Will This Be The Summer of The New Balance T500s?

Photo Credit: New Balance

As I talked about in my last blog, old frequently becomes new again in sneakers, and the popularity of retro models like the New Balance 550 over the past few years has epitomised this.

“Re”-Launched in October 2020 in collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore (ALD), the silhouette and ALD touches demonstrated the power of thoughtful reinvention. The partnership breathed new life into a somewhat unknown and nearly forgotten silhouette and was a catalyst for the tremendous success and growth New Balance has had in recent times, raising expectations for the brand and future collaborations.

Photo Credit: Complex

Now, as New Balance sets its sights on revitalising another classic, the T500, the question on my mind is whether this model, a tennis shoe from 1982, can enjoy the same renaissance following ALD's discerning eye and Coco Gauff's endorsement.

Let’s Rewind

To appreciate the anticipation surrounding the T500's relaunch, one must first understand the kind of phenomenal story of the 550's revival since 2020. Initially introduced in the late '80s, the 550 languished in obscurity until ALD's Teddy Santis saw untapped potential in its vintage charm. The collaboration that followed didn't just reintroduce the sneaker; it reimagined it, transforming the 550 into a symbol of contemporary fashion.

This narrative of transformation sets a compelling backdrop for the T500's reintroduction, suggesting that with the right vision, another relic of the past can capture the zeitgeist of today.

It would seem that New Balance are following the same playbook for the T500 roll out as they did with the 550:

An ALD-exclusive drop, months in advance of a simple, but not in a bad way, general release pair.

Photo Credit: Aimé Leon Dore via Instagram

The ALD release was on September 15th, 2023, and today, almost exactly six months later to the day (March 14th, 2024), New Balance is releasing their general release first pair of T500s.

Don’t Call It A Comeback…

It feels to me like the current sneaker landscape could be ready to embrace the T500; for years, there has been a growing fascination with retro designs and the enduring popularity of collaborations. On top of that, like all things in fashion, trends are cyclical, and people who have been wearing Panda Dunks (no shade) or 550s for the last few years are likely to be looking for either, 1) Something new, or 2) What’s next? Whether or not this shoe really “takes” off will also likely be in large part down to whether it is embraced by sneaker TikTok, and fashion influencers.

Another point to note - who doesn’t like a comeback story?

Sneaker enthusiasts and casual wearers alike are drawn to stories of revival, where historical significance meets contemporary relevance. With the T500's tennis history and Coco Gauff's endorsement, blending legacy with contemporary, AND a relatively accessible price point of $110, I think the formula is there.

Go Time

For all its promise, the T500 does face a daunting task to emerge from the 550's shadow. Expectations for sneakers have never been higher, and the market is as saturated as it’s ever been.

The ALD collaboration and co-sign have distinct advantages, including the nostalgia factor and ALD's knack for creating buzz. But I do question if they waited too long for this GR release… Six months is a long time, and tastes move quickly.

Can the T500 can carve its own path and potentially reach audiences beyond the sneakerhead community? It has all the tools to be the sneaker of the summer, the kind of sneaker that people make TikToks counting how many they see in Lower Manhattan on a Saturday, and if it can penetrate beyond niche social media posts and into the mainstream, it could be go time.

Photo Credit: Aimé Leon Dore via Instagram

Conclusion:

While it's too early to predict whether the T500 will replicate the 550's meteoric rise, the collaboration embodies the spirit of revival that resonates deeply within sneaker culture. The T500 invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of fashion, where the past is always present, ready to be reimagined for a new generation.

Late Addition to the blog:

I waited to post this until the GR T500 released, and very surprisingly, the shoe did not drop is larger sizes...

How odd...

Photo Credit: New Balance

Oh, and of course, people were NOT happy about it:

Photo Credit: New Balance

Safe to say things are off to an obscure start.

This initial release told us that:

1) The biggest sizes they did release, sold out, and

2) There was at least some demand for larger 'mens' sizes.

Let's watch this space...