Synthetic leather upper for durability. Rubber outsole for traction. Traditional lacing system. Cotton laces. Branding hits at the side, heel, midsole, tongue tag, and insole. New Balance reintroduced the 550 in a major way in 2020 with the help of collaborative partners, led by Teddy Santis and Aimé Leon Dore. Following a string of must-have joint releases, the sportswear brand slowly began to integrate inline colorways that have sold out much like the aforementioned collabs. With a noticeably clean aesthetic, the 550 is a timeless classic that pays homage to ‘90s basketball players and the streetwear that defined a hoops generation. As New Balance puts it, the sneaker is simple and not overbuilt to deliver a sporty look. Now that it’s back in the limelight, don’t expect the 550 to go anywhere anytime soon. And seeing as each colorway comes and goes in a hurry, you’ll want to take advantage and scoop up a pair while you can.