New Balance # containment thread

[Mallie]

Oh, hell yeah, 1010s in burgundy/oxblood would GO.

[EDMUND]

leave it to new balance to fuck up a white and gum, like why'd they do perforation on the N?

I made an account just to say that I agree with this.

New Balance - yes - finally releases a great colorway for the 600, white/gum, where the color of the N matches the color of the rest of the upper and they insist on making the N as loud as possible with perforated leather. I think it shows a lack of restraint on their part.

And the other colorway with the blue soles… why?… they’re treating these shoes like Pokémon cards for everyone to collect. Why can’t they release simple colorways consistently without colorful accents? Not everyone needs to match their fitted hats and shirts with their shoes like Wade Desarmo in It’s Official.

I’m thinking of the black/gum 480 now - I had them. The black suede looked beautiful yet the white border around the N ruined the shoe for me. In footage the hard contrast of the white against black is like looking at someone in a reflector vest at night. It draws your eye right to the N and compresses the silhouette. I think this is bad design.

Imagine the black suede 480 with an all black suede N, no border.

[Llewellyn Moss]

I'm a 440 lifer and have started removing the N logo on every shoe when it contrasts too hard or just looks bad. See: 95% of them.

[EDMUND]

I'm a 440 lifer and have started removing the N logo on every shoe when it contrasts too hard or just looks bad. See: 95% of them.

It is funny though because I like the newly designed N. I think the incense/oak 440 is one of the best colorways they’ve ever made.

Btw, do you find that the 440s lows are consistently a tiny bit shorter than the NB sizing chart says they are? The 440 highs are not. I wonder why this is. 440 lows in a 9 press against my toes and sizing up works for chillers but become a hair too long for skating - my flick feels off… maybe that’s a matter of getting used to it.

[Llewellyn Moss]

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I'm a 440 lifer and have started removing the N logo on every shoe when it contrasts too hard or just looks bad. See: 95% of them.

[close]

It is funny though because I like the newly designed N. I think the incense/oak 440 is one of the best colorways they’ve ever made.

Btw, do you find that the 440s lows are consistently a tiny bit shorter than the NB sizing chart says they are? The 440 highs are not. I wonder why this is. 440 lows in a 9 press against my toes and sizing up works for chillers but become a hair too long for skating - my flick feels off… maybe that’s a matter of getting used to it.

The redesign is an upgrade but it's kinda hard to go anywhere but up when you're working with... the letter N, as your logo. One (of many) things I respect about NB though is their design decisions. Because when I saw the new oak/green cw, I actually laughed -- crestfallen, as I'd learn looking at the pre-order book that my hope for a basic all white cw with white N wouldn't be realized until 2026 -- and thought, of all possible color combinations, they arrived at this?! And I knew as disappointed as I was seeing an underwhelming cw with a big dumb green N, I knew some would love it. Idk, maybe I need to see it in person, but I respect the variety of cws they roll with. It's unfortunate though that most other shoes in the lineup get the treatment. Like the 508. I'd love to have just 1 of the several cws that dropped this year for that one, in the 440 high.

To your observation on sizing, I can't speak to the lows I've never skated them. Have heard there's been a variance lately and they are running a touch small, though. I'm also size 9 in the highs and the fit has been consistent my last few pairs. I sized up to 9.5 for the 1010s and had the same problem you faced re: flick and too long. I skated them several sessions but couldn't make it work. They're good chillers now.

[EDMUND]

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I'm a 440 lifer and have started removing the N logo on every shoe when it contrasts too hard or just looks bad. See: 95% of them.

[close]

It is funny though because I like the newly designed N. I think the incense/oak 440 is one of the best colorways they’ve ever made.

Btw, do you find that the 440s lows are consistently a tiny bit shorter than the NB sizing chart says they are? The 440 highs are not. I wonder why this is. 440 lows in a 9 press against my toes and sizing up works for chillers but become a hair too long for skating - my flick feels off… maybe that’s a matter of getting used to it.

