New Balance # containment thread

[LebowskisRug]

As a huge fan of the 440, those are gross as hell. I will be stocking up on the current model and absolutely not be buying those. The re-design of the collar looks horrible, the big N is the OPPOSITE of what people asked for, and the toe cap alterations tie it all together in a pretty unappealing way.

This sucks since we were told in this thread the changes would be very minor to the shoe and all sounded great (more durable rubber, minor shape changes to the sole profile), but I don't see what value these changes add. A stiffer collar is kind of nice, but this one looks way more like an awkward mid.

[Atiba Applebum]

Spotted a different colorway in the mag Roth posted.  Maybe the N size will be received better here

[Atiba Applebum]

As a huge fan of the 440, those are gross as hell. I will be stocking up on the current model and absolutely not be buying those. The re-design of the collar looks horrible, the big N is the OPPOSITE of what people asked for, and the toe cap alterations tie it all together in a pretty unappealing way.

This sucks since we were told in this thread the changes would be very minor to the shoe and all sounded great (more durable rubber, minor shape changes to the sole profile), but I don't see what value these changes add. A stiffer collar is kind of nice, but this one looks way more like an awkward mid.

I hear you, and I’m also not huge into a bigger N, but there’s something I do like about this colorway…

[standfast]

That N is too big, much prefer the older one.

[Thebird]

As a huge fan of the 440, those are gross as hell. I will be stocking up on the current model and absolutely not be buying those. The re-design of the collar looks horrible, the big N is the OPPOSITE of what people asked for, and the toe cap alterations tie it all together in a pretty unappealing way.

This sucks since we were told in this thread the changes would be very minor to the shoe and all sounded great (more durable rubber, minor shape changes to the sole profile), but I don't see what value these changes add. A stiffer collar is kind of nice, but this one looks way more like an awkward mid.

Agree with everything here.  These kind of remind me of something you'd find in a children's shoe store.  I am a big fan of the current 440.

[Murge]

I kinda like the blue colorway. But not a fan of the big N but it can be cut off hopefully and the stitching marks leave a more subtle N. But if the sole is better annd last longer  and the toe cap holds better I’ll be happy. It is a bit more sporty looking than the original which I’m not a fan of. But I’d def give them a go

[LebowskisRug]

Good thing the blue colorway is currently on sale

[iw0]

any publicly releasable reasoning behind ditching the blazer looking collar/whatever on the re-design? i'm not married to it but curious as to why that got dropped in the new version

[Fartknocker415]

Build quality looks better on the new version. But I don’t know shit. Just a hunch.

[Atiba Applebum]

any publicly releasable reasoning behind ditching the blazer looking collar/whatever on the re-design? i'm not married to it but curious as to why that got dropped in the new version

My guess was it would be more flexible like in the hood days when the panel on the blazers was softer and not whatever fabric the swoosh usually is (only see it on the standard black pair anymore)

[OhioGuy]

I love them. Big N is cool, 808s have a big one too and they look fine. I also like the two tone upper. There’s plenty of old ones to keep y’all stocked for years though. So it’s a non issue if you hate it, and knowing NB they’ll probably still sell them for a minute.

[Idk]

The low version kinda reminds me of the Logan 637.

[Daydream]

440V2’s from the 490 zine yea? 

[FROTHY]

I accept the new 440, but it’s likely because I’ve had 3 pairs of 440s in a row and could use some spice.

[LebowskisRug]

Build quality looks better on the new version. But I don’t know shit. Just a hunch.

Yah you also might not be able to see shit either cuz in the pic above the 2 lines of horizontal stitching on the collar don't actually run parallel to one another.

My guess is that they did this to stiffen up the collar. It wasn't super stiff for a high top and maybe some people didn't like that? I loved em so I'll be slowly stocking up on models to rotate for the next few years. Hopefully changes to the low won't be wonky. Toebox looks fine on second glance. But this definitely wasn't "minimal changes" IMO.

