New Balance Blog

“Barack Obama swung by the Denver Athletic Club this morning for a workout in preparation for his much-anticipated speech at Invesco Field this evening.

He walked through the lobby wearing a New Balance shirt and a baseball cap.”

But Asics where it counts. He still has my vote though.

Via Politico.com

SNEAKERSNSTUFF over in Södermalm, Sweden has launched their third release of 577s, handmade at the NB Flimby factory in the UK. There are two models in the release, M577SNE (Erik - Midnight Navy/Purple/Turqoise/Green/White) and M577SNP (Peter - Black/White/3M).

Each model is limited to 150 pairs, available in half sizes from US 8.5-12 and currently on sale for US $140 (regular price US $175). This release is only available directly from SNS.

“This time is kind of different since NB finally agreed to put our SNS logo on the shoes. We were also able to make smaller quantities of the sole units and got the chance to make them more unique.” Congrats to SNS on another fantastic pair of 577s!

M577SNE - Erik - Midnight Navy/Purple/Turqoise/Green/White

M577SNP - Peter - Black/White/3M

Nicki Leist over in Germany sent in this pic of his custom denim NB 860s. The shoe is a sample built by an English student named Christopher Shannon. Nice work guys!

Here are all three Fall 2009 colorways of the MT580s that are starting to pop up stateside.

“With the exception of 3 new colors combinations offer, purple/black, black/black, and yellow/gray, the New Balance MT580 still retains much of its technical features which both runners and urbanites love. A mid-sole composed from ENCAP polyurethane technology intermixed with the C-CAP EVA material. Both provide a lasting yet lightweight foundation. The ROLLBAR, made of graphite, further give the MT580J added lateral support. The uppers still retain the same breathable nylon mesh interlaced with panes of leather. Look for official release information soon.”

Via Freshness

595’s have a mostly suede upper and a very soft feel with less ankle support than other NB’s. If that’s your thing these are pretty nice for $64.

M595 Brown

Coming up for a release on August 30th is the latest installment of the Japanese MT580 collaboration between New Balance, Mita Sneakers and realmadHECTIC.

The lucky 13th edition features two colorways — RGG (Green) and BLE (Brown) — both with velvety purple lining, crackled midsoles, what looks like a ripstop toebox, and two pairs of laces (white & purple for the BLE, white & turquoise for the RGG). Available sizes are 26-29cm in half sizes plus 30cm.

Cop them here at Mita for JPY ¥17,640 each. Looks like preorders are being taken prior to the full release on 8/30. There is also a mention on the Hectic site with a preorder email address here.

MT580 RGG Green

MT580 BLE Brown

Thanks douma for the reminder!

The MT580 all-grey is at Zappos for US $90 and probably loads of other stores.

Also David Z over in NYC is still selling the Black/Purple MT580KP previewed on NiceKicks.com:

“The upper is a pearlized black leather with a very unique material across the back and lower side panels. The midsole and side TPU are covered with splattered yellow and purple paint to tie together the varsity colors that make their way onto the N side logo and Rollbar.”

Update — Thanks to Taylor @ New Balance who clarified the release date for us: “Foot Locker and Footaction got the MT580’s early, other retailers will have them in November.”

Just saw this NB magazine ad (in Complex) announcing the MT580 will be making its American debut on 8/15/2008 at select Footaction locations (update — with a wide release at other retailers in November) The ad drops a little knowledge about the history of the model and illustrate all its key features. And Complex gives it 4 out of 5 stars, not too shabby.

“Originally produced as a trail running sneaker in the 90s, the MT580 range of footwear began as a special partnership between New Balance Japan and iconic Japanese footwear chain MITA Sneakers (which is where the “MT” prefix of the model number comes from). It was further divided into general lines and further collaborations involving several popular clothing lines. The timeless design, eye-catching colorways and sturdy construction built a cult-like following and eventually spawned such contemporary classics as the MT580 “Mad Stussy” shoes that are part of the clothing collaborations, namely between Japanese clothing label “Real Mad Hectic”, fashion label Stussy and Japanese retailer UNDFTD.”

MT580BP

The MT580BP (black/purple) is listed on the NB Classics site here (with a 360° viewer), although it’s not yet on sale at their web shop, nbwebexpress.com. And good news for us big fat Americans with our big fat feet, the MT580 will be made in a full range of sizes, US 7-15, which has not been the case for the Japanese releases.

Some nice pre-orders are on sale now at hanon-shop.com:

M991 LUX
- Plush leather upper
- Vented toebox
- Limited numbers
- price - £84.95

M991 LUX

M576 KLL (Black) & BLL (Brown) 80’s
- Leather upper
- Suede saddle
- Vintage Sole unit
- Gum sole
- Made in the UK
- price - £79.95

M576 KLL (Black) 80’s

M576 BLL (Brown) 80’s

Bit late on this one but if you’re into customized kicks and want to read about, buy and sell custom sneakers, check out the somewhat-newly-relaunched Customsnkr.com. Let’s see some NB representation over there! ; )