buy myself the UNC pair
They're getting rid of Happy Meal toys!? But that's what makes it happy!.. This truly is the darkest timeline.. (p.s. shoes look so clean)
Nobody in the comment mentioned that NB before all the footwear glory that dads all around the world trusted in, they used to be called the New Balance Arch Support Company and yes used guessed it used to make arch support to improve shoe fit and support.
I was just abls to find a pair of the 550s in kids which make it cheaper and im in love i go between air force 1s and jordan shoes often but ive been liking some of the new balance drops lately😊
I think that James Worthy was the New Balance man from that era. There were multiple posters out there in the 80'. I have 900 from that era at home and they are still like new. NB are great shoes, glad that they are retroed.
James Worthy had huge NB campaigns in the 80s,surprising that his information didn't come up. Ads were iconic in their own right.
I love the green ones, but I'm trying to cut back. Not surprised that NB make a flawless retro. James Worthy used to wear NB and Rodman also did at one stage. Not the flight lites Chris?
Hey Chris! Just wanted to alert you that James Worthy used to wear New Balance. He's actually the first player that I am aware of that wore NB. They were pretty popular too.
I didnt even know its a basketball shoes wow, i learn so much on this channel.
My first basketball boots in New Zealand were New Balance. I loved those things bright white with navy N
James Worthy wore the Worthy Express by New Balance, had a mid and a high. Heavy as hell but all ball shoes were heavy back then!
Love watching you guys 👍
I'vee been seeing so many J's in stores here in Taiwan also. Not usual pre-pandemic. But I'm also questioning if it's the pandemic or just people getting tired of the same shoes coming out all the time. Also, apartments here are too small to have an actual sneakerhead-like collection. Most people here wear sneakers on a daily basis. So, they do wear what they buy. The job dresscode(if there is any) is very relaxed. Sneaker stores are everywhere. But still many J's that would sell out (1's specially) are sitting... they never go on sale though... that's a downer. And on the NB, I love these in purple. Hope I can see them in the stores as well.
Got the ALD version in grey and can’t wait to try them on! These are dope!
I am both sad and happy seeing so many Retro Jordans sitting in store. Sad because they don’t get the love they deserve and happy because I can buy them without having to enter 10 raffles or buy them for double their price.
I am not a New Balance fan but these just hit that retro sneaker spot and I am tempted to buy a pair!
They’re getting plenty of love. There are thousands made and thousands bought. They don’t need to sell out to be well received.
These are fresh. You all do such a great job.
I loved how you talked about the quality. if you think the foreign made new balances are nice, try out the made in USA line, it’s unreal.
These are dope! I got the "black toe" pair and they go with everything. Sizing was a bit weird, I had to go down a half size because they fit long and there's tons of heel slippage, but maybe it's just my feet 🤣
I did the same, and it worked well.
This was the review I was waiting on!
James Worthy wore New Balance. I still have a pair they’re called the Worthy Express
Following you since 2011 😊
Classics! James Worthy retro
I have two pair of Puma Palace Guard OG, Puma Rebound Layup low, Adidas Forum Lo, another pair of retro Puma and Air Command Force OG
hahaha the intro of you know malls are dying cracked me up lol they really do be dry now lol
I actually do bring my favorite insole around with me when I buy shoes in-store.
Great review Chris , you should do the ALDs next man
oh man, I REEEEEALLY don't know why these are sitting on malls. I've seen the green ones, the breds and royals too sitting on shelves. Copped me this one and man I was not expecting the quality and even the comfort with the insoles! Not to mention I'm a wide footer and chose 12 (true to size) and fits great but after 5-6 hours of wear my feet were hurting a bit. But these are 🔥 looking.
New Balance was endorsed by a few confirmed players: Robert Parish, Bill Cartwright, Creg Elho, Roy Tarpley, Adrian Dantley, James Worthy, Dennis Rodman .... I may have missed a few ones. The 550 was an entry model and other models like the 750 or the 800 had more technologie like encap (EVA insert)
NB’s are slowly getting hype as the months go by. 2021 is their year. These 550 have a Nike Dunk look. I just hope NB keeps the stock high and continue to restock these 550. I agree the leather quality is hella better than most Nike/Jordan collabs in the past 3 yrs. I got my 3 pairs of the 550’s ALD and they are clean and 🔥. I can’t wait for my 650 ALD to come in next year!!
Dope vid! ALD NB 550 just dropped and like you said the materials are way better than the team pack that recently released. They’re a great shoe to wear if you don’t want to wear what everyone els is wearing. Many ppl always ask what they are when I rock em!
I have those green ones and they’re great. A super underrated shoe despite the hype still
Northwestern university is all over these . They’re quite perfect for the school
The high top New Balance shoe was probably the 650R, which there is a Aime Leon Dore version coming out next year. They look slick af.
Insert mortal kombat flawless victory sound. I want the forest green pair. These are too clean
IS THIS NIGHTWING?! I used to watch you back in the day
Teddy Santis is responsible for the popularity behind these and his ALD collabs. On top of that he’s New Balance creative director so the gr’s still pretty fire.
If you like these, you should get a pair of the Aime Leon Dore 550’s because that was the first to come out before these GR versions. The quality of materials on those is way better than these and of course the construction is on point because almost all NB’s are way better quality than Nike or Adidas on average. Also, James Worthy was the most high profile player with a NB deal during the 80s playing on the dynastic Lakers team, so that was good pub for them.
Chris is right last week in downtown chicago all those mentioned retros were at footlocker on state street lol
Just got the black on black for 26 bucks from Marshall’s. That’s a big W in my book. ✅😎
The iconic Jumpman logo from Jordan shoes were inspired by a photoshoot where Michael Jordan wore some NB 550s. This was before his Nike deal.
Which is fascinating as the 550 supposedly wasn’t released until 1989.
@@WearTesters I made a mistake I just looked up the article again.
"Per that account, he traveled to the University of North Carolina campus in ’84 and was told he had just 20 minutes to make images of Jordan. Jordan wore an obscure New Balance model in all white-opinion is somewhat split on whether it was the New Balance 425 or 480."
If you Google New Balance Michael Jordan it should be the first hit, it's an article from Complex.
Are you ever going to do a review on UA anatomix spawn 3 I heard they are some beasts
Like many brands (LaGear, Avia, Saucony, Brooks, etc), New Balance left the basketball market in the mid 90s because the over dominance of Nike and Reebok.
So cool! Thx for sharing these
James worthy was the sponsored nba star for new balance, I got a og pairs of the bb800 (still wearable amazingly and in laker colors).
James Worthy of the Lakers wore New Balance during most of his career. 😎
I love these I have the ALD green/cream collab n walked into a Champs picked up this colorway 4 retail
These are the only color I want in these shoes!!!! 🔥🔥🔥Jordan 4 are my favorite too!
James Worthy making a drive under the basket, his first step so quick leaving his defender behind...wearing NB
I like them I wouldn’t buy over retail as you said
hi Cris, i think James Worthy did also wear NB, as a kid i think there was this Worthy Express from NB that came out. not really sure, but i just think if my memory serves me right or wrong.