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.


