New Balance 550 'Turtledove'

Designed and debuted in the late 1980s, the New Balance 550 has largely been a relic of the past. The last three years, however, have seen the antiquated basketball shoe become a lifestyle staple. Recently, Steven Smith’s design appeared in a clean “Turtledove” outfit. The pair is reminiscent of the “Conversations Amongst Us” edition that dropped in April 2022, but closer inspection reveals various differences.

For starters, the newly-surfaced New Balance shoe features smooth and perforated leather, not canvas, across its upper. Furthermore, panels around the heel keep things sporty with mesh instead of hairy suede. Branding throughout the upper camouflages with its off white surroundings. Underfoot, tooling from ’89 also takes on a “Turtledove” finish that will surely make the offering a go-to option for sneaker customizers.