[close]

The redesign is an upgrade but it's kinda hard to go anywhere but up when you're working with... the letter N, as your logo. One (of many) things I respect about NB though is their design decisions. Because when I saw the new oak/green cw, I actually laughed -- crestfallen, as I'd learn looking at the pre-order book that my hope for a basic all white cw with white N wouldn't be realized until 2026 -- and thought, of all possible color combinations, they arrived at this?! And I knew as disappointed as I was seeing an underwhelming cw with a big dumb green N, I knew some would love it. Idk, maybe I need to see it in person, but I respect the variety of cws they roll with. It's unfortunate though that most other shoes in the lineup get the treatment. Like the 508. I'd love to have just 1 of the several cws that dropped this year for that one, in the 440 high.

To your observation on sizing, I can't speak to the lows I've never skated them. Have heard there's been a variance lately and they are running a touch small, though. I'm also size 9 in the highs and the fit has been consistent my last few pairs. I sized up to 9.5 for the 1010s and had the same problem you faced re: flick and too long. I skated them several sessions but couldn't make it work. They're good chillers now.

Yes, I think you’ll find the lows are slightly shorter than the highs.

I’m going to boycott NB now though after seeing the way they figured out how to ruin white/gum as a colorway.

[Atiba Applebum]

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leave it to new balance to fuck up a white and gum, like why'd they do perforation on the N?

[close]

I made an account just to say that I agree with this.

New Balance - yes - finally releases a great colorway for the 600, white/gum, where the color of the N matches the color of the rest of the upper and they insist on making the N as loud as possible with perforated leather. I think it shows a lack of restraint on their part.

And the other colorway with the blue soles… why?… they’re treating these shoes like Pokémon cards for everyone to collect. Why can’t they release simple colorways consistently without colorful accents? Not everyone needs to match their fitted hats and shirts with their shoes like Wade Desarmo in It’s Official.

I’m thinking of the black/gum 480 now - I had them. The black suede looked beautiful yet the white border around the N ruined the shoe for me. In footage the hard contrast of the white against black is like looking at someone in a reflector vest at night. It draws your eye right to the N and compresses the silhouette. I think this is bad design.

Imagine the black suede 480 with an all black suede N, no border.

You think white leather perforations on a white leather shoe are loud?    Don’t think you know what loud means.   It’s also like the 4th white gum 600 they’ve done so just pop off the N with seam splitter or wait til the next one

Also, why blue soles?   Have you ever heard of the Rick Howard DC?

[EDMUND]

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leave it to new balance to fuck up a white and gum, like why'd they do perforation on the N?

[close]

I made an account just to say that I agree with this.

New Balance - yes - finally releases a great colorway for the 600, white/gum, where the color of the N matches the color of the rest of the upper and they insist on making the N as loud as possible with perforated leather. I think it shows a lack of restraint on their part.

And the other colorway with the blue soles… why?… they’re treating these shoes like Pokémon cards for everyone to collect. Why can’t they release simple colorways consistently without colorful accents? Not everyone needs to match their fitted hats and shirts with their shoes like Wade Desarmo in It’s Official.

I’m thinking of the black/gum 480 now - I had them. The black suede looked beautiful yet the white border around the N ruined the shoe for me. In footage the hard contrast of the white against black is like looking at someone in a reflector vest at night. It draws your eye right to the N and compresses the silhouette. I think this is bad design.

Imagine the black suede 480 with an all black suede N, no border.

[close]

You think white leather perforations on a white leather shoe are loud?    Don’t think you know what loud means.   It’s also like the 4th white gum 600 they’ve done so just pop off the N with seam splitter or wait til the next one

Also, why blue soles?   Have you ever heard of the Rick Howard DC?

No. Every other “white/gum” colorway you are referring to was not white/gum… they were white, gum, and other accents of color with a color border around the N.

This is the first proper white/gum 600 and yes, perforated leather stitched onto the upper is loud to me in the context of this colorway. The mesh panel is nice, and the perforation on the toe box is fine - perforating the N throws off the feng shui.

