Since its inception in 2014, Aimé Leon Dore has become a beacon of simplicity and quality. Based in Queens, New York, ALD (as the brand is often abbreviated) has crept into the streetwear world due, in part, to their commitment to minimalism, undeniable quality and partnership efforts. ALD’s recent collaborations with New Balance have allowed the retailer to spread its name into the sneaker world like wildfire.
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7 New Balance Collabs We Love
Recently, ALD teased its upcoming collaborative New Balance 990v2. As a release date looms, the hype for the latest Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance sneaker is astronomical—and for a good reason. The color blocking of the silhouette is perfect for ALD to strut their quality and range of colors.
Inspired by the upcoming ALD x New Balance 990v2, we’re taking a look at the seven best New Balance sneaker collabs. Take a look.
1. Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 997 “Yellow Tongue”
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Again, New Balance showcases why its 997 is the perfect model for collaborations. The silhouette is classic as it resonates with the on-going “dad shoe” trend, thanks to its enlarged midsole. Unlike most chunky shoes in the market, the New Balance 997 is extremely light and a cool beater shoe.
ALD provides a Midas touch by staying true to its simple yet effective touch-ups. The use of light, pastel colors contrasts with the dark and dull grays. The yellow tongue is the perfect pop of color to keep you fresh while staying comfortable.
2. Bodega x New Balance 997 Sport “No Bad Days”
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New Balance linked up with another retailer from Tile Town for this 997 Sport. The Bodega x New Balance 997S brings a lot of personalities. The array of hues alone makes this shoe stand out more than any other New Balance collaboration. The 997 Sport features an extended and stacked ENCAP midsole for the perfect amount of comfort. The silhouette includes suede, mesh and rubber for a culmination of quality that is second to none.
3. Kith x New Balance 997 “United Arrows and Sons”
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New York-based retailer Kith is at the epicenter of collaborations. Whether it be apparel or sneakers, a Kith collab is always in the spotlight. The New Balance 997 is a lightweight sneaker that is great for everyday wear with a breathable mesh upper. The combination of gray, purple, pink and cream come together perfectly as it toes the line between subtlety and vibrancy.
4. Ronnie Fieg x New Balance 530 “Central Park”
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Whether it’s a Ronnie Fieg or a Kith collaboration, you can always rely on a New York story from Queens’ very own. The colorway is inspired by Central Park in the fall, as the 530 silhouette uses hints of yellow, gold, red and burgundy that perfectly sum up the season.
The 530 silhouette features a quilted upper paired with a quilted inner tongue that differentiates itself from other New Balance models while focusing on luxury and comfort the NB way.
5. Concepts x New Balance 997 Sport “ERSUC”
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Concepts dives deep into Boston’s history on another New Balance collaboration. The Concepts x New Balance 997 Sport “ESRUC” was inspired by the Curse of the Bambino. For those unfamiliar with the tale, the infamous moment in Boston sports history is traced back to the Red Sox trading Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, creating an 86-year-old championship drought.
Aside from the great history lesson, the colorway is genuinely a work of art. The magenta pigskin suede is so vivid that you can sense it through pictures. The hints of pink across the upper and the combination of orange and gray on the outsole provides the perfect amount of chaos.
6. PHANTACi x New Balance 997.5
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This collaboration celebrates the Taiwanese streetwear store’s 10th anniversary. The collaborative 997.5 took a more creative direction by changing up the color blocking scheme and separating it into three different sections of black, white and vivid pink. The back heel tab features a perforated cloth that makes PHANTACi’s collab stand out from any other 997 models.
There’s more comfort with its REVlite outsole, which contains 30 percent more foam. The simplicity of the color scheme and extra foam makes this shoe a great one to have in your rotation.
7. HANON x New Balance 1500 “Chosen Few”
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Since 1993, HANON has been serving Scotland as a premium retailer that has grown exponentially in Europe and the United States. Using the New Balance 1500 as the base model, the silhouette features lots of suede with a mesh toe box like most New Balances. However, the sleek design of the midsole is impactful. The use of royal blue, light blue and deep navy are the perfect trifecta.
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