New Balance 475

475

New Balance has been producing high-quality running silhouettes for decades, but while its newer models push the boundaries of innovation, its archival designs have become beloved fashion items. Throughout the 2020s, some of the most iconic of these have returned as retro lifestyle sneakers, including a 1986 classic called the 475.

The upper of the New Balance 475 is made from a lightweight, breathable nylon mesh with luxurious suede panels overlapping through the quarter. The same plush material forms the protective heel counter and toe overlay, whereas synthetic leather has been used for the heel tab and the dual-layered N logos on the flanks. A woven label accents the top of the thin tongue, while the lower heel features the brand’s CR device: a TPU clip that provides deep support to the back of the foot.

The 475 boasts a lightweight yet durable dual-density midsole with both PU and C-CAP technology for superior support. This blend of firm polyurethane padding and soft compression-moulded EVA cushioning maintains good levels of flexibility while also offering outstanding comfort and protecting the foot from the impact of road-running, which the original model was designed for. The substantial rubber outsole keeps things stable and grippy via a set of thick, hard-wearing lugs whose blocky, angular shapes produce boot-like traction and a sturdy feeling underfoot.

Retro running heritage defines the aesthetic of the New Balance 475, with its expertly crafted outer decorated in refined yet minimal branding and incorporating premium materials. The asymmetric toe overlay brings a dynamic touch to the forefoot, and the N logos have been layered up to create a bold background that accentuates the famous brand symbol. New Balance text adorns the heel and refined NB 475 lettering the tongue patch, while a New Balance Running emblem has been printed onto the insole in a stylish nod to the silhouette’s sporting legacy.

The 475 was unveiled in the summer of 2024 by two fashion-forward lifestyle brands: New York’s Aimé Leon Dore and Tokyo’s AURALEE. Both had crafted elegant collaborative versions of the retro sneaker, with ALD’s Teddy Santis revealing his label’s graceful ‘White Green’ colourway on social media and Japanese designer Ryota Iwai showcasing his vintage two-pack on the runway at Paris Fashion Week. The Aimé Leon Dore collaboration was launched in the autumn alongside suave general releases and the exclusive ‘Moonbeam’ colourway from streetwear brand END. Clothing, as the New Balance 475 made a strong return almost forty years after its initial release.

Originally designed to support runners over long miles of training, the New Balance 475 has been repurposed as a modern sneaker. Its old-school performance technologies still provide high levels of comfort, making it a great shoe for everyday wear, while its captivating throwback style offers a look that is both elegant and timeless.