I appreciate any reference to an older colorway… I thought the brown/black 808 was more effective, for example.

[rikki]

I think the white/gum with the perforated N looks pretty much perfect. Would.

As for nice 600 cw's, there have been plenty. One of my faves is the white/rain cloud cw with the light grey N.




But pleeease make more suede options for the 600. It's possibly the greatest shoe ever, and even better in suede.

[Crap]

White/cream suede 600 with a tonal N, mesh toe underlay, and gum sole would be a first ballot inductee into the Skate Shoe Hall Of Fame.

Agreed with everyone that that white/grey one was great. I passed on it at the time because I didn't like the yellowed sole, but I regret that now.

[EDMUND]

No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

[moonordie]

No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

You mean the misaligned holes for laces for which Roth said they would take care of it?

[EDMUND]

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No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

[close]

You mean the misaligned holes for laces for which Roth said they would take care of it?

I’m referring to how infrequently they produce colorways without accents or hard contrast borders that emphasize the N. I’m using the black suede/gum 480 as an example because it is a beautiful shoe yet everything that’s great about black suede/gum is thrown off when you stitch a strong white border onto the upper… let it breathe.

The white/gum 600 is closer but it is funny how even there they chose to make the N stand out more. I understand that the texture of perforation is nice.

I think the materials and production itself is high quality.

[munchbox]

No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

im pretty sure roth offered a replacement
as a direct response

[rikki]

No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

Dude you're either lacking reading comprehension or tripping or both. Half of the posts here are in some way critical, with subjects ranging from pointing out tiny QC details to complaining about new cw's and special releases. Which is all good. It's not like we're lobotomized to only offer praise. Plus the NB# reps actually represent, listen and respond here. Which is not the case with most brands.

Carry on.

[EDMUND]

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No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

[close]

Dude you're either lacking reading comprehension or tripping or both. Half of the posts here are in some way critical, with subjects ranging from pointing out tiny QC details to complaining about new cw's and special releases. Which is all good. It's not like we're lobotomized to only offer praise. Plus the NB# reps here actually represent, listen and respond here. Which is not the case with most brands.

Carry on.

Did you negative rep me?

I appreciate that the reps are active on SLAP. Again, I am a patron of New Balance.

[Pastasash]

could've just black sharpied the white boarder, boom there's your perfect 480 CW

[EDMUND]

could've just black sharpied the white boarder, boom there's your perfect 480 CW

I used paint.

[Fongstarr.]

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I think the white/gum with the perforated N looks pretty much perfect. Would.

As for nice 600 cw's, there have been plenty. One of my faves is the white/rain cloud cw with the light grey N.




But pleeease make more suede options for the 600. It's possibly the greatest shoe ever, and even better in suede.

[close]

i hate these so much, i think the leather makes them look like nurse shoes (and ruins a lot of colorways that would look better in suede)

See...I am with you. I don't get how these are the better colorways. I mean it's all a matter of opinion but I don't think this is a unanimous hot seller. To be fair, I hate this colorway in general even though it seems like an NB staple.

[Crap]

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No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

[close]

You mean the misaligned holes for laces for which Roth said they would take care of it?

[close]

I’m referring to how infrequently they produce colorways without accents or hard contrast borders that emphasize the N. I’m using the black suede/gum 480 as an example because it is a beautiful shoe yet everything that’s great about black suede/gum is thrown off when you stitch a strong white border onto the upper… let it breathe.

The white/gum 600 is closer but it is funny how even there they chose to make the N stand out more. I understand that the texture of perforation is nice.

I think the materials and production itself is high quality.

The N is their logo. How often does any shoe brand put out shoes that de-emphasize their own logo? Maybe not never, but you don't see a lot of black Nikes with a black swoosh, black Adidas with black stripes, etc.

If the only thing you don't like is the N, I think that's an easy problem to solve (I don't think it's glued behind the stitching, but I could be wrong). The N doesn't bother me, but the recent black/cement 480's with the white stitching stood out to me as one that would probably look really cool with the N's removed. Kind of a mid-90's vibe to that one.

