The Top 4 New Balance Sneaker Collabs in Recent Years

With the pandemic disrupting business operations, especially in the sportswear industry, many retailers reported

weaker sales. A paper called the COVID-19 Impact on 2020 U.S. Sportswear Sales published by The Lundquist College of Business notes that there was a 9% decrease in US sportswear sales last year, which included footwear.

But this did not stop retailers from releasing new products. One brand, in particular, even managed to dominate the

sneaker market this year. At the start of this month (August), New Balance had already posted over $500 million in

revenue for the first seven months of the year. New Balance has always been notoriously consistent with sales. A large part of this is due to their many successful sneaker collaborations, especially some high profile ones over the last couple of years. That being said, let's take a look at four of the best New Balance sneaker collaborations that have hit the consumer market recently.

Casablanca x New Balance 327

Credits: @casablancabrand  on Instagram

Earlier this year, the newest entry to the eagerly anticipated Casablanca and New Balance collab collection was

released. The sneakers, Red Monogram 327 and 237, featured a mesh and nylon upper, smooth suede, and wedged

heel. They even included red and green monogram prints and a large N branding in red leather on the side, finishing

the Après-sporty aesthetic. In fact, did you know that the first Red Monogram 327 model was released in April 2020? It was so successful that they released (and sold out) three more models within the year.

Todd Snyder x New Balance 327

Credits: @ toddsnyderny  on Instagram

Just last month, fashion designer Todd Snyder revealed his newest sneaker line in collaboration with New Balance.

The retro-inspired Todd Snyder x New Balance 327 Farmer’s Market collection drew inspiration from grains, fruits,

and vegetables. Each of the sneakers' colorway even corresponded to the wheat, pineapple, and pomegranate

graphics on the shoes’ tongue tags. The concept was conceived during the lockdown when Snyder was unable to go to the New York Union Square greenmarket with his daughter. In line with the partnership, Snyder also donated $10,000 to GrowNYC, an organization supporting farmer markets and providing New Yorkers with access to the freshest local produce.

KITH x New Balance RC1300

Credits: @kith on Instagram

New York-based retailer KITH is no stranger to collaborations. So, in commemoration of their 10th anniversary last

June, the brand announced the Ronnie Fieg for New Balance RC1300. The sneaker pack (named “The Colorist”) upheld Fieg’s collaborative ethos: premium materials in an attractive package. The sneakers incorporated KITH’s muted color palette and included pigskin suede, as well as its mesh uppers. Each model also featured KITH monogram-embossed N logos, two asymmetric embroidered “NB” logos and a little pegasus.

Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 827

Credits: @aimeleondore  on Instagram

Aimé Leon Dore has been a regular collaborator with New Balance, with the brand releasing six (and counting!)

projects in just two years. The design work of the two brands never failed to capture the attention of the public,

especially when celebrities like Justin Bieber considered them a must-have. After the successful release of the New Balance 997 in April 2019, another talked-about model is the New Balance 827, which was a revival of an elite series of running shoes in 1999. Released in 2020, the ALD/New Balance 827 model was made with synthetic suede overlays and mesh underlays. It also featured an ABZORB midsole with TPU stability web, nylon webbing with a reflective print, and a rubber outsole. Its co-branded insole topped the collaboration-specific identity of the design.

While the concept of collaboration is anything but new in the sneaker industry, New Balance has mastered the art.

Whether it is by finding personalities, tapping into consumer trends, or paying homage to vintage models, New Balance always finds ways to keep their collaborations interesting. As a result, more people — both sneakerheads and casual customers alike — continue to be drawn to the brand.