Everything that is old is new again. It’s one of the main rules of fashion, and it couldn’t be truer than in the sneaker industry.
The New Balance 550 is the ultimate comeback kid getting a refresh from its original ’90s look. It evolved from a basketball shoe to an all-around sneaker that offers style and performance.
While the New Balance 550s were originally discontinued in the early 2000s, they’ve come back with a bang. These sleek sneakers offer the best of both worlds with comfort and performance in a versatile, everyday silhouette.
The New Balance 550 is the ultimate comeback kid, evolving from a basketball shoe to an all-around sneaker
Celebrities like Laura Harrier, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber have all stepped out in New Balance 550s. It’s not just the simple silhouette that makes the New Balance 550s a best-seller. The style has been at the forefront of a seemingly endless stream of collaborations.
We’re sharing everything you need to know about the New Balance 550 sneakers, including how to style them and what you need to know about New Balance 550s sizing.
The New Balance 550 Sneakers
The New Balance 550 first hit the market in 1992 as part of the brand’s basketball collection. Its minimalistic silhouette and diverse colorways gave it a unique look.
The shoe was discontinued in the early 2000s when New Balance shifted its focus from basketball shoes to running shoes.
The New Balance 550 made its debut on the market in 1992 as a basketball shoe with a minimalistic silhouette and diverse colors (Credit: Valdis Skudre / Shutterstock)
New Balance brought back the 550 style in 2022, capitalizing on the peak of athleisure popularity. The shoe returned as part of a collaboration with Aime Leon Dore, featuring a premium suede upper and leather accents.
The 550’s success was immediate, and it was quickly followed up by limited-edition sneaker drops with Rich Paul, Joe Freshgoods, and Auralee. Each collaboration added its own unique twist to the classic 550 design, further cementing its status as a must-have sneaker.
The style became an instant must-have amongst fashion influencers and celebrities as a minimalistic but versatile style that will slot into your everyday closet.
The New Balance 550 was discontinued in the early 2000s and was brought back in 2020 as part of a collaboration with NYC fashion and lifestyle brand Aime Leon Dore
The $110 to $120 price point makes the New Balance 550s a splurge purchase that won’t break the bank. It’s an alternative to classic ‘dad shoes,’ such as the Adidas Samba and the Nike Air Force 1.
Why the New Balance 550 Shoes Are Popular
The New Balance 550 sneakers have been a must-have ever since their re-release in 2020.
These comeback sneakers skyrocketed in popularity in 2022 thanks to celebrities and influencers like Matilda Djerf, Hailey Bieber, and the Hadid sisters. The 550s have now become New Balance’s most popular sneaker.
Hailey Bieber completes her workout outfit with New Balance 550 sneakers (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
What makes the New Balance 550s a best-selling style is their classic silhouette, comfort, and budget-friendly price point. $120 for an everyday sneaker puts it at a more attainable price point for a celebrity-approved style than most other brands.
While the style is available in its basic color options as part of New Balance’s permanent collection, its frequent collaborations make it a must-have for any sneaker collector. Aime Leon Dore has released several 550 sneakers that have gone on to resale for more than double their sticker price.
The 550s are popular because they blend a vintage look with the basketball aesthetic, rolling them up in a sleek and minimalistic silhouette that you can reach for every day.
The New Balance 550 is New Balance’s best-selling style, thanks to its classic silhouette, comfort, and budget-friendly price point
FAQs about New Balance 550 Sneakers
Before buying New Balance 550 sneakers, you want to get familiar with the style and the most common questions about the 550s.
How to Style the New Balance 550 Sneakers
The 550 sneakers offer a timeless silhouette while still being a trendsetting style adored by influencers and celebrities alike.
The versatility of the 550s means you can wear them with anything, from your post-workout gym gear to a knitted dress or denim jeans.
Aside from workout gear, the New Balance 550s can be paired with dresses and jeans for casual use
The key to styling the 550s is to let them be the classic piece that ties the rest of your outfit together. Style them with high-top socks for the ultimate vintage-inspired look.
Are the New Balance 550 Sneakers Discontinued?
The original New Balance 550 sneakers were sold between the early 1990s and early 2000s before they were discontinued. The current 550 sneakers were re-released in 2020 and are one of the best-selling styles for New Balance.
The New Balance 550 was discontinued in the early 2000s when New Balance shifted its focus from basketball shoes to running shoes
Why are New Balance 550 Sneakers Rare?
Certain New Balance 550 sneakers are rare as they’re launched as a limited-edition style as part of capsule collections and collaborations.
While you’ll find classic 550 styles as part of New Balance’s permanent collection, the seasonal and limited-edition versions of the 550 sneakers are known to sell out with a high resale value.
New Balance 550s that are launched as part of collaborations with other brands and artists, such as the Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 550 (L) and the Rich Paul x New Balance 550 (R), are usually limited-edition styles
The 550s are quickly becoming a popular alternative for Nike Air Jordans for sneaker collectors who want an accessible price point to kickstart or grow their collection.
Why are New Balance 550 Sneakers So Tight?
The New Balance 550 sneakers are largely seen as having a narrow fit, particularly around the toe box, which is narrower than the average sneaker.
While the shoes will typically run true to size, it depends on the width of your feet. We recommend sizing up ½ a size if you have wider feet.
New Balance 550s are narrow around the toe box, but most of the classic 550s come in both a normal and wide width, giving you more fitting options (Credit: Style Runner)
Online reviews of the New Balance 550 sneakers also comment on how heel slippage can occur, even when the toe box feels too narrow. Most of the classic 550s are available in a standard and wide-width option to give you more sizing variety.
What Year Did New Balance 550 Come Out?
The first New Balance 550 sneaker debuted in 1989 before the initial collections were released in the early 1990s. The style only had a few runs before entering New Balance’s archives at the start of the 2000s.
It was reintroduced in 2020 as part of a limited-edition collection before its popularity led to the 550s returning as part of New Balance’s permanent sneaker range.
Do New Balance 550s Fit Like Air Forces?
If you’re a fan of the Nike Air Force sneakers, you’ll probably want to pick up a pair of 550s. You shouldn’t expect the 550s to fit like your favorite Air Force sneakers.
The 550 has a narrower fit than the AF1s. You’ll want to try on a pair of New Balance 550s before ordering, especially if you have wider feet.
Nike Air Force 1s have wider fit than New Balance 550s
Are you looking to upgrade your everyday style? Pick up a pair of New Balance 550 sneakers to walk in the shoes of some of the most stylish celebrities!