[EDMUND]

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No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

[close]

You mean the misaligned holes for laces for which Roth said they would take care of it?

[close]

I’m referring to how infrequently they produce colorways without accents or hard contrast borders that emphasize the N. I’m using the black suede/gum 480 as an example because it is a beautiful shoe yet everything that’s great about black suede/gum is thrown off when you stitch a strong white border onto the upper… let it breathe.

The white/gum 600 is closer but it is funny how even there they chose to make the N stand out more. I understand that the texture of perforation is nice.

I think the materials and production itself is high quality.

[close]

The N is their logo. How often does any shoe brand put out shoes that de-emphasize their own logo? Maybe not never, but you don't see a lot of black Nikes with a black swoosh, black Adidas with black stripes, etc.

If the only thing you don't like is the N, I think that's an easy problem to solve (I don't think it's glued behind the stitching, but I could be wrong). The N doesn't bother me, but the recent black/cement 480's with the white stitching stood out to me as one that would probably look really cool with the N's removed. Kind of a mid-90's vibe to that one.

I removed the N from the 1010s, it is easy. I don’t think it made the shoe look better. I am not trying to remove the N… I want the N to work with the shoe.

I wonder if anyone is following my point about the black suede 480s… yes, the N is their logo… what I am saying is that minimal colorways are especially effective if they aren’t interrupted by branding. They did the same thing with the black suede 600s.

There is a classic, early sb dunk that’s all black suede/gum, for example. And the swoosh is suede too rather than plasticky leather. 

[DERBY]

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I think the white/gum with the perforated N looks pretty much perfect. Would.

As for nice 600 cw's, there have been plenty. One of my faves is the white/rain cloud cw with the light grey N.




But pleeease make more suede options for the 600. It's possibly the greatest shoe ever, and even better in suede.

[close]

i hate these so much, i think the leather makes them look like nurse shoes (and ruins a lot of colorways that would look better in suede)

[close]

See...I am with you. I don't get how these are the better colorways. I mean it's all a matter of opinion but I don't think this is a unanimous hot seller. To be fair, I hate this colorway in general even though it seems like an NB staple.

just swap em with black laces

[Watson]

No one can respond to the black/suede 480 criticism.

The fastest way to get negative rep on SLAP is to express any kind of critical thought about New Balance… even if you’re someone who has bought a lot of New Balances.

Also helps if you're acting like a fucking loser.

No one's responding to your criticism because no one cares. You're stating your opinion, not dropping some universal earth shattering truth. What's there to respond to?

[EDMUND]

“No one cares” …written on the 437th page of the New Balance thread.

[EDMUND]

If articulating strong opinions about shoe design in the exact place where it is appropriate to do so makes me a “fucking loser” then… okay.

[moonordie]

If articulating strong opinions about shoe design in the exact place where it is appropriate to do so makes me a “fucking loser” then… okay.

Clearly your lecture comprehensive skills are not that good. He told tou that you act like a fucking loser, not that you're one.

[EDMUND]

Wow...

[DarkPools]

Anyways, NB# makes excellent shoes and tough titties if specific colorways don't suit your very niche-specific tastes in how colorblocking should be done.

Sharpie/paint to customize or rip the fuckin logo off. It's not that hard and applies to all brands we skate

[EDMUND]

Anyways, NB# makes excellent shoes and tough titties if specific colorways don't suit your very niche-specific tastes in how colorblocking should be done.

Sharpie/paint to customize or rip the fuckin logo off. It's not that hard and applies to all brands we skate

Thank you for responding.

[Mongo Lloyd]

Anyways, NB# makes excellent shoes and tough titties if specific colorways don't suit your very niche-specific tastes in how colorblocking should be done.

Sharpie/paint to customize or rip the fuckin logo off. It's not that hard and applies to all brands we skate

Here I am imagining how out of all the things to criticize NB for that one would choose colorways. They’re constantly knocking it out of the park with the options they provide.