Taking on the retro basketball design and making it an everyday essential, the New Balance 550 took a step back in history but a step forward in the world of modern streetwear. Whether targeting the fresh New Balance 550 green or surfing the newest releases in New Balance 550 India, this model still takes up the majority of sneaker rotations across the globe.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of the New Balance 550
- First available in 1989 as a P550 Basketball Oxford, the New Balance 550 was created by Steven Smith as a low-cut version of the NB 650.
- It had a perforated upper design, a moulded heel counter to stand firm in jumps, and a leather upper, which was perfect at the time, to play some basketball.
- Although it was durable and built to last, the 550 disappeared in obscurity by the late 90s because of new tech-savvy sneakers such as Nike Air and Reebok Pump.
- It was brought back in 2020 when the Aimé Leon Dore founder, Teddy Santis, rediscovered the model, and together with New Balance, brought it back to the model world.
Why the New Balance 550 Is Trending Again
- Retro Fashion: Retro basketball 550 style attracts the users who would fit in as wearers of the modern way of the 80s and 90s.
- Flexibility: It matches with street, smart-casual, as well as minimalist closets.
- Eva foam: Mid soles give comfort as well as padded collars.
- Hype Collabs: It also includes the addition of the ALD, Rich Paul, and Auralee.
- India presence: The products can be availed more easily as the demands grow in what is termed as the New Balance 550 India releases available on Best Sneaker website like Limited Edt.
Popular Colourways: Spotlight on New Balance 550 Green
One of the most coveted colourways has to be the New Balance 550 green with its clean and varsity-inspired style. Here is why it sticks out:
- Design: White base made of leather, and forest green detail on the N logo, heel tab, and outsole.
- Styling: Goes easily with jogging, jeans, or even formal trousers.
- Accessibility: Constantly replenished units in India and present at Limited Edt.
New Balance 550 Price in India
| Model | Price Range (INR) | Availability |
| New Balance 550 White/Green | ₹9,999 – ₹13,499 | Flipkart, Limited Edt |
| New Balance 550 Triple White | ₹7,499 – ₹18,999 | Hustle Culture, Amazon |
| New Balance 550 Black/White | ₹10,499 – ₹14,999 | Superkicks, Myntra |
| New Balance 550 Men’s Editions | ₹8,000 – ₹17,999 | Amazon, Tata CLiQ |
> Note: Prices vary based on size, seller, and availability.
New Balance 550 for Men: A Style Essential
The New Balance 550 men’s collection is very diverse in terms of colours and fit. Choose a bright contrast or a soft shade that suits your mood: a pair with any of them will be found.
- Most suitable to wear Street: White /Red, White / Black
- Best All-Rounder: Minimalists: Triple White, Grey/Blue
- Best Statement Looks: White/Green, Burgundy and Juniper
Origin Story of New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 was first released in 1989 which was designed by Steven Smith as a basketball shoe. At that time, New Balance focused more on running shoes, so the 550 was a new direction for the brand.
The shoe didn’t perform well in the market and was soon discontinued. For years, it stayed out of production and was known only to a few collectors.
In 2020, New Balance brought back the 550 in collaboration with Teddy Santis, the founder of Aimé Leon Dore. The relaunch kept the original design but updated it to suit current fashion trends. This move helped the 550 gain popularity again.
Why New Balance 550 Became a Cultural Phenomenon
The New Balance 550 gained real popularity after its relaunch in 2020. The brand teamed up with Aimé Leon Dore, and this collaboration helped bring the shoe back into the spotlight. People noticed its clean design and classic basketball look, which stood out in a market filled with overly modern styles.
The 550 had a low-cut shape and leather on the outside. Its vintage look made it easy to wear with everyday clothes. People who liked classic sneakers started to prefer this model.
Photos of the 550 started to appear more often on social media. As more people saw it online, interest in the shoe began to grow. New Balance only released a small number of pairs at a time, which made it harder to get and more talked about.
The shoe didn’t just return—it found a new place with younger people. A mix of retro style and modern fashion made it one of the most noticed shoes from New Balance in the last few years.
Design Philosophy Behind the New Balance 550
New Balance 550 is not a mere revival of the old model because it is more of a masterclass schooling of minimalist design, but informed by functionality. Crafted by the same creative mind behind the renowned Reebok Instapump Fury and Nike Zoom Streak Spectrum designs, Steven Smith, the 550 was developed with an emphasis on performance and operational durability.
The important design features are:
- Perforated side-panels & enhanced ventilation: An enhancement over the previous NB 480.
- Moulded heel counter: Increases sturdiness in providing lockdown to lateral movement.
- Pan midsole & EVA foam: Light insoles to make all day comfortable.
- New traction pattern: Originally designed with inspiration from basketball traction, these suits are now particularly popular in urban environments.
These qualities turn the New Balance shoes 550 into an ultimate combination of form and functionality that suits sneakerheads who do not want to reveal only one of these qualities.
The Resale Market & Hype Culture
Similar to most hyped-up sneakers, the New Balance 550 has established a market in resale apparel. Special collabs and colourways that are Limited Edition tend to go out of stock in minutes, firing up demand and resale prices on secondary markets such as StockX and GOAT.
| Model | Retail Price (INR) | Resale Price (INR) |
| ALD x New Balance 550 “Natural Green” | ₹12,000–₹14,000 | ₹30,000–₹45,000 |
| Rich Paul x NB 550 | ₹13,000 | ₹28,000–₹35,000 |
| Auralee x NB 550 | ₹15,000 | ₹40,000+ |
> Tip: If you’re looking to buy at retail, keep an eye on Limited Edt for early access drops.
How the New Balance 550 Compares to Other Sneakers
| Sneaker | Style | Comfort | Versatility | Hype Level |
| New Balance 550 | Retro Basketball | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nike Dunk Low | Streetwear Classic | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Adidas Forum Low | Vintage Hoops | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Air Jordan 1 Low | Iconic Heritage | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
The New Balance 550 men’s collection stands toe to toe with giants such as the Dunk and the Jordan 1, at least in the case of people who want a simple style but with a vintage feel.
Looking to Own a Piece of Sneaker History? Limited Edt Is Your Final Destination
Whether you are seeking out the New Balance 550, a new pair of New Balance shoes 550 or even an ever-evolving Air Jordan 1, you can get them through Limited Edt, a place where authentic sneaker drops are available with the absolute best selection.
- Very broad range of worldwide and India-exclusive releases.
- Confirmed genuineness and expedited shipping.
- Access to unique releases and priority for Limited-Edition launches.