[camel filters]

The only thing I would change about the current 440's is a tougher lasting rubber for the sole. Literally a perfect shoe otherwise. The changes look pretty terrible tbh.

[Fongstarr.]

We did a hardcopy zine to go with the 480 launch that shipped to shops (but basically just enough for 1 shop copy each).  If you want to check out the digital version, here you go.  Got some good skate photos from the same trip as the Chicago video we just put out.
https://bit.ly/480-zine

Wow. That is some quality photos right there. If you got an extra one, I would love one 😜

[moonordie]

Damn I missed the 440 v2 video. I hope someone got a screenshot

[Sila]

That giant N is for nightmare. I'll be sticking to the regular 440's.

[Underpressureflips]

I wanted a thicker heel collar on the 440 high, so I like that. But everything else
About the v2 bums me out. The og 440 high looked like a retro basketball shoe. Just a simple clean design. The v2 looks too modern and kills the aesthetic that the v1 nailed. Wack!

[moonordie]

I wanted a thicker heel collar on the 440 high, so I like that. But everything else
About the v2 bums me out. The og 440 high looked like a retro basketball shoe. Just a simple clean design. The v2 looks too modern and kills the aesthetic that the v1 nailed. Wack!

I totally agree with you. A thicker heel collar was wanted as long as a decent insole and a sturdier sole (maybe the one from 508?). Nobody wanted a change on how they look. For that modern look we have the 808, I don't feel that aesthetic works in here.

[Frank Sobotka]

I usually get UK 12.5 NB shoes. Can't find the 480's in that size anywhere. Have they just not produced them in a UK12.5/US13? I really wanted the Reynolds shoe, ugh.

[OhioGuy]

I usually get UK 12.5 NB shoes. Can't find the 480's in that size anywhere. Have they just not produced them in a UK12.5/US13? I really wanted the Reynolds shoe, ugh.

They have them in your size. But lots of shops stop at US12. I know a few sites that had them, but they’re in the states.

[Daydream]

13 checking in from premier. Came so quick. Sunday actually.

[Mean salto]

I usually get UK 12.5 NB shoes. Can't find the 480's in that size anywhere. Have they just not produced them in a UK12.5/US13? I really wanted the Reynolds shoe, ugh.

Wouldn't a UK 12.5 be a us 13.5? Don't think I've ever seen a skateshoe in a us12.5 or 13.5. Might be worth finding out what size you are in cm. (Usually a us 12 is 30cm and 13 is 31cm altho some brands do a 13 as 32.5cms)

[Pastasash]

Probably one of the few that actually like the 440v2, but Im also not crazy about the og.

The bigger N, collar, midsole, and toe box were the changes it needed for a midtop NB I’d want to skate.

[Sk.A.T.A.N]

I like the bolder angled N... Looks mean/faster.
Imo the thing that makes them less Court-like is the change on the eyestay that has that notch that is almost a lil Half-cab'esq (on the good end) or a bit midtop Emerica'esq (on the bad end). It's a bit more sporty, less timeless I guess. I'm more curious about the toe bumper shape, a bit weird that it swerves up towards the N but I need more pictures.

But now my question is: Why did it need a change in the first place? Seemed like a beloved shoe as it was.

Anyway, curious to see the low top.

[PAWL]

All they had to do was extend the foam to the toes, instead we get this…. Thing

[Turtle Boy]

It seems that the designer wanted to use the N to protect the seams of the toe but it looks almost like another shoe that would be a NM 441. The collar on that mid looks bad too.
If it's a sample maybe some tweaks have been made that will make it better.

I like the shape and the new toe lines, maybe we will have a V3 if the V2 sells less than the V1.

Whoever said it was less timeless was spot on.

[OhioGuy]

Gonna double down. I actually wish the N was bigger on the new 440s. I want it to stretch from top to bottom like the 808s lol