Stateside Drop! New Balance 550 in 'Black/Sea Salt' and 'Sea Salt/Black'

News on this release was first published on March 18, 2022.

Update June 30, 2022: Initially thought to be a Japan-exclusive release, the NB550 in Sea Salt/Black and Black/Sea Salt will be dropping again via New Balance US! July 1 is the date to watch.

When Aimé Leon Dore​ and New Balance joined forces to reintroduce the 550, one of the factors that made it so successful was its neo-vintage aesthetic, provided by cream-coloured leather that made the shoes look like they were shipped in a time capsule from 1989. Since then, the 550 has gone on to become one of New Balance's most popular lifestyle silhouettes – and now the brand has given its in-line models a neo-vintage treatment of their own with new 'Black/Cream' and 'Cream/Black' colourways.

Each pair is constructed of leathers both smooth and perforated with signature New Balance hoops branding on the tongue, a 550 strike on the forefoot and embossed branding on the midsole plus other hits. The 'Black/Cream' offers a more stark contrast, using its secondary tone sparingly on the upper to provide a yin and yang with the midsole, while the 'Cream/Black' is the more ALD-esuqe of the two with a build that's almost entirely cream-coloured and uses black hits sparingly for a more muted look.

Both of these cream-embellished New Balance 550s are set to release via New Balance Japan on March 18, and will retail for ¥15,400 (roughly $130), inclusive of tax. A global release is likely to follow in the coming weeks.

If you want to see other ways that ALD have influenced New Balance's in-line releases, check out ALD founder Teddy Santis' first collection as the creative director of NB's MADE in USA line right here.